In case you haven’t left the blissful, crisp atmosphere of your air-conditioned apartment, let us be the first to tell you—spring is over, dude, and the molten months of summer are here, whether you (and your wardrobe) are ready or not. If you don’t have AC, we got you covered, but if you need to spruce up your warm weather closet, you’ll have to do a little self-evaluation of what you need to be the (figuratively) hottest (figuratively) person on the boardwalk this summer. Thankfully, SSENSE, one of the chicest streetwear slingers in the game, is throwing a bonanza of a spring sale, with deals—new cuts mean up to 60% off—on the dopest designer goods, from Carhartt W.I.P. and Stüssy to ACNE studios, Jean Paul Gaultier, and more iconic brands who know how to turn you and that drippy new silver necklace into everyone’s summer crush.
There are hundreds of pages to indulge in across the women’s and men’s sale, and we know you’re a busy bee—that’s why we rolled up our sleeves to do the sleuthing for you. We’ve emerged with everything from buttery leather wallets and streetwear candles to perfect bodega-run slides by Adidas, zodiac-inspired dishes, and more wares with enough personality to carry us through summer, that most social of seasons. So, crack your fingers, moisten up that credit card, and let’s get you the best bling for your buck at SSENSE’s Spring Sale 2022.
The best tops
Carhartt is for the people. Ever since the workwear brand was founded 133 years ago, it has never ceased to slap with its über-durable denim, jackets, beanies, and more skatepark-friendly wares. And the brand’s high-fashion sub-label, Carhartt W.I.P. gets to have even more fun toying with its traditional workwear materials and silhouettes. The beauty’s in the details of this corduroy jacket, which is 36% off right now and has a chic, boxy fit, three-button barrel cuffs, and pockets for days.
This bright, vacation-ready viscose button-down by cult-fave French cool kid brand Jacquemus is 21% off and perfect for a y’all-ternative wedding with space cowboy decor, glitter aspic molds in lieu of cake, and poppers in everyone’s goody bag.
Another button-down shirt that can take you from brunch to the wedding is this tripped-out top by SSENSE WORKS, which is 51% off right now and was designed in collaboration with the American playwright and polymath Jeremy O. Harris. “The collection captures Harris’ rich, prismatic style,” explains SSENSE, “as well as the intimacy of his words: ‘I murdered a desire to blend.’” Not sure if we fully ~get~ it, but we can’t wait to whip those deets out at our next cocktail party.
The best pants and jeans
SSENSE overfloweth with on-sale Levi’s, the heritage denim brand whose jeans are as essential to our wardrobe as Kewpie mayonnaise is to our veins sandos. Cop a pair of blue straight leg 501s for 37% off and blue ribcage straight ankle jeans for 29% off.
A pair of fresh summertime shorts are a must, from retro athletic micro-shorts to this knee-grazing, organic cotton fleece pair by the Parisian fashion brand Études for 47% off—they’ll look great with a few gold chains and a Cameron Poe-esque white tank top.
These earthy, multicolored striped pants by British-West African label Labrum are 59% off right now and are just begging to be taken home by the hottest man at the Shakedown parking lot kickback before the Dead & Co show. (So, The Dude/any Taurus.) Wear it with your Grateful Dead x Hedley & Bennett aprons, of course.
If you’ve long been building the confidence to wear leather pants but you’ve been waiting for the right pair to come along, this is your sign, baby. Hot denim brand du jour AGOLDE makes these perfect, high-waisted, straight-leg, waist-snatching recycled leather trousers, and they’re 18% off right now.
The best footwear
We’re always running late, so why not look like we’re running late for motorcycle class? These Dr. Martens high-buffed 1460 leather boots are 36% off right now and embossed with flames that would make Beelzebub blush.
These are the kind of cozy, sherpa-lined Converse we’d wear to smoke a joint under the bleachers in 1978, and lucky us, they’re 37% off right now.
