a guide to heritage clothing, canvas bags, steel bicycles, and Japanese web shops
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 …
Images courtesy Pillpat, Flickr Commons, Zombikombi1959 and my personal archives
Last weekend we paid a visit to Hub and Bespoke in the Fremont district of Seattle, Washington. Unique among bike shops, there are no bicycles for sale at this stylish cycle boutique — just clothing and accessories . Co-owner Juliette, who has a background in product design and home textiles, stocks the shop with brands …
Inspired by Mister Crew’s terrific post on knickers, we decided to dig through our closets and do a knicker round-up. I (Tom), due to my tender age, have only accumulated four pairs so far: Ibex Schoeller knickers in black. Bought at the stunning Ibex Tent Sale. Wonderful for cycling. 75% nylon, 20% wool, 5% spandex. …
This spring mountaineering season: Pull on your knickers, grab your rucksack, lace up your tallest boots, help your pals with their bowlines-on-a-bight, and head for the hills. Here in Oregon, I’ll limit archivally-equipped outings to big, basic mountains – South Sister would be ideal, but the bold could go for Three-Fingered Jack, named after an …
While looking through suzannetodd82’s images from L’Eroica 2008, I came across this splendid image of a thoroughly archival gent. I’m not sold on his choice of trousers, but I hope to follow his example of using a Filson Game Bag as cycling baggage. The Shot Shell Bag and the triple Shooting Bag also promise to …
Ed. note: guest post by Archival Associate and Tintin reader, Tom B. There’s endless discussion on the genius of Tintin’s wardrobe. But let’s broaden the search. Tintin In Tibet offers some really terrific examples of hiking clothing – tennis sweaters, anoraks, plus fours, socks folded over boots. While I continue to use gaiters to keep …
Bicycle Fixation Luxury Edition Knickers Bicycle Fixation, my favorite source for cycling and dress knickers, is now offering a limited edition Herringbone “luxury” model. Fortunately for my austerity matrix, the herringbone wool knickers are not sourced in my size (smalls start at 32). If you do order the BF knickers, you might also consider matching …
Hoggs Bowmore Tweed Breeks (Country Supplies) Fenwick Tweed Breeches (Hucklecote) Wathen & Gardiner Moleskin Breeches (British Sporting Ltd) Corduroy Breeches (British Sporting Ltd.) Gabardine City Knickers V. 2 (Bicycle Fixation) Plus-Four Humour (The Field Magazine, Novemeber 2003)
Hiroshi of Jitensha studio is now selling a lovely, alpine style wool cycling knicker made by a small shop in Japan. Though I’m not a fan of some of the individual details (pleated front or lower buckle clasps), the overall design looks terrific. They remind me of the cycling knickers originally offered by now-out-of-business, Hebden …