The Best Style Releases of 2025: Levi’s, Carhartt, Barbour and More

“Gradually, then suddenly.” Since The Sun Also Rises, Hemingway’s signature quip has been used to describe everything from political upheaval to cultural change — or, for our purposes, industry in flux.

As with any list, our countdown of the year’s most important style releases is sure to ruffle a few feathers, if not for the selections then certainly for their order. Though perhaps it’s for the best.

After all, change is not always smooth nor welcome. But it is always on its way, first slowly before arriving all at once.

GP100: Gear Patrol’s annual roundup of the most important releases collects key watches, cars, outdoor gear and more. Browse the full list or catch up on last year’s winners.

16. The best pair of skivvies in a century

Sunspel

GP100 Winner

Sunspel Classic Boxer Shorts

Specs

Fabric	100% Cotton
Sizes	XS-XXL
Colors	16 options

• $60 at Sunspel

Boxer Shorts are an American invention, created by the sportswear company Everlast in 1925 for, as you may have guessed, boxers to wear in the ring. However, the elastic-waisted design quickly caught on as a type of underwear, but that’s not the end of the story.

Sunspel

Across the pond, one company is responsible for both introducing the open-legged undergarment to the British market and innovating it to what is, more or less, the same design we wear today: Sunspel.

In 1947, the great-grandson of Sunspel’s founder returned from a trip to America and began working on a more comfortable boxer short, specifically designed to be worn as a base layer. He added a center-back panel, smoothed out the seams and used a softer long-staple cotton.

Sunspel

If boxers are your underwear of choice, you have Sunspel to thank, and the British clothing brand continues to produce what is widely considered the best option available. The Fall/Winter 2025 collection is celebrating this achievement by reissuing three patterns from its archives.

All three patterns feature subtle stripes over a white background, and join the over a dozen color options that Sunspel routinely offers.

15. The most iconic sneaker of all time gets its finest glow-up in a century

Converse

GP100 Winner

Converse Chuck Taylor First String

Specs

Insole	Ortholite
Outsole	Vibram
Upper	Leather, canvas or knit

• Starts at $225

Unless you’ve been living in a bunker for the last century, you’ve almost definitely got some measure of familiarity with Converse’s Chuck Taylor. It’s arguably the most iconic piece of footwear of all time.

Over the course of its lifespan — going on 109 years, 103 with the Chuck Taylor moniker — it has seen many, many iterations. That’s important, as the Converse Chuck Taylor First String might be the finest of all of them.

Converse

This isn’t just a simple redux or a material swap, either. It’s a ground-up reimagining for the modern era. It initially launched in three distinct editions: one with a premium leather upper, another in heavyweight canvas and a third in a Japanese knit fabric. But more have since been released, including a furry leopard pony, vintage canvas and a brown premium leather.

Alongside those uppers, all three have seen their outsoles swapped for trusty, grippy, high-end Vibram — a major upgrade from the brand’s traditional “fuzzy” outsole. And they all get an Ortholite insole for additional sink-in comfort and cushioning.

Converse

But it doesn’t stop there. The sneakers also have had all their other, smaller details pored over. The linings are now made from fine leather; the foxing tapes are more refined; even the iconic toe cap has been reimagined — shorter and wider for a more contemporary fit.

There are a couple of drawbacks, however. They’re among the most expensive Chucks, as well, starting at $225. Worse, they’re damn near impossible to get your hands on because, well, sneakerheads.

14. The James Brand resurrects an overlooked EDC category

The James Brand

GP100 Winner

The James Brand The Lowe

Specs

Capacity	Up to 6 cards and cash
Material	Aluminum and silicone
Weight	2.5 ounces

• $119 at The James Brand
• $119 at Huckberry

A few years ago, you couldn’t say the phrase “everyday carry” without someone bringing up minimalist front pocket wallets (or cardholders, as they’re sometimes called). However, likely due to oversaturation in the market and too many overtly similar options, the category cooled off arguably faster than it heated up.

