Chris Black has returned to the Strategist with a monthly column to answer all of your burning questions, from super-specific style predicaments and workout and tennis recs to foolproof host-gift ideas that will get you invited back to the beach house.
Looking for double-kneed pants that aren’t Carhartt.
The double-kneed pant trend is not slowing down, and there seems to be no shame in blue-collar stolen valor. I got a pair of black Carhartt double-knees from my friend Mikael over a decade ago when we were shooting in Santa Fe and my RRL jeans ripped so severely that I risked indecent exposure. I wore them into the ground. I still have them, patch long ago removed, and they look great. Anyway, here are some great non-Carhartt options.
I have recommended OrSlow jeans here before, but everything it makes is right on the money. They are made from a lighter 100 percent cotton, so they will break in a little easier, which is good because we know you aren’t doing any manual labor in these. The curved rear pockets give them a different flavor than most.
This made-in-Italy pair from New York’s Corridor is dead simple in a great way. The hand-distressed shade of brown is perfect, and the fit is relaxed without being baggy. No logos, no funny business.
Hemp is quietly durable, which makes it a good choice for this pair of hemp-canvas double-kneed pants from Patagonia. It’s more abrasion-resistant than regular cotton-duck canvas, and, best of all, there is no break-in period. The pants are offered in several inseam lengths.
Matty Matheson’s Toronto-based Rosa Rugosa offers its ten-ounce duck-canvas Dufferin double-knee in four great colors, including a fun “hickory stripe.” The pants feel durable but could also work in less casual situations, which is a nice bonus.
Which shoes should I wear to my black-tie wedding?
I avoid patent leather like the plague — I don’t know why, because it is a very traditional choice for wearing with tuxedos. It makes any suit look like a rental no matter how beautiful. We want to avoid that. These aren’t gonna be cheap, but your wedding look is the perfect time to splurge a little.
This is not a super-traditional option, but depending on the fit and finish of your tuxedo, these black leather House Shoes from Bode could be perfect. They are simple, but the details make them interesting.
You can’t miss with the high-shine polish on this pair of traditional penny loafers from John Lobb. It is just formal enough, and you will wear them for the rest of your life. They might last longer than your marriage.
A simple, well-made derby is another great tux option that you can wear for years post-nuptials. These are made in Northampton from a unique “Bookbinder” leather that gives them a consistent high shine.
For my money, this is the best shoe to wear with a tuxedo. The black ostrich is special and understated, the shoes slip on and off easily, and ultimately they feel elegant, which is how you want to feel in a situation like this.
Any recommendations for heavyweight tees for summer?
A lot of people love a heavyweight T-shirt; it feels substantial and has more shape. Technically, if it doesn’t weigh six ounces or more, it ain’t heavyweight. Anyway, it has risen in popularity, and I have done the work IRL and online to find some good options for you.
My co-host on How Long Gone, Jason Stewart, swears by these. They have just enough heft, a strong neck, and, since they are from Costco, they run a little big, so you can wash and dry without a thought.
This bad boy weighs in at ten ounces; they mean business. Everything L.A.-based Lady White Co. makes is simple, cool, and well constructed, and this big-boy T-shirt is no different. I would wash this one as often as possible; it retains the shape and vibe but breaks in nicely.
We can’t sleep on Los Angeles Apparel. It consistently cranks out some of the best basics in almost every category, and the price is right. “Garment-dyed” just means the shirt has been washed in dye after it was sewn, so the broken-in feel and color will be maintained no matter how many times you run it through the Miele.
This affordable option from the kings of basics at Uniqlo is the most popular heavyweight shirt in my orbit. I see it constantly on friends and enemies alike. The price is right, it comes in a wide array of good colors, and the neck will never go bacon mode.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
