Left Field NYC Lookbook Shots

These shots from Left Field NYC’s recently released AW 11 lookbook made their way around the blogoverse already, but I’m putting up a few of my favorites nonetheless–just because I like ‘em. Call me a sucker for sturdy looking textiles and proper photography, but the detail pictures of the garments just did me in.

Some brief context: The AW collection is (like all of Left Field’s collections) made entirely in the US. Fabrics are sourced from the States and Japan, and the lookbook was shot in an old motorcycle parts warehouse in Ohio.

And with that, the rest of my favorite photos:

While the collection showcased here won’t be available for a few months, be sure to hit up Left Field NYC’s online shop now to take a look at the current offerings. If you like what you see for fall, I assure you you’ll dig the spring stuff as well.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Left Field NYC)

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Objects of Affection: Picks from the Need Supply Winter Sale

The post-holiday sale is still going strong over at Need Supply, and they just opened it up to bring in a whole slew of new items. It’s a really solid selection, especially considering the whole “sale” aspect of the affair. And while there’s a strong showing for the cold weather gear (no surprise), some of what they have on offer could stick with you through the warmer months as well. Also, given the fact that it’s not actually going to warm up for a good long while, there’s no harm in grabbing a few winter-friendly pieces now.

Since sales like this are pretty damn fine opportunities to stock up, I’ve gone ahead and perused the offerings with what I assure you is entirely selfless intent. (Read: “I’ve been fiending over pretty much every item shown below, but seeing as I can’t indulge that impulse for fear of putting myself in the poorhouse, I figured I’d put together a list of some of my favorites here.”) Here’s a few picks for things to get while the getting’s good.

1. Sebago Fairhaven Boots – $80 (down from $140)

2. Rachel Comey Uncle Dan Oxfords – $100 (down from $285)

3. Sperry Olive/Brick Chukkas – $90 (down from $120)

4. Wing + Horns Corded Cloth Pants – $180 (down from $228)

5. APC Short Duffle Coat – $430 (down from $560)

6. J.W. Hulme Co. Classic Oxford Field Briefcase – $200 (down from $285)

7. Wing + Horns Flecked Tweed Vest – $360 (down from $470)

Both heather gray and charcoal are available

8. Norse Projects Janus Shirt – $150 (down from $200)

9. Vanishing Elephant Downing Shirt – $70 (down from $125)

10. Norse Projects Kopingsvig Crewneck Sweater – $140 (down from $250)

Click on any of the headings above to jump over to the Need Supply site and pick something up. After all, you have to burn that holiday money now, before it goes bad.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Need Supply)

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Objects of Affection: Pendleton Solo Shirts at Blackbird

Today was the first time this Fall that I can remember noticing, accutely and immediately, the chill in the air as I made my way out of the homestead to start the day. A great time, then, to have these couple of shirts from Pendleton hit my radar thanks to Blackbird.

The Solo Shirt is a classic dress shirt done in a slim silhouette (or “Vintage Fit” in the label’s own parlence), and made of soft, machine-washable virgin wool from Pendleton’s mill in Oregon. Details are simple: a single chest pocket, single button cuffs, scooped hemline, and a seven-button front placket. Nothing fancy, but I’m thankful for it because it lets the fabric shine through.

And with a beautifully muted brown/burgundy/navy ombre as well as a more vibrant green Buchanan tartan on offer, the fabric really does deserve its place as the star of the show. Not a shocker in the least, considering wool is what Pendleton is all about, but well appreciated all the same.

One thing that is a little surprising? The price. Clocking in at $98 a pop, these shirts are pretty damn affordable for what they are. That pricetag is achieved through a bit of outsourcing, though. While sourced from US components, they’re put together in Mexico. I know that’s a dealbreaker for some, a total non-issue for others, and somewhere in between for the rest. Take it is you see fit.

Both options are available online, and they’re sure to move fast. If you’re looking to score one for yourself, be it brown or Buchanan, get on it quick.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Blackbird)

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Objects of Affection: Taylor Stitch Indian Summer Shirts

A large swath of the US population is currently caught in that meteorological hinterland known as Indian Summer. Despite the crisp nights and the turning of the leaves, the days remain defiantly warm.

It’s a pretty damn pleasant affair overall. But for me, it’s a double edged sword. Even though I know I should count my blessings and revel in the beautiful weather, I still find the little voice in the back of my head asking why autumn-proper can’t just hurry up and get here for fuck’s sake. What can I say? I love my jackets and boots and all of those brisk weather trappings.

Not least among those: a solid plaid shirt. Which is why the release of Taylor Stitch‘s newest line of shirting is such a welcome development. Pairing a sturdy seersucker with a couple of dark, richly hued plaids, it’s a deft melding of an archetypical summer fabric with a pattern that’s distinctly autumnal in nature.