Since then, there’s been virtually no innovation in the category— just the same old same old. Then, one of the most significant names in EDC gear finally decided to take a swing, giving us The James Brand The Lowe.

The James Brand

Admittedly, The Lowe is a very late-in-the-game entry. That said, it has managed to elevate the category by bringing something new to the table where so, so many others failed.

There’s enough here that, at a glance, anyone moderately familiar with minimalist wallets will know what they’re looking at. It has a svelte aluminum construction (albeit a much more sleek and seamless one than its competition) and a signature silicone cash strap.

However, a closer inspection reveals some surprising treats. For instance, the silicone band sits flush against the aluminum body, meaning there’s no unnecessary bulk to get snagged on your pockets. It also has a handy notch at the bottom that allows for easy and quick credit and debit card deployment (it holds up to six, by the way).

The James Brand

But the real treat is on the inside. Flanking the card space is a rail system that gently hugs the cards you slip into The Lowe. That means one card stays as secure as the maximum, but it also means they can be removed without struggle — something even the biggest names in the formerly dominant category could never manage.

It’s a highly elegant reinterpretation of what has since become an overlooked essential piece of gear.

13. Red Wing jumps on the Westernwear bandwagon with a faithful reproduction

Photo by Brad Lanphear for Gear Patrol

GP100 Winner

Red Wing Pecos Boot in Hawthorne Muleskinner

Specs

Material	Oiled roughout leather
Sizes	7-13
Sole	Leather midsole, Chemigum outsole

• $370 at Red Wing

Western wear has gradually gained popularity in mainstream fashion over the past few years, but 2025 saw a notable surge in popularity. Maybe it’s because of shows like Yellowstone and Landman, or has something to do with country music or perhaps it’s all Post Malone’s fault.

Regardless, a clear indication of Western wear’s new prominence is that Red Wing Heritage got back into the cowboy boot game. As part of the brand’s three-boot 120th Anniversary Collection, the Minnesota shoemaker introduced the Pecos.

Photo by Brad Lanphear for Gear Patrol

This bar-bones cowboy boot is a “stitch-for-stitch” replica of a model released in 1958. According to the brand, it was designed for Texas oil field workers and ranch hands.

The pragmatic design lacks any decorative stitching, ornate colors or exotic leather. It uses Red Wing’s No. 17 last, shirking pointed cowboy boot toes for a more comfortable almond shape.

Photo by Brad Lanphear for Gear Patrol

It is crafted from the roughout Hawthorne Muleskinner Leather, which is similar to the coveted Hawthorne Abilene Leather used in the Moc Toe, but with a darker color derived from an oiled finish that helps keep the boot clean and water-resistant.

A leather midsole with a steel shank is Goodyear welted to a Red Wing’s high-traction Chemigum outsole, featuring a “roper” heel that is short and broad for strong stability.

Photo by Brad Lanphear for Gear Patrol

The Pecos doesn’t just indicate a high-water mark for Western wear’s permeation into mainstream fashion. Red Wing’s gorgeous new boot is a reminder that, for much of its history, what we now consider Western apparel and vintage American workwear overlapped and were worn by the same generations of blue-collar workers.

12. A love letter to heavy-duty heritage, crafted with care

Carhartt

Carhartt Crafted Series Sherpa Lined Chore Jacket

• $180 at Carhartt

After 135 years in business, it’s safe to say Carhartt has identified what makes quality workwear. Throughout the generations, the brand has outfitted the men and women that define craftsmanship – so it would only make sense that the Crafted Series, which combines archival details with purposeful enhancements and skillful construction, would help to continue Carhartt’s legacy by reimagining its coveted archival pieces with premium, heavyweight materials. 

