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Articles by Nico Lazaro
The Original Loafer
I can’t place exactly when it happened, but at some point in our lifetimes, loafers started feeling like a second skin for me, and for a lot of other guys like me. Maybe it was all those old midcentury Ivy League moodboard photos, where loafers show up with such regularity that you start to think they must have been issued alongside the acceptance letters.
A Little Less
Ruby and I are moving in a couple of weeks, on my birthday of all days, so I’ve been taking the opportunity to look at everything in my life with fresh eyes. I’m getting rid of a good chunk of it. I’ve always liked the idea of owning things that get better with time, but that doesn’t mean everything deserves to stay. So I’m trying to be more honest about what I actually use and what I actually like. It turns out that is a pretty good way to refine your sense of taste, too.
Three Weeks in Japan
Back in late June, Ruby and I were jaunting through Tokyo for the first leg of our honeymoon in Japan, which sounds a lot more graceful and romantic than it was in reality.
My First Collaboration: The Papa Nui Denim Hell Cat Cap
Since 2010, The Bengal Stripe has mostly existed as words and moodboard images. Thousands of them, in fact. Essays about tailoring, denim, history, military clothing, shoes, sweaters, and all the strange little corners of menswear that seem insignificant until you realize they’re quietly shaping how we get dressed every morning. The Bengal Stripe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
The Groom Wore Bespoke
My wedding was never going to be a particularly traditional affair. Not because Ruby or I have anything against tradition, but because neither of us has ever been very interested in perfection. We like things that feel lived in. We wanted everyone to have fun, to dance, to feel like they belonged there. With both of us working in fashion, the aesthetic stuff, thankfully, could take care of itself. We gave each other complete freedom over what we wore. And naturally, I’d already made up my mind.
The Point Was Never the Rules
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Everything I Did to Prepare for My Wedding
Plus recent pickups from Alex Mill, Buck Mason, Moredocks, Quaker Marine, and more. Gee whiz, it’s been a minute! I’ve been busy getting married, which is a whole story I’ll try to condense here, but the menswear-related stuff has been stellar. Over the past month, I’ve picked up some new favorites I’ve had to make room for, though not everything has been a hit.
A State of Calm with Kotn
There is something about Kotn that I keep coming back to. A simplicity, reminiscent of my favorite 90s, 00s, and early 2010s brands, backed by a similar quality but increased attention to provenance and sustainability. It’s at least a tier above more accessible options, but not some lofty “maybe someday” dream in the slightest. Just honest, well-made clothing that doesn’t explicitly connote any specific sort of lifestyle or politics.
Giving Away $900+ in Bags & Clothes From Bleu de Chauffe
I know what you’re thinking: what the hell is this? I had the same gut reaction. It’s an odd thing for me to be promoting anything for any reason, really. But, my friends at Heddels—a site I respect immensely for the wealth of knowledge they provide on goods that get better with time—tapped me to tag onto a giveaway they’re running with Bleu de Chauffe—a company that has been making bags in France for over a decade.
Banana Republic's Explorer Club Reissue is Good
There was a time when Banana Republic didn’t feel like a mall brand. Back when Mel and Patricia Ziegler started the brand in 1978, they were building in first-person, designing clothing that played off the military and outdoor surplus pieces they were sourcing during their travels around the world. It wasn’t “inspired by” in the way brands use that phrase now; it was more literal than that. They found things, wore them, tweaked them, and then told stories about them.
The Chukka Boot Championship: My Top 4 Picks
Perennial inspiration from André Larnyoh for Crown Northampton Andy Spade, Tony Bourdain, Bob Dylan, Steve McQueen, The Gallagher Brothers, Raekwon, Slick Rick, Joshua Kissi and Travis Gumbs of what was one of my favorite #menswear era blogs Street Etiquette, Jake Wigham of Jake’s, my buddy Andre, and—at one point—probably also several of the worst guys you knew.