Dubbed the (you guessed it) Indian Summer Collection and priced at $165 a pop, there’s currently a red/blue version and a black watch version. Both are made in SF with single needle construction and Japanese cotton, and both are a great option to pair with rolled chinos and a pair of boat shoes or mocs during the warmer hours. When the sun sets, just switch out for jeans and some brown leather boots, add a cardigan or light jacket to the mix, and you’re golden.

So while that voice in my head is likely going to keep needling me until the mercury takes a real dive, at least I know there’s a shirt out there to help bridge the gap between the seasons (and keep on going clear on through winter).

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Taylor Stitch)

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Objects of Affection: Bridge & Burn Fall 2010 Collection

Portland’s Bridge & Burn just released the Fall 2010 collection online, and it’s a solid combination of winners from their debut earlier this year along with some great new offerings. True to form, the collection as a whole is marked by clean lines and an eye toward functionality.

Waxed cotton jackets still feature heavily, which is very good news in my book. They’ve also kept the contrast linings–in a whole range of fabrics including gingham and oxford cloth–that I’ve been a fan of from the start.

There’s a wider range of twill and wool outerwear options in the mix now, with new shapes like a simplified bomber jacket. Certainly a welcome development. I actually paid the label’s booth a visit at ENK a few months back, and can say from personal experience that the twill they’re using is very nice. And though I haven’t had the chance to see any of them in person, the wool pieces look spot on. That charcoal gray five button blazer? I dig.

There’s also whole new element at play, as the brand is making its first foray into shirting with this drop. Plaids and checks are the name of the game on the pattern front, with a number of solids for good measure. For fabrics, things are largely seasonally appropriate: lots of flannel, and lots of wool. Also, quite reasonably, some cotton pieces that could easily find their way into consistent rotation even in the warmer months. Summer 2011 is gonna be all about woodsy plaids. You heard it here first.

Available online now, so hit it up.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Bridge & Burn)

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Eye Candy: Baldwin Fall 2010 Collection

As of this week, Baldwin is expanding beyond jeans and releasing a full on collection of well-executed wardrobe staples. The bulk of the line consists of shirting, chinos, ties, and jackets, as well as jeans (of course). There’s also a shoe, a weekender bag, a suit, and a hat in the mix.

This is all very good news, because the line is both sharp as hell and eminently wearable. And from the looks of it, the fit is spot-on. Bonus: Everything is made in the US.

So yes, I’m pretty damn impressed with what Baldwin’s done here. They idn’t just hit the ball out of the park, they tore the leather off the thing.

I’ll take one of everything and two of the khakis and the olive drab jacket, please.

Take a quick jump over to the venerable Secret Forts to read a great write up and see a list of retailers that will carry the line. If you’re not near any of the brick and mortar spots (like me), hit up the website.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Baldwin via Secret Forts)

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Objects of Affection: Gitman Bros. Vintage OCBD

According to Need Supply, this piece by American shirtmakers Gitman Bros. Vintage is “purple.” I, personally, would probably argue that “burgundy” is a more accurate description.

But that’s really just splitting hairs, because whatever you call it, the color is amazing. A nicely saturated hue in oxford cloth? Yeah, I’m sold.

In terms of detailing, it’s pretty much the classics: Front chest pocket, contrasting white buttons, box pleat and locker loop at the back. There’s also the all important button at the back of the collar. I know it’s a minor thing, but I’ve always been especially fond of that feature.

More looks:

Get it for $145 at Need Supply. While you’re at it, feel free to grab one for me.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Need Supply)

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(capsule) NY: Billy Reid

Billy Reid’s “Moto Jacket.” Really more of a cropped leather pea coat, but awesome nonetheless…

While at (capsule) NY, I got a chance to stop by the Billy Reid booth for a bit and check out the SS 2011 preview.

To give a bit of background: Billy Reid’s aesthetic has a sort of Southern Gentile via downtown New York vibe to it. Certainly steeped in tradition, but with a modern and ever-so-slightly gritty feel. Not dirty, mind you. Just not overly prim and proper.

It’s actually the second time around for Billy Reid (the first iteration ran 1998-2002), but things are looking good for this run. Reid was named GQ’s menswear designer of the year for 2010, and the label is pretty well poised to go massive right now. Judging from the stuff I saw at (capsule) NY, the buzz is well-deserved.

I must admit that I was completely, embarrassingly sidetracked by one piece: the leather “Moto Jacket” (really a cropped pea coat but no worries). While I did eventually manage to break away from it and take a look around at the other stuff being shown, consider this the leather-jacket-obsessed take on Billy Reid SS 2011, rather than the full story.

Alright. Enough yammering:

The leather on this was genuinely incredible. Heavy and sturdy, but still remarkably supple. Buttery? I’m none too fond of that descriptor. But. Yeah, kinda…

From the back…

Dual zip & button closure, and a gray chambray lining…

Very cool interior labels…

Another look at the front with the collar up…

And down…

As I said, I did move on to a few other pieces eventually:

I have a real weakness for tweedy gray blazers…

Digging the neck and button detailing on this pullover…

A chambray workshirt with some intense chest pocket action happening…

And reinforced elbows…

A few more pieces from the line…

So yeah, it’s by no means whatsoever a full showing of Billy Reid’s SS 2011 line. Just one leather jacket that I got a wee bit obsessive over, and a few of the other things that caught my eye. The (highly) truncated version, if you will.