Carhartt

The defining release of a collection built upon the foundations of a legacy in craftsmanship is the Chore Jacket, which is a thoughtful combination of two Carhartt icons: the renowned Detroit Jacket, and the respected Chore Coat, both stalwarts of the legendary American brand. 

Lined with warm sherpa and available in either timeless denim or iconic 12-ounce duck canvas, the Chore Jacket is built upon the slightly cropped foundation of the Detroit Jacket, and utilizes the patch pockets of the Chore Coat. There’s also an ultradurable #10 zipper to guarantee longevity.

Carhartt

Archival details like Carhartt’s heart button, which is a prize on the collector’s market, appear on the jacket, but this new style is as rooted in modernity as it is legacy — and that’s a direct reflection of the Crafted Series as a whole.

Consider this the defining workwear of our new world, and just remember — when your work is done, the Chore Jacket will pick up with your kids and grandkids, just like the Carhartt workwear before it.

11. Barbour reinterprets an archival jacket you didn’t know you needed

Barbour

GP100 Winner

Barbour x Arket Fairgame Waxed Jacket

Specs

Fabric	Barbour 6oz waxed cotton
Pockets	4 Outer, 2 inner
Colors	Sage green

• $600 at Barbour

Barbour’s archive is loaded with fascinating designs, often geared towards outdoor work and leisure activities, that blow away the English farm coat variations carrying the brand today.

Those designs often resurface in the form of collaborations, and one of the most intriguing releases of 2025 is the Fairgame Waxed Jacket. It was part of a collection that the king of British waxed cotton collaborated on with Arket, a mid-tier boutique brand owned by H&M.

Barbour

The Fairgame is a reinterpretation of the Gamefair, a lightweight jacket released in 1960 for “fishing and shooting wear,” according to an early catalog description. Brand hallmarks like a six-ounce waxed cotton shell, wide wale cord collar lining and bellows pockets are all there.

Updates include the addition of handwarmer pockets, two internal zip pockets set into the placket and a wider storm flap covering the signature Barbour zipper and a baggier fit.

The most notable additions, however, are an adjustable, detachable storm hood and a brand new tartan lining designed specifically for the Arket collection. All together, it creates the perfect balance between new and familiar features to get Barbour fans excited.

10. Patagonia’s iconic bag gets the ideal compact carry-on treatment

Patagonia

GP100 Winner

Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC Backpack

Specs

Capacity	22L
Material(s)	TPU-laminated 8.7oz 300-denier polyester ripstop
Weight	1.9375 lbs

• $149 at Patagonia

For decades, Patagonia’s Black Hole lineup has been the bar by which so many other bags, especially duffels and travel packs, are measured. However, as the industry has shifted, so too has the brand’s fan-favorite collection.

Among its most recent iterations is the brand’s MLC sub-lineup. For those not in the know, MLC stands for “Maximum Legal Carry-On” — the connecting tether being that all the bags with this moniker fit the majority of airlines’ carry-on size restrictions.

Patagonia

Unfortunately, that has become a moving target, so even the MLC bags have had to adjust over time. That’s where the Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC Backpack comes into play.

To meet (and beat) the TSA’s ever-shifting standards, Patagonia has launched this, its most compact carry-on bag ever — one designed not for the overhead bin, but for the tight space below the seat. Yet, despite its svelte 22-liter capacity, this bag still bears all the same construction and stylistic hallmarks expected of a bag with the Black Hole name.

Patagonia

The purpose is twofold: to counteract the increasingly crowded and overstuffed overhead bins (it’s small enough to count as a “personal item”) while still offering room and organization for a weekend’s worth of gear.

And it manages this while still boasting an ultra-tough, weatherproof TPU-coated exterior, a padded laptop pouch, zippered mesh pockets (and other pouches), external tethers and more.

Perhaps best of all, the Micro MLC Backpack is also one of the most affordable bags in the whole Black Hole catalog.

