What We Think About J.Crew's Collaboration With 'The Bear'

Photo illustration: by The Cut; Photos: FX/Hulu, Everett Collection, J Crew

Whether we like it or not, we are inundated with merchandise. The beara series about sandwiches and trauma and Jeremy Allen White’s biceps, is no exception. This week, after the release of its third season, the series released an embroidered collaboration with J.Crew. The bear has received a slew of unofficial merchandise, this one focuses on the show’s zany family of side hustlers, the Faks, whose odd-job business, Matter of Fak Supply, takes care of all the logistical needs of the titular restaurant. For $400, you can now own a workwear-inspired canvas jacket in homage to a fictional handyman played by a real-life chef.

That’s fine, I suppose – and, judging by the fact that most of the collection is already sold out, extremely popular – but I have to admit: it’s not The bear The merchandise I want. Watching this season, did I want the uniforms of Neil Fak, played by Matty Matheson, and his merry band of cousins, including guest stuntman John Cena? No, I didn’t. What I wanted more than anything was Sydney Adamu’s, played by Ayo Edebiri, bandana collection.

Photo: FX/Hulu

Photo: ©FX Networks/Courtesy of the Everett Collection

In what I strongly suspect is a product of Edebiri’s penchant for disruptive style, Sydney has flair. Her chef whites, courtesy of Carmy, have tiny Thom Browne stripes, and there’s a pair of vaguely punk silver hoop earrings. Last season, she braved the Chicago chill in a highly sought-after puffy babushka. But most consistently, she arrives at work with her partially bleached tresses held back by a bandana—a choice that seems practical until you realize, episode after episode, how many of these things she has. Some are vintage, some modern; there are batik-like patterns, some that look inspired by Hermès silk scarves, and a few that could have been plucked from the MoMA gift shop. Every time Sydney ducks her head to tweeze a micro-shoot into position—or, as is often the case, to wearily massage her eyes during a family argument—we’re treated to whatever gorgeous print is draped over the top of her head that day. Delicious!

Photo: FX/Hulu

All this to say that I would be happy to tie a subtly embroidered bandana with The bearSydney’s scarf around my neck on a windy summer day—perhaps even a scarf purchased at one of the small Chicago boutiques or online where the show’s costume designers say these bandanas come from? It might even seem more significant than the Faks’ prep-and-tinker garb—one of the designers told Popsugar that she saw Sydney’s scarves as a “way to bring your own perspective into spaces that might not readily accept your voice.” J.Crew is giving me the uniforms of a gentrified restaurant’s maintenance crew, but I’d much rather wear the stylish accessories of its secret best chef.