Because running into your chatty neighborhood frenemy at the bodega is bad with a hangover, but tolerable in a pair of (on sale) Versace house slippers. We also dig these 20%-off marbled house slippers by Subu, which are the perfect spring-to-summer-to-fall (OK, so all year) house shoe, to go perfectly with your house coat.
Adidas slides are another clutch bodega run shoe, and this classic Adilette pair is also 20% off.
The best jewelry and accessories
As much as we’d love to stash our Bitcoin in our bit-bra (that’s how it works, right?), this red leather demi-lune card case by A.P.C. is a lot more pulled-together, and it’s 37% off right now.
Ah, Jean Paul Gaultier. Master of the cone bra, mesh turtlenecks, horny sailor ads, and this dreamy, made-in-Italy silver chain/dog tag necklace that’s going for 20% off (and selling fast).
Now that hiking season is well underway, we’re in the market for the best backpacks that can take us from the office to the trailhead, such as this 34% off Carhartt W.I.P. backpack with padded shoulder straps, a carrying handle at the top, and bungee-style drawstrings to keep your treasures extra secure.
Mondo Mondo is the baby of Natasha Ghosn, who set out to create organic, playful jewelry pieces inspired by her family's love of Mexican art, which The New York Times crowned “gloppy” and “glamorous” in the best way possible. Take home this angelic baby for 20% off.
The best home goods
We are proud members of the cult of fancy hand soap, and Aesop will always be the leader of the pack thanks to its herbaceous, clean scents and vegan, cruelty-free ingredients. This toiletries kit is a truly luxe way to travel, and comes complete with hand mist, hand balm, and, of course, the brand’s signature, cult-fave hand wash.
Drop your headphones down a well again? No bother. These ear buds from legendary turntable brand Technics are 30% off, includes a wireless charging case that offer up to 20 hours of battery life, and look like they should be in the OG Blade Runner.
Towels from Tekla, Carne Bollente, and Stone Island
The hot clown in us is partial to this striped, organic bath sheet by Tekla, which is 34% off and a great way to make even the most drab of landlord special restrooms feel elevated and put-together.
‘Tis the season to hit the beach/rooftop/dunes of Arrakis with a vat of sunscreen that won’t clog your pores and the best beach towels. Snag one from brands including Carne Bollente, whose Orange Wet Summer towel is 31% off and exudes serotonin, and Stone Island, whose 33%-off beach towel makes us feel like a moody, sexy explorer with that woven jacquard logo.
Candles from Hannah Jewett, Wacko Maria, and Janie Korn
If pets are the new babies, then candles are the new pets, and these candles have transcended their waxy exoskeletons to become conversation pieces for your home or party tablescape. The Black Shadow candle by Hannah Jewett is 46% off and probably already making an appearance at Kravis’ Italian wedding bonanza. Wacko Maria’s 36% off Virgin Mary-inspired creation reminds us that streetwear candles are indeed a (rad) thing, while Janie Korn’s 47% off shrimp-core candle inspires us to measure our days in shrimp cocktails, not coffee spoons.
ACNE Studios’ horoscope dishes
ACNE Studios, you get us. We’re always looking for more zodiac-themed gifts to outfit our home in mystery, and this set of five bone-porcelain plates by the cult-fave Swedish design house’s collaboration with Gustavsberg (Sweden’s last remaining heritage porcelain company) is 34% off, while the teacup set is 37% off. Just in time for dinner with the coven.
Adam Ross Ceramics rustic mug
This is the kind of hand-thrown mug one steals from an ornery, wise lumberjack in the woods during the climax of a folksy bildungsroman, so it’s hard to believe it’s by Adam Ross Ceramics (and 37% off). One sip from the rugged stoneware, and you’ll unlock a whole new level of mountain-dwelling elitism, even if it’s just from your railroad apartment.
Now go forth, and be the most intriguing person at Art Basel this year—you’ve got the shrimp candle to prove it.
The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the stuff featured in this story. Want more reviews, recommendations, and red-hot deals? Sign up for our newsletter.