Archival Update: AC Field Bag in Navy

Archival Clothing is pleased to announce that our Field Bag is now available in 22 oz navy waxed twill.

The Archival Field Bag is 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.

See the Archival Web Shop for more details.

Archival Update: Filson Summer Sale

Vaughn Wascovich, Neylandville,Texas #2

Yesterday, friend/photographer/collector Vaughn W. emailed to tell me that Filson is closing out their first generation collection of tin cloth luggage.

Sale page here.

From what I know, Filson is changing the color of the webbing from olive to tan for a more "monochromatic" look. Personally, I prefer the contrasting olive webbing so I'll be placing an order for the small shell bag (and possibly the field bag--though I loathe those plastic quick release buckles). The tin cloth line is designed for shooting and hunting (as an alternative to the 22 oz twill luggage), but I've found that the lighter weight fabric, w/taffeta lining, makes for perfect grocery and bike errand bags. If you hunt around (or call Filson directly), you might be lucky enough to locate remaining stock of the original tin cloth tote with olive webbing--the best tote ever made...

What do you think of the new khaki colored webbing?

Addendum: if you know of a top quality source for US made webbing which looks like the kind used for the straps on the Filson tote... please send me an email (full Archival Webbing report coming soon!).

New luggage.

Best tote ever

Archival Field Trip: PDX July 2009

Portland Outdoor Store

Winn Perry

Bagmaker and his bicycle

Kurt, heritage scribe

Guest Baggage: Czech Army Sling

I've been investigating closure solutions and historical satchel examples for my musette project. A friend of mine picked up this WWII, Czech army satchel from a local surplus store. A flickr friend noted that he liked the "random #4 stamp" and the "standing seam detail" of the body of the bag--details that don't reproduce well when aped by modern bagmakers wishing for vintage authenticity. I love the toggle closures which seem more craft fair than military surplus. I also like the sway strap but would change the bag's portrait orientation from vertical to landscape.

Filson Field Bags in Film: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (Eastwood 1997)

Bridle leather shoulder strap

Cusack w/Filson medium field bag

Friend Vaughn W. (of bike collection fame) sent me these cameo views of a Filson Medium Field Bag from the film, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (Eastwood 1997). Aside from the bag and Johnny Mercer/jazz soundtrack, I don't remember much about the movie itself. Worth revisiting?

Patchwork Admiration

Vintage Donegal Tweed Pathwork

Le Minor "Crazy" Boatneck Tee

John Chapman Mini Shoulder Bag

Eugene Canvas & Awning remnants

Bob Lee's Calico Jungle (Hunting World 1975)

Archival Revival: Barbour Retriever Bag

1990s catalog


1980s catalog

One of my favorite Barbour bags, the Sports Twin Pack (rebadged the Waxed Cotton Retriever Bag), is once again available. I sold off my original version a few years ago due to an intense mildew odor (the problem with purchasing "vintage" barbour on ebay). I'd definitely like to secure a new version (UK made, I hope) before it disappears again.

I've always coveted the simple, unstructured musette-style of this bag (designed to be carried over the shoulder or worn on the belt of a Barbour International jacket). In fact, I've been drawing design inspiration from original catalog images of the sports twin pack for my own waxed cotton musette project.

Available here (UK)

Available here (UK)

And here (US)

Just stumbled on this more minimalist version of the Retriever Bag (pockets on an envelope):

Waxed Cotton A7 Bag (same strap as International belt)

Archival Report: Winn Perry Spring 09

Loden Dager car coat

Spring cottons

Internal snap cuff detail

Loden Dager M50 jacket

Mjolk trousers

sQuoddy chukka

Columbia Knit rugby shirts and sweaters

Shirting

Common Projects and Quoddy

Our Legacy corduroy jacket

Jordan in SNS Herning cardigan

Here's a brief, June-in-January visual update from Winn Perry in Portland, Oregon. In addition to carrying exemplary brands like Quoddy, SNS-Herning and Obedient Sons, Winn Perry sells a number of unique, Portland-made items like Columbia Knit rugby shirts and this handmade cowhide satchel by "friend Steve".

Custom leather satchel (sold, I believe)

Here's the Billykirk card case I purchased during my last visit:

Billykirk in Lane County (after this project)

Check the Winn Perry website for general sartorial wisdom and up-t0-date product offerings.

Looks like h(y)r collective has a new favorite store too.

Another blog report on Winn Perry and Duchess from Design*Sponge.