Getting Dressed is the Only Battle Worth Waging
I walk down the city streets / On an unsuspecting human world / Inhuman in your midst / Well, this world is mine to own
Intricate detailing and surprising features abound in this week’s TWR - a hairy cardigan from Universal Works, a perfect pair of pants from The Star Team, and stunning skateboards from The Space Program. We Salute an entire nation as our Soldier of the Week, and we expose an abuser that should’ve been excommunicated from fashion long ago as our Enemy of the Week. We can only win The War by ridding ourselves Enemy Within with the support of our Strongest Soldiers!
💥TUESDAY MEANS WAR💥
TACTICAL UPDATES
UPPER UNIFORM
Charcoal Dolce Fleece Cardigan by Universal Works
November’s here, which means temperatures are dropping, darkness is creeping, and The Holidays are coming up before you know it. This cardigan from Universal Works will have you prepared for everything the coming months can throw at you. Pop this over a tee or button-up and you’re stunting in any arena. It carries Universal Works’ signature utility, featuring 3 pockets on the front and one more inside for maximum storage. It’s a little bit loud thanks to the animal-adjacent print, flattened by the mohair texture on top that obscures it a bit to keep you shining without screaming. They call the textile ‘Dolce Fleece’ and describe it as fluffy and hairy, but we just call it warm and cozy. They also feature it in a Zip Gilet (also known as a vest for our American readers), nice for Soldiers that are not quite ready to try a cardigan but still want to get a taste of Dolce Fleece. Both are absolute Bangers, but the cardi is the star and the only move for the Brave.
LOWER UNIFORM
Cross Stitch Double Knee Jeans by The Star Team
Despite our advancing age, we remain eternally tapped in thanks to the fountain of youth that is skateboarding. Whether it’s at the park or the spot or the gram, skateboarding has always brought together Youths and Olds from all walks of life around a love of getting clips and kicking it. Yeah, we’re seeing fewer youngsters getting into skateboarding these days, but the ones who are finding it seem to be even more creative and Fun than any other generation. Kyota Umeki has been leading from the front since he first hit the scene, mixing a keen eye for spots and tricks, a FTW attitude straight out of his East Village upbringing, and a unique fashion sense. It didn’t take him long to begin The Star Team, producing interesting accessories reminiscent of early 2000’s Supreme remixed for the TikTok generation. The Star logo and little mushroom fella mascot have been plastered all over everything from hacky sacks and backpacks to ping pong sets and Venture trucks. But the real Star of the show has always been the Pants. We’ve owned a few pairs, but just got the new Cross Stitch Double Knee jeans. They blew our dome when we pulled them out of the package. The best part of Star Team pants is always the fit, and these are exceptionally on point with a baggy silhouette and a slightly tapered hem to hit the shoe perfectly. The stitching detail isn’t as bold in person as it looks in the photos. Our favorite details are the bonus pockets cleverly hidden at the top of the double knee, just the right size for an iPhone or Sidekick or whatever the Youths are using these days. It’s rare that the online photos and descriptions still allow for surprise when they land, but we expect nothing less from The Star Team. The site’s down, no doubt being re-loaded with some more Gas, so stop by The Star Team shop in the East Village while you wait for the update. It’s a fun time every time.
EQUIPMENT
Fall 2025 Boards by The Space Program
The Space Program is the epitome of what a Skateboard Company should be - a deep commitment to the local scene, a keen eye for unearthing talent, and slamming graphics that make you actually want to grab a board off the wall that’s not from one of the big, Cool, popular brands that will get you daps at the park but has absolutely nothing else going for it. The Space Program comes from the mind of Sebastian Lopez, an ultra-talented creative explorer with a work ethic to match. Making skateboards on the side of his regular 9-to-5 is impressive enough, but he’s also building a team of rippers that spans the country, filming and editing full lengths to make sure his crew shines as brightly as they should, and helping them navigate an industry that is as complicated and confusing as it’s ever been. The Fall 2025 boards are exactly what we love about The Space Program - eye-popping visuals mixing loud colors and pop culture references (Mars Attacks is an unimpeachable classic) for an unmistakable Intergalactic-Psychedelic Vibration. Available in all your favorite sizes on Generator wood, grab one of both to push your skating into another dimension.
FIELD NOTES
SOLDIER OF THE WEEK
🇨🇦🍁Canadians🍁🇨🇦
This past week, we joined our surprisingly large number of Canadian homies to become temporary Blue Jays fans desperately hoping they could pull off a historic upset and dethrone the fucking Los Angeles Dodgers as World Series champions. Heartbreak ensued in a uniquely gut-wrenching Game 7 loss up north, and Ohtani and crew celebrated their second title in a row. We also have a large number of Los Angeles homies, and we are not happy for y’all. Don’t you have enough trophies already? But our family to the north remain upbeat and defiant and proud, reminding us why they’re famous for being Nice and why that’s not ever a bad thing. We also happened to watch a documentary on John Candy this week, a heartbreaking look at a master of comedy and caring and being proudly Canadian. We salute our Northern Comrades for consistently exporting Goodness and Kindness and Love to the world!
ENEMY OF THE WEEK
Ian Connor
Ian Connor rose to fame on the coattails of Kanye and A$AP Rocky, one of many hangers-on of the era that leveraged culture-vulturing to break into fashion and claim influence over the wider movement. His big moment came in 2017, designing the “innovative” Revenge x Storm sneaker - a bootleg Vans Old Skool with a lightning bolt in place of the Vans stripe. Brainwashed masses ate it up because he was friends with Virgil and featured in editorials for the likes of Off White and Drake’s early OVO clothing line. Stunningly, his rise happened against a backdrop of sexual assault allegations and public threats against women from his own Twitter account. In June of 2016, he stood accused of sexual assault by at least 21 different women, but his circle protected him and continued enabling his rise. Louder voices eventually pushed him out of the front row of Fashion Week and into the background, and the Me Too movement forced fashion to reckon with its disgusting record of abuse. But it’s not entirely surprising to see Ian Connor re-emerge in 2025, one of many prominent Rapists now returning to power in the world’s new paradigm. He’s back on Twitter espousing his talents and returning to fashion with his new brand, Sicko. He’s fresh off an appearance at Complex Con, who’s also selling his garms through their eCommerce platform. Saying nothing of the atrocious garms, how can anyone support a verified piece of Shit like Ian Connor? This world, fashion and otherwise, has gone backward in so many ways. It’s up to us, Soldiers, to provide the cultural reset we all need.
You’re now up to speed on the latest from the battlefield. Use this intel wisely and pass it on to others who may need our guidance. We can’t win the war unless we’re in it together.