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)
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:
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)
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.
Total math: The Row Look = $8480. My Front Street look = $290.
look 3 (The Row = $8480. Front Street = $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 -
Total math: The Row Look = $2630. My Front Street look = $256.
look 4 (The Row = $3840. Front Street = $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 -
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
There u have it. Any ideas for my next Row-but-not edition?! Comment below! i am listening.
Good for you! I think it’s bad to overpay for basic pieces.
not Row-related, but i got my french painter style jacket, preloved with actual paint splatters, at Front Street General, great store. on second thought, reminiscent of the Jolene jacket, so maybe Row-related after all!