2025 Favorites, Getting Older & Smart Casual Style

Also, "Nice watch"

by Brock McGoff

Hello again! I hope your week is going well so far.

In today's email:

• Favorite things of 2025
• On getting old
• Smart casual style
• "Nice watch"

Let's dive in 👇🏼

🫶🏻 2025 Favorites

Might do a whole video about this, but I wanted to share some of the best things I tried in 2025, in no particular order:

👟 Hoka Gaviota 5 - stable, cushioned sneakers for everyday casual wear and/or - running; I tried a bunch of shoes this year, and these Hokas were among the best

👕 Abbreviated Apparel - definitely my favorite new menswear brand; their work jacket, fisherman sweater and crew neck tee especially stood out (mini review here)

👖 Abercrombie 90s Jeans - the best fitting jeans I'm worn in years; just a touch of stretch for comfort without feeling synthetic (mini review here)

💼 Blue de Cheuffe Musette Bag - fell in love with the look, stuck around for the functionality; just an incredibly made, exceedingly handsome laptop/work bag (see it in action here)

🧦 American Trench Cotton Socks - simple, high quality cotton socks in quarter or crew, solids or stripes, made in USA for a reasonable price

⌚️ Oris BC3 7501 - a neo-vintage gem of a watch from an under the radar entry-level Swiss luxury brand, in a compact no nonsense 34mm case

🔦 RovyVon A8 - new favorite flashlight; small but powerful; lots of different modes, perfect for clipping to the stroller or powering up your watch's lume

🧴 Aveeno Oat Gel Moisturizer - the only moisturizer that seems to help with some random dry/itchy flare ups on my face (and I tried a BUNCH this year)

🪟 Motorized Shades - I'm slowly installing these over every window in the house; totally worth the effort if you need new window coverings (as seen in this video)

📺 Severance & Andor - the two best shows of 2025 IMO (Stranger Things and Pluribus are also great, but they're still mid-season)

📖 Stolen Focus - best nonfiction book I read in 2025; excellent journalism, engaging writing, and a message we all need to hear right now

🛸 The Expanse - best fiction series I read (and listened to) in 2025; probably my favorite sci-fi books yet

💪🏻 Fairlife Core Power - trying to up my protein intake a little, and these are by far the best tasting ready-to-drink protein shakes you can buy

What's on your 2025 purchase podium? Hit 'reply' and let me know!

👴🏼 On Getting Older

​This conversation between Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-host Chuck Nice contains some real gems of wisdom about aging gracefully and finding meaning in your second act.

For example:

"He who knows and knows he knows not is wise. Follow him."

and

“There’s nothing wrong with getting old, provided you have wisdom to show for it.”

It's also just funny. These two gents crack each other up, and their laughs are contagious 😂

Watch it on YouTube right here.

💭 Food for Thought

🤳🏼 Who I'm Following

​@josegraujr​ Smart casual is hard to describe, but you know it when you see it, and you're looking at it right now. Jose is a district manager for Buck Mason, one of the coolest menswear brands out there. If you can ever get into one of their stores, you'll feel it. You'll want to buy everything. He captures that vibe too. Laid back but put together. Comfy even when dressed up. Effortless. Check him out here

😂 Comic Relief

In Case You Missed It 👀

Here are my most recent videos:

• ​Abbreviated try-on, part 2​
• ​Logan Parka quick review​
• ​Abbreviated Apparel quick review​
• ​French fit check​
• ​2025 Holiday Gift Guide for Men​

Got any video ideas for me? Hit 'reply' and share them!

​
​Did you know? As a young man, Neil deGrasse Tyson wasn’t just into science: he was also a serious athlete. He captained his high-school wrestling team and lettered in wrestling in college. What a guy!

Until next time, Brock ​​​

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