The Material Review

Issue 145: Airport-Lounge Wars, Texas Golf Clubs, 50 Best Clothing Stores, Being a Bum, Notes on Shopping and Giving, Spotlight On: Garrett Wade.

Stories worth reading. Stop indexing the internet.

The Airport-Lounge Wars

“When you’re waiting for a flight, what’s the difference between out there and in here?” [The New Yorker]

The Fort Worth Company Making Golf Clubs for the Stars

“You may not play like Artisan Golf clients Scottie Scheffler and Tiger Woods. But the company will help you take a swing at it.” [Texas Monthly]

The 50 Best Clothing Stores in America

[NYT]

The Dying Art of Being a Bum

“On ‘Useless Humans’ in the Age of AI” [Hickman’s Hinterlands]

Points of Sale

“Notes on shopping and giving.” [The Paris Review]

A shortlist of things we’ve got our eye on.

Junior’s Brown Donegal Herringbone Tweed Sport Coat

Drake’s x Sabah Como Taba Suede Shoes

Quaker Marine Salt washed Knit MacArthur

Whaler Knits x Milworks Heavy Shaker Knit Sweater

Gardenheir Waxed Canvas Barn Jacket

BEAMS PLUS Ribbed Cashmere Beanie

Garrett Wade

Waxed Canvas Log Carrier

USA Made Foldable Sturdy Garden Cart

Garrett Wade’s Rocking Pizza Knife

Beechwood Boules Set Made in France

Japanese Hot Water Bottle

Windup Scooter Girls

Mini Damascus Rosewood Knife

Classifieds

Welcome to our weekly “Classifieds” section of the newsletter. The idea is to find an easy way to promote things happening in our ecosystem. Think of this space to promote your eBay shop, event, newsletter, app, book, tool or your personal brand (if you must). Drop us a line at if you’re interested in buying an item in an upcoming issue. Price: $200 for four ads. Maximum 280 character per ad.

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🧢 Asawin: New (Kids Clothes) On the Block

Asawin makes kidswear for the mess-makers, the risk-takers, and the fun-havers. No gender labels, just joyful colors and mix-whatever-you-want pieces. Tough, comfy, chaos-friendly, with outfit bundles that save you money and preserve your morning sanity.

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👖Jeans, T-Shirts, Classic Menswear: AYR

Carefully sourced. Thoughtfully designed. A decade of denim made in LA. Our clothes are grounded in real life. Versatile, comfortable, easy-wearing essentials that are designed to love forever. Longevity is a luxury.

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🔍 Patina Studies Pop Up Market

Saturday, Dec 6th - 12 - 6PM. 1 Columbus Ave., SF, CA

A holiday market from our friend Tim Marvin. Expect high-end menswear, vintage, samples, and other hand-picked pieces from great brands.

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🏕️ Working Loose Holiday Bizarre Bazaar

Saturday, Dec 6th - 10AM - 5PM. Blue Hill, ME

Go and buy fly fishing gear from Al James. Also: Tarot Readings, Oysters, Chain Stitching, Hot Chai, Glacial Erratic Ts, High-Vibe Clothes, Vintage Outdoors, Botanical Skincare, Wild House Plants, Maine Spirits, Handmade Mirrors, Mushrooms, Artisan Papers