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By Maxim Mower
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Following an eye-catching, Wild West-themed runway show in Paris in early September, Post Malone has now made his first Austin Post Apparel collection available online.
Although Post has been the face of a host of brand campaigns in recent years, ranging from SKIMS to Crocs to UGG, this serves as the ‘Chemical’ hitmaker's debut fashion label.
Paying homage to the genre-blending maverick's foray into country music, while still acknowledging his trap and hip-hop roots, Austin Post Apparel's new ‘Permanent Collection’ is billed as classic Western wear infused with a streetwear sensibility.
Judging by the items included in this first drop, it seems to lean more towards the former, with Post sharing a range of flannel shirts, workwear jackets, jeans and more. The prices will make many balk, but it's important to remember that, although numerous items feel Wrangler and Carhartt-coded, this is set up as a designer brand, and will align itself more with the price-points of the likes of OFF-WHITE and Bape.
Here are five standout pieces from Austin Post Apparel's newly unveiled ‘Permanent Collection’:
This stylish ball-cap feels like the epitome of Austin Post Apparel's mission to blend the the staple Western aesthetic with contemporary vibes. This one is for fans of the preppy, retro MLB and NFL logo caps that have been enjoying a resurgence in popularity, with this snap-back featuring a simple, minimalist ‘AP’ logo at the centre.
The brown and white combination is hugely appealing, with the ‘AUSTIN POST’ on the side consolidating the sleek, subtle feel of this cap. This one will work whether you're opting for a rugged, all-denim ensemble or a more polished, urban-minded outfit.
This one definitely leans more towards the country side of the Austin Post Apparel blueprint, and feels cut from the same cloth the popular sand-tone, Carhartt-inspired workwear jackets that you see everywhere nowadays, regardless of whether you're strolling through London streets or ranching in the Montana prairies.
Don't be fooled into thinking this is a Carhartt or Wrangler copycat, though, because this item features a host of unique flourishes, such as the arrow designs bookending all three pockets on the front and the zigzag stitching on the neck. The colour combo is lovely, and the boxy fit gives it that nice contemporary touch.
Even cowboys and cowgirls want to feel comfy, right? Alongside the hoodies and sweatpants, this fleece mock-zip caters for the more streetwear-oriented side of the brand. The mock-zip gives this a slightly more dressed-up feel compared to the standard hoodie, with the embroidered design on the back utilising the same strong pattern as you'll see on all the Austin Post Apparel jackets and shirts.
This ensures it still feels relatively country. There's a subtle ‘AP’ on the sleeve which consolidates the classy styling of this item, meaning you could easily wear this to look fresh for a day out in town - but let's be honest, this one's tailor-made for cosy evenings spent by the fire, sipping on some cocoa and watching Yellowstone.
Given how many shapes, sizes and cuts of jeans there are in circulation at the moment, it's hard to break into this market with something that feels truly fresh and idiosyncratic.
While most streetwear brands are opting for the baggy look, often with some form of text, patchwork or embroidery to give it a more unique feel, Austin Post Apparel has kept it simple and gone for a more traditional, classic look. The Outland Wide Cut feels slightly more contemporary than the slim cut, with the looser fit around the ankle leaving you room - if you so wish - to pair these with cowboy boots.
As any country aficionado knows, if you're going for a workwear aesthetic, you want it to feel lived-in and authentic - as if you've really spent the past week field working the ranch, even if you're city-bound - making this faded look the perfect option.
You can't launch a country-inspired brand without having some flannel - and Austin Post Apparel has a range of plaid designs as part of their ‘Permanent Collection’.
Our favourite, though, is this Black x Whiskey Sundown Plaid Shirt, with the muted, understated colour scheme meaning this can be dressed-down or up, depending on the function. The ombre plaid makes this feel a tad more contemporary than the more rigid, old-school flannel designs you often see, with this Sundown Plaid Shirt featuring all the signature Austin Post Apparel flourishes, such as the zigzag neck stitching, back embroidery and the pocket arrow bookends.
All in all, it's a strong start for Posty's first fashion brand, with the ‘Permanent Collection’ featuring an array of classic looks along with some slightly more innovative items. The price-point will put many off, particularly given the way in which many of the clothing options feel slightly similar to non-designer brands such as Wrangler.
But as a first drop, this has whetted our appetite for what's next from Austin Post Apparel. We'd like to see Post incorporating some streetwear-inspired styles for his next collection, in order to make a bolder, more outlandish statement that this will more accurately mirror his sonic line-blurring between country and trap.
For more on Post Malone, see below: