I’m a pretty simple guy when it comes to dressing for fall. People who know me well usually recognize me from my daily uniform – a pair of quality jeans, a dGI varsity jacket, and an easy plaid shirt. Nothing you can’t cop at the local Urban Outfitters. Easy, right? Not if you don’t enjoy getting caught wearing the same A.P.C. shirt or Supreme camo jacket as your friend at a dinner table—most girls would call this a ‘photo op’… but any guy just wants to curl up and die of embarrassment.
So you can imagine my excitement when I stumbled upon an unassuming storefront on the quiet part of Rivington Street (that’s in the Lower East side of Manhattan for all you non-NYCers) that was lined with a variety of soft, patterned shirts, work wear-inspired outerwear and label-less jeans. Ale et Ange is chock full of casual menswear basics designed locally by owners Osoré Oyagha and Eloise Simonet, who started the line in 2009. Being from the islands myself, I immediately befriended Eloise who hails from Jamaica, and we bonded over our favorite island dish, ackee and saltfish, and our love of Minotti furniture.
As I was already arm deep in plaid shirts, soft and subtly patterned T-shirts and rose floral washed denim brims, she humbly mentioned the line already had a celebrity following including Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def), rapper Pusha T and Adam Levine (The Voice, Maroon 5), which came as no surprise—this spot is truly for sharp-eyed locals. Not only are you buying quality pieces in unique fabrics, Ale et Ange serves as a kind of public living room full of books, records and photographs they encourage you to flip through while listening to a soundtrack of Yellowman, The Fat Head and Broadcast and The Focus Group.
If you’re not sold yet check out their line of caps in a range of prints and fabrics, which give my fall uniform of plaid shirt and jeans that special swagger. And don’t worry if you can’t make the trip to NYC, Ale et Ange’s online store is coming to an Internet Browser near you this fall. Be on the lookout HERE.
