5 Classic American Items Every Man Should Own – From Details Magazine
Americans lag a little behind the rest of the world when it comes to how we dress. And those of us who are Americans know this. For proof, look no further than the differences between the wardrobes of this year’s World Cup Teams. Thanks to kin who pointed out in the comments section of this recent post how the US just doesn’t match up sartorially. Sure the shoes were cool, but the guys look like a bunch of office scrubs on their way back from a lunch-time racquetball match. England looks like they own the club team USA just left.
But that doesn’t mean those of us in the Good Ol’ U.S. of A. can’t hang our hats on a few styles we’ve brought to the world. Details Magazine has made a list of their favorite Five Classic American Items that every guy should own. Click on over to the slideshow, then come back for the agreements, disagreements, and analysis below.
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The Details List & The Dappered.com Take
1. Ray-Ban Original Wayfarers
2. Levi’s 501 Jeans – YES. Absolutely. Denim trends come and go, and then come back again, but the Levi’s 501 is the ever constant. Not too baggy, not too slim, straight leg, perfect washes… like this one.
3. Converse Chuck Taylors – NO. Not quite. Chucks are all well and good but they’re just not that comfortable. Jack Purcells
4. Timex Military Watch Exclusively for J. Crew – NO. This watch is everywhere. Yes its simplicity is attractive… but… c’mon. Whoever came up with the idea to slap a NATO wristband on a plain Jane Timex, have J. Crew market it, then sell it for an over the top $150 is a genius. Because guys are buying it like crazy.
5. Calvin Klein Underwear Boxer Briefs – YES. As long as they aren’t Spanx for men, that’s fine. But the European inspired trunk with shorter legs is superior for those of us who hate the ride up factor.
Agreements? Disagreements? Did Details miss any? Leave feedback in the comments below…
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There’s plenty of different Wayfarers, no need to buy the original 2140. .
Does the button fly on the 501 not annoy anyone else? Any reason why I can’t just go with the 505 regular Levi’s and get a zipper like a normal pair of jeans?
I myself, personally like the button fly. Don’t know why I prefer it, I just do. Makes the jeans feel more substantial to me I think. 505s are basically the same, but I’ve had a hard time finding them in store in the darker washes. Sometimes…
Personally I got the timex for Jcrew watch as a gift and absolutly love it. I wear it everyday and love to buy new Nato straps to switch it up. However, you could just buy this timex (http://cgi.ebay.com/Timex-T40051-Mens-Metal-Field-Expedition-Classic-watch-/390180753008?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Wristwatches&hash=item5ad895ce70) for $35.49 shipped off ebay and then just buy the jcrew straps or any nato strap that you can also buy off ebay for pretty cheap. Also, I love the Ray-Ban Wayfarer but do agree that one pair of sunglasses will never work for everyones different face.
id like to say that buttonfly pants lay better especially of you sit down etc. also the zipper can be damaged where a lost button isnt a problem at all.
going to the restroom…. zippers ARE dangerous if you ask me 😀
Button is far superior than zipper.
As far as classics they missed the aviator glasses instead of the way-farer.
They shouldve added the navy gold button blazer from ralph Lauren which I think is an ivy league classic in itself. But I see why maybe not every guy out there would wear it.
Also the jean jacket from levi’s is classic but I don’t own one. Not really my style so I can see why it wouldn’t be on this list also.
I only own the wayfarer shades and the CK underwear. But not necessarily because I consider them classics, but because they’re comfortable and look good ON ME. So as for the 5 items above, classic and timeless, YES….everyone can wear them, definitely not.
Oh hell, I was actually wearing chucks, levi’s and ray-bans today.
Original Wayfarers? Or some of the new models they’ve been coming out with? I really like the new Ray-Ban RB4141 Round Wayfarer they’ve launched. They’re a little expensive, but just flat out professor-cool.
They’re the new style you mentioned up there. Those round ones are awesome.
Buttons are so annoying.. Though I do admit they make the pants seem more substantial.
Nothing better than a Button fly in my opinion…I loathe zippers.
Just got my first pair of 501s, I love em! gotta watch out for their ugly color lines, the darker blue/sleet blue is fantastic though!
Looking at a pair of 501s- can anyone tell me if the rigid and/or rinse washes bleed? Seems dumb to have to worry about turning things blue.
I’ll stick with my Chuck Taylors! I got married in those shoes.
@Mark: My pair doesn’t. But I also always, always wash them inside out, on a cold short cycle, with like colors. Here’s how I do it.