a guide to heritage clothing, canvas bags, steel bicycles, and Japanese web shops
At the end of 2019, I’m still following the Archival Resolutions I set out for myself at the start of the decade. My favorite has always been resolution #4: “Shop from yourself and from thrift shops. Repurpose strategic items from the past.” In the past year, I’ve been trying to shop more from myself and …
It’s great to see heritage footwear brands like Thorogood motoring forward with new models and vintage reissues. Fun fact: Weinbrenner/Thorogood made boots for CC Filson in the 1990s. And when Archival started, we met with Thorogood to discuss a possible collaboration. That project never materialized, but here’s a variation on an oxford I wish we had …
Since Winn Perry closed, I’ve looked to Japan for the best examples of Alden SMUs. What I love about the Alden market in Japan is that most of the shoes are sized down to fit women or gents with smaller feet. Here are some recent offerings from The Lakota House. Unlike some more aggressive custom …
In my quest to source a pair of classic, canvas, vulcanized rubber sneakers I stumbled across this vintage pair of Decks by Cambridge on ebay. I love the nautical rope and wave logo work on the insoles and the great “Tred-Light” tag on the back of the shoes. Is there really a way to improve …
Wakouwas in the window at Anatomica (Paris) I’m heading to London in a week for London Edinburgh London, a 1400k randonnee. I’ve just assembled all my bike gear (which includes many non archival, ziploc packed servings of powdered nutrition). Sadly, I’m going to have very little space in my luggage for non cycling garb. At …
In Randonneuring, a perm is a permanent route you can schedule to ride at any time. On Saturday, I rode Michal Young’s scenic Alsea 200k loop with several friends from the Oregon Randonneurs. On Sunday, I dragged my friend Bruce up to Portland for what I would consider my favorite Archival shopping perm. The loop …
From Pillpat, a cryptic French playing card games involving beautiful objects.
Over the weekend, I made a quick trip up to Portland to shop for eyewear, catch a film and check in on a few of my favorite shops. Here are some visual notes from the trip: New S/S Engineered Garments at Blake Brand obsession – Masunaga eyewear from Japan (via Blink) …
Several years ago, friend Jordan Saylor of Winn Perry offered a limited, special make up of Alden Indy shoes in a Workman Oxford style. To this day I regret not placing an order. I love Alden Indy boots but I prefer the low cut style and double water loc sole used for Jordan’s special …