Restock - Chester Wallace Totes

Our friend Patrick Long designed his Chester Wallace tote with all the features of a great bag: a six-pack fits in the bottom, you can carry it with the removable shoulder strap or by the tote handles, and there are enough pockets of all sizes to keep everyone happy.

Our current, custom Chester Wallace Tote offerings come in two fabrics: dry finish cotton duck and waxed cotton canvas. Quality materials ensure that your bag is bound to last a lifetime.  Features include a waterproof bottom, nylon webbing, and nickel hardware.

Current colorways include natural/camo, evergreen/navy and gray/brow

Customize your CW tote with an extra strap

Visit the Archival Web Shop for more information

Archival Holiday Sample Sale

 

If you're in Eugene, you're welcome to stop by our offices now through December 21st to make holiday purchases and see samples, prototypes, and other goods not listed on our web store. You do have to schedule an appointment - just email info@archivalclothing and Nicole will find a time for you to come in. Hope to see you there!

              

Thanks to Morejohn for the original Archival illustrations..

New Release: Archival x Steele Basket Tote

For summer, we introduce our new waterproof bottom Archival x Steele Canvas Tote which is perfect for your larger capacity toting needs. It's our favorite bag for carrying essentials to and from the beach or neighborhood swimming pool.

Steele Canvas Totes are constructed from extra-stout #4 natural canvas duck, undyed to ensure maximum fabric strength. A double bottom in waterproof truck tarp ensures you can set it down in challenging conditions. The structure provided by the rectangular and boxy base of the Tote maximizes its load capacity. Really nice, stiff edges enable the Archival Steele Canvas Tote to stand upright and open for easy loading and unloading. Two reinforced 8" handles and a practical internal pocket round out the design.

17 x 17 x 10

Made in USA

This release of the tote features the original The Steele Basket stencil from the archives.


Our original Archival report on the venerable Steele Canvas Basket company in Chelsea, MA.

Archival Restock: Chester Wallace Totes

For December, we're adding a new Chester Wallace tote the AC web shop. The colorway is evergreen and navy with a flash of yellow. Body and base are made from #10, vat dyed, government spec'd waxed cotton. While I had originally requested a green and black combination, Patrick, the bag's designer, suggested olive with a navy base. In his words, "the green was more with the navy than with black in an Albers way".

We're also adding replacement Chester Wallace straps to the AC web shop so you can mix and match colorways at home.

Shopping from 1939: Abercrombie and Fitch

Here are excerpts from my favorite vintage Abercrombie and Fitch catalog from 1939. During this era, Abercromie & Fitch field jackets and outdoor clothing showed a tailored, British influence. Many of the garments came in dress fabrics like high count cotton poplin or wool gabardine. The catalog contains sections for both men and women. While identified as a high end outdoor clothier, A & F offered practical, stylish clothing that could be worn at camp or for home chores. Many of the garments, especially the denim outfits, could easily be adapted for modern wear.

Should you wish to make a purchase, I've reprinted the original order form which should be mailed to the Madison Avenue address post dated 1939.

Archival Laundry Tote

Last year, we asked the Steele Canvas Basket Company to reissue a square bottom janitor's tote that we found in an old Steele catalog. We made some minor tweaks to the design, specifying extra heavy duty #4 canvas duck and opting for longer, 6" handles. Working with Steele, we also brought back the original Steele stencil. In addition to laundry (the bag fits an entire comforter), we've been using ours to schlep packages to Fed Ex and the post office. We've also found the tote convenient for transporting small children. Here are some updated photos of the bag in action.

Chester Wallace x Archival Clothing Totes

Archival Clothing proudly sells Chester Wallace totes by friend and fellow Oregonian, Patrick Long. This Spring, we asked Patrick to make up two special bags for Archival: a "wash me" and a "wax me" model. The wash me tote is made from unwaxed, natural canvas duck and utilizes Archival's own best quality, UK made, military spec cotton webbing (the same webbing we use for our AC belt). The wax me tote is an all waxed cotton variation on the traditional Chester Wallace tote. We've replaced the acrylic-coated woven polyester bottom with waxed cotton canvas from Fairfield Textiles.



The natural canvas duck Chester Wallace tote [above] is made with Archival Clothing's own military spec, all cotton webbing. This is bag style is washable.

Our second Chester Wallace tote is made from stout, closely woven, all wax cotton canvas fabric. The limited edition classic red fabric, referred to as "old glory" by Fairfield textiles, our supplier, is the same that we use for our AC plain musette. Inventory for this fabric has been exhausted.

Archival Update: A.C. Totes

12" and 6" straps

This week, Archival Clothing is releasing a newly revised tote based on collective feedback from our customers and retailers. We've been asked to offer a short handled version of our tote for people who prefer to carry the bag in hand. The tote is now available in two strap lengths: 12" long with 1.5" webbing and 6" long with 1" webbing.

New colorways (black, navy, ranger tan and gray)

We've added visual interest to the bag by making the inside pockets out of a contrasting color of dry canvas duck fabric. We are using this tote run to introduce our new waxed cotton twill in Navy.

New strap attachment method and revised internal pocketing

We've refined the strap attachment points on the inside edge of the bag to strengthen these points and ensure that the inside of the bag looks as well appointed as the outside.

Navy/Orange

Tan/Navy

Black/Gray

Gray/Red

All internal seams finished with bias tape made from our own waxed fabrics

All stress points reinforced with sturdy bar-tacking

As with the original totes, our new model is made from 22 ounce waxed twill, 18 ounce dry duck canvas, and military grade cotton webbing. The tote is designed to be water-resistant and ready for a long life of service. Three inside pockets store personal items such as keys, phones, notebooks and pens—keeping them easily accessible and separate from the interior contents. A double-layer reinforced bottom ensures a long life and even wear.

Tote dimensions are 14” x 14” x 4” - perfect for your every day toting needs.