Archival Paddle Tennis

As much as I enjoy tennis, I prefer the snappy uniforms worn by these vintage gents playing paddle tennis.  For reference, paddle tennis is an indoor variation of the traditional tennis played with solid rackets and underhand serve on a smaller court.  I liken paddle tennis to the elegant, east coast cousin of  pickleball, a PE course requirement in 1980s Eastern Washington.   Per usual,  I endorse any sport that permits you to wear clothing that still resembles what you might wear to work.  I'm shopping for a pair of deadstock saddle shoes so I can start working on my own, from-the-ground-up, paddle tennis ensemble.   See below for step by step illustrations on how to play the game. 

 

 

 

  

Premium Purples

Classic Dana Designs Bomb Pack from eBay (Mine is also purple, but a slightly different colorway)

I always think of the Dana Designs packs which were called "Blurple" - a cheerful hue lurking somewhere between blue and purple - as being my favorite color ever for technical baggage. Since those aren't available aside from eBay, here's a wide range of purple goods that have been catching my eye recently.

Gorgeous Skookum crew neck sweater. Japan-only, of course.

A towel that I shall never get to use.

Japan-only Filson Black Label jacket

Purple sweatshirt

Custom Chacos!

I know, I know. Couldn't resist.

Japan-only Crescent Down Works vest

Japan-only Brady bag

From the Archives: Rugby Ephemera

In honor of the World Cup, I'm reposting selections from Frederick Humbert's awesome collection of historical rugby print ephemera. Humbert's flickr catalog and blog, Rugby-Pioneers, include photographs, programs, cigarette cards, advertisements and even hand painted lantern slides of vintage rugby action. Even if you don't follow rugby as a sport, study the photographs as a guide to looking stylish in a sports uniform (blazers and wool knits in lieu of track jackets and sweats).

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.

Shopping from the Present: Alpine Pullovers

I'm probably the only one shopping for heavy duty knitwear. But here I am in April obsessing over the new Dachstein boiled wool pullovers on offer from Bradley Alpinist. The sweaters are made in the Dachstein Region of Austria of wind and water resistant boiled wool. I've been sporting Dachstein-style wool mitts by Ortovox for cycling. In wet or snowy conditions, the boiled wool absorbs water and still keeps you warm.

Although Dachstein does not offer an XS pullover, I'm negotiating to test a sweater that was delivered with abnormally small dimensions. Report to follow.

Dachstein Wool Alpinist Pullover--Classic Button Neck

Dachstein Wool Uber Guide Pullover

Dachstein Wool Pullover--Classic Rounded Neck

Even in the late 70s, Dachstein sweaters were difficult to source.

Shopping from 1979. Dachstein pullover on offer via Yak Works catalog (courtesy AC reader Allen).

Shopping from Cabela's, Summer 1980

Cabela's is one of the biggest outdoor suppliers in the country. Like LL Bean, their catalog still holds some gems, but it's their old offerings that are really attractive for being short and sweet.