Things I like this month - August 2026
'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.
August Special - Augie Type GS Penny Loafer
When it comes to footwear, we rarely see new designs. Sometimes a shoe model is refreshed, or updated to improve functionality, but it seems that lately small changes are more often made to simplify the manufacturing process and cut the cost. So this is one of those rare cases when I’m happy to let you know that August Special just released their first version of a classic Penny Loafer. It’s their reinterpretation of “a true American” icon. I think they nailed the proportions; what I especially like is the very low vamp, but the toebox is more almond-shaped, which makes them a bit more elegant compared to the more squared toebox of a classic Ivy-style penny loafer. The Augie Type GS Penny is crafted in Italy and is built from full-grain calfskin and finely napped calf suede, with a Goodyear-welted leather outsole assembled with fine welt stitching. The fully calf-lined interior with padded footbed provides immediate comfort. Based on design and craftsmanship, I would rank these very high on the list of the best quality penny loafers, but I have to admit that until I get the chance to see them in person, I’m a bit afraid that the shape of the toebox might be just a bit too elegant to really work for me for very casual looks.
Essentials Straps - London Nylon Khaki Nato Strap
A couple of weeks ago, I was asking about spring-bar tools, which led me to discover Essential Straps. I got their automatic spring-bar remover tool, but I also got a couple of different straps - in leather, suede, and a NATO. The spring-bar tool does the job well, but I have to admit that what brought me the most joy is their London Nylon Ribbed Strap in Khaki.
It’s a classic NATO strap made from woven ballistic nylon with a vintage ribbed texture. Ironically, it’s the cheapest of all the straps that I own, but it might be the most versatile of all of them. And also, it seems like it was made to perfectly match my Serica Ref. 5303. This khaki color works really well with the color palette of the clothes I wear most of the time: off-white, washed and indigo denim, olive, and other earth tones. And when you wear a NATO, you don’t have to worry about your watch strap clashing with your belt or shoes.
I got it in grey as well, which is also very clean, but it’s quite a cold shade, so it doesn’t work as well with my clothes most of the time, although it looks great with denim.
I also got the Positano - Saffiano Leather in Cognac, Milano - Pebbled Leather in Orange, and Roma - Suede in Military Green. I was particularly excited about the orange one, but I realized that my idea of orange being so great for summer turned out to be just an idea - it seems that bright orange isn’t actually so easy to wear. It might be that an orange strap is a bit easier to wear when it’s rubber or nylon, rather than leather. I might try that in the future.
Overall, the straps are of good quality, but not on the same level as some other straps I’ve tried in the past that cost twice or three times as much.
Peplord - The Maxence Shorts
By now I have already included Peplord’s products numerous times, and emphasized how much I appreciate Giuseppe’s approach to design and the fabrics he uses. I got the Camel Maxence trousers in June, but a couple of weeks later he released The Maxence shorts made from the same fabric. As the cut fits me really well, and they are cut shorter than most of the shorts on the market, I decided to get them, as I only had one pair of off-white shorts in cotton canvas, so these have a totally different vibe.
The off-white hemp fabric is woven a bit looser than the camel fabric used for the trousers, so it seems lighter and more breathable, which is perfect for hot days. I think these are some of the best-cut shorts on the market, and if we take into consideration that they are made from such a unique fabric, you will hardly find anything better.
It seems that the off-white color is sold out by now, but olive is still in stock. If you really want the off-white version, it might be worth messaging Peplord on Instagram.
Rollerball pen
I’m consciously trying to be more analog, because I believe touching and using different materials and tools makes us more grounded and more in tune with ourselves. But using a computer for multiple hours daily is basically part of modern life and almost impossible to avoid in almost any profession. That’s also one of the main reasons why I love printed materials so much and also use a physical daily planner.
I have been searching for a new rollerball pen for quite a while, because I want something a bit nicer than what I currently use (Ystudio Glamour Evolve - Elemental Rollerball Pen in brass), something with a bit more of a premium feel. But then I also don’t want something shiny and extravagant, because that’s just not my style.
There are some great options out there from brands like Ystudio, Kaweco, Diplomat, and Lamy to name a few. But I think most of them look either too technical or too corporate.
When it comes to pens, it is similar to many other things: one thing is looking at photos online, but another thing is experiencing them in person. And while there might be some pens that I liked when I saw them online, they felt different than I expected when I saw them in person (for example Caran d´Ache Ecridor Chevron Roller in silver).
I guess I have a very specific taste, so I’m definitely not an easy customer. It took me a lot of time to figure out what I like and what I want.
And the reality is that I like two different styles of pens. One is what I would call a daily pen - a pen I always have with me and use all the time. And the other is a special pen - the one that sits on my desk, so I can admire it and use it when I feel like it.
And after spending so much time researching, I came full circle, back to Ystudio, and picked the Classic Revolve-Rollerball Pen in brass.
But for my special pen, there are a couple of different styles that I really like and might get myself for the next special occasion or milestone. Some of my favorites are Caran D'Ache Leman Grand Bleu, Montegrappa Venetia Vintage Conifer, S.T. Dupont Line D Eternity in Silver, Peplord’s Misenabyme pen, and Esterbrook Honeycomb Estie. But on top of my list is another Ystudio’s pen - Classic Renaissance Kazari Kanagu edition. This pen is a special edition commemorating the Year of the Dragon, and it’s hand-engraved in Japan using the 錺 (Kazari Kanagu) technique, a type of metal craft often used as decoration for Buddhist religious objects.
