Tom starts off the show with some architecturally inspired fashion, and Molly thinks the Baja hoodie is making a comeback. Then they discuss a new take on the hot pot, and the emerging thingness of prefab ADUs. Plus, Crocs and socks are a thing.
Tom talks about the harrowing battle for getting credit for watching shows on a streaming account, while Molly reflects on the peak thingness of succulents. Then they discuss why libraries are the pace to be, and and super cool dog food.
Unggoy Pinoy on fashion again. Carhartt is literally close to my heart since the headquarters are just outside the Motor City. Also, the granddaughter of Hamilton Carhartt owns a string of aspirational shops and cafes near my home.
Carhartt clothing’s mass appeal is multi faceted.
At face value the workwear is affordable, practical, durable, and aesthetically stark. The iconography of hard working men and women in simple silhouettes is timeless. Clothes made with thin material or extraneous decorations and notions can pose a safety risk on the job.
Carhartt as counterculture started in the 80s as a salvo against blue denim. The anonymizing plain jackets made the brand popular amongst a criminal element on the streets and in turn enjoyed fame from the hip-hop scene. At the same time, Carhartt partnered with the European company Work in Progress (WIP) and the two worked together in the 90s creating clothing that appealed to niche creative subcultures.
Thingness folds in on itself in the noughties. I was going back and forth to Europe and seeing Carhartt clothing in major cities; not the overalls, heavy jackets, or duck boots, no. Teens were wearing logo beanies and sweatshirts with ‘carhartt’ embroidered on the chest. WIP created clothes for the European market while rightfully (legally) using their Carhartt license. Soon, one could find Carhartt sections in major European department stores selling skater and street clothes.
So the calculus on Carhartt’s thingness is difficult as each aspect is a thing: No 1. For some people the cachet of flaunting luxury items has worn off No 2. The fetishization of a rugged, hard working blue collar man No 3. Design fanatics love thoughtful, minimalist, and elegant lines à la Muji No 4. Which is my current working theory: American hipsters are discovering what overseas hipsters are wearing and then coming back to the US to stan a ‘heritage’ brand for example: Timberland, Pendelton, Filson, Converse, or Champion (Champion, enjoying the same Vetements collaboration much like DHL)
This week, Tom is seeing a resurgence of 80’s puzzles, then isn’t unimpressed by a new grammar trend. Molly counters with a terse text trend and accessories for a popular accessory. Plus things are intuitively eating themselves.
Tom and Molly discover they have an Ur Thing this week and come up with a business plan in the process. Then Tom is using his eating intuition, while Molly revisits bidets. Plus some personal things have Tom visiting the bank and Molly discovering Instapot awesomeness.
This week, Tom is back with a culinary thing from CES, and Molly is all about Muji. Then Tom thinks he hit a bulls-eye on a thing, and Molly is into bovine decor.
Welcome to Season 6 of It’s a Thing! Tom is back from Japan and he has a sizable breakfast and coffee things to discuss. Meanwhile Molly has seen the light on a new thing and sees a footwear stalwart returning to thingdom.
Enjoy a selection of the best things of the year. We put together an episode with some of our most prescient and hilarious things of 2019. See you in 2020!
To close out 2019, Tom and Molly are clearing out the bullpen to start fresh for the New Year. They’re running down all the almost-things that were candidates for other episodes. For every weighted blanket and VSCO girl, there’s some single serve pour over coffee that stays in the bullpen. It’s time to give them their due! Enjoy!
This week, Tom discovers water in a box that isn’t boxed water, which might come in handy when Molly talks about thirst traps. Then they talk about socks being cool and the emo rap takeover.
This week, Tom thinks he’s found the new post-pumpkin spice flavor of the season, while Molly weighs the merits of CBD for dogs. Then they discuss all things chonk, and why poop is now socially acceptable.