Artifact Bag Co. – No. 105 Tote

Really digging this tote from Omaha, Nebraska’s Artifact Bag Co. (AKA Chris Hughes, the designer and craftsman behind the line). It’s made from 14 oz. American-made waxed canvas, reinforced with American-made cotton webbing, fitted with Horween leather straps, and finished with hand hammered copper rivets and American-made poly thread (seams are double stitched, for strength). It’s also backed by a lifetime guarantee.

So, to put it briefly: this bag is made to last, by hand, using components from the good ol’ US of A. It also looks pretty damn good, and comes in four different colorways: Khaki/Brown, Olive/Black, Olive/Brown, and Olive/Charcoal/Black.

Top everything off with two external side pockets, a multi-section internal pocket, and an internal key fob (always immensely handy), and you’ve got one solid everyday bag on your hands.

What’s that you say? You’d like to see a collection of detail shots, running the gamut of all the colorways? But of course:

It’ll run you $125, direct from the source. Everything is handmade to order, so give it 4-6 weeks for production.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Artifact Bag Co.)

Ed’s Note: If you’re not looking for a carryall, there’s always the Waxed Canvas Lunch Tote.

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Alden x Leffot Tan Suede/Red Micro Sole Indy Boots

What do you get when a dirty buck gets down and…well, dirty with a pair of Indy boots? This stupid-good-looking make up that recently hit the shelves at Leffot.

Price hits at $475. And yes: It’s worth it.

Holy hell, I want these.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Leffot)

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Archival Clothing Webbing Belt

This is a great option for anyone who’s looking for a ring belt. Or, really, just a good belt in general.

I haven’t had hands-on experience with the belts themselves, but I have dealt with the webbing before. It serves as the straps on my Archival tote bag (an Xmas gift from my lovely lady), and let me tell you: This stuff is no joke. It’s British military-spec, and it’s tough as nails. Luckily, despite its general fortitude, it’s not uncomfortable to deal with—the hand is great, and it’s actually quite pliable. It also softens up with use, but doesn’t lose its general feeling of “don’t fuck with me” sturdiness. Not bad.

Top it off with solid brass rings, a Horween leather tab, a versatile 1″ width, and Archival Clothing’s signature bar-tack (in either red or tan), and you’ve got yourself a damn fine specimen.

I’m going to pick up the tan and the navy—both with the red bar-tack—once the navy comes back in stock in my size (Medium). That will hopefully be around mid-July, according to the fine folks at Archival.

If you’re interested in securing something now, though, just head over to Archival’s online shop (unless you’re looking for the navy/red or the tan/tan version in Medium).

Oh, and did I mention these are all made in the States (Springfield, Oregon), and cost a mere $24 a pop? No? Well…they are, and they do.

Get on it.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Archival Clothing)

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The Walk-Over Online Store Is Finally Live…

…and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Readily available, US-made bucks, saddle shoes, and chukkas—complete with Goodyear construction, and priced mighty reasonably. Yes, please.

Oh, and did I mention the sheer volume of colors and styles on offer? Just take a look at this (perhaps overly generous) sampling:

Yeah, that’s a hell of a lot of good looking shoes.

Personally, I’m eying the navy bucks with the red brick sole. And the gray saddle shoes. In a big way.

Hit it up now, and get ready for the warm weather.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Walk-Over)

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Wings + Horns 2-Button Blazer

If you follow me on Twitter or Tumblr, you already know that I’ve been on something of a blazer kick recently. And if not? Well, I’ve been on something of a blazer kick recently. And it’s still going.

This guy from Wings + Horns looks like a pretty fantastic option for spring/summer. Linen is one of the best fabrics you can rock when the mercury starts creeping into the upper register, and the minimal structure of the piece means less fabric, less bulk, and more breeze. For me, comfort is king in in the warmer months (I’m a miserable fuck when I’m overheated), so the components and construction here are absolutely crucial.

The styling is on point, too. I’m digging the welted, slanted chest pockets and the eight-button cuff. Neither are particularly functional, and both veer clear off the “classic” track, but in what’s shaping up to be the season of “All-Italian-Everything,” it’s a good way to set oneself off a little bit.

And yes: It’s pretty short. But I don’t advocate going anywhere near formal with this, so it’s not a problem in my book. Top it off with a darker khaki hue that’s as well suited to a rugged vibe as it is to a tailored one, and you’re good to go.

