......More Artificial Flavor from Thrillist

Thursday Aug 28, 2008

Artificial Flavor

Growing up means foregoing excessive wardrobe flair, but forego it entirely and you'll be as exciting as a Docker's ad -- sans the music, golf, and toddlers to roll around with on fresh linens. Since no one wants that, go for understatement with edge, with Artificial Flavor.

Oddly enough started as a Frisco banana-hammock outfit (the founder was "tired of wrestling with his junk"), AF's now blossomed into a full line of moddishly tweaked classic casual wear. Fall starts with muted, slim-fit, raglan shoulder-stitched tees (U's and V's), soft polos w/ military pockets and subtly-ribbed placket detail, and a cotton-thermal turtleneck with a snap-up collar you can rock loose and floppy, or straight up (if it stays erect for more than four hours, have your physician unbutton it). Outerwear ranges from French terry kangaroo-pocket hoodies flared with reinforced shoulder patchwork, to proper jackets like a snap-up number with the breast 'n hip pockets' angles askew, a quilted pea coat that trades in conventional wool exterior for shiny black nylon, and a rip-stop waterproof windbreaker with gray/white arm stripes -- you'll be the nattiest guy at your next bike ride/natural disaster.

AF also still hawks its original product, 100% cotton underwear in both snug navy/olive/red "trunks", and skimpier "Bandito" briefs with junk-framing contrast piping --wear that, and wave goodbye to toddlers forever.