What I’m Wearing And Where It Came From
Global Normcore Men’s Clothing

I’ve become more aware of the points of origin of my old dude normcore wardrobe since America is being made great again by tariffing away all our allies while simultaneously making everything much more expensive.

Top to bottom: Raybans made in Italy, computer glasses frames from Lenscrafters, made in China, sunglasses frames from Costco, made in China.

I’m disabled (spine injury) and have been out of the mainstream workforce for 14 years. I don’t have work clothes because I don’t have a job. If I need to dress up, which is exceedingly rare, I struggle put together an acceptable outfit for something like a wedding or funeral.

I have little need to buy clothing but when tariffs came along I thought it would be a good idea to buy a couple of pair of khaki pants and some new shoes. I have specialized needs in footwear that making buying shoes difficult. I detailed this in my recent post about split size shoe orders.

As a result, many of the clothes I war day-to-day are a decade or old. I’m old and don’t expect I’ll be needing new clothes for the long term. I plan on cremation. So there will be no need to waste a suit for a ghoulish open casket viewing.

My typical daily normcore clothing ensemble. Khaki shirt worn as a jacket, long sleeve pocket t-shirt, cotton elastic waist draw strong pants. All 100% cotton. None of it was made in the USA.

I’ll mention the retailers but this in no way is an endorsement for any of these retailers. However, if any of them want to sponsor me, I’m all for it.

So, what am I wearing and where the heck did it come from?

Let’s start with the 100% cotton long sleeve pocket t-shirt sold by Duluth Trading Co. The extra-long tail shirt prevents “plumber’s butt” by making a butt crack reveal impossible, according to the seller. Made in Vietnam.

The khaki shirt is also from Duluth Trading Co., thick 100% cotton, double front pockets with inner pockets for glasses and a pen. I don’t think this retailer sells this shirt any longer. Made in China.

Woven 100% cotton elastic waist, drawstring pants from Territory Ahead. I think there were called something like Zephyr pants, but I’m not sure. Fairly certain this retailer no longer sells these. Made in China.

All of the above clothing items are at least five years old and the pants are about a decade old.

Semi-customized brace for my paralyzed left foot by Hanger Clinic. Not sure of country of origin. White cotton athletic sock from Costco and compression hose for my left foot from Big 5 sporting goods. Both made in China.

Semi-customized brace for my paralyzed left foot by Hanger Clinic. Not sure of country of origin. White cotton athletic sock from Costco and compression hose for my left foot from Big 5 sporting goods. Both made in China.

My new New Balance sneakers from Nordstrom were made in Vietnam.

New split size sneakers. that’s a size 13 wide on the left that fits nicely over my brace.

Right now I’m wearing my souvenir ball cap from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. I was in no way smart enough to attend this university, but may daughter was. Cap made in the Philippines. I also frequently wear a 100% Irish wool flat cap by Mucros, Killarney, Ireland. The flat cap cements my image as a totally unhip old man and makes me invisible to all women under 50.

My eyesight is very poor. Glasses are mandatory for me at all times. I require three pairs, one for distance, one for computer and close work and a pair sunglasses, which are mandatory here in Southern California. Top to bottom: Ray-Bans made in Italy, computer glasses frames from Lenscrafters, made in China, sunglasses frames from Costco, made in China.

Not pictured: Cotton/polyester khaki pants from Lands End. For formal occasions. Country of origin: Bangladesh.

So, China wins. Meanwhile, America loses no matter how many times we’re told we’re winning.

And while we’re here, I’ll include maritime shipping expert Sal Mercogliano’s latest update on goods being shipped to the United States from China.