What Caught Their Eye: Eric Twardzik, Freelance Writer & Editor
After a brief hiatus, I’m thrilled to announce that my guest edit series, called What Caught Their Eye, is back!
Every other week or so, I’ll have a guest editor on here, sharing 5 things that they recommend to my audience. In the past, I’ve had artists, executives, writers, and more from a variety of disciplines and this year’s selection has just as exciting of a line-up.
This week we have Eric Twardzik, a name I’m sure you’re familiar with if you follow any menswear publications. I’m lucky to have Eric contribute to this Edit, so keep reading to see what has Caught His Eye!
Eric Twardzik, Freelance Writer & Editor
Eric Twardzik is a freelance writer who also serves as the deputy editor of WM Brown magazine. A Pennsylvania native, he now resides in New England with his family. He appreciates things that get better with age, like tweed jackets and single malt scotch. His writing on style, spirits and travel has appeared in GQ, Esquire, Robb Report and Condé Nast Traveler, among other websites and publications. He has too many ties and not enough occasions to wear them.
Follow Eric: Here
What Caught Eric’s Eye
Ralph Lauren Sailboat-Intarsia Cotton Sweater
I tell myself I've weaned off the sort of preppy maximalism typified by Polo Ralph Lauren (and in my youth, Rugby)... and then I see something like this frankly ridiculous cotton sweater graced by both an intarsia-knit sailboat graphic and an embroidered lighthouse. Is it shamelessly over-the-top? Yes. Is it also what I want around my shoulders while I bite into a lobster roll at some point this summer? Also yes.
Buy: Here
John Updike: The Collected Stories: A Library of America Boxed Set
For the past few years, I've been working through a different mid-century American writer named "John" each summer. 2021 was John O'Hara, 2022 was John Cheever, and 2024 will continue the excavation of John Updike's short fiction that I began last year. From shopping used book stores I've amassed a trove of various, paper-back issue short story collections, but now I'm wishing I had the this complete boxed set from Library of America, which is graced by an excellent, Hockney-esque portrait of the dapper writer in a pink shirt, repp tie and brown herringbone jacket. What's not to love?
Buy: Here
Caswell-Massey Jockey Club Eau de Parfum
Earlier in the year, I purchased a "year of soap" collection from Caswell-Massey during a holiday weekend promotion, thinking I was getting a deal. As it turns out, it's one of the least cost-effective purchases I've made—because each time I unwrap a soap, I'm compelled to purchased it in scent form.
The latest has been Jockey Club, which I bought in the maker's eau du parfum form. A heady mix of the fresh, floral and strong, it's an invigorating spritz post-shower and feels perfectly acclimated to the present season as it unfolds.
Buy: Here
Waterville Pique Quilted Vest for The Andover Shop
Zipped vests, we're told, are about as uncool as it gets. The reserve of bland, "Midtown Uniform" finance bros and suburban dads, they should be avoided at all costs.
I agreed—until my friends at The Andover Shop turned me onto Waterville. Despite its Anglo name it's an Italian operation that turns out more tailored iterations of the ubiquitous zipped vest, often in natural fabrics. I just picked up a diamond-quilted version made from a royal blue pique cotton, and I've been loving it. Aside from its utility in shoulder-season weather, it also features two external zipped pockets and another four inside. As a recent father, every pocket is a godsend—there's never enough space to stash extra pacifiers, burp cloths, the odd toy, etc.
Buy: Here
KAWECO Student Fountain Pen
After my first-ever fountain pen—a Midori MD—broke apart in the zipped pocket of my Barbour jacket (amazingly, no clothing was harmed) I was back in the market for a daily carry pen. Helped along by the staff at Top Drawer in Boston, I landed on Kaweco's Student Fountain Pen. The German-made writing instrument has the old-world design and substantial feel that I want out of a fountain pen, but thanks to its resin body it remains light enough to pop into the pocket of a sport jacket.
Buy: Here