Objects of Affection: Alden Card Cases in Shell Cordovan

Want some shell cordovan from Alden in your life but can’t drop the nearly 600 bones it’d take to get a pair of shoes or boots? Then you may want to take a look at the couple of card cases the New England bootmakers have on offer in this famous grandaddy of leathers.

Some brief background: Shell cordovan is horsehide (cut from the rump, actually) that’s gone through a full six months of vegetable tannage and hand finishing. It’s relatively supple from the get go, but it’s also tough as nails, and it develops an especially rich patina over the years. At the moment, Horween is the sole tannery producing it.

So yeah. It’s horse’s ass. But it’s really nice horse’s ass.

Though it’s mainly used for shoes, Alden had the good sense to bring it into a couple of handsome card cases. Consider it a gateway drug into the cordovan footwear world, or just a great supplemental piece if you’re already chasing that dragon.

There are two styles currently available at Blackbird: one folds, one doesn’t, and both are emblazoned with the Alden crest for good measure. And with an $83 or $84 price tag (respectively), they’re not going to put you in the poorhouse if you want to grab an extra as a stocking stuffer for the Alden fiend in your life.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Blackbird)

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Objects of Affection: Gant Rugger Fair Isle Sweater

Gant Rugger’s fair isle crewneck sweater is a great example of just how successful a busier pattern can be when it’s done in a range of muted colors.

Featuring mostly tans and browns with just a few pops of red, yellow, and blue, it draws in the eye without becoming overwhelming. And because of its largely neutral palette, it’ll play nice with the other items in your wardrobe. 100% lambswool with ribbed on the cuffs and hem ensures it’ll actually keep you warm, as well. Function!

It recently hit at Blackbird for $145, and the size small already is sold out. Considering Rugger’s current popularity coupled with the undeniable appeal of this piece in particular, you can rest assured that it’s gonna keep moving fast. Move quick to score one for yourself.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Blackbird)

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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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Selections from the Imogene + Willie Lookbook, Plus General Bandana Musings

These shots from Nashville natives Imogene + Willie’s new lookbook sparked a couple of thoughts:

1. Neo-American-Revolutionary chic can actually kinda work. Weird, right? I mean, I wouldn’t recommend the flag for everyday wear, but still…
2. Bandanas are just plain fucking awesome when they’re done right.

My standby bandana is currently buried in the post-move shuffle of things, but these couple of shots have me jonesing for one pretty bad. And I could always use a backup right?

Maybe this guy from The Hill-Side ($38 from Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction’s online shop):

Or perhaps this one from CXXVI ($36 from Blackbird):

Or for the classical approach, perhaps just some standard fare from Levi’s. Tough to argue with $9.99 for a 3 pack (from Sears):

And now I’m jonesing even worse.

Bandana acquisition is in my very near future.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Imogene + Willie, Art in the Age, Blackbird, and Sears)

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Eye Candy: Property Of… Sam Cycle Bag

The Sam Cycle Bag by Property Of… is a pretty solid option if you’re looking for a waxcloth messenger bag. I just grabbed me one of these in black, but I’m quite partial to the tan color here, as well.

Still waiting on it to ship, but I’ll update when it comes in.

For now, more shots:

The version you see here is available at Blackbird for $285. Click on over if you want one for yourself.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Blackbird)

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Eye Candy: Julius Preorder Jackets

I probably can’t pull ‘em off, myself. And I certainly can’t afford them. But there’s really no arguing the fact that Julius’ leather jackets look freaking amazing. So go ahead and feast your eyes on these two pieces that just came up for preorder through through Blackbird.

Both are sheepskin, and you can expect them to run very small (good rule of thumb: 1 = XS, 2 = S, 3 = M, 4 = L).  Keep in mind, these are going to have a very slim fit even at your proper size. It’s all part of Julius’ aesthetic. Which, for those who can rock it, tends to look great.

Aside from the black jacket above, there’s an asymmetrical piece in a deep bordeaux available as well.

This sort of high quality, high concept stuff tends to come with a massive price tag. And it’s no different here. You can probably expect these guys to land somewhere around the $3,000+ mark.

But if you’ve got the means, and can rock the look, I say go for it. Shoot an email to tyler@blackbirdballard.com and get the process going.

Me? Well like I said, I’m content to just look for now.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of the Blackbird Blog)

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Objects of Affection: Moore & Giles Bison Nubuck Overnight and Weekend Bags

A very nice couple of pieces from leather experts Moore & Giles: The Bison Nubuck Overnight and Weekend Bags.

Both feature nubuck exteriors with leather accents and carrying handles, a detachable shoulder strap, and five metal feet on the underside. And as you can see from the shots above, they both look great paired with a modern Americana kind of vibe on the clothing front.

The overnight size is available in tan and measures W19″ x H10″ x D9.5″. The larger weekender comes in chocolate brown and measures W23″ x H13″ x D11″.

Detailed shots of each:

The Overnight in Tan

The Weekender in Chocolate

Leather luggage never comes cheap, and it’s no different here. But at least there’s the bonus that both of these guys are marked down at Blackbird. The overnight will run you $387 (down from $552), and the weekender is $493 (down from $615).

If you’ve got the means, it’s a great opportunity to pick up a solid piece of luggage (or two) that’ll prove useful for years to come.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Blackbird)

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Objects of Affection: Chester Wallace Bags

Chester Wallace bags are named for designer Patrick Long’s grandfather, and they’re also designed to be perfectly sized to carry a six pack of beer. Aside from both of those awesome tidbits, they’re really good looking bags that can function as a tote (seen here) or be folded over midway down the bag where the strap connects to serve as a messenger.

Crafted in a wide variety of canvases and denim (of the waxed and non-waxed variety), each bag’s bottom section is sealed with waterproof nylon. A pretty damn cool feature if that sixer is getting heavy and you want to set the bag down on a wet day. Yes, that’s a highly specific hypothetical situation I’m referencing there. But I’m sure you can find your own uses for some waterproofing as well.

More shots:

They’re available through Blackbird by emailing leo@blackbirdballard.com, or you can score one  from Project No.8. They’ll run you $165 from the latter, and probably something similar from the former.

Get on it and grab yourself a booze satchel right quick.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Blackbird and Project No.8)

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Objects of Affection: Quoddy Deck Boot

Quoddy‘s deck boot is truly a thing of beauty. Horween Chromexcel upppers, deerskin tongue, glove leather lining, and a camp sole. All put together by hand in the great northern expanses of Maine. Pretty much the top of the line if you’re in the market for nautically inspired footwear.

If you need some practical justification to get a pair for yourself, it shouldn’t be too tough to find. The Chromexcel leather is water resistant and the camp soles are super grippy, so they’re very well suited to foul weather excursions. Another bonus: the glove leather lining is gonna keep your feet nice and warm on colder days. Since Fall’s right around the corner, it’s something that could prove handy pretty soon.

More shots:

Blackbird just restocked, so jump on it now before they (inevitably) sell out. It’s gonna run you $280. Keeping in mind it’s US, hand-sewn goodness, that ain’t half bad.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Blackbird)

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Objects of Affection: APC Petit Standard in Army Green

Not much to tell here. It’s APC’s insta-hit Petit Standard cut, which slims up the leg and drops the rise on the undisputed classic New Standard, and it’s done up in an army green cotton twill. Basic 5 pocket jean styling throughout, with the exception of the chino-inspired button at the waistband, which is a nice touch.

More shots:

Bonus points for being on sale, down from $200 to $161. Get ‘em at Blackbird.

For anyone who’s got APC jeans in their indigo denim, just remember that the twill doesn’t stretch as much. So size accordingly.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Blackbird)

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