There were also a bunch of shoes and other sartorial goodies being shown. Take a look over at Alex Grant‘s post on the same subject for more.

—Jonathan

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(capsule) NY: Naked & Famous Denim

Ok. Yes. It’s kind of a gimmick. But 32 oz. denim that can stand on its own all damn day is still pretty neat…

Naked & Famous is a brand that tends to inspire healthy debate amongst the type of people that would actually, you know, sit and debate denim. If you’re reading this, you’re probably one of ‘em.

One the one side: I know that Naked & Famous doesn’t do it for some denim purists. It really has to do with their tendency to do things like 32 oz. denim. While neat, it’s not particularly practical and tends to come off as something they did because they can, not necessarily because they should.

On the flip side, there’s the people like me. I’m definitely pro-N&F, despite the fact that I’ll be the first to admit that some of their more…eccentric…denim options are things that I wouldn’t really wear (though I really do enjoy looking at them).

For a pair of modern jeans with a solid fit, and at a generally reasonable price point, I think they’re a great option. The denim tends to be quality stuff, and the fit, especially, is really on point. I’ve got a pair of Skinny Guys and a pair of Weird Guys, and I really enjoy wearing both of them. For me, fit is king when it comes to jeans, so the fact that N&F pretty much nailed it on that front means that they’ll always get love from me (barring any horrific turns on the fabric/construction fronts).

Another note on the denim: Naked & Famous consistently comes out with new and different options. At (capsule), aside from the 32 oz option and among a plethora of others, they showed an 8 oz cotton/linen blend that felt like it’ll be a godsend come next summer. Gotta give ‘em credit for pushing out something to keep denim freaks from sweating themselves to death in mid-July.

To get down to the stuff from (capsule) NY, the Momotaro denim collab was a standout if you ask me. It had the best hand (in my opinion), and the minor tweaks like modified stitching on the back pockets and Canadian/Japanese flag-printed pocket bags elevated it to a whole other level.

Leather accessories, that linen blend denim, and an indigo warp/red weft option take honorable mention.

Time for more shots:

7mm thick natural and black leather belts. Pretty intense, but these looked solid, wearable, and altogether well done..

Red warp/ white weft. I can’t pull this off, but I like it…

Indigo warp with a red weft. Ever since the Julian Red Nikki Six (pink weft) came out, I’ve been into this sort of treatment…

Indigo print on a red leather patch to match the theme…

N&F’s Citrus denim. Same idea with the indigo warp/colored weft. Already in stores though…

Leather accessories: Wallets, card cases, and lighter cases. And yes, that’s an origami crane done in leather at the top of the photo…

Chino jeans. Dig it…

The Momotaro collaboration jeans. My favorite of the bunch…

The coin pocket has a very subtle selvage detail…

Momotaro stamped buttons…

A dual branded leather patch…

Slightly modified back pocket stitching. I really like this…

Classic red line selvage…

Country flag pocket bags round out the package…

More origami…

Button downs. In chambray…

Oxford cloth…

Gingham, and flannel…

Time for a couple of the more intense denim options. Wearable? Maybe. Maybe not. But definitely interesting.

Ok, let’s see if I get this. I’m pretty sure it’s is an uncorrected alternating twill. Not entirely sure if I got that right, but I’m pretty damn sure it’s 3 inch sections of alternating right hand and left hand twill. The weave also isn’t corrected to prevent twisting, so there’s gonna be some intense leg twist as it’s worn and washed…

I didn’t ask the story behind this bag, and I didn’t open it. But my completely uneducated guess? Denim cooler. Why not?

And just in case you were wondering whether you can score a raw denim yarmulke? Well…yeah. You can. That spool is the stainless steel from a style that I covered earlier…

Altogether, a very nice collection of goods. A little bit of eccentricity, but a whole lot more sensible and solid wares. And I can’t stress enough, the fit on N&F’s jeans is impressive. I’m looking forward to this stuff hitting the shelves so I can start trying things on.

That’s that for Naked & Famous from (capsule) NY.

—Jonathan

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Objects of Affection: Gitman Bros. x INVENTORY Organic Japanese Cotton Gingham

The last couple of days in NY have been insanely hot. Face-melting, spontaneous-combustion-if-it-weren’t-so-damn-humid kinda hot. I wish I had one of these broadcloth gingham guys from Gitman Bros. for INVENTORY to get me through it.

They’re done in organic Japanese cotton, they’re much more appropriately lightweight than the oxford cloth I made the terrible decision of wearing yesterday, and they’re available in navy and light blue.

Also, I freaking love the contrasting red around the buttonhole on the back of the collar.

Get on it for $170 from INVENTORY Stockroom.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of INVENTORY Stockroom)

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