You can just make out the New York skyline and the Hudson River through the fog in 3x1’s new Pre-Fall lookbook. That setting is as close to a “beach” as you’ll get in the city—and it’s a far cry from the sunny, palm tree–dotted beaches most denim brands out in Los Angeles would choose. Scott Morrison’s vision isn’t remotely beachy or bohemian; it’s categorically “New York” in its clean, minimalist designs with high-tech finishes and just a touch of edge.
The first look here—a white T-shirt, white jeans, and spiky boots—feels like many New Yorkers’ uniform: simple, but with attitude. The washed-out black denim midi skirt and matching jacket qualified, too, and felt like a clever riff on the nine-to-five skirt suit. With a high slit through the center, that skirt will likely be one of 3x1’s next big hits, like the shredded-hem stovepipes of years past. On that note, Morrison also showed a twist on his signature “channel seam” construction (in which a narrow panel is stitched into the inseam of a jean to slim the legs). In the past, his channel-seam styles were usually skinny jeans with high-recovery stretch, but for Pre-Fall, he introduced a wide-leg pair in rigid 100 percent cotton. The special seam was extra-wide and dyed a darker indigo—but given the style’s purposefully baggy cut, it wouldn’t exactly hug your curves. That wasn’t really the point; it was more about creating a two-tone, vintage look. And as full-length jeans continue to infiltrate our wardrobes (goodbye, cropped flares!), you’re bound to see them everywhere next summer.
