Wishful Shopping - Black's Anoraks

Thanks to AC friend Spoke Sniffer for directing me to this ebay auction for a rare, unworn, Black's cotton anorak.  Beware of the But It Now button which will zap $636.00 from your pocket if you dare to press play.  I'm collecting a few snaps from the auction so you can safely admire this classic anorak design once the real thing disappears from view.

 

From the Archives: Filson Wool Jacket

 

 

 

 
 

 

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.  In contrast, the Filson Wool Sports Jacket is an enigmatic Filson model which comes from an era in the 1980s when the company was experimenting with a line of leisure, non hunting apparel.  If you spotted this jacket at a thrift store you might not even identifying it as a Filson.  I myself was thrown off by the heathered brown wool, satin lining and leather buttons -  features more characteristic of a department store car coat. 

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)

Original Archival Flap Musette on tour 

 

Bike rack Ira Ryan custom porteur

 

Julian boots for Reveille

Aspirational Yuketens

Sugar Cane Brown Beach Jacket

 

Reveille

  

  

Shopping for yet another Hario brewing device

 

 

Now Playing - Blue Velvet at Cinema 21

From the Archives - Beretta Maremmana Jacket

 

Complex pocketing champ

  
Rare feature - rear down zipper for ease of movement 

Fine details - internal drip strip, tab collar, internal pocketing

Best quality Duca Visconti di Modrone cotton corduroy

Favorite feature - braces for carrying jacket in warmer temps

I'm a huge fan of Italiana Maremmana style ranching or hunting jackets.  Beretta is the only sportswear company I know still producing this style of garment.  Here's a jacket from my collection that is no longer in production (Beretta is only making the jacket in Moleskin). Alongside the Filson Upland Jacket and the Barbour Beaufort, the Beretta Maremanna is a masterpiece of pocketing.  The jacket sports hand warmer pockets, buttoned shell pockets, game pockets and a rear carrying pocket.  It even comes with a rear zip-down pocket on the back which can be opened for ease of movement (when the pockets are full of game and shells, I’m assuming). If you have any photographs or original print ads featuring non Beretta made Maremannas, please let me know. I'd love to add more images of this rare garment to my historical archives.

Shopping from Japan - Uncle Sam

Uncle Sam is one of my favorite Japanese web shops.  Though I cannot read Japanese, I frequently visit the site to check out the shop's style blog.  While I don't recognize most of the brands on offer, I take inspiration from the shop's artful presentation of snout to tail, total clothing ensembles.  Someday, I hope to assemble a cleverly layered outfit worthy of Uncle Sam.  My three zones of aspiration include upper body layering, accessories and the key interface of sock, shoe and trouser.  Here are some recent looks that I'm admiring.
 

 

Backwards cap, kerchief, patched pants, ankle boots and a sock reveal - a look I pledge to try in 2013.

Fearless patchwork

 

Here, I love how the scarf and bag snap precisely into place.  I cannot imagine this gent ever dropping his bag, removing his cap or unknotting his scarf. 

 

Shorts for Fall/Winter

 

When in doubt, wear a vest

  

Classic, heavy duty outer wear - carried forward

 

 

Knotted scarf aplomb

 

Bicycle as accessory

 Archival bags by Uncle Sam