Anglo-SoCal, A Perfect Chino, Yacht Shoes, Bag Systems and Tiger Stripes
If you’re reading this, thank you. I hit over 6,000 subscribers last month (and still many more casual readers). It feels good to have such a following on here given that I don’t self-promote very often. I’m still just a guy in a living room on a laptop writing about things I love. And I’m grateful that I can keep that purity. The Bengal Stripe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
My Faithful Bill Kelso Leather Jacket
I’ve been wanting a good leather jacket for as long as I can remember. Honestly, I’ve wanted several. The problem is that there are too many reference points. A Perfecto. A café racer. A bomber. Something worn by a pilot, a punk, or a movie star. When the options start to multiply like that, it’s usually a sign to go back to the beginning, to the source. Vintage has always either felt a little too delicate or funky for me.
The Man Behind Jake's
Every so often you meet someone who resets your understanding of what a “clothing brand” even is. Not a machine, not a funnel, not a calendar. Just a person, a room, some fabric, and a stubborn belief that if you make something well enough, the right people will find it eventually. It feels less like a brand and more like a working studio that happens to have a name, orbiting around someone who simply wants to make things that last. That’s Jake.
Tools for Living
I’m a bit scatter-brained as of late. I chalk it up to the buildup of wedding planning tasks that have slowly accumulated and suddenly need doing, but I also have a few more plates spinning than usual. Despite all this, I’m making less money than I have in a long time, and yet I’m actually, relatively, rather stress-free. The things I’m spending time on are mostly the things I want to spend time on. Even the hard stuff feels worthwhile, strangely gratifying, when there’s a goal in sight.
These Cushy Boots Outclass Sneakers Every Day of the Week
Meg Ryan Wears Nothing but a Black Bra Under an Oversized Blazer and Undone Button-Up Shirt New styling hack unlocked. Meg Ryan just stripped down to her bra for her latest photo shoot. The actress is the new cover star of Perfect magazine, and her fashion-forward shoot includes a wide variety of shots, ranging from the actress in a sequined dress and jewelry to a jacket with not much under …
These Cushy Boots Outclass Sneakers Every Day of the Week
Every few years, fashion “rediscovers” the desert boot. This gets framed as a return, a revival, a nostalgic swing of the pendulum—and it's happening right now. But the truth is simpler: desert boots are springing up again because they never stopped making sense.
In Conversation With Sandro Schaffner
Some people collect clothes. Others collect stories. Sandro Schaffner does both—and, more importantly, understands that the two are inseparable. At just twenty, Sandro has already developed a remarkably patient way of looking at style: one rooted less in novelty than in memory, lineage, and quiet observation. Based in Amsterdam, with Italian and American roots, his approach to dressing pulls from early 20th-century workwear, military uniforms, and classic suiting—not as costume, but as continuation.
I've Been Writing About Bengal Stripe Shirts for 15 Years. Here's Why I Won't Stop
I've Been Writing About Bengal Stripe Shirts for 15 Years. Here's Why I Won't Stop For hundreds of years, the pattern has simply always worked. Here are the best ones to buy now. For fifteen years, I've written and posted about all of my favorite things in menswear under the same moniker: The Bengal Stripe. And while yes, that decision was partially influenced by my Indian …
I've Been Writing About This Shirt for 15 Years. Here's Why I Won't Stop
For fifteen years, I've written and posted about all of my favorite things in menswear under the same moniker: The Bengal Stripe. And while yes, that decision was partially influenced by my Indian heritage, I also chose it because, in my strong opinion, it is inarguably the most versatile pattern for shirting. Defined by evenly spaced, high-contrast stripes, typically in white and blue, there are few patterns in menswear that do as much quiet work as the Bengal stripe.
Comfort, Commerce, and Compound Interest
Lately, I’ve been thinking about consolidation. Not the corporate kind, but the personal kind. The moment when you stop chasing and start living with things. When style shifts from performance to practice. This is a paid dispatch about comfort (real comfort), retail reality, runway myth‑making, and the slow, compounding work of growing into your own taste. Andiamo ragazzi Home is where style either dissolves or sharpens.