9. This sheep’s wool blows away your cashmere and makes a killer suit

Zegna

GP100 Winner

Zegna Vellus Aureum Collection

Specs

Fabric	Wool
Styles	Suiting, outerwear and shirts
Availability	In-store only

• Learn More

Vellus Aureum is Latin for “Golden Fleece,” a reference to a mythical flying ram with golden wool featured in multiple ancient Greek legends. For Zegna’s Creative Director Alessandro Sartori, it is an homage to the fabric at the heart of the clothing industry for generations.

Zegna’s Vellus Aureum Collection celebrates wool by sourcing the finest pure wool available and transforming it into timeless menswear. As Sartori explains, “The man I have in mind has raided a wardrobe in which pieces have been collected over the decades, for their emotional and material value.”

Zegna

It contains tried-and-true pieces, such as bomber jackets, field jackets, and long-sleeve polos, all executed in the finest wool to the highest standard.

And of course, the suiting is second to none. The Italian label offers a tight range of ready-to-wear formal wear, available exclusively in the brand’s boutiques. But the centerpiece of the collection is the bespoke tailoring.

Zegna

Call it “quiet luxury” if you will — it is certainly priced that way — but we see the Vellus Aureum Collection as a brand at the pinnacle of its craft, fighting to preserve the natural textile it depends upon against the rising tide of synthetics.

8. The definitive “mall brand,” reinvigorated by an accomplished designer

Gap

GP100 Winner

GapStudio Icon Corduroy Jacket

Specs

Fabric	98% Cotton, 2% spandex
Sizes	XXS-XL
Color	Navy blue

• $142 at Gap
  $158 (10% off)

In 2024, Gap hired the accomplished designer Zac Posen as Creative Director. His mission is to help revive the iconic American “mall brand,” for lack of a better term, that has been steadily fading into the background of the popular fashion landscape.

While Posen’s influence reaches across the entire Gap Inc. portfolio, including Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta, it is his personal imprint, GapStudio, that promises to bring the most attention to the brand.

Gap

The debut GapStudio menswear collection was released in November 2025, blending vintage Gap staples from the 1990s with chic modern tailoring.

There are trucker jackets, long sleeve t-shirts and lots of denim, mixed with double-breasted jackets, fitted dress shirts and champagne-colored satin. The entire collection is best summed up by the Icon Corduroy Jacket, a trucker jacket with a luxury-inspired fit, made from velvety-smooth corduroy.

Everything is cut to emulate some of the most coveted luxury menswear labels. Pants are fitted, but not tight, with flared legs, and jackets are loose but not baggy, creating sharp lines.

Gap

Posen’s new aesthetic for the crestfallen menswear line lands halfway between the red-hot Parisian luxury brand Husbands and, well, Gap. It broadcasts a look that has been at the cutting edge of menswear for years now to a larger audience at an approachable price.

7. Levi’s embraces Japanese excellence in the world of denim

Levi’s

GP100 Winner

Levi’s Blue Tab Made in Japan 1980s 501 Jeans

Specs

Fabric	100% Cotton
Fly	Button
Fit	Straight with slight taper

• $295 at Levi's

Levi’s Blue Tab is one of the most intriguing moves made by the king of American denim in a long time. While the brand is no stranger to working with Japanese denim, the new collection offers the first permanent, readily available assortment of Japanese fabrics and Japanese manufacturing.

Debuting in April of 2025, Blue Tab consists of small seasonal collections built around Japanese reinterpretations of twentieth-century American workwear. Notably, only a small portion of each collection is actually manufactured in Japan.

Levi’s

The foundation of the collection, of course, is the jeans. Blue Tab offers several of Levi’s most popular cuts, manufactured in Japan using denim from Kaihara, one of the oldest and most respected mills in the country.

Kaihara worked with the Blue Tab design team to create a new denim exclusively for the collection, aiming to replicate it as closely as possible to surviving mid-century examples.

