Patchwork (and multi panel) garb is hard to find these days. A few cool examples kick out of eBay, Etsy and Japanese web shops. For me, these items live as visual reminders of the endless ways to create variations on a classic design. Lesson learned: don’t bring out a million products, just find ways to …
Outside of the UK, Japan is almost the only place where I still Gansey-style sweaters on offer. Ganseys were originally designed as hard wearing (often hand knit) sweaters for fishermen and seafaring folks. Now, they primarily compliment corduroys and Birkenstocks on Japanese web shop models. Here’s a terrific cardigan model (the channel cardigan) by Le …
In 2019, it’s hard for me to get excited about fall product releases. So many of my favorite heritage brands (and shops) have either disappeared or morphed beyond recognition (releasing so may products, collaborations and must-haves that it is nearly impossible to locate items from their core lines)(suddenly: brass match holders and Bison hair drink …
I spend a lot of time on ebay sleuthing pint sized sizes garments from Japan and Europe. Here’s a jacket from Beams Boy that I’m catching and releasing. It’s a style that frequently appears in the Beams mix in a range of fabrics (primarily poplin and cotton duck). I’m a sucker for the doll-sized hunting-esque …
I have a thing for cycling breeches and plus fours (aka knickers). When UK outdoor custom clothier Hebden Cord closed shop, I bought up ten pairs of breeks in assorted fabrics (cord, tweed, ventile) on eBay. True confession: I admire these garments more than I like to wear them. In practice, on my bike, I …
Thanks to a twitter pal for tipping me off to this waffle-knit sweater from Japan. Filson makes a cotton version but I much prefer wool for layerable, lightweight warmth. Available via Rakuten Global Market (alas, there doesn’t appear to be sizing for women).
What are your expectations for an iconic brand collaboration? In the case of Barbour x Engineered Garments, I’m looking for more of a Shackleton crackup, corduroy collar meets crazy pocketing. These jackets are a little subdued for my tastes, a too polite exchange of zippers, snaps & fabric.
Office style, by Beams Boy A spot check on the Beams Boy Instastory redirected me to this curious “office style fair” capsule collection. I’m still trying to put my finger on the persona or segment archetype represented by this clothing. My guess: Jules and Jim meets Tokyo librarian.
It’s winter and I’m months away from wearing anything made out of ultralight nylon. However, I’m curious about this Hender Scheme trail cap that was recently featured in a recent Takanna e-newsletter (the only Gmail inbox promotions folder fodder I don’t delete). I love that the cap is reversible, pocketable, and unstructured — things that make …
Each refresh of the Japanese cycling outfitter Rin Project site reveals a new product obsession: wool cycling sweaters, retro hairnets, knicker hose, mod coats, leather cycling shoes and Brompton compatible shoulder satchels. My top Rin Project product pick is this cycling pullover with retro-inspired front carrying pockets and wool sourced from the UK. It reminds me …