Chris Black has returned to the Strategist with a monthly column to answer all of your burning questions, from super-specific style predicaments to workout and tennis recs to foolproof host-gift ideas that will get you invited back to the beach house.
What are the best running short half-tights?
I love half-tights. They look good, prevent chafing, and keep your lower legs nice and cool. All of my real runner friends swear by them, so I do too.
These are my go-to. They’re super-simple, with no bells and whistles, and they’re a great price. They have a nice weight to them and feel substantial. They keep you dry and have a drawcord to keep them cinched at the waist, because nothing is worse than saggy tights.
DV is the only independent running brand I can really wear. The logo is cool, and the color palette is always on point. I have three pairs of these black half-tights. They have a zip pocket in the back, an internal waistband pocket for your keys, and a phone pocket on the side. The drawcord is a punchy red color.
Goldwin is an outdoor brand that started in skiing. Everything it makes is simple and of great quality, and these half-tights are no exception. They have a few mesh panels to make them extra breathable during the warmer months.
If you need something with a splashier logo, our friends from the north at Arc’teryx have you covered. The zippered utility pocket is a lovely touch.
The best Chelsea boots for my money?
What a loaded question. The classic Chelsea boot has been bastardized by reality-dating-show contestants, brunch lovers, and skinny-suit wearers. But they are versatile and can be cool if you choose the right pair. You don’t want to look like a guy on Love Island.
I love Dries’s footwear; it is deeply underrated. These boots have a grippy Vibram sole and a “cleated heel grip for a little lift” (short kings, take notice). They feature a classic rounded toe and leather pull tabs to get them on and off easily.
You can’t beat these for the price. Every guy I know has a pair of these in his closet because they expertly ride the line between formal and casual, depending on your look. These also have a block heel that provides a slight lift. They break in nicely over time, and if you take care of them, you will have them forever. The Australians really know how to make boots.
I love these. The full-grain leather looks supple without being delicate. These are obviously an investment, but they will never go out of style. Church’s has been making shoes since the late 1800s; it can be trusted.
This is the gold standard for a casual Chelsea boot. Sure, every guy in Fort Greene has them on sitting at Roman’s, but they are ubiquitous because they are best in class. I’ve had a pair for over ten years, and they just look better and better. Black or chestnut is just fine.
Can you recommend some graphic tees that don’t suck? (Band tees aside)
Making consistently cool graphic T-shirts is one of the hardest things for a brand to do. Making something wearable, interesting, and, well, not corny is a tall order. But they exist, and I am here to be your graphic T-shirt shaman.
Dancer is a skate brand from Copenhagen that consistently puts out the coolest graphic T-shirts. They have a hand-illustrated quality that really resonates with me. Plus, none of your bozo friends will even know what this is.
A simple, small graphic in the middle of a good blank is a recipe for success. This feels like it could be a ’90s alternative-band concert shirt, which is the highest compliment.
Simple and to the point. Show your love for an iconic ’90s actress with a simple, typography-based graphic T-shirt. It doesn’t always have to be loud and colorful; the right people will take notice.
[Editor’s note: Idea Books lists its prices in GBP; the USD price listed is an approximation.]
Stüssy is one of the few logos I will still wear on my chest at 41. It’s cool, classic, and unflappable. The graphics are consistently strong, and this one is printed on a heavy-cotton pigment-dyed blank.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
