Sunday, December 26, 2010

Archival Vests: Rising Sun & Co Outdoor Vest



I first spotted the Rising Sun & Co Outdoor Vest at Man Up last January. John, Howard and Jeremy were all wearing versions of the vest: one in canvas duck and the other in indigo dyed canvas.

John in his Rising Sun & Co vest at Man Up

1952 LL Bean catalog

The Rising Sun vest's design is inspired by vintage hunting and shooting vests. Traditional fishing vests are cut short so they can be worn into a stream with waders. The addition of an internal game or poacher's pocket makes them useful for upland game hunting too.

Filson makes its own Original Hunting Vest out of a heavier weight waxed canvas. I'm still waiting for Filson to introduce this garment in their collection for women. As it stands, the vest is cut long and wears more like a shelter tent than a vest. I do love all the strategic internal pocketing (and reinforced wool shoulder panels).

Rising Sun & Co vest available in indigo dyed canvas.



A recent production model in black duck canvas and white herringbone twill.


Since Man Up, I've been asking Rising Sun to produce a version of the vest in XS for women. This December, for a larger production run, Mike cut a few higher for a women's fit. I finally own my own Outdoor Vest. Next to the super short, snug monkey fit, I love the vest's deep front utility pockets. Most clothing for women skimps on functional pocketing (see recent Barbour Utility jacket for a glaring example). For daily wear, the Rising Sun vest easily carries a large smart phone, pocket camera, notebooks and writing utensils. For revision, I wish Rising Sun would add two rear carrying pockets (per LL Bean vest) and ditch the back cinch. Since the fit on the vest is so snug, the cinch has no real use value. And for me, the cinch shifts the look of the vest from field clothing to western wear.

I'll be testing the vest for bike commuting later in Spring when the weather permits a formal transfer from wax & wool to canvas duck outerwear.

4 comments:

dcain said...

Ooo... I dig that vest!

Anonymous said...

Where can folks acquire these outside of LA?

Lesli Larson said...

Anon--

I'd phone Rising Sun and order directly from the shop. Ab Fits in SF also carries the vest. Not sure if they have any in stock at the moment but give them a call:

(415) 982-5726

Tom said...

One of these in indigo blue size XS if interested email me at tomar79@gmail.com
Thanks