Things I like this month - August 2025
'Things I Like This Month,' is a monthly newsletter where I share things I genuinely like or that stood out to me and felt worth talking about.
Everything you read in this article is my honest opinion, and nothing is paid for. I’m always excited to see new quality products and discover new brands or makers, so I’m always very happy when you guys send me suggestions or something you think I might like.
I was searching for the perfect denim for a couple of years, and I tried, bought, and re-sold too many of them. Most of them were too long for me in a size that fits my upper body, so for this fall I decided it’s finally time to find the perfect fit. I went and compared the measurements of all Type II denim jackets from basically all quality brands. This Cisco Type II denim jacket from Fortela came out on top in terms of the proportions I need to fit my silhouette - boxy with wide shoulders but a shorter body, just how a Type II jacket should fit. This one is made based on a jacket from the 50s. And it’s even sweeter that it’s made by one of the brands I admire the most - Fortela. The quality and construction are top-notch, as you would expect from a denim garment made in Japan from Japanese denim. I got the blue wash, but it’s also available in indigo. The fit of this jacket is very boxy - I got size M and it fits me perfectly (I’m 180cm and currently 82kg).
I wanted this belt because it makes wearing navy so much easier - it can match the top of your outfit or the trousers, so you can wear whatever pair of shoes you want (as long as it works with the outfit of course) without worrying that you don’t have a belt to match. After I got it, I’ve worn it more than I thought I will, so it is as versatile as I hoped for. (It’s currently sold out, but restock should be available soon)
In my opinion, the Belgian loafer isn’t as versatile as a penny or tassel loafer, but it’s perfect for days when you want something in between. It really depends on the fabric, but I wear these Myrqvist Ängby in taupe suede when I want something that’s not as casual as a suede penny loafer, but not as sharp as a suede tassel loafer. I still wouldn’t wear these with denim, but they work extremely well with casual tailoring or when you want to add a more relaxed vibe to your suit.
Even though these are lined so the upper is a bit more structured, the sole is very comfortable and the overall comfort is very good. They might not be as comfortable as some other Belgian loafers because of the structured upper, but I still prefer these, because I think the shape is nicer than on any other Belgian loafer. Just recently I wrote an article where I go into more detail about why I changed my mind about Belgian loafers.
I must say that even though the cut and fabric of this popover seemed like something I would only wear to the beach, it turned out to be more versatile than I thought. It’s like a more summery alternative to a polo, and it pairs perfectly with summer tailored trousers or shorts, but also looks great worn casually with jeans. But I have to admit, I would never wear it untucked. (I wear size 41 and I’m 180 cm and currently 82 kg)
You can get 10% off with code OUTFITNARRATIVE
During the last couple of weeks, I’ve basically worn these every time I had to run errands. They are very easy to wear, as they work well with almost everything, and also make whatever you wear look even more casual. I usually wear them with an off-white or chambray work shirt and a pair of deck shoes. I wouldn’t specify these exclusively as swim shorts (they also don’t have lining like most swim shorts), but I would call them summer utility shorts. “Utility” because they’re something I throw on whenever I need to run errands or on days off when I want something I’m not afraid to get dirty.
Plus, this fabric dries quickly, so they’re perfect for pool and beach days as well. The camo fabric looks great too, so they’re not just like typical swim or athletic shorts, and they’ll only get better with wear. They are made with original vintage M29 camouflage fabric (100% cotton), used by the Italian army since 1929. The fit is relaxed and similar to Italian Navy Gurkha shorts, but without the waist buckles. They are low to mid-rise, similar to most swim trunks and athletic shorts.
Get them here. (The website is currently offline, so Giuseppe is accepting orders via DM.)
This summer I have been thinking about summer watches, which led me to write a full article on this topic. The answer to this question is definitely subjective, since we all have different styles, tastes, and preferences, but I came to the conclusion that there is a watch I would consider “the summer vacation watch”, and it’s the Doxa SUB 250T GMT in Caribbean color. I think the orange and navy combination is perfect for summer, so you always have something vibrant on your wrist. It’s a diver, so it’s perfect for wearing in and around the water without any worry, and it looks just as good on a steel bracelet as it does on a rubber strap. You can’t help but love the iconic shape of a Doxa diver.
On this watch, the size (40.00 mm x 42.90 mm) is totally acceptable for me, even though I generally prefer slightly smaller watches. But I actually think that for a summer vacation watch, this is probably the perfect size. I would only take it off if I were wearing tailoring to a dinner.
These come with what I would call a higher mid rise, so I was afraid I wouldn’t really like the fit, but it’s what I would consider almost high rise, so it still works (even though I would prefer 2–3 cm more), and the overall cut is great. They come in a very roomy straight leg cut; when tailored to the perfect length for me, the leg opening comes to 24 cm. These might be too loose for many people, but if you have stronger legs, they’re close to perfect (If they were around 1 cm narrower, they would be perfect).
Because of the fit, I think these work way better with tailoring than with more casual looks. And even though they are made from 310 gsm cotton, which I wouldn’t really consider a summer fabric, they fit loosely, so you have a lot of room for airflow and won’t get too hot. The benefit of this fabric is that you can wear them basically all year round. (I wear size 48 and I’m 180 cm and currently 82 kg).
My Tuesday Speed Session
Wiener Leichtathletik-Verband Prater-Stadion
Since I wanted to push myself harder on speed sessions, I decided to join a local run club. I currently only go on Tuesdays when they have their weekly “speed session.” I’m not in any prep at the moment, even though I’m seriously considering going for a half-marathon in October, but I’m really glad I made that decision. Being with a group of guys who are generally faster and better runners than me makes me put in extra effort to keep up, and running at certain paces seems a bit easier in a group. It makes the “suffering” during these hard sessions more enjoyable, and now I really look forward to this session every week.
Is there anything that caught your attention this month? Let me know in the comments.
related articles
'Things I Like This Month,' is a monthly newsletter where I share things I genuinely like or that stood out to me and felt worth talking about.