Another Useless Product

There's a time for everything. Or so the saying goes. That saying may be the rule, where the items I put forth as useless are the exceptions. And be sure to understand: by useless I do not mean without utility, but rather that there is no real need for the product. Perhaps "needless" would have been a better word choice. But we're too far in, now, and "useless" is more demeaning. So without further ado, here is the latest useless product.

Naked and Famous Denim, makers of fine jeans and a few other choice items (their bare-bones ThickBelt is quite appealing), have taken a ride down Useless Lane on their Adventure Trikes! Don't get too excited. You know that Bic lighter you spent $1.99 on at the 7-Eleven because your boy Jones had "some of the illest nugs he'd ever scored"? Yeah, well now apparently you need a leather case for that. $2 dollar product, $40 leather case; that makes sense. I can understand investing in something to protect your custom-made Zippo (the one your ladyfriend got you after that perfect roadtrip to Sedona that says "Two Spirits Made One: Jack and Tina Forever, Sedona 2005"). You gotta keep that in top shape--Zippos cost. But a Bic lighter? Come on! On another note: the wallet and cardholder seem fine. You're allowed to get them. (via Hypebeast)

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Chambray swim trunks? You betcha! Surf shop Katin and label-cum-activists Apolis Activism have teamed up for what I would call a brilliant set of swimwear. These fall into the category of adult swimwear I was speaking about way back when. The three button fly, challsic material and subtle style notes make them an easy choice for both the beach and the boardwalk. Grab them at Apolis' store for $108. (via Hypebeast)

Classy meets casual with Patrik Ervell's latest. This slim-fit shawl collar cardigan is just an amazing piece. I'm not huge on the color, but I've never been huge on it, as it tends to wash my already extreme whiteness out a bit. If this came in navy, I don't know if I'd be able to hold back. Obviously not the best idea to be wearing in these humid summer days, but part of buying is thinking ahead. The savvy man shipping for Winter, shops in the Summer. It's sold out right now, but one can dream for a restock. (via Selectism)

Red Wing makes some damn fine shoes. Damn fine, indeed. And I hope this is just a bad shot or poor presentation, because I generally find myself liking what they have to offer (though it's often just a bit too clunky). The item above, from their showing at Bread and Butter Berlin, looks like dress shoes for a clown. Again, what I am hoping is that the laces are tied too tight making the upper half of the shoe seem smaller than it really is. What I am not hoping for is the beginnng of a new clown shoe trend in fashion. (via Selectism)

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Think that's a shot from the new Tron: Legacy film? Thinkfail on you. That's an honest-to-God lightcycle. The gents at Parker Brothers Choppers have decided to manufacture (at request and payment of $35,000), a street legal version of the unmistakable cycle from one of the greatest programmer-turned-action-hero-inside-a-computer movies ever. Grab it on eBay. Make sure to check the links on this one. (via Autoblog)

Shawl collar cardigans add an extra bit of elegance and style that you just don't get with those flat-collared ones J. Crew is offering this linen-cotton toggle cardigan up as a summer item, but you'll get use from it year round, which is what makes it truly great. And at only $98, it's a steal. Grab it here. Right now. (via Prepidemic)

I am a supporter of pretty much anything gingham (which derives from the Malay word ging-gang, meaning striped--but you knew that). I just can't help myself. Macro-, micro-, whatever. Count me in. I'm also a huge fan of Rugby, Ralph Lauren's too-cool-for-school prepster brand (despite it's conspicuous absence from my wardrobe). So put the two together and I'm there. Add to it a superb deal ($40/ea.) and the deal gets even sweeter. (via Sartorially Inclined)

Unacceptable

I've never been a  fan of mechanical pencils. I press too hard when I write so the lead always breaks. They do have some of the best erasers in the game (the writing utensil game, that is), but those, too, are flimsy and subject to fly out if pressed too hard. I've also never known anyone who has ever owned a mechanical pencil that's worked for over a few months time. That's just a few reasons why this is just ridiculous.

