Writing, reviews, interviews, photography.

Posts from the “Photos” Category

The Battle Royale of the American Made Shirt

Posted on November 7, 2012

Over the past few months, we’ve been rolling around Los Angeles photographing shirts from several of America’s premiere makers. This has been an awesome hands-on opportunity for us to get very familiar with the construction and fabric offerings from these companies as we’re always trying to expand our knowledge on brands and their products. Over the coming weeks we’ll be rolling out a new mini-series featuring these shirts and our critiques and praise for each. The bottom line with shirting is that no cut will fit everyone perfectly, but some of these have gotten pretty damn close. Featured will be Hamilton 1883, New England Shirt Co., Taylor Stitch, Brooks Brothers, Rogue Territory, and Lumina Clothing Co. We’re very much looking forward to sharing these photos and opinions with you. Stay tuned.

Categories: Announcements, Photos, Reviews, Writeups

Inquiries & Responses vol. 10: Rogue Territory

Posted on October 9, 2012

A few weeks ago I visited Karl Thoennessen, the man behind Rogue Territory, at his workshop and studio in his home in Atwater Village, a little neighborhood nestled in between Griffith Park, Silverlake, and Glendale. I was living near Silverlake at the time and it was a quick drive over to his place on a weekday morning, though given the unpredictable nature of Los Angeles traffic I gave myself ample time for the short cruise across the 5 freeway. After arriving nearly 15 minutes early at his place and having just got a text from him asking if I wanted anything from Proof Bakery, I circled the block. Twice. Click below for the interview and photo set.

Categories: Inquiries & Responses, Interviews, Photos, Writeups

The Great Western Expansion Photo Recap

Posted on September 8, 2012

For the third time in three years, I recently traveled westward to Los Angeles traversing the entire width of the country beginning in Philadelphia. This particular trip was a bit different in that there was no planned return to the East Coast so my approach to living in LA has been considerably different. That being said, the trip itself is always incredible and as I am becoming a seasoned veteran of the great American road trip, I’m beginning to learn which parts have the most interesting stops along the way. I’ve stopped at the same Whole Foods in Oklahoma City three years in a row. I’ve stopped at the same Cracker Barrel near Flagstaff for two years as I have with the same gas station somewhere in rural New Mexico. It’s funny how things become habit over time, though when you drive the same route in the same car you’re bound to need gas at the same point along the same stretch of highway.

There’s something haunting about Route 66. Once you pass Oklahoma City everything gets just a bit stranger and if you do it right and pull into Amarillo, TX. just after sunset, you’re in for a treat of ghost towns and abandoned communities the next day dotting the highway. Once bustling pitstops are now shells of the decaying American road trip, once a past time and now a penance. It takes days; the whole trip, if done how I typically do it, takes 5 days with a major break in the middle to visit some family in St. Louis. It takes patience and time but once you get through Oklahoma (arguably the least interesting part of the trip, no offense Oklahomans) the landscape shifts and you’re suddenly somewhere in the gorgeous, golden, lonesome wild west. Here’s a few images from the trip covering all ten states we traversed along our way. Click here or below to see the entire photo set.

Categories: Photos, Travels

Field Trip: Trove General Store in Paoli, PA.

Posted on July 31, 2012

Ever heard of Paoli, PA? It’s a little town on the main line heading out from Philadelphia wedged into a block of towns that overlap into each other, each one somewhat indistinguishable from the last. At least that was my impression before we spent some time chatting with Foster & Charlotte, owners of the fine Trove General Store situated right in the middle of town. Let me clarify that “town” refers to a series of shopping centers and subdivisions situated off of the main drag, Lancaster Ave. The place isn’t rural; it certainly has a suburban feel to it. But stepping inside the shop immediately lets you know that these guys mean business in selling their extremely high quality goods and you shouldn’t be alarmed by their exterior appearance.

Make no mistake, we love this shop. I’d visited before but this trip was Steve’s first time and I think he thoroughly enjoyed the space. But these goods can be purchased at a number of places (with the exception of their jeans collaboration with Tellason and iPhone case collaboration with Truman/Teranishi Handcrafted), some of which can be found within the city limits of Philadelphia. So why are these guys out here, roughly 30 minutes outside of the city? Because the people here still use the stuff the way it was meant to be used. Foster & Charlotte had a great point, and we completely agree, that most folks sporting heritage American wear don’t actually use it the way it was intended to be used. Much of their clientele uses the Pendleton blankets, the Filson coats and bags, and Red Wing Boots for work and/or manual labor, not a costumed masquerade down Walnut St. with camo-printed pink-selvedged duck cloth pants. There’s something to be said for that.

Their brand list is astounding and the product range is incredible as well. They carry everything from gardening products, home goods, and bath products to clothing, flasks, and footwear. If you want a real-deal look at some of these amazing products, hear an informed opinion, gain some perspective on using heritage products, and meet some folks who are genuinely glad to see you, take a trip out to Trove. We highly recommend it. Click below to see the entire photo set.

Categories: Photos, Travels, Writeups

Inquiries & Responses vol. 8: Rogue Wave Surf Shop

Posted on June 11, 2012

Rogue Wave Surf Shop

Charleston, SC.

This is the eighth in a series of interviews with people who have a keen interest in menswear, style, design, or generally cool stuff. Most of these people are doing something of great note that you should absolutely take a look at.
In the early spring I took a trip to escape the cold and rain of Philadelphia and hit the road with my band to play some shows in the Charleston, SC. area. Not only is the area remarkably beautiful but the people are also incredibly hospitable. Charleston’s a town that, through thick and thin, has looked ahead without forgetting it’s past. I had an afternoon off and wanted some recommendations of places to check out so I sent an email to K. Cooper Ray, better known as the man behind Social Primer, asking for some hometown advice. At the top of the list was the one and only Rogue Wave Surf Shop, known for their quirky approach to peddling both surf goods, menswear, and lifestyle functions. It was a rainy afternoon so I cruised by a few shops and saved Rogue Wave for last.

 

I met with owner Rhett Boyd who was quite honestly and quite unexpectedly one of the nicest and most genuine dudes I’ve met since starting The American Classic. With basically zero knowledge of what I do or why I was there, he showed me around the two room shop on the first floor of a beautifully secluded house on the north side of the main drag through Charleston. I snapped some photos and checked out the goods while his wife and young son visited outside. The shop sells products from Baxter of California, Iron & Resin, Imogene + Willie, Gato Heroi surf boards, Penny skateboards, Yellow Rat trunks and shirts, and many more including a few pairs of selvedge denim and other accoutrements. There’s some amazing things on the horizon for Rhett and his company and we’re excited to watch it unfold. We bounced a few interview questions back and forth and this is what we wound up with. Click below to read the full article and interview and view all of the photos.
Categories: Inquiries & Responses, Interviews, Photos, Travels, Writeups