In Conversation With Daniel Baraka
There are people who dress correctly, and then there are people whose outfits come alive. Daniel Baraka belongs firmly in the latter camp. A stylist, photographer, writer-in-progress, and deeply self-aware menswear obsessive, Daniel approaches clothing the same way he approaches living: with intention, curiosity, and just enough irreverence to keep things interesting. His outfits often look composed at a glance—but linger a moment longer and you’ll notice the tension.
What I’m Excited to Wear (and Live With) in 2026
I don’t really think about “new clothes” the way I used to. These days, what excites me isn’t novelty so much as continuity—finding a few things that feel right enough to stay with me, and then letting time do the rest. Looking ahead to 2026, I’m thinking less about rotation and more about commitment. Fewer pieces. Better ones. Things that feel rooted, but not stuck. Familiar, yet quietly strange. Clothing that understands its past well enough to move forward without anxiety.
My 4 Best Menswear Takeaways of 2025
I don’t really believe in “best of” lists anymore. They tend to flatten the year into winners and losers, hot takes and hot products. What I do believe in is taking stock—looking at the things that stuck around, the ideas that settled into the body, the people who made the whole thing feel worthwhile. 2025 felt like a year of narrowing rather than expanding. Fewer impulses, fewer experiments for the sake of novelty.
My 13 Winter Coats
What makes a winter coat different from a jacket, anyway? I actually had to look it up to make sure I got the details right. Technically, a coat is longer. Heavier. Built for weather in a way a jacket usually isn’t. A coat is meant to look winter in the eye and not blink. But definitions only get you so far. For me, as someone who’s spending the season mostly in Los Angeles, a winter coat is any piece I reach for when the days dim early and the air starts to bite.
Menswear Books That Are Actually Worth Your Time
Around this time of year, everyone starts sending around chaotic collages of things no one really wants. So this year I wanted to put together something actually worthwhile: a list of menswear books I’ve returned to again and again. They’re smart, well-written, and—crucially—great gifts for the menswear obsessives in your life. (Or for yourself.
A New Loafer Report: A Better Weejun, DIY Gucci Horsebits, and a Tasseled Belgian
If you’re a subscriber, you may remember my post earlier this year on the twelve loafers I can’t live without. Since then, I’ve accumulated no less than five more. And while I may soon need to get rid of some of my lesser-worn pairs, I wanted to share three that have filled a niche in this selection, and just so happen to come at an incredible value.
The October Investment Prospectus
Chunkier knits, thicker jackets, and maybe a boot or two. Technically, it’s already fall, but most of these heavier garms are still collecting dust in the back of my closet. Eager as I am to layer up and indulge in apple-picking or whatever it is you do this time of year, I’m in Los Angeles, where the temperatures won’t be dropping much for at least another month. Still, the mornings are crisp, the evenings cool, and I’m savoring the few fleeting moments that allow for layering.
In Conversation With Sam Bolianatz
Some people dress to stand out; others dress to feel like themselves. Sam Bolianatz, the creator behind Boy Room, falls squarely in the latter camp. His work sits at the intersection of menswear, interiors, and personal storytelling—a gentle, stylish world that celebrates detail and restraint. His content (Instagram/TikTok/Substack) reflects a rare consistency and cohesion.
My Own Private Hygge
In autumn, I—like most people—want to feel as cozy as possible. The light softens, the days shorten, and the air takes on that familiar crispness that makes you crave warmth and texture. But the warmth I seek isn’t the plush, overflowing kind. Mine feels monastic—spartan, even. There’s a quiet discipline to it. A sense of order. One that reflects how my friends like Douglas, and Justin Dean have lived for years. I’ve always liked clean over clutter.
You Gotta Put Some Stank On It
It’s something a coach yells when you’re throwing too soft, or a bandleader calls out when the groove’s too clean. It means: don’t just hit the notes — make it yours. Add grit, emotion, and a touch of human imperfection. That, to me, is the essence of personal style. Because dressing well isn’t just about putting on “good” clothes. It’s about building a wardrobe that reflects your core identity — the most distilled version of who you are.
