Shopping from ebay - Vintage Swimwear

 

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 suit, I advise that you browse the listings on ebay.  A recent search produced many handsome models.  My favorites are those made by the Portland, Oregon based Jantzen swimwear company.  The company's logo - a swan diving lady - is in desperate need of reissue.

 

Keaton's bather

Note accessory rubber bathing shoes

 

  

Archival Rolled Sleeves

I'm not a big fan of summer weight garb.  I much prefer to modify my standard winter wardrobe of woolens and long sleeve cotton shirts for warmer weather  Why buy cotton poplin or linen or gingham for the abbreviated northwest summer (July-August) when you could just roll up your sleeves for the same degree of ventilation.  The Art of Manliness offers this detailed style guide for best practices on rolling your sleeves.  For exemplary examples from the archives, see below:

 

 

 

 

Archival Napping

With the advent of Fall, I'm happily adding archival layers to my wardrobe, but I'm also looking back with nostalgia on the warmer, sun weary days of August.  Boston Public Library posted photos of city dwellers from the 1930s napping in public parks - a communal practice that has sadly disappeared in the last seven or so decades.  As someone who shuns tank tops and ostensibly summerweight clothing, I love that most of the nappers, despite the swelter, are fully clothed, wearing long sleeved shirts, long pants and lace up shoes. 

 

  

 

 

 

Summer Camp Review - 2012

While I edit together a new kinoks movie, here are a few placeholder views of my return trip to Camp Robbinswold. Thanks to Sara T. (and an amazing cast of extras) for performing as my camp hands and feet since my historical surrogate was unavailable.

Archival Field Trip - Ross Lake

Photos by Rick Gersbach

Friend of Archival Rick and I took off last weekend for Ross and Diablo Lakes in Washington's North Cascades. We spent a blissful three days paddling around, catching some massive bull trout, fighting headwinds, and addressing the issue of bourbon remaining in the bottle. No complaints - we had perfect weather, the scenery was incredible, and the Grumman canoe performed admirably.