What Women Want, with Emily and Brynn

One of the earliest ideas I had for this newsletter was to regularly invite female friend groups to call in and talk about everything they love (and love less) about what the guys in their lives are wearing.

This was partly inspired by the sheer number of female designers behind some of the best men’s clothing today, but also by the fact that, like it or not, the “Girlfriend Glow Up”—when guys start to look a little better after getting into relationships—is a real thing.

It also just felt like it would be fun.

We’re kicking the series off today with my dream first guests: Emily Dawn Long, the current CFDA finalist whose bright, confident, smile-inducing designs are a major part of menswear’s current swing back to colour and graphics. And Brynn Wallner, the founder of Dimepiece, four-time How Long Gone guest, and one of the greatest people to have at the other end of the phone on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

The conversation went even better than I could have hoped, and includes:

• The guys they think are dressing the best right now

• The cologne they wish more guys wore

• The men’s jeans Emily wears in two sizes

• The best things they’ve stolen from past boyfriends

• The less-great pieces they’ve guided their guys away from

  … and much more. Enjoy!

To begin, if you were each to draw a cartoon of a guy in a can’t-fail outfit, what’s he wearing today?

Emily: I’m staring at three different seasons of boards, so I’m actually sort of building my guy right now. I will say, multiple of these boards have Hawaiian shirts. We’ve got an old ‘90s Bruce Willis guy, and then we have Leo from Romeo + Juliet. So I’d say my guy right now is in a really good, worn-in jean, and a very old, vintage Hawaiian shirt. He’s a little dirty.

Brynn: Yes. I also see a really good worn-in jean, like a Levi’s. Kind of loose, but not too baggy, just lived in. And then a T-shirt or a classic woven. What guys have going for them is they can pull off simplicity so well. I kind of envy how good a guy looks in a great-fitting tee or collared shirt. You don’t have to worry about curves or even try that hard, so less is more. Honestly, any blatant effort is an immediate turnoff.