Stop Trying to Categorize Things
I’m guilty of it too. A Notes app wishlist and marketplace watchlists full of things I want to acquire, a moodboard brimming with vintage inspiration that fills my head with a list of ideas for fall dressing. We live surrounded by lists—shopping lists, style lists, bucket lists. They promise clarity, direction, and a sense of control. But there’s something empty about them, too. I recently came across a list on here called Chic Things: Gentlemen’s Edition that made me pause.
The Watch That Doesn’t Need to Prove Anything
When it comes to watches, my taste usually leans toward the utilitarian. I’ve always admired the Dirty Dozen issued during World War II, the stolidly shaped lugs and onion crowns of pre-war timepieces, the reliable practicality of modern field watches. They’re objects with a kind of blunt honesty about them—tools rather than trophies. But recently, I found myself moving in another direction.
The 'Paint It Black' Sale
There’s something about black. The absence of color, the compression of every spectrum into one final note. It’s been the signature uniform of creatives for decades — Steve Jobs with his Issey Miyake turtleneck, Yohji Yamamoto dissolving tailoring into shadow, Louise Bourgeois in her studio, Patti Smith pensive in her corner of Omen Azen, Rick Owens building a cult out of drapery. Black conceals. Black clarifies. Black simplifies.
13 Menswear Questions, Answered
Many of you know the drill by now: every once in a while, I open up the floor for questions—Instagram, Substack comments, email—and see what you want to hear about. Sometimes it’s serious, sometimes it’s personal, sometimes it’s just “who grooms your dog?” That mix is kind of the point. Style isn’t just about what clothes to buy, it’s about the texture of life around them: the choices you make, the stories attached, the small details that shape your world.
Prep Is Dead, Long Live Prep
Prep is having another moment, again. Madras plaid, repp ties, embroidered critters, all the visual candy of Ivy style swirling back through mood boards and TikTok feeds. But let’s be clear: preppy, as it exists now, isn’t real. It’s a costume, a curated tableau of stability in an era defined by its absence. That’s the real draw — not the clothes themselves, but the illusion of order they promise.
Cold Hands, Warm Hearts: A Swedish Love Story/Sale
My obsession with Swedish military surplus started in 2016, when I stumbled upon a Swedish motorcycle jacket of my very own. The heaviest dark green cotton canvas I had seen, broad shoulders, brass hardware, and big polished buttons that snapped with authority — it was built to withstand sleet and small wars. It looked like fashion, but it didn’t feel like it. It felt like armor, like something that would outlast me.
The Quiet Blaze of Robert Redford
I feel weird writing this, but this morning I opened the article, scanned the words, and then—like a reflex—pulled up a photo of him in Three Days of the Condor. Washed denim, chambray shirt, a tweed blazer with gloves stuffed in the pocket, boots that had been places. Nothing particularly rare or expensive. Just some good classic clothes. Yet the image still hums with life. That’s how Redford worked. It wasn’t so much about the individual pieces he wore, but how he inhabited them.
Sunday Snippets - No. 1
Hey friends, I’ve been wanting a space to share small things. Not the capital-T Things that need a full essay or deep dive, just the quiet little bits that have been making my days better. Consider this the first of many: a casual Sunday dispatch from my brain to yours. I’ve been starting my mornings with what’s apparently called a military latte — a shot of cold brew (in lieu of espresso) shaken up with matcha, whole milk, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
Secondhand Saturdays - No. 19
Welcome to Secondhand Saturdays, a series in which I share recent wishlist-worthy finds with my best friends and Paid Subscribers. I used to do these nearly every other week, but I took a hiatus the past month to reset and find a way to make this more intentional. There won’t be any regular cadence around these anymore—I’d rather keep this as organic as possible. This round is all about picking up on the trends around what I’ve been favoriting on Depop.