Levi’s

The standout example of the Blue Tab Fall/Winter 2025 collection is the Made in Japan 1980 501s. It combines the fit and feel of highly coveted vintage jeans with the Japanese craftsmanship that has long been the gold standard of denim production.

6. The granddaddy of dad shoes

New Balance

GP100 Winner

Made in UK Allerdale “Hazelnut”

Specs

Cushioning	FuelCell
Insole	Ortholite
Upper	Vegetable tanned nubuck

• $270 at New Balance

Comfort is king. But must every shoe look so technical?

Not if you’re New Balance.

Named after the region where the brand crafts its “Made in UK” roster, the Allerdale is a modern-day walking shoe with geriatric charm. We mean that affectionately.

New Balance

New Balance

The first variants featured dark-brown uppers in tumbled leather and suede, while a one-off collab Drake’s turned heads with its multimaterial makeup.

New Balance

Taking stock, the ortho look is divisive and certainly risky. But it’s also something else: a refreshing reminder that sometimes the best way to outrun the trends is to go your own pace.

5. This EDC pack didn’t need fixing. Aer improved it, anyhow

Aer

GP100 Winner

Aer City Pack Pro 2

Specs

Capacity	24L
Material(s)	1680D Cordura ballistic nylon
Weight	2.86 lbs

• $167 at Aer
  $209 (20% off)

Originally founded in 2014 through crowdfunding, Aer now has more than a decade backing up its exceptional catalog. One of the brand’s constant strengths over that period has, undoubtedly, been its ability to remain ahead of the curve — managed by consistently improving its offerings.

And therein lies the San Francisco-based outfit’s true greatness: it has never once waited for a product to become outdated before giving it a redux. Such is the case with the Aer City Pack Pro 2.

Aer

Arguably the brand’s best urban commuting EDC bag, the original City Pack was an exceptional, svelte bag, boasting 24 liters of storage, a rugged ballistic nylon exterior, a stunning minimalist design and superb interior organization. But it wasn’t perfect.

Taking into account fan feedback, the brand “focused on making [its] bags even more versatile, comfortable and durable,” per Aer’s head of operations Andy Choi. To that end, the brand refined the bag’s fit, aesthetics and even overall comfort.

Aer

While that may have been enough for lesser brands, Aer didn’t stop there. It also revamped every single pocket and compartment, tweaking and refining them to offer better utility and an improved overall user experience. It even added some crucial quality-of-life upgrades, like a luggage pass-through.

Now, a bag that was already among the best around is even better, all because the brand heeded the call of its customers, and that has made all the difference.

4. America gets its own version of a famous Japanese sub-label

The North Face

GP100 Winner

The North Face Red Box Half-Zip Fleece

Specs

Features	Center front half zip; secure-zip kangaroo hand pocket; elastic cuffs and hem
Material	200D 350 g/m² 100% recycled polyester
Sizes	XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL

• $175 at The North Face

There’s no denying The North Face expertly straddles the line between fashion and function — and for a brand prized as much for its performance as its aesthetic, the sky is the limit.

The North Face

Taking that unbounded potential to heart, the Gorpcore darling released a new collection this year that focuses on everyday basics meant to be worn off-mountain. The Red Box collection takes influence from archival styles, and gives them a modern twist: this takes the form of oversized fits and premium-focused materials.

The North Face

The Half-Zip Fleece demonstrates the collection’s everyday appeal, whilst remaining true to TNF’s rugged roots. The center-front half zip, complemented by a generous kangaroo front pocket with zippers, is made from 100 percent recycled fleece and uses an oversized fit for all-day comfort.

The North Face

The series also includes accessories, a down jacket and heritage-inspired city bags … so even if you choose to spend the day relaxing over adventuring, you can still rep your favorite outdoor brand.

3. The quintessential Ivy brand is forever

J. Press

GP100 Winner

J. Press Made-in-USA Navy Pure Cashmere Sport Coat

Specs

Fabric	100% Cashmere
Sizes	38-46 R/L
Buttons	3

• $1,495 at J. Press

J.Press’s reputation is set in stone.

