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Third Way navigates the changing menswear landscape with LA inspiration

Los Angeles is the perfect place for inspiration. It is the place where dreams come true. There are hundreds of people who have stepped off the bus every day for a century in search of the bright lights of stardom and many more who entrench themselves in the beach vibes surrounding them. From that comes a brand looking to honor the smaller corners of the city, and Third Way has a different view of the City of Angels than those people looking for stardom. They look to change the focus on the important aspects of garments and what makes them unique instead of the name on the tag.

“I think what we are witnessing in menswear is less influence from the top (luxury) and more interest in smaller independent names making well-made pieces with a story or function,” says founder Tony Lee. “It’s less about the brand and more about the fabric or how the piece is constructed. It’s really the ideal environment for us.”

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LA is more than beach vibes and Hollywood

Third Way AW2024 pocketed sweater
Third Way

LA is known for the beach vibes of Venice, the surfers, the gym rats, and the never-ending beach weather. It is also known for the glitter of Hollywood. People use a distinct pair of themes for the vacations they plan for the coast. But there is more to it, and therein lies the inspiration for Third Way.

“We are just digging through its history and connecting with the heritage and values we uncover,” says co-founder Jon Croney. “It’s a diverse place with so many subcultures and industries. I hope each collection will celebrate the different aspects of the city’s layered identity.”

Third Way AW2024

Mark D McKee
Mark cut his teeth in the men's style world when he sold suits first at box stores such as Men's Wearhouse and Jos. A. Bank…
What sailors in the Race to Mackinac, America’s oldest freshwater race, wear on their wrists
The race from Chicago to Mackinac Island is a days-long battle against the Great Lakes. In that kind of contest, you need a watch as tough as the job.
Boat, Sailboat, Transportation

The Race to Mackinac has been run since 1898, when five boats set out from Chicago. Today it covers 333 statute miles up Lake Michigan, crosses into Lake Huron at the Straits of Mackinac, and finishes off Mackinac Island — and it is not an easy voyage. It is also not a gentle one. Sustained gales flattened big chunks of the fleet in 1911, 1937, and 1970, and after a deadly storm in 2011, the Mac's reputation for danger stopped being theoretical. The fastest boats finish absurdly quickly now, with an all-time record of 18 hours and 50 minutes set back in 1998, but most crews are out there for two or three nights. The sailors alternate, sleeping in shifts of four hours each, until they (hopefully) make land.

It might seem tough to imagine doing that once — now, try doing it two dozen more. For those who make the journey at least 25 times, the prize is entry into the Island Goats Sailing Society, founded in 1959 and now several hundred strong. Rack up 25 Chicago Macs and 25 from Port Huron, and you become a Double Goat. The nickname, as the story goes, comes from the aroma a crew carries after days at sea with no shower. All things considered, this is a tough, electric, occasionally dangerous race. The Chicago Yacht Club hosts the race annually in mid-July, and that's exactly where I went to look at watches.

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The blacked-out new release swaps the brand's usual straps for a matching IP Gun steel bracelet.
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Luminox built its name on lightweight, strap-bound tool watches. Now, it's trying a slightly different tack.

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‘Tis the season for beach weekends, cookouts, and glorious rounds of golf. If your wardrobe for the links could use a refresh, Fabletics just launched its second collaboration with Malbon. Inspired by the ocean, the collection features green hues and marine motifs. It’s a his-and-hers collection, with polos and trousers alongside dresses and leggings—garments that look as dapper on the greens as they do in the clubhouse dining room.

The partnership unites two companies with reputations as disruptors in the sports apparel space. Founded in 2017, Malbon has built a loyal following by blending golf apparel with streetwear, fashion, and art. The company has flagship stores in Los Angeles and New York City in addition to a large digital presence. If you follow the PGA Tour, you’ve seen hotshots like Jason Day, Charley Hull, and Sungjae Im sporting Malbon.

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