midweSTYLE: Easy Rider

Merry Christmas, y'all.

I'm sure you're all coming down from your food comas and/or worn out from exploring the full utilities of your copious amounts of swag, so I'll keep it short.

We got back to the farm from our yearly Christmas visit to my dad's childhood Episcopal church and decided to go for a Sunday afternoon ride. We were losing light, so rather than waste time changing out of church clothes, I threw on some jeans and called it good.

Meet Fuerte, our Peruvian Paso Fino gelding.

On Seth: Chambray work shirt (Michigan Avenue Bloomingdales, sale $50 reg. $115) by Gant Rugger; neck tie passed down from grandfather; Mad Men cardigan courtesy of Banana Republic; "Walker" raw denim courtesy of JBrand; brown herringbone socks courtesy of Falke; "Beeswax" desert boots (Nordstrom Rack, sale $50 reg. $110); "Weekender" watch (Amazon.com, $30) by Timex; fish-hook tie clip ($20) by Buckshot Sonny's; deadstock copper latch bracelet with holes (gift from Jeff—what a friend).

Photos by Israel Putnam.

HOW TO: Cargo

Don't wear cargo pants.*
But if you feel like your daytime activities merit compartments beyond the typical five pocket chinos, go forth.

A brief and personal history on cargo pants:
Cargo pants were notable in my adolescence as candy-smuggling, soda-pop-holstering, hazardous-when-running pants that you wore because you didn't want to carry a backpack. But let's be honest, everybody knew you had something in your cargo pocket because it jutted out like mad. As kids, we thought our cargo pockets were like Harry's invisibility cloak.

We all had our fun with our escapades to the local Barry Wood's 24 Cinema on a Friday night. You know, you stopped by the nearest Dollar General to stock up on snacks and chocolates and little diabetic comas neatly packaged in "fun-size" labels to hoard in those once floppy compartments fastened on the side of your American Eagle camo shorts.

Zippered, camouflage, frayed, bleached-stained or destroyed. You loved your cargo shorts. They were practical for your Midwestern youth, throwing and stowing loot and plunder from the creek. Many games of capture the flag they had served you well. Even provided that extra place to hide paraphernalia from authorities (parents, duh). Modern technology advanced at such speed that some cargo pants evolved into a hybrid cargo pants/shorts. You knew that kid.

For me, that kid's name was Jason, and his locker was two down from mine in sixth grade outside of Mrs. Merle's room. He had a pair of these convertible pants I coveted at the mere age of 12. One day in September, he complained that it was too warm inside in the New Mark Middle School's make-shift cafeteria, aka lobby of the school.

I thought to myself, "Jason, are you kidding me? They are pumping A.C. in here. I'm about to go to the nurse and ask to use the phone to call my mom to bring me up sweater because I'm so cold."**

The only logical response to the heat in the obviously temperate "cafeteria" was to show off his new transforming pants with zippers. Behold, the convertible pants into shorts. The middle-school boy's dream pant that you can wear all year long, enabling you to never shower again, which in turn allowed to you play Halo more. Duh.

Two days later, Jason got beat up and his pants were stolen.
Just kidding.
Actually, his dad bought them for him for camping purposes.

Me, I bought my own pair for candy-hauling, Friday night impish purposes—ya-know, the only kind of purpose a devious middle school boy can rationalize.

I digress with my nostalgic days of cargo pants.
Let's move on and talk about modern day, though, shall we?

Don't wear them... unless they are updated with a tailored cut. Examples as follows:

On Jeff: Slim "Trooper"cargo pant courtesy of J.Brand ; cognac "Lexington" wingtip by Florsheim; wool blazer by Billtornade (similiar); crisp white short sleeve button-down by rag & bone.

Levi's also makes a rad light forest green cargo pant that is fairly tailored as well.

Styling suggestions with your updated cargo pants:

• Don't wear boots with your cargo pants.


• Don't wear camo with your cargo pants.


• Don't wear a bow tie with your cargo pants.


• Don't pretend that you're not wearing cargo pants. Just be cool, okay?

On Jeff: forest-green cargo pants by Levi's; white "Authentics" courtesy of Vans; orange- and white-striped tee by J.Crew; light heather grey slub cardigan by J.Crew.

Photography by Seth Putnam and Anthony Barlich.

* Unless you're doing outdoorsy shit that would necessitate multiple pockets for the use of hauling game and bullets. I actually have a pair of cargo pants that's aren't tailored. They are for hiking, backpacking or something like that. They are from REI and are worn every summer when camping. I like the "idea of the outdoors" more than I like the actual outdoors, thus why my closet is overflowing with Patagonia synchillas in every color.
**This actually happened. She's brought me many clothes throughout my elementary and secondary education because I either peed my pants, threw up on them or was near frostbite. I love you, Mom!

midweSTYLE: St. Louis (Part One)

You know that feeling of joy when you are reunited with best friends who always greet with you a warm, bear-like slap on the back followed by a quick rub to diffuse the gentle sting? That's how I feel when the Midwestyle reunites.

We got together in St. Louis for our good man Patrick's wedding. If you're from Missouri or have Missouri friends, you know Kansas City hates St. Louis. And that St. Louis hates Kansas City right back. Or maybe it's just our friends have this thing with their hometown pride.

Either way, Patrick, a Kansas City boy, met Emmy, a St. Louis girl, and forged peace between the Montagues and Capulets of KC-STL—at least for the time being. Naturally, we brought our favorite Kansas City goods with us to this wretched great city!

Actually, we just found all of these belongings in our car. Let's be honest: You need to take some hometown swag with you wherever you go. We chose Boulevard Pale Ale, KC Baldwin hat and a throwback "Wizards" jersey.

But really "St. Louis" people, do you actually live in St. Louis? Nope, you live in Chesterfield, West County or Kirkwood. We, on the other hand, actually have mailing addresses that say "Kansas City" not "Lee's Summit" or "Overland Park." Represent.

The Three Madras Amigos showing our St. Louis denizens how we feel. Everyone loves a meaningless, mildly offensive middle-school gesture.

Noteworthy details: My no-break chinos and "Lexington" wingtips by Florsheim.

Noteworthy detail: Seth's thrifted woven and stitched loafers by Giorgio Brutini.

Noteworthy detail: The "KC" welt and felt hat by Baldwin Denim.

On Cameron: pink, fuchsia and orange madras shirt (thrifted at Wild Man Vintage, $7) by Royal Knight, medium; grey slim-fit trouser shorts (Urban Outfitters, $40) by BDG, size 31; "KC" baseball cap (Standard Style, $42) by Baldwin Denim, size large; well-loved and worn "Authentics" (online, $40) by Vans, size 10; throwaway aviators from Urban Outfitters ($10).

On Jeff: Grey slim-fit "Davis" chino (retail, $50) by Club Monaco, size 28x32; brown leather belt with brass detailing (sale, $4.99) by J.Crew, size 30; blue-and-green large-check madras shirt (sale, $29.99) by J.Crew; "Lexington" wingtips without laces (Nordstrom Rack, $50) by Florsheim, size 11; knock-off "Clubmaster" sunglasses (Seek Vintage, $12).

On Seth: Blue and violet plaid button-down (swiped from Cam); "Corporal" chinos courtesy of J Brand, size 30; woven and stitched tassel loafers (thrifted, $6) by Giorgio Brutini.

Photography by Jarred Donalson.