Landon Barker and Cheap Monday’s collab is a hot mess

If you haven’t yet cottoned on, messiness is having a moment in the menswear department. Bed-head barnets, scruffy street style and boyhood debauchery – not to mention unwashed suits (we won’t dare say who) – are very much in.

One brand who isn’t behind on all this is Cheap Monday. Starting out as a second-hand store, the Scandi brand went global with its signature hyper-skinny jeans that were quickly adopted by scene kids and nu-ravers. After shuttering in 2018, the hipster hero relaunched late last summer.

This week, the label shares a spunky collab care of LA-based Landon Barker, the singer whose name you might associate with his own angsty bangers or a guest feature in Machine Gun Kelly’s 2022 rap-rock hit, Die In California. He’s also a muse to stylists and fashion pundits, acting like a poster boy for contemporary alt-kids enamoured by his jet-black locks, devil-may-care leathers and gnarly jewellery.

It’s perhaps fitting, then, that this new collection revolves around an ​“I’m a mess” spell-out graphic – designed by Landon on his phone, no less – that’s plastered onto ombré sweaters, athletic tees and a dog-eared trucker. ​“This collection is totally me,” he shares in the release. ​“Every piece feels personal, every detail is intentional, and everything has a story.”

In fact, the label is one close to his own early fashion experiments. ​“Honestly, I grew up on Cheap Monday – the spray-on skinny jeans bleached to death,” he says. ​“I wanted them to be as tight as possible. That DIY punk energy is what inspires me.”

For those that have been following his story for a while, you’ll know this punk sensibility runs in the family. Let’s not forget: this is the son of Blink-182’s Travis Barker we’re talking about.

Maybe, that’s why the capsule riffs on more than just the 2000-and-late silhouette, but also the wide and baggy fits you’ll remember from Travis’ pop-rock heyday at the turn of the millennium. Like father, like son. There’s also some flares in the collection, too. Bootcuts are very back post Kendrick.

Elsewhere, you’ll find holed crew necks, slouchy black cottons, a cheeky breton and a belt studded with what looks like cigarette lighter caps. Basically, everything you need to dress like it’s 2004. Emos and e‑kids, rise!

The collection encapsulates Landon’s character – it’s messy, imperfect and bolshy simultaneously. We’re big fans of this attitude. Fashion​’s pristinely curated offerings are getting, well, a little same‑y. Like Landon, maybe we should all be a bit more DGAF.