The tail end of 2013 wasn't just the beginning of Four Pins's affair with "rare hemlines." It was also the start of Justin Machus's slow-building private label. His store, dressed in concrete and black, carries a who's who of progressive menswear brands. Yet, the reason YOU need to know about a little spot in Portland is not for the strong selection. No, it's to celebrate is Machus's approach to basics.
The second drop of Machus continues an approach that pairs a palatable price point ($89 for a T-shirt) with split hems. There is an element of daring—elongated looks aren't for everyone—along with exercised restraint. Machus, producing with assistance from B. Scott, doesn't push design. Instead, he presents a future vision of menswear essentials which follow the core colors of sportswear (black, grey, and white) into new, distinctive territory.
Highlighting Machus's first drop was a neoprene jersey. There isn't a comparable garment in drop two. Instead, Machus has used the neoprene fabric to give a new dimension to the T-shirts and longsleeves. Most exciting, he's introduced a curved hemline tee, which hangs long and rises up toward the hip. Everything can be worn separately, or layered, and always with the knowledge that you are conquering the high/low dynamic without breaking the bank.
