FASHION SCHOOL: YOUR CHEAT SHEET ON ARCHIVAL REINVENT

by Marcus Mitropoulos 12 months ago

by Marcus Mitropoulos 12 months ago 4 min

Whether you’re new to the game of technical wear or considered an oldhead, Archival Reinvent is a name that is on a need-to-know basis. Coming straight from Hong Kong, ARC dedicates itself to offering fluid and functional clothing to everyone from tech-wear junkies to first-timers in the game.

Everything in the ARC portfolio has a certain flow that can be mixed and mingled with other pieces from later seasons. This adaptability plays strongly to the brand’s ethos, which revolves around creating clothes that are seen as more of a uniform than a genre.

Below you’ll find a quick rundown of the brand’s most essential pieces. Their technical adaptations have an obvious Y2K feel that you’ll be sure to fall in love with. On a personal note, ARC is a super easy tech brand to get into as their garments range from super basic, borderline mainstream to so out there that you’ll feel like an anime character.

UTILITY VESTS

A true test of a tech wear brand’s quality and design prowess is its utility vests. ARC does a stellar job with theirs, offering a wide range of options suitable for all styles. The brand has a love for TEFLON, which can be seen across most of its catalogue. This particular finish ensures durability across all seasons. From snow in the winter, mud in the fall, and even that mate who isn’t your mate anymore after pouring a pint on your pants. It’s protective against all!

The 01 Vest has a webbed design that encloses the entire back while being free-flowing on the front. The adjustable straps and pockets make it simple to style around a hoodie, t-shirt, or other basic tops from their range. While on the other hand, the detachable vest has a much bulkier look to it, similar to ballistic vests that we’ve seen from Raf Simons in the past. The detachable vest is a terrific example of an item from ARC that prioritizes functionality, with four different-sized pockets throughout.

WATER REPELLENT JACKETS

Sticking with the TEFLON theme, ARC does a ridiculously good job with their jackets. Although their functionality is top-notch, we’d be remiss to skip over just how solid their design concepts are. The 3D Parka jacket is straight out of an anime, giving the vibe of someone on a mission to avenge their dead relative.

Or take the Pickable Windbreaker. With the urban dweller in mind, ARC blended the necessity of staying dry with the desire to look fly at all times. Coming in a sane colourway, this particular jacket has a simple yet evocative design that lends itself to someone transitioning into tech wear.

MULTI POCKET CARGOS

Another staple of tech wear brands is their cargo pants. Now, if pockets scare you for some reason, you might want to step aside for the time being. This season, ARC relied heavily on the use of pockets to create a blocky, spilt-over look on their cargos.

The Zipper Cargo Pants have a sleek design running up the leg until you approach the pockets which have been taken inside out and blown up about 150%. This is a terrific option for those who are a bit intimated by going full tech wear.

However, those who are already deep will appreciate the Switchable cargo pants and Muti Disk Bag cargo pants. Both of these feature at least six pockets, each getting bigger as you progress lower. What ARC does well with their cargo pants allows the pockets to create a wide, parachute look while tapering the legs to fit more ergonomically. This produces a comfortable feel that still looks sharp and tailored while exuding a love for utility.