Archival Storefront

We often get emails about whether Archival has a retail store in Eugene, Oregon (our hometown). While we do have a commercial building in Eugene, it's primarily used as a warehouse and shipping center. If you make an appointment (via info@archivalclothing.com), we'd be happy to show you our wares in person.

If we did have a flagship Archival store, it might look like this:

Archival for Wilderness Workshop Rucksack

We're thrilled to announce one of our most striking rucksack collaborations-with Archival stockist, Jason McKenzie of the Wilderness Workshop. Jason's rucksacks are made from a special 7.68 oz deadstock "tent drill" fabric that he salvaged from a venerable outdoor store in Boston. Jason speculates that the fabric is from 1950s or 60s. According to Jason, it "does not indicate anything about its origin of manufacture which means that it probably predates FTC rules about such things." Like all our rucksacks, these are made in Springfield, Oregon to our original design specifications. The bags are available exclusively through the Wilderness Workshop.

For other shopping opportunities from the past and present, check out Jason's tumblr page, Eggs & Wool

Archival Update: AC Web Belts

We're now offering our military spec cotton webbing belt in black and olive. Cotton webbing for both belts comes from the same UK narrow fabrics mill where we source the webbing for all of our archival bags.

A.C. web belts in olive and black

Archival Pre-Order: Centralia Knitwear

We're taking pre-orders for our special issue Archival Shooting Sweater and Stripe Cardigan through August 14th. These sweaters will be made to order so if you want one, place your pre-order via the web shop by Sunday. Sweaters will be ready by the end of October. We will continue to stock the Archival Shawl Collar Cardigan in our signature multiweave and solids. If you wish to reserve a specific size, place a pre-order via the AC web shop.

Archival Shooting Sweater (made to order)

Archival Stripe Cardigan (made to order)

Archival Shawl Collar Cardigans in multiweave

Archival Shawl Collar Cardigan in navy and gray

Archival Knitwear Update

We're assembling our knitwear order for the Fall. We will be restocking our pure new wool, shawl collar cardigans. As we have reported before, these cardigans are made for us by Centralia Knitting Mills on circular knitting machines from the 1930s. The sweaters, based on historical patterns, feature updated fits, unique finish details and our signature multiweave colorways.

If you would like to reserve a sweater, you may pre-order now via the Archival web shop.

AC Shawl Collar Cardigan in navy multi-weave

In the Fall, Archival will also be introducing a new cardigan in a snappy, candy stripe knit, gray with black. The cardigan is made from a slightly lighter weight, 3 ply wool which makes it more suitable for indoor/outdoor wear. Pre-order here.

Candy stripe cardigan

Archival is also considering two additional styles for later November delivery--the cardigan in a lighter gray candy stripe:

and my (Lesli's) favorite, a traditional shooting sweater:


For our shooting sweater, we have specified melton wool rather than leather pocketing, a brass two-way zip and our unique olive multi-weave (a mix of olive, gray, brown and white yarns).

If you're interested in pre-ordering any of these styles, please email us at info@archivalclothing.com.

Archival Update: A.C. Web Belts & Bracelets

A few updates from the AC web shop. We're now offering our military spec cotton webbing belt in navy. We're also bringing back the red bartacking of our original khaki belt. Cotton webbing for both belts comes from the same UK narrow fabrics mill where we source the webbing for our bags. We're also introducing a few cuffs for casual wear: a stainless steel and rubber chain maille bracelet by a Portland craftsman and an abstract leather cuff by Billykirk.

A.C. Webbing belts in navy and khaki

Chain Maille bracelets

Billykirk Abstract leather cuffs

Archival Update: Field Bag Restock

Dark Brown

Gray

Ranger Tan

Olive

Our work for the year is done. On Saturday, Terry and Julie delivered a massive load of Archival Clothing Field Bags in all four colorways: dark brown, gray, ranger tan and olive. While in the checkout line to purchase storage containers for our new inventory, I happened upon a nice reference to Archival Clothing in Portland Monthly. Thanks to the author and AC reader Zach Dundas for acknowledging companies like Pendleton and Danner who produce stylish, heritage products in Oregon. Dundas also mentions one of our favorite Portland stockists, Winn Perry.

A note regarding holiday hours for the AC web shop--we will be shipping out orders through Thursday, December 23rd. Any orders placed through the web shop over the holiday weekend will ship out on Tuesday, December 28th.

Archival Update (12/6/2010)

Archival Clothing shawl collar sweaters

Our shipment of shawl collar sweaters has arrived. Per earlier reports, these pure new wool sweaters are produced for us by Centralia Knitting Mills on circular knitting machines from the 1930s. For this round, we're offering four colorways in two weights of wool. Our navy and gray multi-weave sweaters are 4-ply knits; the gray and red sweaters are a slightly lighter 3 ply knit. The buttons for the sweaters come from Centralia's own vintage deadstock collection. In February, we'll be restocking in two new multiweaves: a ligh gray and a navy. We've also ordered a small run of XXS and XS for female customers (and slim gents) which should be coming soon.