In Conversation With Justice Upshaw
Justice N. Upshaw wears a lot of hats—literally and figuratively. He’s also by far one of the youngest friends I’ve made through Buck Mason, but don’t let that fool you. At Buck, he’s one of the select few who are shaping how the brand looks and feels in-store. On his own time, he prefers being behind the lens as a photographer. The thread that runs through it all is his approach to style, which is less about following references to the letter and more about chasing a mood, a myth.
The World's Worst Substack Sale
If you’ve been following along for a while, you know I don’t really “do” sales. But this one’s different. In partnership with my friend Will (aka @worldsworstsurfshop), I’m launching The World’s Worst Substack Sale: a tightly edited selection of vintage military clothing pulled from around the world—mostly strange little odds and ends from across Europe. And Paid Subscribers get exclusive access for the next 24 hours.
Style Authority Is a Lie
Every couple of months, the internet decides something is dead and something else is the hot new thing. Chore coats, for example. Up until a few years ago, they were “essential.” Heritage workwear was the uniform of every self-professed style guy who had previously been obsessed with streetwear or (in my case) tailoring. People engulfed in the scene quickly moved on to cropped jackets like denim truckers and Carhartt Detroit jackets. It’s almost funny, the speed with which these “takes” age.
In Conversation With Sora Suzuki
Sora Suzuki spends his 9-to-5 managing suiting and bottoms at Todd Snyder, but his own style isn’t something he saves for work. He calls his wardrobe utilitarian—every piece gets worn, nothing’s too precious—and lately that’s meant mostly black: a nod to his dad, who once nailed the look in a leather jacket and jeans, cigarette in hand. Tinted Moscot glasses, dark tailoring, and a slight scowl give him what his partner jokingly calls a “jazz club owner” vibe.
On Vitality, Style, and Growing Into Yourself
It’s my birthday later this week, and I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to age well. Not in the sense of fighting time, but in learning how to take care of yourself so you move through the years with more ease, more energy, and, hopefully, more confidence. A few timeless examples of aging into your style.
The August Investment Prospectus
August has been a great month for me in terms of getting comfortable experimenting and finding ways to have more fun with my outfits. In the interest of transparency, I’ve also gotten a bunch of new stuff gifted to me. While I’ve been in the game long enough to feel comfortable with my ability to discern value irrespective of cost to me, I’ll let you be the judge of that.
The Gospel of the Cut-Off Chino
Part of the perk—and curse—of being a figure in any industry is that people consistently look to you for expertise, perspective, and advice. It’s flattering, sure, but it also means your influence can start to overshadow your enjoyment of the craft. In nearly twenty years of menswear communities, I’ve seen plenty of genuinely talented people burn out or fade away trying to keep their perceived influence intact.
Five Days on the Road, Six on an Island
The thing about packing for a road trip is that you’re not just dressing for the destination, but for all the places in between. Our trip north from LA started with a pitstop in Oakland, where the air still held a little summer heat. From there, we cut through redwoods toward the long curves of the Oregon coast, where we stopped to see my sister. By the time we took the ferry from Tacoma to Vashon Island, the air had shifted.
Reinforcing the Seams with Rivay
Bedford, NY, is a sleepy little town about 40 miles, or a one-hour Metro-North train ride, from Manhattan. Sparsely suburban, it’s a land of lushly forested horse farms, hilly backyard trails, aquifers, reservoirs, colonial stone walls, and country clubs. The locals form a rare near-even split between blue-bloods, high-earning white-collar workers, and working-class people who color their world. I grew up here as part of the latter, and know this world intimately.
In Conversation with Cae Normanha
If you’ve seen the photos I’ve shared from Pitti Uomo this year, chances are you’ve already been introduced to the eye of Cae Normanha. His images carry a certain quiet energy that makes sense when you hear him speak: Cae is a storyteller at heart, someone who sees style not as performance but as personal history in motion. Born with three passports and now based in Milan by way of New York, his aesthetic blends those cultural roots, grounded by a deep respect for simplicity, memory, and meaning.
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