Available now at Need Supply for $390. Not cheap, but considering the type of piece and the maker, I was actually a little surprised the price tag didn’t come in even higher.

A steal? I’ll leave that to you. But if you want it, best move quick. These things never last long before folks scoop ‘em up for their own (possibly nefarious?) purposes.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Need Supply)

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New Quoddy at Trés Bien

A new batch of Quoddy just hit at Trés Bien. There’s ten styles on offer, and these four are my favorites of the bunch.

The standout? Gotta be that Maliseet oxford in brown Chromexcel with a crepe sole. Sure, it’s a little intense. But damn it looks good.

I’m also seriously digging the suede blucher options—especially that navy version with the brick sole. How you gonna argue with blue suede shoes?

Finding it hard to argue with cognac suede shoes, too. Now that I think about it.

And even though it’s a bit more understated than the other picks I’ve got here, the beefroll penny loafer in brown Chromexcel is a very well executed take on the style. The gum sole is a great touch.

So, yeah. Basically, I like these shoes.

It’s Trés Bien, so you know people are gonna move in quick and scoop stuff up. Get moving if any of these strike your fancy, and hit up the Quoddy brand section to see the full lineup of styles.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Trés Bien)

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Bridge & Burn – Khaki and Olive for Spring

Portland’s Bridge & Burn recently released their S/S 11 collection, and amongst a very solid range of outerwear options, there’s a whole slew of mid-weight jackets in olive and khaki.

Considering I’m pretty well obsessed with both shades this spring, I view this as a very welcome development. Any one of the picks here would be a great addition to the wardrobe for the next few months (for me, or for you—take your pick).

The prices are worthy of note, as well. Everything here is between $145 and $175. Not bad at all.

Well played to the line’s designer and good friend of the blog, Erik Prowell. Another great collection.

Click on through to Bridge & Burn’s online shop to pick something up for yourself. And while you’re there, be sure to check out the new line of shirting (lots of summer plaids), as well as the fantastic lineup of goods for the ladies.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Bridge & Burn)

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Barena – Canvas Bag

This bag—from Italian company Barena—is absolutely killer.

Perfectly simple, made in Italy from heavy canvas, lined in tartan twill, and complete with brass hardware and a removable shoulder strap.

No muss. No fuss. Just a great everyday carryall.

It’s $150 at Très Bien Shop (minus 20% for non-EU customers). With shipping to the States, it works out to $144 total.

Not bad at all.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Très Bien Shop)

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Some Looks for Spring

James had me in stitches for pretty much the entire shoot. This is, far and away, my favorite picture from the evening…

I recently had the chance to work James Rand on a photo shoot at his place in Brooklyn. Aside from being a great friend of mine, the man also happens to be a great photographer. Lucky for that.

It was a Sunday evening. I brought the clothing (and some beer), he brought the photo gear (and the talent), and we got to shooting some looks for spring with gear from my own collection.

The shots here are all from that evening.

(A note: the background was the only one available, and the photographer specifically requested I express his apologies for the…shall we say…boldness of the color.)

Look No. 1:

Jacket – Gant Rugger, Sweater – J. Crew, Shirt – Uniqlo, Jeans – APC, Belt – Brackney, Shoes – Bass

Look No. 2:

Jacket – Baron Wells, Shirt – Taylor Stitch, Tie – Jack Spade, Belt – Brackney, Chinos – Epaulet, Socks – Pantherella, Shoes – Alden

Look No. 3:

Jacket – Lewis Leathers for The Garbstore, Shirt – Taylor Stitch, Belt – Brackney, Jeans – Epaulet, Socks – Panterella, Shoes – Alden

Look No. 4:

Jacket – Baron Wells, Shirt – Taylor Stitch, Tie – Graham Withers, Jeans – Epaulet, Socks – Pantherella, Shoes – Alden

And that’s that.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of James S. Rand)

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Corter Leather – For Japan Bracelet

In the wake of the earthquake and tsunamis last week, Eric of Corter Leather created this bracelet as a way to show support for Japan—a great, simple piece set off by a hand painted red button.

It’s only $20, and 100% of the proceeds go to the Red Cross to support their efforts in Japan. Available in sizes from 6.5″ to 8.75″.

Get one at the Corter website and be sure to tell your friends and neighbors.

—Jonathan

(Image courtesy of Corter Leather)

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