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

Archival Uniform - November Edition

Per Archival Resolution #9, here is the November edition of my Archival uniform. While our resolutions recommend that you come up with a signature uniform that you wear once a week, mine has seen active use on multiple days.  

Archival striped tee women and Centralia multiweave cardigan.  Here, per usual, I follow my own rule of wearing at least two layers on top.  In another month, I might add a kerchief or a fine gauge wool scarf as a neck garnish. 

Engineered Garments Upland Vest.   Inspired by the Japanese, I love to finish my uniform with a vintage Upland style hunting vest (the pocketing doubles as a purse).  Since I'm so small, it's hard to source an authentic hunting vest that fits properly so I opt for updated versions - sized for women and petite gents - by Rising Sun, Post O'Alls or Engineered Garments.

Red Cloud & Co. Denim.  Howard Gee, the denim guru at Ab Fits, introduced me to Red Cloud premium denim made in mainland China.  The Red Cloud cut is close to a pair LVC Levis 1947, my go to denim on alternative outfit days.

Alden Cape Cod Beefroll Penny Loafer.  Not much visual variation here.  I wear Alden Cape Cod loafers - in black and brown - nearly everyday of the year.  My statement on loafers.

If you have a signature uniform, please post your notes to our Archival Facebook page or send me a note at lesli@archivalclothing.com.  I'd love to repost more visual examples (other than mine) on the AC blog. 

Archival Down Vests by Crescent Down Works

I really love down vests, so it was a treat to work with one of the finest down garment makers in the country on a really special project. Here's our take on a classic work/hunting vest, done with a lightweight waxed cotton shell, a nylon lining for easy layering, and a worsted wool rib collar, knitted by Washington's Centralia Knitting Mills. Made in Seattle, WA by Crescent Down Works.

The waxed cotton shell is weather-resistant and durable, much more so than the thin nylon typically used in backpacker's down vests. The collar is cozy but not so big you can't throw a jacket on over. The handwarmer pockets are stuffed with down so that your hands really stay warm. There's an inside pocket for the phone, or matches, or playing cards.

I'm very proud of this vest - it's handsome, durable, and functional clothing made in the Northwest - and that's what Archival's all about! Exclusive to Wilderness Workshop and our own web store. Very limited quantities.    

We visited Crescent Down Works a few months ago, be sure to check out the report from that trip.

From the Archives: Post O'All Vests

Here are a few snap views of Post O'Alls vests from my personal collection. Inspired by vintage hunting and shooting vests, the Post O'Alls vest features an internal poacher's pocket and four outside flap pockets. The cargo capacity rivals that of an AC Rucksack. A fan of the hyper layered look - I wear mine interchangeably over wool and cord blazers.

Shopping from Japan

Herringbone wool

Cotton Poplin

Inspiration - Original Filson Hunting Vest

Fall Recommendation: Down Vests

The seasons are finally changing, and as crisper weather rolls in, may we recommend that you turn to a vest when you're chilled? We all love our Westmorland and Retro-X vests at Archival, but we also have a soft spot for goose down. There's nothing lighter and more magically insulating, and they make a great pillow when you're backpacking. Here's a round-up of some historical models pulled from Backpacker Magazine and eBay, as well as some current offerings.

Crescent Down Works (offered by South Willard)

Feathered Friends Helios and Hyperion Vests

Western Mountaineering Flash Vest

Shopping from the 1930s: Montgomery Ward

Exemplary outerwear

I've been on an ebay shopping spree for Montgomery Ward catalogs (the Archival bible). I've secured a few new Fall editions from the 1940s which I'll be reprinting here--in bits--in the next few months. Copies of the 1930s catalogs are more tricky to source. Inspired by Spokesniffer and Reference Library, I'm capturing auction images as placeholders for items I did not buy. Here are a few frame grabs from vintage catalogs from the 1930s that were beyond my "buy it now" pricepoint. If I could make it so, these would all Archival offerings for Fall 2011. Smitty "Whata Sweater" would be announced as our new Archival mascot.

Smitty Sweater

Heavy weight shawl collar sweaters and cardigans

All wool blazers

Denim jackets, overalls and trousers

Canvas duck field jackets

All wool shaker sweaters

Heritage workwear for women

Pendleton blankets