The Material Review
Issue 117: Finding Purpose, The Last Indie Rock Star, Southern Textile Haven, Ralph Lauren Revivalist, Terence Stamp, Aperitivo, Heywood-Wakefield, Spotlight On: Bucket Hats and Comfy Rugby Shirts.
Stories worth reading. Stop indexing the internet.
The Ultimate Career Advice: Make Your Work Your Calling
“Three ways to find purpose and meaning in a job” [The Atlantic]
Is Mac DeMarco the Last Indie Rock Star?
“The musician’s overwhelming popularity can overshadow his ethos of self-reliance. On his new album, “Guitar,” he played every instrument and is releasing it on his own label.” [The New Yorker]
How a Small Town in Alabama Became a Textile Haven
“In the town of Florence, designer Natalie Chanin is keeping alive the region's cotton and manufacturing tradition, one handsewn garment at a time” [CN Traveler]
A Ralph Lauren Revivalist
“In the Hudson Valley sits a shrine—and shop—to all things Polo” [Air Mail]
Terence Stamp’s Swinging, Smoldering Style
“He helped redefine male beauty, ushering in the era of the cinematic bad boy.” [NYT]
On the Art of Aperitivo
“Not quite a guide, not quite a story either.” [The Apertivo Pages]
Inside the Tight-Knit Network of Heywood-Wakefield Obsessives
“I probably have enough to refinish till the day I die.” [Dwell]
A shortlist of things we’ve got our eye on.
Anatomica Hand Fringed Madras Tie Mustard
Silo Stack
Imogene + Willie Whisper Twill Shirt in Poppy
Anglo-Italian Field Overshirt
Bucket Hats
American Trench Ventile Bucket Hat
Found Feather Boonie Crusher Hat
Parapack B-CAP
Imperial Oxford Bucket Hat
Conkers Fishermans Wax Bucket
orSlow U.S. Navy Hat - Denim
William Lockie x Frans Boone
Super Geelong Rugby 4/4 Stripe Prugna Spezie
Super Geelong Rugby 4/4 Stripe Spezie Cereluo
Super Geelong Polo Malva
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.
🎉 Quaker Marine Supply End of Summer Party
Thursday, August 21st - 6:00-9:00pm. 117 Greenpoint Ave, NYC.
Join us this Thursday to make the most of summer while it’s still here. Free lobster, crab, and shrimp rolls (while they last!) Plus plenty of beer and tunes all night.
🎉 Buck Mason: A Neighborhood House Party
Saturday, August 23rd. 2-6pm. 1617 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Live music by Matt Costa and The Emkays. Eats by Burger She Wrote.
My partner and I took a road trip from Texas for Billy Reid’s first Shindig in Florence, Alabama. Our first morning there we drove out to a light industrial park where Natalie Chanin’s shop was supposed to be. No signs anywhere. We drove around in circles and finally spotted a door with some odd stick built pieces painted white out front. It was the quirkiest thing in the area, and seemed likely to be the place. We knocked on the door and they welcomed us in. Not because they were open for business, or expecting us, just because that’s the way people are in Alabama. It was a workshop and showroom full of Chanin’s textiles, there were a few sculptural pieces by folk artist Butch Anthony who was there. And a character from New York who introduced himself as Mordechai. The whole place was busy with activities making ready for a visit from the Levi’s people who were there to see the things Natalie made. We were shown around and had a nice visit. On our way out the door the guy from New York asked to take my picture. His real interest was in my French Veal Russell Chukkas. Every time I put them on I’m reminded of Mister Mort.