a guide to heritage clothing, canvas bags, steel bicycles, and Japanese web shops
I started this blog back in 2006 as a way to track on garb found on Japanese websites. At the time, proxy services were expensive and many shops in Japan didn’t ship overseas. In most cases, the clothing items I actually wanted were only sized for men so there was really no point in doing …
We teamed up with Crescent Down Works in Seattle to create a supremely durable and handsome vest that’s great for a crisp urban commute or a chilly duck blind. Starting with CDW’s classic Italian Vest pattern, we added some uniquely Archival features including a waxed cotton/nylon shell, brass snaps, reinforced leather washers, an inside chest …
We’ve received some terrific press on our Archival Waxed Down Vest . Thanks to GQ, Mens Journal, Esquire, Well Spent and others for their kind reviews. If you are intersted in purchasing a vest, place your order via our Archival Web Shop. A note on sizing: we are stocking this vest in unisex …
Uncle Sam is one of my favorite Japanese web shops. Though I cannot read Japanese, I frequently visit the site to check out the shop’s style blog. While I don’t recognize most of the brands on offer, I take inspiration from the shop’s artful presentation of snout to tail, total clothing ensembles. Someday, I hope …
Per Archival Resolution #9, here is the November edition of my Archival uniform. While our resolutions recommend that you come up with a signature uniform that you wear once a week, mine has seen active use on multiple days. Archival striped tee women and Centralia multiweave cardigan. Here, per usual, I follow my own …
I really love down vests, so it was a treat to work with one of the finest down garment makers in the country on a really special project. Here’s our take on a classic work/hunting vest, done with a lightweight waxed cotton shell, a nylon lining for easy layering, and a worsted wool rib collar, …
Here are a few snap views of Post O’Alls vests from my personal collection. Inspired by vintage hunting and shooting vests, the Post O’Alls vest features an internal poacher’s pocket and four outside flap pockets. The cargo capacity rivals that of an AC Rucksack. A fan of the hyper layered look – I wear mine …
The seasons are finally changing, and as crisper weather rolls in, may we recommend that you turn to a vest when you’re chilled? We all love our Westmorland and Retro-X vests at Archival, but we also have a soft spot for goose down. There’s nothing lighter and more magically insulating, and they make a great …
Exemplary outerwear I’ve been on an ebay shopping spree for Montgomery Ward catalogs (the Archival bible). I’ve secured a few new Fall editions from the 1940s which I’ll be reprinting here–in bits–in the next few months. Copies of the 1930s catalogs are more tricky to source. Inspired by Spokesniffer and Reference Library, I’m capturing auction …
We’re excited to offer a limited run of one of our favorite Archival finds, the Rising Sun & Co. Outdoor Vest. Made from stout, indigo dyed canvas duck (loomed by Cone Denim), the Outdoor Vest takes its inspiration from traditional hunting and fishing vests. Heritage inspiration This best quality, handcrafted garment comes with front patch …