Here are some other project updates from Archival:

Columbiaknit all cotton long sleeved shirts. We're offering two versions: a crewneck in 7.5 oz fabric (gray or black) and a cross neck in a heavier weight, 9 oz jersey (natural oatmeal).

Plain musette now available in dark oak

Chester Wallace totes in new colorways

AC stockist Winn Perry is offering these custom made Portland wool felt pennants and a small number of Portland Beaver caps by the (recently revived!) Cooperstown Ball Cap Co.

Next Saturday, we'll be in San Francisco for Showmanship, a holiday pop up staged by the gents at the Durable Goods Concern. If you're in the Bay Area, please come by and say hello. We'll be offering a few show specials and exhibiting our new Field Bag.

Portland Field Trip: Subject to Season (12/4)

If you're an Oregonian, come by and say hello tonight at the Subject to Season show in the historic Ford building in Portland. I/Lesli will be exhibiting A.C. goods alongside friend, collaborator and Portland stockist, Jordan Sayler of Winn Perry. Per the Portland Mercury: "come prepared to drink, schmooze, and peruse." The show will be advanced prep for our trip to San Francisco next weekend for the DGC's holiday market pop up, Showmanship.

Introducing the Archival Clothing Field Bag

We're proud to present the Archival Clothing Field Bag. It's intended as a daily workhorse, a crossover between a traditional English fishing bag and an urban messenger bag. Durable construction and practical features allow the bag to excel at carrying gear both outdoors and to the office.



Features include a roomy main compartment, two bellows pockets, and one large pocket across the back. A solid brass ring provides an easy attachment point for keys or fishing net. Leather strap, roller buckle, and a heavy-duty RiRi zipper secure the bag's contents.


Seams are bound in waxed cotton tape, all stress points are bar-tacked or riveted, and each bag is hand-numbered. Easily fits laptops (up to 15") in the owner's own sleeve.

Available in Ranger Tan and Olive twill.
Coming in mid-December, Field Bags in Gray and Dark Brown twill.

Dimensions: 16" x 12.75" x 4"

Made In USA

Highest quality materials: Waxed twill fabric, Horween leather, and thread are of US origin. Webbing and most of our brass hardware is sourced from the UK. RiRi zippers are made in Switzerland.

Archival Essential: Wool Blankets

MacAusland's Wool Throws

We love woolen garments and accessories. We obsess over pure new wool. We prefer wool over almost any other fabric because of its warmth and durability and because it retains its natural beauty over its long life. We believe, and can testify from experience, that an investment in wool pays off generously. Wool blankets are essential this time of year. As temperatures drop and you start feeling the chill, add a blanket layer to your bed or pull a blanket over your lap while you’re sitting on the couch or in the car. Wrap blankets around your kids (or your parents). A personal sized wool blanket or throw is a lasting gift. It makes a great picnic blanket (for those of you in temperate climes). Kids can take a magic carpet ride on a wool throw, or pitch a cozy tent in the living room. Pets also enjoy sleeping on wool. The favorite spot of a certain cat we know is the folded blanket at the end of the bed. (The dog would be on the blanket too, if only the cat would let him.)

LL Bean Fall 1942 - for auto, hammock or stadium seat (Oregon green & gold n/a)

Bean Blanket circa Fall 1953 (imported fiber!)

Pendleton offerings

The price of the Pendleton motor robe in the 1967 Eddie Bauer catalog above is $14.95. The 2010 price, adjusted for inflation is $98. By comparison, the Pendleton Lambswool Throw (the modern day equivalent of the motor robe) currently sells for $78. That’s less than its adjusted 1967 cost. Wool does not cost more than it did in the past. Blankets made of synthetics are cheap, so we perceive wool as expensive.

Wool was the long-standing fabric of choice for airplane blankets, outdoor blankets and bedding. United Airlines blankets, for example, were milled by Faribault, a company that recently went out of business. (Look for Faribault blankets on eBay.) Some woolen mills that are still in operation are: Amana Woolen Mills (IA), Bemidji Woolen Mills (MN) and Johnson Woolen Mills (VT). All of them make excellent wool blankets.

We added MacAusland’s wool throws to our store this fall. MacAusland’s Woolen Mills on Prince Edward Island in Canada has been making blankets since 1932. We love the diagonal striping (tweed) on these throws, the variety of colors, and the softness of the wool.

MacAusland’s still makes all of its blankets “from scratch”. The wool is sourced locally from the Atlantic Provinces. It is cleaned, carded and spun into yarn onsite. MacAusland’s is the only remaining Woolen Mill in Atlantic Canada that makes its own blankets. The business is family-owned and a pleasure to work with. MacAuslands also makes bed blankets that can be ordered through us or directly from the manufacturer. They take only about 3 weeks to make.

Blankets coming off the loom at MacAusland's Woolen Mills

Remember that you can repurpose vintage woolens from EBAY or ETSY, provided they have been well cared for. Here’s a few that I ordered recently. Keywords: wool, blanket, vintage, throw (lap blanket). Look for offering from heritage brands such as Faribo (or Faribault), Amana, Pendleton, Strathdown, Lagoda, Hudson Bay and others to find the best quality blankets. If you don’t currently have one in your car, or at home this is a great way to stock up without making a big investment.