a guide to heritage clothing, canvas bags, steel bicycles, and Japanese web shops
Thanks to an Archival follower who conjectured that that Rivendell’s Wooly Warm sweaters might be coming from the same knitting mill as vintage, UK-made LL Bean sweaters from the mid-1980s. Both come in a a similar shade of sea foam green and resemble each other in terms of overall styling (heavy of the rib knit). …
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).
Poolside wool in Coral Gables (via Florida Memory Project) When I was a student in Seattle, the University pool leased out woolen bathers for day use. This was 1990. I’m pretty sure the school stocked their supply from the municipal pool in Buster Keaton’s The Camerman. If you’re shopping for your very own vintage …
We have just taken delivery of a small reorder of our Archival Zip Cardigans in Navy and Olive. Knitted from 4-ply worsted wool on circular knitting machines from the 1930s, the fabric is sturdy, warm, and pill resistant. This historical sweater design features a low rib knit shawl collar, a two-way brass zipper, and knitted cuffs. …
Thanks to CC Filson for providing me with this archival scan of the original Filson Wool Sports Jacket. As someone who has worn Filson for twenty years, I can spot a Cruiser, Cape Coat or Packer just by catching a glimpse of a pocket configuration, fabric type or design detail. …
Given that I spent the day cycling through a heat advisory, it’s odd that I’m fixating on a Fall layering piece – the Patagonia Nano Puff Hybrid. I first spotted the NPH in a Patagonia catalog – one of the last print catalogs worth browsing. As photographed, I love the NPH’s blend of fabric types: …
Archival Stripe Cardigan We have a few remaining Archival Stripe Cardigans available from our Fall pre-order. Our Stripe Cardigan is machine knit by our friends at Centralia Knitting Mills using 3-ply worsted wool. The end result is a tight, flat weave that is warm, durable and pill-resistant, with an American sportswear fit. This historical sweater …
Millarmitts in Orvis Catalog circa 1968 Here’s a sporty wool knit glove style worth reviving. In my years of browsing outdoor clothing catalogs, I somehow overlooked what’s known as the Millarmitt (modern manufacturers have morphed the “a” to an “e”). According to catalog patter, the gloves are hand crocheted in the UK of silicone treated …
From the archives: Filson Forestry Cloth Cruiser Filson fabric options in 1914 Mid century price hike The modern Filson Mac Editor’s note: A month ago, Chris Adamiak, Damn-Yak Dry Goods proprietor, emailed me about a vintage Filson cruiser he spotted on Etsy. He asked for my help in identifying the fabric which is lighter weight …
Archival is pleased to announce the release of our first all wool scarf. Our scarf is made just for us in Portland, Oregon from fine gauge worsted wool yarn from Maine. The wonderfully unique knit pattern was developed by one of our manufacturers to use up a stockpile of acrylic yarn; when Tom spotted it …