Ghurka Utility Case No. 305
For the last year and a half, I have been on the road a lot, and with every trip I learned what I would like to improve or optimize to make my travel even smoother. It doesn’t matter how long the trip is, the more organized you are, the less time it takes to pack and unpack, but it also reduces the chances of forgetting or losing something.
My technology stack grew over the years, and now I always carry my phone, computer, camera, an extra lens or three, and all the chargers, cables, and extra batteries. I usually carry all that in different compartments inside the bag, plus extra pouches. So I was looking for a bag or case to get most of these things organized.
The best I have found so far is this Ghurka Utility Case No. 305. I haven’t seen it in person yet to be able to confirm if it really does the job the way I imagine it, but it seems like this pouch is just the right size and has enough pockets and compartments to get all the chargers, cables, adapters, and batteries organized. Which saves a lot of time and trouble because you know that all these things are in this one pouch all the time.
And it’s not easy to find such a utilitarian case for tech accessories that isn’t made from cheap synthetic materials, which make everything in a suitcase smell like cheap plastic. This one is made from Italian full-grain, vegetable-tanned, tumbled leather, lined with Ghurka’s signature cotton twill, and it comes in three leather colors - Vintage Chestnut, Vintage Walnut, and Black.
Craft+Tailored Magazine
As I mentioned above, I prefer the physical world to the digital one, and I think the best way to consume content is through print. It makes us slow down and focus on only one thing at a time. So I was excited when Craft + Tailored announced they were releasing a printed magazine.
Craft + Tailored is a Los Angeles-based vintage watch retailer known for its carefully curated selection of vintage watches. It was founded by Cameron Barr, who has been collecting and sourcing vintage watches for more than a decade, and his focus is on vintage watches and other beautiful, timeless objects, with a particular appreciation for things that combine good design, craftsmanship, history, and functionality.
They call the magazine their quarterly print journal, and it is an antidote to the disposable nature of modern media. It features stories from more than a dozen contributors, covering everything from vintage watches and classic cars to rare jazz records as well as stories and experiences from their life as vintage watch dealers.
The magazine is available only through subscription.
Vintage OG-107 Military Shirt
After I got a vintage Jungle Jacket a couple of months ago, I was completely absorbed in the world of vintage military garments. Next on my list is the OG-107 Military Shirt, which is interestingly the predecessor of the Jungle Jacket, but more on the history of the shirt another time.
I like its super simple design, with just two chest pockets, and how it looks great untucked and worn open, or buttoned and tucked in. I’m specifically drawn to more used versions, because I think the more washed, lighter olive looks nice.
I particularly like the examples with a gold-on-black US ARMY patch above the chest pocket and gold patches on the sleeves, like the one in the photo above. This particular shirt is from the Omega Militaria vintage shop, but unfortunately it’s too small for me. Examples with this combination of patches are also becoming increasingly difficult to find in larger sizes. So I have been on a hunt to find one basically since I got the Jungle Jacket, but unfortunately, no luck for me so far.
Most of the options are either too small or too big. I’m keeping my eyes on eBay, Vinted, and a couple of vintage shops. And if you know any good vintage shops stocking military pieces, please let me know. I would be very happy for any recommendations, and if you happen to come across a shirt with a 23” pit-to-pit measurement, let me know!
Running Shoes
Running is an integral part of my daily routine, so I wear running shoes every day. Over the last couple of years, running became extremely popular, which helped evolve running shoes even faster, and in the last 5 years, running shoes have basically completely changed. They now look very different from how they did before Nike’s Breaking2 project, which I believe was the turning point and something that pushed all brands to develop more cushioned shoes.
So after a couple of years, now is probably the best time ever to be a runner, because it’s almost impossible to buy a bad pair of running shoes. All brands have stepped up to the point that most of them offer really good shoes; you just have to figure out which ones work best for you.
I have to admit that I really needed a new pair, but unfortunately, thanks to my over-analytical brain, I refused to just go and buy a pair until I made comprehensive research and compared all the options to figure out what might suit me best.
There are a lot of great options, but for me, it came down to 3 pairs that I believe would work best for me as a daily trainer.
The first is the ASICS Superblast 3. This is the most advanced and overall probably the best shoe of these 3, but also the most expensive one. It’s the lightest, with the most responsive foam in the midsole, and also the only shoe of these 3 that should be able to cover easy and recovery runs, long runs, and tempo runs.
The second pair is the Nike Vomero Plus. I have to say I’m very glad to see Nike putting in the effort and improving their technology to finally have a solid daily trainer. This is the heaviest of the 3, but it has quite an aggressive drop from heel to toe, and the midsole foam is very responsive, so they roll very smoothly. The outsole is a layer of thick rubber, so they have very good grip and should last a long time.
And the third shoe caught me by surprise. It’s a UFO shoe, from R.A.D. Global - a quite young sportswear brand from Miami that released their first all-around training shoe in 2022, and their first running shoe in late 2023. I haven’t had the chance to try this one yet, but I read a couple of reviews and watched a few YouTube videos about them, and they should be super responsive and provide quite a unique experience. They are supposed to work best for daily and long runs.
They are also visually completely different from most of the shoes on the market, and I love seeing an independent brand doing a great job and being able to compete with the titans of this industry.
Is there anything that caught your attention this month? Let me know in the comments.
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'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.