My friends, if you can believe it or not, the headline above isn’t a typo or a mistake — I really am writing to you from the very hip confines of Shoreditch in London, one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods (as seen above!), where I’m in the midst of yet another press trip! The brand in question for this lifetime trip? Ever-popular workwear and streetwear stalwarts Dickies, a huge brand Stateside in Texas and an even bigger brand abroad, thanks to its popularity among skateboarders and stylish youths — and of course, writers like myself! Dickies is celebrating 100 years, and invited myself and Gear Patrol Editor Evan Malachosky along for the ride.

On the docket so far this week? A celebration of a century of Dickies workwear, including a lovely dinner at the very on-brand The Bike Shed in Shoreditch, a preview of the brand’s upcoming Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 offerings, and a special documentary premiere at London’s Steel Yard nodding to 100 years of heritage and history. In the meantime, I’ve had the chance to explore London and Shoreditch on foot, enjoy a classic Full English Breakfast or two, and take in a couple pints at cool local spots like The Royal Oak. Needless to say, it’s already been a lifetime “work” trip for which I’m extremely grateful!

You can — and should! — keep up with the rest of the fun on my Instagram, because I’ve got a busy London weekend ahead, too (including a legendary concert — stay tuned!). For now, I’ve got some more coffee to down and some workwear to write about — expect a full dispatch for one of the many sites for which I write in the weeks ahead. Cheers, Godspeed and thanks for reading, as ever!