Prolonged Sex Scenes
We’re talking Satisfy, the yassification of activewear, brands currently ruining whatever financial stability I had, and a selection of big shorts following up my Highsnobiety piece.
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Before We Begin
Somehow, over the past two years, I’ve always managed to pick a film to watch during my flight that has a prolonged sex scene. There’s something uncomfortable about watching any kind of sex scene next to complete strangers. The last film I watched featuring this was Wall Street which, if you don’t know already, has a top-tier soundtrack as it features several tracks from My Life In The Bush of Ghosts by David Byrne and Brian Eno — a forever S-tier album.
Anyway, I just felt like sharing that.
In case you missed it, I wrote an article for Highsnobiety covering big shorts. My original intention was to write about the brands I like, and the ones I’d personally wear today as someone that leans heavily toward the big short end of the spectrum.
With this post, I’ve highlighted several big shorts I’d actually wear. I’m aiming for something lightweight, breathable, ideally linen, and ready for summer. Though I’m always down to get freaky and try something new.
But first, a few thoughts.
Satisfy x Adidas: The Tech-Bro Collab
Satisfy released their campaign with Adidas titled, well, something. I’m too lazy to search it up.
But, I can tell you that it felt like a corporate takeover of hardcore punk aesthetics and beliefs. As an outsider looking in, with loose ties to punk and the various subgenres tied to it from growing up around the music, it’s honestly laughable seeing how Brice Partouche utilizes anti-establishment and anti-capitalist imagery to sell product.
Even during the drama with Running Supply — or whatever that other running company was called, there are too many elevated running or luxe activewear brands to keep up with now — Brice used Fugazi lyrics in a story while calling out the competing designer, even though Fugazi would absolutely despise everything this brand represents.
You cannot position yourself as anti-system while charging nearly $500 CAD for trail-running shoes that most actual runners seem to agree are mediocre.
Truthfully, Brice now reminds me of any tech-entrepreneur that’s trying to schmooze you for your money by coming across as hardcore, edgy, and against the system. You now, the type of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs that say a product is revolutionary, and will inevitably break the system, when really it’s just going to destroy our environment, pollute our water, lead to illness, etc.
As a consumer, I do like Satisfy — I just haven’t been able to justify the price for any of their garments.
Now, it’s hard to shake the feeling that buying from the brand would just further this guy’s descent into some kind of big-tech-guru madness. I no longer see a brand that’s looking to further the design of activewear, but a brand that’s profiting off the disguise that they are.
I’m also quite tired of this mass-yassification of running, for the lack of a better term, culture, if you will. While brands like Literary Sport intrigue me, (I genuinely like the campaigns, creative direction, and collections) I do feel a bit sick seeing activewear priced the same as half your rent.
Listen, it’s cool that you’re bringing premium design elements into fabric sourcing and construction. However, I don’t need to be wearing a $300 shirt, or $600 running jacket while I’m sweating profusely and making the most un-arousing facial expressions imaginable during a run. Well, okay, they’re not un-arousing, but they’re not great.
As someone that’s been taking their health more seriously recently, I’ve also started noticing the toxicity within wellness culture more and more. Individuals turning marathons into campaigns and product-heavy reels, only to stand in the way of people trying to hit a new PR. Or creators using hiking as content fodder while simultaneously bragging about making half-a-million dollars and posting endless shopping sprees, all while trying to come across humble and human when they’re anything but.
The activewear side of fashion, and the communities around it, have become deeply corrupted. Which makes it refreshing seeing the few people blending fashion and movement in healthier, more genuine ways.
Unfortunately, they’re usually the ones grinding for years to build an audience, while those at the tippy-top, with zero positive intentions toward anyone but themselves, continue to thrive with ease.
Brands Currently On My Watchlist
This month, or past few months, have been pretty bad. I remember saying SS26 ain’t gonna do shit for me, yet here I am making numerous purchases to the point where I simultaneously feel content with my wardrobe, and foul for spending an absurd amount of money.