Throwing Fits: SUBSTACK PREVIEW Motion Politics
Hosts: James Harris & Lawrence Lassman
Date: September 19, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, James Harris and Lawrence Lassman riff on “motion politics” during and after New York Fashion Week, offer playful critiques of intergenerational trends, and dive into a classic “fit check” dissecting their personal style and wardrobe choices. The conversation flows from fashion show shenanigans and collab overload, to the subtler language of friendship and nostalgia, all delivered in their signature irreverent, self-effacing tone.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Mythology of “The Shocker” & Intergenerational Urban Legends
- The hosts open with banter about the crude hand gesture, “The Shocker,” questioning its place in current youth culture.
- The discussion turns to urban legends like the “Marilyn Manson rib story,” noting how certain myths fail to cross generations.
- Notable riffing on the absurdity and performativity of these legends.
- Quote:
- “The Shocker might be one of those things that isn’t like intergenerational, like Marilyn Manson removing a rib to suck his own dick.”—Lawrence Lassman (02:00)
- Quote:
2. New York Fashion Week Antics & Collab Culture
- James recounts an outfit from the IDKNY pop-up: “two belts, five sneakers, three Telfar bags... crop tops, crop pants.” (01:44)
- The duo jokes about the saturation of brand collaborations and how brands like Barstool Sports and Philips Norelco are now partners.
- Quote:
- “Barstool Sports, Phillips Norelco. Seems pretty...”—James Harris (03:56)
- Lawrence: “No, it’s mad normal. That makes total [sense]... Right? Versus, like, whatever, Raytheon, Labubu, Raising Canes—three-way collab.” (04:01)
- Quote:
- Speculates tongue-in-cheek about the logical extremes of cross-industry collaborations. (04:01–04:11)
3. Fit Check: Outfits, Brands & Affiliation
Lawrence’s Look (04:23–07:34)
- Describes his “substitute teacher” vs. “Jeffrey Epstein swag” (04:32)
- Quote:
- “You look like... This is Jeffrey Epstein swag.”—James Harris (04:32)
- Quote:
- Vintage pieces and high-low combos: vintage Armani sport coat, Levi’s 501s, Shiro socks, Mon Italy belt, Colbo shirt.
- Riffs on “Shiro” socks—the name, origin, and meaning.
- Notable Moment: Learning that “Shiro means white” (07:01)
James’s Fit (08:12–10:17)
- Legaches “elf shoes” with Heelys, Bombas socks, Generica pants (“fatigues” vs. “chinos” debate), Our Legacy shirt (with backstory—nephew’s vomit christened it).
- Wardrobe malfunction followed by style improvisation; belts holding up sized-down pants, and the fate of a choker belt.
- Quote:
- “This is the shirt that was blessed with my nephew’s vomit the first time I ever met him.”—James Harris (10:17)
4. Sizing, Quality, & Retail Experience (09:43–10:03)
- Discusses the importance of “sizing down” for brands like Generica; “vanity sizing” in menswear.
- Expresses a yearning for physical retail—touching fabrics, feeling the “weights,” and seeing patterns in person.
- “Real shoppers want to get their hands on the textiles and feel the weights and see the chevrons and the stripes and the herringbones.”—James Harris (09:37)
5. Relationships, Nostalgia, & Tone
- Friendship and affection for small brands are layered with irreverence and inside jokes.
- The “politics” of friendship and motion—teasing references to the episode’s theme (“motion politics,” “friendship politics”).
- References to “walking the runway,” “sneaking into private events,” and their own awkward, authentic presence among the fashion crowd.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- [02:00] Lawrence Lassman: “The Shocker might be one of those things that isn’t like intergenerational, like Marilyn Manson removing a rib to suck his own dick. Like, I don’t think that made it to Gen Z.”
- [04:32] James Harris: “You look like... This is Jeffrey Epstein swag.”
- [07:01] James Harris: “Oh, shit means—Shiro means white.”
- [10:17] James Harris: “This is the shirt that was blessed with my nephew’s vomit the first time I ever met him.”
- [09:37] James Harris: “Real shoppers want to get their hands on the textiles and feel the weights and see the chevrons and the stripes and the herringbones.”
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:55 – Episode kicks off: banter, setup, and cast introductions
- 01:36 – Discussion of generational cultural transmission (“The Shocker,” Marilyn Manson)
- 01:44 – James recounts NY Fashion Week outfit at IDKNY pop-up
- 03:31 – Barstool Sports x Philips Norelco: making sense of odd collabs
- 04:23 – Lawrence & James begin detailed “fit check”
- 07:10 – “Friendship politics,” “motion politics,” and a deeper dive into socks
- 09:23 – Generica pants, vanity sizing, and retail experience
- 10:17 – Nephew’s vomit and stories behind favorite wardrobe pieces
Episode’s Tone & Style
Freewheeling, self-deprecating, playful, knowingly referential, and peppered with in-jokes and occasional edgy humor. Both hosts display deep affection for the details of subculture and fashion while being intensely skeptical (and comedic) about the industry and their own place within it.
Takeaway
This Throwing Fits episode is a snapshot of modern male friendship and style critique, defined by irreverence, deep knowledge of fashion niches, and a willingness to poke fun at themselves, their friends, and the entire culture industry. “Motion politics” is less about literal movement and more about how subcultures, nostalgia, and fashion trends shift and recycle through the male zeitgeist.