I recently got an email from a gentleman named Derek Shaw from Waskerd inquiring about whether I might want to get my mitts on one of his handcrafted card cases in exchange for posting up my thoughts on it for all the Interweb to see. I’m normally a wallet guy, but he caught me at a good time. Thoughts of paring down the back pocket arsenal had already been kicking around my head, and I was looking to try something new. So I took him up on the offer, and ordered up a Studio 2-pocket card case in a rich, rusty hue dubbed “Hereford Red.”

I’ve been using it for a little more than a month, and have been holding off on posting until I put it through a little abuse. Well, abuse it’s taken, and I can honestly say this thing’s a great pickup. The leather is soft but sturdy, the design minimal but functional, and it feels like it’s going to last for ages. There’s a whole range of options available over at the Waskerd site, ranging from the slim to the don’t-fuck-with-me style hefty. He’s even got one, the Broadsheet, designed specifically for use with a topcoat.  I’d recommend any, though with the note that if you opt for the seriously beefy ones, you should be ready for a sincerely thick hunk of leather in your pocket.

Oh, and did I mention that when dude says handcrafted, he means done entirely with hand tools and without the use of electricity? Sounds exhausting, but still pretty awesome.

If you’re at all like me, you’ve put off almost all of your holiday shopping until now. And I’m just puttin’ it out there, but this’d probably make a good present. Derek offers custom branded monograms, too, so you can get all personalized with it.

Many thanks to Derek, and hopefully it’ll be a whole lot less than seven months before my next post.

—Jonathan

Waskerd urban tour photos by me.

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.

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)

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)

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)

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)

—Jonathan

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)

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)

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)