Not Drugs – Art, Graffiti, Music and Culture for the Almost Grown-Up

Part 2 of  the search for that spring style.  I’ve been looking at different fashion sites, blogs and showings all day.

I’ll throw up some of the stuff I found.  I encourage you to search for ya’ own style.  Everything you are about to see is just some shit I might enjoy rocking.

First check out this dope video from Triumvir Spring 2010 Collection, entitled “Divided We Fall“.

TRIUMVIR – 2010 SPRING “DIVIDED WE FALL” – ROUGH DRAFT from BRANDONUS on Vimeo.

There’s a feel to this line that makes me think of like mid-90s California.  Dre.  ‘Pac.  Snoop.  Ain’t nothing but a “G” thing.  The whole she-bang-a-bang.  Here’s two of my favorite pics from the line:

You can see much more of the stills HERE.

I’m also thinking of submitting…giving in…just saying, “Yeah, alright, I’ll cop those.”

Basically, I’m talking about finally surrendering, and grabbing a pair of Nike Dunks.

This is the new “Wallenberg” from low-top designer Bob Kronbauer, for the Nike SB series.  They were inspired by the Raoul Wallenberg Alternative School in San Francisco, CA, an institution that is famous for the role it played in the early ’90s skateboarding scene and, to an extent, today’s scene.

There’s something rather classic  and simple about the shoe that catches my eye.  A bright aesthetic that doesn’t try to say too much.  It just is what it is…and I dig that.

Keep it tuned for Part 3 tomorrow.  Sunglasses and skateboards promised.

One.

It’s coming.  Spring time.  A Ring-a-ding time.  Spring-time. A ring-a doo.

Yeah… I sang that shit.

So, when spring time rolls around, it usually means it’s time for me to up my gear.  New clothes, new shoes, new hats(Red Sox), new everything.

So, today, tomorrow, and Sunday, I’m going to be presenting some items that I believe I’ll be purchasing.  Mostly stuff I could cop and wear just so I could say: “Whaaaaaat.  You ain’t up on these new (insert item here)?  Damn.“  And then I’ll walk away.  If you happen to grab something really dope, feel free to repeat said phrase to me.

As far as clothing, I’m going after some of this Adidas “Originals by Originals” Kazuki Spring/Summer 2010 line.  I ‘d say the clothing is pretty fresh to death, while also being fairly simplistic in it’s style, too.  I like that: edgy, but not to showy. Dig:

You can dig on more of this and few other heavier pieces from the line here: PART ONE. & PART TWO.

Now, I didn’t ever really think I’d be the cat to say: “Hey, check out my new Gucci shoes.”  I don’t think I ever could be that guy.  However, I think these are just too hot for me to pass up:

I caught these joints in GQ’s “This Spring’s Must-Have Accessories” article.  Hit that link to catch more of it.

Maybe some Sperry Top-Siders from Band of Outsiders?

I like things that stand out.  I like loud colors that are in your face and make you turn your head.  Not to flaunt.  Not to be ostentatious.  Just cause I thought I was color-blind for a while…and when I found out I wasn’t, I wanted bright everything in my life.

Sidenote: I met one of my best friends in high school by him telling me he was color-blind(he wasn’t) and him trying to convince me that I may be color-blind(I’m not).

So, when I saw this new backpack designed by pro skateboarder Paul Rodriguez, I immediately had to show it to the world.  I think this may, in fact, be my new backpack for a while.  My current backpack, which I hate, I’ve had for 7 months.  My old backpack, which I LOVED, I had for 8 years.

If you like to stay fly, and I hope you do, the new P-Rod Skate Pack might be right up your alley.

Cop it here.

One.

Current obsession = Band of Outsiders.  Mostly because I have no idea where to find it at all.  Like…it’s getting a little ridiculous.

The old 70s feel.  The lackadaisical style…almost incidental style.  That’s what I’m going for in 2010: an incidental style so good, that it comes off as accidental.

I feel like it may be hard to pull off, but this clothing line is doing it.  On the regular.  With a blog.

Could Not Drugs take a hint from this?  The Answer is ______.

One.