You're looking at the Tombow Zoom 505sh. This is a $30.00 mechanical pencil. Now, I understand having a "good" pen. Maybe not dropping the money for a Mont Blanc, but something sturdy, reliable, classy. I could understand spending about $50-$100 on a really nice pen. Especially as a gift. But a mechanical pencil? The price ceiling for these things should be $3.50, and thats for a dozen. Children use mechanical pencils. Adults use pens. Try signing something at the office with a goddamn pencil. You'll get laughed at. You know what message you send when you use a mechanical pencil? "I make simple mistakes somewhat regularly." You know what message you send when you buy and use a $30 mechanical pencil? "I'm desperately trying to hide the fact that I make simple mistakes somewhat regularly." Spending $30 on a mechanical pencil (one the doesn't even break the top five, according to this guy's mechanical pencil blog--no joke), is, as I love to say, unacceptable. (via Selectism, who, in a momentary lapse of reason, deemed this worthy of praise)

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Damn. I've seen some nice boat shoes. But damn. Well done, Quoddy. These are some of the best looking boat shoes I've ever seen, hands down. And with the Quoddy name, you know they are going to feel great, too. The price is pretty high ($220). I went looking for boat shoes today and came across these on sale at Nordstrom's for $90 and couldn't help myself. I guess the boat shoes will have to wait. These are available at Leffot. (via Start with Typewriters).

Paper plus gamer plus art equals awesome. This is the QED for that statement. DeviantArt phenom TouchFuzzyGetDizzy demonstrates his geekdom and skills in papercraft with this awesome piece of the Mario Twins (if you weren't aware of who it was, leave now, thanks). (via LikeCool)

Norse Projects, a label that is always solid, brings us this classic raincoat as part of their Spring/Summer 2011 collection. There's something nostalgic about a yellow raincoat. An unlikely blend of a happy childhood spent frolicking in the rain and the ruggedness of fishermen. I have a friend who has a one not too far off from the one above. But undoubtedly this one is nicer and will cost much more (probably around $200) when it drops for S/S 2011. (via Selectism)

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Right? I mean...RIGHT? Effects Wizard Pete Mander threw this epic 7-foot Elite costume together for funsies. This think is amazing. Not too sure about maneuverability, but I don't think it's very critical to the awesome that is going on here. On a related note, do you remember all those awesome Master Chief costumes? Neither do I. But this guy, his cameraman and a dog have a GREAT tutorial on how to put one on. Apparently balance is critical. On the other hand, here is a brief tutorial for the Elite costume: Be awesome, climb ladder, put on top half, be awesome. (Elite costume via LikeCool)

Straight from the man himself, Alan Flusser (known to no one as "No Fuss Flusser"), Style & the Man is a guide to style...and the man. Most such books drone on about the styles of the day, rules that don't always hold true (but the others treat as divine edicts), and personal opinions. This is no such book. This is a No Fuss Flusser at his best, giving the skinny on men's style. (via Getting Beat Like You Stole Something)

Furniture + Sound = FurniSound. Or speaker furniture. Whatever. What is true is that this is a practical item. You've got rustic looking furniture, with built in quality sound, including an iPod dock? I'm there. Korean designer Yu Kwang Soo created the above piece for his "Box Project". So, as with so many awesome things, you will probably never get your hands on one unless you know the designer or build it yourself. (via designboom)

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L.L. Bean continues to impress with a new selvedge (that's basically style-talk for "quality") denim series. Following the recent release of their impeccably put together Signature Collection, the 1912 Selvedge Denim line will bring quality denim to L.L. Bean locations across the nation, for about $80 a pop. That's right, it's only available in stores. Which is great because there is one right next to where I work. (via Sartorially Inclined)

Photographer Matt Hoyle present us with a look at some of the faces--some of the most interesting you'll see--from the world of carnivals. His collection, "Barnumville", has all the classics: sword swallower, twins, cross-eyed girl. Quite an amazing series of shots. And be sure to check out his other sets, too.

I hate Skechers. I always have. No one needs a sole thicker than the shoe itself. That's ridiculous. Then they try and drop these Shape-ups on us? Who buys this shit? Soon, the answer may be no one. Science took up with the anti-Skecher camp recently, citing that not only do they not really work, but they can actually hurt you. God willing, this is the beginning of the end for the pseudo-style clog-producing Skecher brand. (via GQ)