The Material Review
Issue 110: YKK’s Zipper Empire, Elite Darts, French Hardware Stores, Tech Pants Takedown, Going Shirtless and ACL x OMTC.
Stories worth reading. Stop indexing the internet.
Can YKK’s Zipper Empire Hold?
“YKK has spent decades mastering the global supply chain. Now it has to weather the Trump-tariff era.” [Bloomberg]
Who’s in charge, me or the Devil? The agony and the ecstasy of elite darts
“Premier League Darts is making its top stars multimillionaires. Pressure to perform is intense” [FT]
‘Quincaillerie’ Is French for ‘Hardware Store,’ but It Means So Much More
“These quintessential shops are treasure chests offering a little bit of everything, and many have been run by the same family for 100 years or more.” [NYT]
We Must End the Scourge of Tech Pants
“Nobody has ever looked good in ‘performance chinos.’ It’s time for the sloppy, synthetic simulacrum of trousers to go the way of the dodo.” [GQ]
The Masculine Urge to Read & Write Shirtless
“The Case for Summer as the Best Reading Season (p. 1)” [Men Read Fiction Too!]
A shortlist of things we’ve got our eye on.
Kestin Stow Smock
Best Made Co. Spare Parts Trays
Unimatic U1-GMT Diving Heritage Watch
August Special Chukka Boot - Marraca
Kamakura Lightweight Cotton Linen Jacket Gingham Check
Working 'Slack Pant' Nantucket
ACL x Original Madras Trading Co.
A few sizes remain. Get one before they’re gone.
Madras Popover
Madras Shirt
Walking into the office I had the realization that looking better really starts with materials. The guy in front of me was wearing chinos and a polo, as was I. But his were tech golf stretch something’s. Mine was all cotton. Not considering fit or style or anything else it’s shocking how much better natural materials look.