Besides taking the periodic commercial interruption to plug Mishka on the Blog, we tend to keep the Bloglin streetwear free! But it’s the end of the year and I obviously love making lists.

There were lots of things I really liked in 2008, but I had to eventually cap things somewhere and I thought 13 was a good place because I always tend to gravitate towards designs that aren’t “hyped”. An unlucky 13! Obviously that isn’t the case with everything but I’m trying to make 13 selections make sense outside the whole “top ten” formula.

The articles of clothing below are things that I absolutely loved from 2008. Things I absolutely need in my personal wardrobe. Yes some are obviously from us, while others are from an assortment of other brands who consistently do their thing and do it well. So here we go in no particular order!

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1) Mishka – Keep Watch Corduroy Coaches Jacket

A coach’s jacket is a timeless piece that works all year-round. If it’s cold, layer with it; if it’s warmer out, just throw it over a tee. The soft corduroy makes it perfect for those brisker evenings. The color scheme is a total throwback to the 1980s NJ Devils colors. A total vanity piece for me.

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2) Actual Pain – Mutant Youth T-Shirt

I absolutely love T.J.’s illustrations. His whole Sketchbook Collection was a slam dunk, in my opinion. But this guy was my absolute favorite.  Actual Pain does mutants right!

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3) Mishka – Nuts & Bolts Jacket

This is my perfect work jacket. Most are baggy, ill-fitting and worst of all… boxy! The Nuts & Bolts was made not only to be functional, but stylish. Made of heavy duty cotton twill and plaid flannel lining, with an assortment of useful stash pockets and a slimmer cut. Plus this jacket is perfect for personalizing with some pins and/or patches.

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4) Flying Coffin – Tarot T-Shirt

I think this tee sums up the Flying Coffin aesthetic perfectly, in one neat little package. Creepy and excellently designed!

P.S. Jason, send me one!

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5) King Stampede – The Shape of Things to Come T-Shirt

No one does stoner like KS.  We try, but they totally own us on that end. I love the old school Heavy Metal Magazine feel to the graphic. This is the kind of tee that will be in my wardrobe until it falls apart.

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6) Mishka – Dead-Eye Dick/Green River Plaid Flannel Shirts

So I’ll be honest. These two styles are the same shirt, just in a different assortment of colors split among two seasons. I don’t think I need to tell you how popular plaid flannels are these days, but they’re also a staple of menswear that never goes out of fashion. Doing a flannel shirt was the first item of cut & sew I wanted to do back in ’04, but we didn’t have the resources or contacts to make it happen. I love knowing that I can now make any goddamn plaid pattern in whatever colors I want. I’m slowly creating my own dream closet of flannel shirts. Plus I’m a big fan of the western cut… something very blue collar dress-up about it that I have always gravitated towards.

Side Note: It drives me crazy how many people refer to any plaid shirt as a flannel. Flannel is a type of cotton; it has nothing to do with the pattern on it! OK rant over.

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7) Perks & Mini – Donut Dog Crewneck

PAM always manages to pull off some of the most amazingly creative graphics every season. And as much of a vast wealth of reference knowledge that I think I possess, PAM is just on another level. I even needed to be schooled to the fact that this was a Cat Stevens reference (I’m sure my girlfriend is frowning somewhere). PAM’s crewnecks also have a great fit!

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8) Mishka – Dmitri Slim-Straight Snow Washed Japanese Selvage Denim

Perfect cut, killer wash and some of the best quality denim you could get your hands on (and your butt in). Yes I’m very partial, but I’m also super particular about my denim’s quality and its cut. The Dmitri were actually a happy accident that happened along the way to our Boris Skinny cut to debut in Spring ’09.

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9) Mighty Healthy – Brooklyn Diner T-Shirt

Despite popular opinion, I don’t hate Hip Hop. I’m just not into Hip Hop-referenced design. Mainly because it’s usually really poorly executed. This shirt, however, is like a ’90s Primo beat and just impossible to resist. T-Bone Steak, Cheese, Eggs, Welch’s Grape! Mmmm, Mighty Healthy and Mike Jones!

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10) Schott x Stussy - Onestar Jacket

I wish I thought of combining an MC Jacket with a Varsity jacket! This thing is just amazing! Such a simple and obvious amalgamation of two classics. And knowing Schott & Stussy, I’m sure the craftsmanship is out of this world.

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11) Mishka – Cosmic Truth T-Shirt

We made a lot of tees this year that I really loved, but this is my absolute favorite. My favorites usually end up being some of our less popular designs, but whatever. The graphic is so subversive yet totally innocent. Glamnation did an amazing job following my vision for the perfect Pettibon graphic.

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12) Supreme - Mountain Parka

I love how Supreme always manages to make that one thing you always wish you could stumble upon while in a vintage clothing store, but never do. (And if you do manage to find one, it always fits like a burlap sack and never comes in a great color combo like this.)

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13) Vans - White Suede Half Cabs

It took me 28 years, but I finally really got into white sneakers, especially white suede. Pair that with a classic like the Half Cab, and I’m in heaven. I love that these just get better looking with more wear and dirt. Plus the black mid-sole really sets them off, making them look like a pair of white creepers.

- My Pal the Crook