Today I had an annual skin exam at a boujee new dermatology clinic in Soho. The type that pumps liquids into lips and butts, but one for rich people that don’t tolerate mistakes. The doctor I went to see found a small basal cell carcinoma — a low-risk skin cancer when caught early — on my face in 2023, but has since moved to this practice. Naturally, I followed her.

I despise dealing with health insurance (that’s another newsletter), and often pay out of pocket for routine maintenance. You can only imagine how flummoxed I was to find out that a skin exam goes for $350 on Spring Street. This was the new patient price, but one must remember that these screenings involve no tools, instruments, or measurements! Just eyeballs. While the doctor’s comportment was as friendly as her screening was exhaustive, that is steep.

In any case, when I was charged at the front desk, I was told cheerily that my total was “just $350, sir.”

I thought: “Excuse me, did I hear a ‘just’?” Did she really tack on a ‘just’ to that price gouging? Aghast, I tapped my card.

30 seconds later, as I was putting on gloves and a hat, I overheard the same desk attendant ring up a woman for $1475. Despite wanting to, I did not have the guts to turn around and look at her face. I regret that as I write this, and I do consider it a dereliction of my journalistic duty to this devout readership.

But yeah… I did hear a “just” before getting raked over the coals for $350.

Anyway, let’s tap into today.

This peacoat comes from a London workshop that cuts each piece by hand. Made with heavy wool melton from British sheep, this coat has an Ulster collar that stands tall or sits proud, and a setup of eight horn buttons (six out front plus two hidden under the collar for full neck cover). The sleeves are cut as one piece from neck to cuff, which means they drape smooth over any shoulder shape. Warmer pockets sit low on the body seam, tucked under patch pockets big enough for gloves or whatever else needs storing.

Another shorter jacket that uses light cotton from Scotland to shed rain while keeping its shape. The storm flap wraps the front and hides a chest pocket perfect for a wallet, while the hem and cuffs are elastic for a clean grip at the wrist and waist. Six horn buttons fasten through a fly panel that keeps most of them out of sight, and the two-piece raglan sleeve gives room around the bicep before it tapers to a neat forearm.

The most stylish snow-faring footwear I saw during last weekend’s storm was a pair of Tecovas… Major props for the vision.

Tecovas makes this roper boot in León, Mexico with a broad square toe and their toe bug stitching up front. The boot sits on a leather outsole with a rubber cap and has a 12-inch shaft with a 1.5-inch stacked leather heel that gives just enough ledge for jean stacking. Hung leather lining inside keeps air moving for all-day comfort, and the three-quarter Goodyear welt means this boot lasts through hard use.

The Earl is a roper boot with a 10-inch shaft and a 1.125-inch stacked leather heel, made by hand in León, Mexico. Goat leather starts soft and breaks in fast, then builds a patina with wear that makes each crease and scuff part of the story. The leather sole has a rubber end cap for grip, and hung cowhide lining keeps feet cool through long days.

This QS classic gets a new run on a Champion blank and comes with the club print up front. It's on sale now at $49.

🫶Tompkins Square Park

It’s freezing. All I can think about when I wake up is what sweater I’m going to wear today.

Rubato hand frames this crew neck in Italy using 4-ply, 5-gauge pure alpaca wool that feels dry and crisp to the touch with a fuzzy surface. The alpaca has less lanolin than sheep wool, so it holds heat but stays light, and the 2x2 rib runs the full sweater for a rustic look. The Standard Fit gives a wide cut with a short body length and a thick hem that nods to vintage pieces.

This roll neck takes cues from old naval knitwear and gets hand-knitted in India from 100% lambswool. The texture is soft but has weight, with a straight body, full sleeves, and a wide collar that folds natural at the neck. Each piece varies a bit since it's made by hand in small batches, and the fit settles in over time.

Ledbury cuts this flannel from heavy brushed twill that feels soft and weighs right for cold months. The 100% cotton fabric pairs with smoke buttons that stay put through tension thread, and the shirt comes with a Semi-Spread Quint collar unless you pick another style. This one layers easy over a tee or under a jacket, fitting clean with denim or chinos.

The Hartmann uses flannel from Portugal that Ledbury brushes for softness and packs with color. This mid-weight twill handles cool days without adding bulk, and the apricot shade takes its look from fall leaves in the hills west of Richmond. Smoke buttons get tension thread to hold strong, and the Short Spread Alden collar sits sharp without a tie.

Congratulations to Stefon Diggs, who has officially been named the father of a child with Instagram model “Lord Gisselle,” per court documents.

As the media outlet Total Sports Pro said about the news, “Patriots WR Stefon Diggs can play football and have children with multiple women very well.”

One (from New England) can only hope that he is an able multitasker in advance of the AFC Championship this weekend.

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