Issue #347 | Why Does Gen Z Love Nirvana Tees, Thrasher Hoodies, and Bass Pro Shops Hats?

Why Does Gen Z Love Nirvana Tees, Thrasher Hoodies, and Bass Pro Shops Hats?

Hint: it’s not because they’re fans of Kurt Cobain, or skateboarding, or fishing. Another question, this time rhetorical, gets to the meat of it: “Have bands like Nirvana been flattened to the point where they’re basically no different than a brand’s logo?” Gen Z’s obsession with the cultural cache a brand brings rather than being interested in the thing itself is exactly what this GQ essay meant when it claimed merch is over. Here, Eileen Carter unpacks a moment where people who don’t listen to grunge are simultaneously its biggest advertisers.

GQ

These Kühl Pants Are Trail Tough, Versatile, and Impeccably Crafted

[Partner] Outdoor brand Kühl sees you, adventurer. They know you put clothes to the test in all kinds of ways—on the trail, during summer travels, or by doing hard labor. “Awesome pants for working on the ranch and riding on the tractor,” says BenTX in an enthusiastic, five-star review for the Renegade Recon pants. Then there’s JonnyUtah (what a badass), who wore a pair across Italy and especially loves the stretch in the waistband and comfortable fabric, which is water resistant, moisture wicking, lightweight, and quick drying. Experience the Kühl difference.

Step into your new favorite pair of pants.

Luxury Sneaker Company Golden Goose Is Planning to Go Public at a Valuation of Over $3 Billion

If any of your sneakers looked as beat up as a pair from Golden Goose, you’d probably throw them away. The luxury Italian sneaker brand makes dad shoes and Adidas-esque trainers that have a, ahem, pre-loved look. Musicians and actors love them. “[The brand] has a well-known celebrity clientele: Stars like Taylor Swift, Jude Law, and Gwyneth Paltrow have been spotted in the scuffed-up shoes,” says Robb Report. Now, as the luxury world is seeing sales soften, Golden Goose is planning to go public on the wings of its derelict-chic shoes.

Robb Report

NFL Rookies Made Their Own Versions of Their Team Logos. Now You Can Wear Them

You know how when your kid—or some child in your life—makes you some art, and it’s the worst piece of sh*t you’ve ever seen but also means more to you than any Picasso ever could? There’s a little bit of that going on with these NFL logo tees, which were painted by the teams’ rookies in what is something of a tradition. From a technical standpoint, they are awful. The colors are wrong. Some aren’t clear which team they’re for. But they have a naivete and DIY vibe that any true fan with even the smallest soft spot would love to shreds. Oh, and you can buy one.

Fast Company

• Marine Layer Archive Diego Camp Shirt – $118

• Kühl Escape Canvas Sling Pack* – $90

• Akila Zed x Keith Haring Sunglass – $140

• Birkenstock Boston EVA Clog – $60

• Reigning Champ Coach’s Standard Jogger – $155

  
  *Partner

Our Gentleman’s Agreement
We’ll keep the free daily newsletters coming. You share with a friend if you’re enjoying. Capeesh? Forward to a friend.

Love Blazer? 
You’ll probably dig our other newsletters too. Check out Elevator, Jimmy, and Shift.

Let’s Partner
Put your brand in front of 200,000 passionate Blazer readers. Get in touch.