This Summer, We Borrow From the Boys.

A new Tomboy era is here.

I’m back in the city for a few weeks, and the heat is oppressive. After a month out east where the temps barely broke 76, seeing 93 on the forecast is a bummer. But, I’m Southern — born in Texas, raised in Florida, and grown in Atlanta — so I’m no stranger to heat. When the temps break 90, I’ve learned to let the weather win and retreat indoors.

This is my windbag way of telling you I’ve spent a lot of time online over the last few days. In my scrolling, I’ve been going down many a menswear rabbit hole.

The new Tomboy: Good American 90’s Bermuda shorts, Dagmar oval sunglasses, miu miu bag, Lisa Eisner lighter (available in-store at The Row Amagansett), Blaze Milano denim shirt, Bode t-shirt, Wales Bonner shorts, The Row 90’s bag, Dries van Noten suede sneaker, Dear Ermina vintage fútbol tee, Nike x UO shorts (h/t Courtney for finding these).

It’s a comforting and familiar one. When I lived in Atlanta, I was introduced to Sid and Ann Mashburn. If you know anything about menswear, Sid is revered as somewhat Godlike in those circles. The first time I went into their stores, I was like 25, new to it all, and blown away by the entire Mashburn ecosystem. My style has always been tomboyish. But they helped distill how I saw dressing in a way that shaped my eye forever — and sparked a lifelong interest in menswear.

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I’m still friends with the Mashburns and think of them fondly. We’ve collaborated personally and professionally in so many ways I have lost count. I think I’ve interviewed them both for about a hundred different outlets over the years (including this one), been on panels, hosted events together, and even introduced their eldest daughter to her now-husband.

It was because of Sid that I wrote for GQ, Esquire, the Huckberry Journal, and even Four-Pins (RIP), where Throwing Fits’ Lawrence Schlossman was my Editor (worth mentioning, a memorably good one). This was all over ten years ago! Suffice it to say that menswear is a looooongtime soft spot for me.

Sid and Ann’s home in the new issue of Frederic Magazine.

I often look at the men’s section as thoroughly as the women’s. Some of my favorite summer purchases are ones borrowed from the boys or designed to look that way — brands like Kule have pioneered the category. And I’ve been known to pillage Kevin’s closet when I’m lacking inspiration of my own (I’ve permanently commandeered more than one Bode t-shirt and Connor McKnight sweater. Truly — I always opt for the Bode men’s stuff; the fit is cooler).

Maybe we’re stepping into a new era of tomboy… Let’s dig in: