Josh Peskowitz Wears The Raglan Coat

Josh Peskowitz has seen and (mostly) worn it all. As a writer he’s worked for The Fader, Esquire and contributed to GQ and the New York Times. He’s opened a shop, designed clothes, collaborated and consulted. He was there at the dawn of the online era of #menswear and has seen trends come and trends go. He's talked the talk, walked the walk and worn the unstructured suit.

He’s also a man who looks great in a Big Coat. Made in Italy from a hard-wearing wool tweed in a traditional Gun Club check, our new Raglan Coat is the kind of outerwear that works dressed up over a Games Suit and smart shoes or — as seen below — with matching grey jersey and New Balance for a run to the shops... or an impromptu photo shoot. 

We caught up with Josh to talk food, films, style, the secret to autumn/winter layering and how to stay adaptable in a cut-throat world. 

Shop Coats & Jackets.

Gun Club Check Wool Raglan Coat

Drake's: How would you describe your personal style?

I guess I would say my personal style is an amalgamation of all the experiences and travels I’ve been lucky enough to have. 

What do you like about the Raglan Coat that you're wearing?

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love a big coat. Something that I could get away with only wearing a shirt and a scarf under and be warm. This coat checks all the boxes: big collar, big pockets, big pattern and big attitude.

You've done a lot of different jobs in the men's fashion space. How have you been able to adapt to them all?

I’ve adapted out of need as much as want. The industry and the world keep changing and being flexible has benefited me. I have rarely taken a job that I knew exactly how to do, and I’ve looked to learn from the people that I’ve worked for and with. With that mentality, every new opportunity is an avenue to grow and hopefully bring experience to a situation that could benefit from it. It hasn’t always been easy, but bottom line is that I love what I do and have spent most of my life doing it, so as long as I’m working with smart people with shared goals and good taste, we’re in business.

Are there any current trends that don't do it for you?

I’ve never really been one for particularly flashy clothes. Sure, I’ve been known to wear patterns — or several at a time — but gear with logos or overly bright colors is not my thing. I think you see a lot of that today, but there is a way to pull it off. The interesting thing about this moment is that pretty much anything goes as long as you can finesse it properly. That mostly has to do with attitude. 

Where would you go for your dream dinner? 

As an avid cook (and eater), this is a tough question. Probably a simple dinner in Paris: frisée lardon salad, a lamb chop and some black lentils with a bottle of red. 

What's the secret to autumn/winter layering?

The most important thing is to be comfortable inside or outside. In pre-covid times, my schedule usually consisted of being inside and outside for short periods over the course of the day. Appointments, meetings, cocktails, etc. So being able to do all that without checking a coat was ideal. Keeping that equilibrium between getting too hot or too cold is key. 

What do you not own that you'd like to?

Land.

How do you define success?

See above. But really, being in a position to help others succeed. 

Where are you happiest?

I love the woods and I love to travel to places familiar and new, but honestly I’m happiest at home with my wife, my dogs and my cat. 

What's a film that everyone should see and why?

When I first started working at The Fader, I almost lost my job when Derick Procope (my fashion director at the time) found out that I’d never seen Terrance Malick’s Bandlands. He sent me home to watch it. 

Any regrets?

Small stuff? Plenty. Big stuff? None.

What are the most significant differences in men's style now and 10 years ago?

A quote often attributed to Mark Twain goes: “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it sure does rhyme." Whether he said it or not, I think it is especially relevant when talking about the cyclical nature of menswear. In 2011 we were watching the blossom of Italian sprezzatura and #menswear. Double monk straps were plentiful and suits could be aquamarine just as readily as they could be grey. While there was plenty to love in that era, it was overwrought and headed for a correction. I think in 2021 we’re in a similar spot, but in the opposite direction. As tailored clothing reenters our lives at this juncture, the feeling is looser, more casual and, frankly, more comfortable than it was last time around. The influences on our wardrobe — be it gorpcore, psychedelic, sweats or all three — will lend a different attitude and one that I am much more comfortable with. It rhymes rather than repeats. We’re coming out of this super weird time in civilization and people will want to step out with their clothes, but I don’t think anyone is going to let go of that casual/loose feeling any time soon. 

How would you spend an ideal evening out in New York?

Dinner at Keen’s Chophouse (two martinis maximum), then meet up with the fellas downtown or in Brooklyn for some drinks and jokes. It’s been a while since I’ve seen live music, so checking out some shows is high on the priority list. 

What would your 21-year-old self think of you now?

He’d probably wonder why I’m wearing the same sneakers as him. Still.