Founded over a century ago at Yale University, the heritage clothing brand basically invented what we call “Ivy Style,” blending tweed, corduroy, seersucker, madras, Scottish knits and, of course, the classic blue blazer into one cohesive look.

J.Press

Now under the stewardship of a new creative director, Jack Carlson of Rowing Blazers fame, J.Press will look to reach a new generation of guys who care what they wear, all without losing a grip on its historic roots.

J. Press

Carlson’s touch is already evident from his debut collection, the obvious highlight being the Made-in-USA Navy Pure Cashmere Sport Coat. It has a rope shoulder, patch pockets, three buttons and a center vent.

Too often, menswear is an act of musical chairs, with established designers jumping from one luxury label to another as conglomerates struggle to stay relevant.

Meanwhile, Carlson and J.Press getting together is like watching soulmates connect, hopefully for the long haul.

2. The fragrance of the century enters a new era

Hermès

GP100 Winner

Terre d’Hermès Eau de Parfum Intense

Specs

Available Sizes	1.69 and 3.38 ounces
Notes	Coffee, black pepper, bitter orange

• Starts at $137

Created in 2006, Terre d’Hermès was named GQ‘s fragrance “launch of the decade.” Today that’d be selling it short.

Its uplighting combination of cedar, grapefruit and vetiver notes is widely considered among the 21st century’s very best, inspiring countless dupes and even in-house flankers from Hermès itself.

The latest, created by Christine Nagel, retains the backbone of the original but boldly reinterprets its progenitor for modern sensibilities.

Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

True to its name, Terre d’Hermès Eau de Parfum Intense is intensely spicy on the open, evoking the smell of freshly ground coffee before it dries down into masterful balance of black pepper and bitter orange.

The sillage is exceptional, if a bit sweet. But many will wonder if it has the cultural staying power of the original.

Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

For now, though, perhaps it’s best to appreciate it for what it is: a bold refresh of a modern classic, with plenty of personality to stand up on its own.

1. A carry-on that deftly combines the best of both hard- and soft-sided luggage

Peak Design

GP100 Winner

Peak Design Roller Pro Carry-On

Specs

Capacity	34L
Material(s)	Polycarbonate, Versa Shell, carbon fiber, aluminum
Weight	8.6 lbs

• $570 at Peak Design
  $600 (5% off)
• $570 at Huckberry
  $600 (5% off)
• $570 at Amazon
  $600 (5% off)

Peak Design is no stranger to innovation, particularly in the bag space. However, the brand has, for most of its tenure, focused on the kinds of packs you haul on your back or over your shoulder.

It turns out that the brand’s flair for pushing boundaries translates magnificently to a different bag category — one particularly crucial to jet-setters everywhere: carry-on luggage.

Peak Design

The Peak Design Roller Pro Carry-On is the brand’s first at-bat with wheeled luggage, and boy did the brand swing for the fences. While not the first to do it, this bag combines the toughness of hard-sided bags with the versatility and expandability of soft packs in some novel, innovative ways.

That starts with its exterior, a lightweight, ultra-tough polycarbonate wrapped in the brand’s weatherproof, scratch- and abrasion-resistant Versa Shell fabric. That outer is mated to a quartet of easy-gliding, omnidirectional wheels and, one of its best innovations, a remarkably thin (only 7 millimeters) carbon fiber telescoping handle that’s far more slender and stronger than traditional ones.

Peak Design

Due to its slim handle, the bag offers more internal space than other carry-ons (there’s no awkward rail housing to contend with) — up to 34 liters, to be precise. The bag can also expand an extra two inches in depth from its base size to suit a variety of packing needs.

It also features a convenient and clever internal scheme that enables smarter, more organized packing. And it manages all of this while adhering to international carry-on size standards.

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