Posted in Accessories, Men's Style, Objects of Affection, tagged a good cause, bracelet, corter, japan, leather on March 14, 2011 | 2 Comments »
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)
Posted in Men's Style, Objects of Affection, Vests, tagged leather, penfield, vest on September 9, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
In celebration of their 35th anniversary, Penfield is releasing a limited edition take on their iconic Outback vest.
Done entirely in calfskin leather with 80/20 goose down insulation, this thing is solid on the materials front. Other features include: insulated handwarmer pockets, a contrast yoke, and a heavy dose of outdoorsy goodness.
Now I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not really a huge vest guy in terms of my day to day clothing choices. But it’s not because I don’t like them. In fact there’s really no reason other than that I just don’t gravitate towards them (it’s probably obvious by now that I’m something of a jacket guy).
Nevertheless, I dig vests in theory and I wouldn’t be at all opposed to rocking one in actuality. Plus, I know a good bit of my readership is of the pro-vest persuasion. Since this piece is such a damn fine specimen, well…the dots just connected themselves.
Whether my daily choices will change with this release? That remains to be seen. But if a quilted vest is your stlye, this one should certainly be on your radar.
It’ll run you $500 (leather don’t come cheap), but if you have the means, do it up. Available in the online shop when the Penfield site relaunches on 9/15.
—Jonathan
(Images courtesy of Penfield)
Posted in (capsule), Eye Candy, Initial Thoughts, Leather Jackets, Men's Style, Non-Leather Jackets, Objects of Affection, tagged A2, capsule NY, cone mills, flight jackets, leather, perfecto, schott, waxed cotton on July 21, 2010 | 2 Comments »
Updated One-Star Perfectos and a vintaged horsehide Cafe Racer. Mmmmmm….
Schott NYC absolutely nailed it with the new Perfecto by Schott line that showed this past Monday/Tuesday at (capsule) NY.
Designed by Greg Chapman (who, aside from being talented as hell, is a genuinely nice guy) the line draws on Schott NYC’s venerable heritage with updated takes on classic pieces. Lines are slimmed down, fabrics and leathers are played with a bit, and it all comes together into a collection that certainly vies for my personal “best in show” award for (capsule) NY as a whole.
Among the collection you’ll find takes on a number of leather jacket styles, including the double riders jacket (made famous by the original Perfecto), the A2 bomber, and the racer jacket in both cafe and spread-collar. In terms of materials, you’ve got a bunch of options: Horsehide, cowhide, a goddamn beautiful suede (it’s soft as hell, but heavy and sturdy at the same time), waxcloth, and heavy twill.
There’s also a good deal of variety when it comes to vintage effects on the leather. I’ve mentioned a few times that I’m generally weary of this practice, but if you take a look at that black/brown marbling effect on a couple of the jackets below, I think you’ll come to the same conclusion I did. In this instance, it works.
The waxcloth on this jacket is light and pliable, but still very clearly durable. A perfect jacket for spring weather… 
Perfecto in a lightweight cowhide. I could see this becoming a standby in my own collection…
The marbled black/brown vintaging I mentioned earlier. Clearly, I was fascinated with this…
Talon zips on some of the models. Old skool for the win…
There’s that fantastic suede…
I think the far right is actually a ladies’ model. Very cool…
There’s also a very strong portion of the collection that draws on the other end of Schott’s expertise, with mountain parkas, pea coats and toggle coats. These pieces are done in deadstock nylon/poplin from the company’s storerooms, selvage raw denim from Cone Mills White Oak, and some impressively sturdy cotton duck in a few different colors (eye-searing orange among them).
Also: I really dig the linings they used in this collection in general. Tartan, gingham, and plaid galore. Icing on the cake.
Actually not sure if this was just a fabric sample for linings or if they’re offering a scarf, and neglected to ask. If it’s just a sample, I humbly suggest they offer a scarf. If it’s a scarf, I want one…
Cone Mills White Oak. Quality, American-made fabrics…
Geeked out on the selvage detailing. I’m glad they had the good sense to keep it subtle…
I didn’t think I’d like this when I first saw preview shots last week. I was oh so wrong. I want one for myself. Like, yesterday…
Many of the components like the toggles here were actually sourced from deadstock within Schott’s factory in Elizabeth, NJ…
The line arrives for real in Spring 2011. Prices will land between $400 and $1,000. When you’re talking about the top end of that range representing the cost of an American-made horsehide jacket, it’s really damn reasonable bang for your buck.
Start saving them ducats, kids. If you’re anything like me, you’re gonna want more than one of these pieces.
—Jonathan
Posted in Accessories, Men's Style, Objects of Affection, tagged bags, billykirk, canvas, leather, messenger bags, stel's, waxed cotton on July 20, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
My affection for my own (leather) Billykirk bag is well documented, so I won’t go into any further details on how much I dig the brand here. I’ll just say that if I didn’t already have my own Billykirk piece, I’d be seriously considering this guy.
The Bike Bag is comprised primarily of canvas (waxed on the navy colorway, untreated on the natural version), with leather accents and a webbed cotton handle. It looks have two front pockets, one side pocket, and a zipped interior pocket in addition to the main compartment. A dual buckle closure keeps everything nice and snug inside.
The front pockets both feature a large box pleat, which means massive capacity when needed. Always nice to have the option.
Despite my affection for all things waxcloth, the natural colorway is actually my favorite in this case. It’s the olive drab canvas accents combined with that deep brown leather, and the way they’re both set off by the natural base color. I’m defenseless against their combined charms.
That said, the navy is a very solid option. Especially for anyone that doesn’t like the slightly grungy look that the natural version will inevitably acquire pretty much immediately. And like I mentioned, you do have the pretty awesome bonus of waxcloth thrown into the mix.
Either option will run you $290, and you can get them both online at Stel’s.
—Jonathan
(Images courtesy of Stel’s)
Posted in Eye Candy, Leather Jackets, Men's Style, Objects of Affection, tagged factory, leather, manufacturing, schott on April 21, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
One of the many cool things about Schott NYC is the fact that they’re quite willing to give the public a genuine look into their manufacturing process. Every time I put on my 654, I can picture where it was made, who made it, and how. All clothing (even new stuff) has a history before it even reaches the consumer’s hands, and I’m glad that Schott gives us a glimpse into their story.
Vintage leather measuring machine
The raw materials (in bulk)
More leather, but growing closer to becoming the finished product
Final leather prep and inspection before going into production
More leather prep and inspection. Sheepskin this time…
Cutting linings
Adding interior labels
Adding belts to jackets
Rehabilitating a vintage D-Pocket Perfecto
Ready for final inspection and prep
And finally, ready to ship out
The pictures show the progression of a leather jacket from beginning to end (pretty much), and all the steps and people it takes to get there. Illuminating stuff.
Many thanks to Schott for putting these photos out there.
—Jonathan
(Images courtesy of Schott NYC)
