Shopping From The Present

Shopping from 2020

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 …

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Archival Permanent – PDX

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 …

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Archival Field Trip – PDX

   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) …

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Rising Sun boots
Archival Field Trip

Archival Report – ProjectNYC

We had a great time participating in the MADE by Project pop up show in NYC.  This week, I’ll be posting photographs from the event.  Today, I wanted to reprint snaps of three of my favorite Project exhibtors – Rising Sun Jeans, Arn Mercantile and Chippewa Boots.    Mike Hodis, Rising Sun founder    Mike’s …

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Shopping from ebay: Gokey loafers

Here’s an unusual pair of Gokey loafers for women, available via this ebay auction. Gokey is known for their rugged, moccasin-style, handsewn boots for gents. Gokey footwear was originally designed for explorers, hunters and prospectors. Here’s a typical Gokey specimen: I’ve always aspired to own knee-high Gokey boots. I also covet Tom’s garage sale Gokey …

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Archival Deadstock

It’s great to see US brands like Red Wing, Wolverine and Thorogood reissuing work boots and shoes from their archives. While the original versions were designed for hard wear, modern offerings are likened to dress shoes and sold at a premium. If you’re longing for the real deal, take a look at these ebay auctions …

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Archival Moccasins

I’m shopping for hand stitched, double-soled leather mocs for Spring. Before I make a purchase, I thought I would review a few product offerings from the past. Next week, I’ll document the best of what’s available today.

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Archival Field Trip: NYC/Brooklyn (Pt 1)

Bobby Short portrait at the Cafe Carlyle. Soon after we landed we headed over to the Carlyle for a dinner show featuring OFAM favorite, John Pizzarelli and his wife Jessica Molaskey. Jonathan Schwartz was in the audience.  Tom, Sara and I breakfasted in Brooklyn with Matthew from the William Brown Project. Pratt campus. We wanted …

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Shopping From The Present

Archival Shocker: Heritage Footwear for Women

Work and safety footwear from 1949 Wolverine 1000 Mile boot for women Full disclosure:Wolverine sent me women’s shoes and boots from the Wolverine 1000 Mile Collection for review.Since I primarily shop from defunct companies or out of print catalogs, this was a happy turn of events.Even without testing, I can highly endorse the Wolverine 1000 …

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