I don’t know if I’ve ever had a classy pair of sneakers.  I’ve had some dope sneakers.  I’ve had some ill sneakers.  I’ve had some shoes that made me look fly and I’ve had some shoes that made me look “hard.”  (These shoes eventually fell a part and made me look homeless.)

However, I don’t think I’ve ever had a pair of shoes that made me look classy.  And that’s what I’m going for in my next shoe purchase: class.

I want my foot game to be oh-so-fancy.  I want people to look at my feet and say, “Oh, his foot game is rather dapper.”  I’m well aware that no one says foot game except for me…but it’d be cool for someone to think along those lines.

I think Pointer Footwear’s new Spring/Summer 2010 shoe, The A.J.S., may be the answer.

I used to wear my sunglasses all the time.  Inside.  Outside.  Birthday parties.  Your birthday.  Ya’ mama’s birthday.  Jesus’  birthday.

I’d like to say I was cool when I did this, however, in truth I have sensitive eyes.  I can’t take light…I’d sit in the dark all day if I could.

Wow, that’s the weirdest shit I’ve ever written about myself. (Note: Not true.)

However, I’ve been without sunglasses for like 5 or 6 months now.  Can’t find the right shades to rock.  Sunlight or no sunlight, I’m not going to look stupid with my head game.

So, in my search I came across these, which I believe to be the future of sunglasses.

Yes., those are pictures in the sunglasses.  Yes, they can come in different pictures.  Yes, they are I-L-L.

They’re by the designer duo called Bless for their Spring 2010 line and can be copped at Colette.

What happened to good music?

This guy has written for J. Lo., Mary J. Blige, and was involved in 50 Cent’s rise to stardom.  He’s still turning out the classics:

The Fat Boys Recently released their own line of shirts–distributed by Urban Outfitters.  I went to urban outfitters in Atlanta, GA last week (needed a pair of throw-away shoes for a thing I hadda do.  That thing abou’ the guy.  You know the thing what I’m sayin’?) You can pick one up in the clearance section in the back.

Get a Shirt

Now, I was never a huge fan of sleepovers when I was a kid(as if I’m an adult now), but these would have been so ill when I was growing up.  If I ever come back east, I making these the new jump off every where I go.  The Snuggie is wack…the Selk is Not Drugs.

Tell me that's not dope, and I'll tell you that you're blind.

It’s basically just a sleeping bag jumpsuit.  Say that with me now: a-sleeping-bag-jumpsuit.  I wouldn’t even wear this to a sleepover.  I’d wear this in Brooklyn on a really cold evening….and get my ass jumped.

One.

Has anyone else seen this commercial? I mean…I need to go get some Levi’s…right now. Just so I can make my life look like this.

No, that bear isn't declawed.

So when it comes to fashion I’d say I’m anything but a mogul.  Two things I am a fan of though are t-shirts and shoes.  While strolling the streets of our nation’s capitol the other day I stumbled upon an arts festival and was particularly captivated by a tent for Sharp Shirter a t-shirt company that’s actually a couple of guys printing shirts down the street from me.  My pal Lindsey Nads couldn’t resist The Haymaker (right) and I ended up grabbing The Rhino Hunter (below).

Moral of the story is, you can find cool new things in your neighborhood if you’re willing to get off the couch and stumble into trouble.

How could I resist?

Now all I need is a fly new pair of kicks (my old ones are wearing out).  For months I’ve been eyeing The Quagmires from Nike Dunks, aptly named for the pattern they borrow from the shirt of Family Guy’s resident horn dog Glen Quagmire.  I even went so far as to track down a pair when I was in Singapore only to find that they were actually more expensive there (go figure).    Anyways, I’ve decided that if Family Guy makes history and wins the Emmy for Best Comedy Series next week then I’m gonna take the plunge and buy them. If it doesn’t win then I’ll probably take it as fate and hold off.  Who knows though, I’ve been known to spit in fate’s face before and I’m prepared to suffer the consequences.  I’m sure regardless the universe will do it’s job and give me a sign of some sort informing me on what piece of footwear to purchase.  That is the universe’s job right?