SomHACK: when u love the Row but still have to pack your lunch

The answer is Front General Store

Today’s newsletter format is our SomHACK. A quick tip to make your life easier (or maybe just cooler). This is our back by popular demand ROW edition.

This week we are back with some of the most important advice i could possibly offer u - how to buy the Row without actually buying the Row. As i mentioned in my first SomHACK Row edition I am frequently finding myself trying to decide. Do i save up for that CT home i saved on Zillow or that Row bag I booked marked on Mr. Porter? The Row is beautiful - but wow, it is expensive.

Thankfully for those of us that love the Row BUT still need to pack a lunch for work - i have a solution.

It’s called Front General Store.

I first stumbled onto Front General Store while wandering Dumbo on a Saturday probs 8 years ago - it reminded me of the best vintage stores i'd visit when traveling to Tokyo for work.

What makes it so great? - the strong point of view, the reasonable prices, the quality of the pieces and the variety of stuff you'll see.

Everything from the cases of silver jewelry to the shelves of vintage levi's, 90 s prada bags, racks military rain coats and 80s commes des garçons - I’ll always find an excuse to leave with something for myself, work, or a gift for a friend.

On this particular Saturday I walked in looking for a vintage version of the Row's Burty Jean - within minutes I found my pair hanging in the back. The straight leg fit , the icy bleached blue wash and the 2 blasted out knees. They have a huge selection in-store but the closest option i could find online is this guy here). there were actually 2 pairs that fit this description- but I went with the size 32. Sizing up to get that Row-ish look is key.

I took them to the fitting room with a few other pieces too -

look 1 (The Row = $6340. Front Street = $602)

The vintage levis worn with this oversized french work jacket + green stone silk shirt (says sold out but not in store!) + front street tee + stan smiths. Total = $602.

What makes it “Row-ish”: in the last few Row collections, something u see so much more is the interesting mix of colour. Until the last few seasons I didn’t think of colour at all when i thought of the Row but now they’re mixing it in a very simple way. They’ll keep the pop of colour to one colour but in interesting fabrics and pretty casual silhouettes. Example A:

Look 45 from their SP24 lookbook here. Frank Jacket + Penn Shirt + Steven Top + Fred Jean + Cary Loafer. Total = $6340 (!).

This look copies that same formula = one single pop of color + interesting fabric.

Total math: The Row Look = $6340. My Front Street look = $602.

look 2 (The Row = $8480. Front Street = $290)

Men’s khaki military short ($54 in-store, not online) + red silk shirt + dbl naval trench (in-store but similar option online here). Sizing up is key here - the easier the better a unrestricted and a bit off hand - all 3 pieces are xl. Total = $290.

What makes it “Row-ish”: Proportion play is interesting here. The contrast of a long coat and shorts. You’ll see that a lot from the Row - here & here. As always, size up. All three pieces are XL. Also goes back to the colour again - the bold statement of red in a casual short-sleeved shirt vs. the Row look below.

SP24 Look 74. Montrose Coat + Vinicus Top + Koa Pant + Slide. Total = $8480.

Total math: The Row Look = $8480. My Front Street look = $290.

look 3 (The Row = $8480. Front Street = $256)

men’s black ralph lauren rugby - lots of options in-store, but online option here. worn with nylon black cargos here + stan smiths. Total = $256.

What makes it “Row-ish”: So much of the silhouettes u find at both Front General and the Row are sooooooo classic and familiar - trenches, men's button downs, the long sleeve tee, the slip , the pull over -

so here we have the classic rugby and the cargo short. I love these two together.

• 1. the combo of the high shine nylon with the well-worn cotton

• 2. the stealth black on black ( all black 💯 cool and 100 the Row) just as we talk about colour we have to talk about their usual lack there of per example below -

  

  The Row Look SP24 Look 62. Dolino top + carlisle pant + lace up boot. Total = $2630.

Total math: The Row Look = $2630. My Front Street look = $256.

look 4 (The Row = $3840. Front Street = $376)

ah the versatility of a trouser + tee. i see it all over the Row’s look books - here and here. Pant + casual shirt. it’s the most simple combination and also my favorite.

german work trouser (similar option here) + front street tee + navy work jacket. Total = $376.

What makes it “Row-ish”: the versatility of a mens trouser is kind of the theme of every Row show-they give every outfit a casual off handed attitude - love it with a simple tee or a colour on top just like one of my fav looks from the last look book here.

versatile trouser inspo -

SP25 Look 15. Pieces aren’t out / priced yet but based on similar pieces u can find on their site now, we’re looking at a total of = $3840.

Total math: The Row Look = $3840. My Front Street look = $376.

other things at Front Street that were Row-ish:

• the shelf of basic 100 % cotton sturdy tees

• the almost too normal selection of refined handbags

• the assortment of calder- esque statement jewelry

• the familiar slip-on shoe in a colour to offset a simple suit

• the collection of super classic acetate frames -I esp love the round Mr Chow-esque ones

• the rack of long oversized trench coats

snaps from last saturday's trip. it's one of the best shops in nyc - and you walk out with a Row-ish look for $5,000 dollars less.

There u have it. Any ideas for my next Row-but-not edition?! Comment below! i am listening.