Writing, reviews, interviews, photography.

The Standard Relay: White’s Boots x Imogene + Willie, Moore & Giles Apron, Baracuta Promo Video, Explosions in the Sky, & more.

Posted on June 22, 2012

Moore & Giles Leather Work Apron

For those of us who don’t work behind a desk

To tell you the truth, I’ve grown a little tired of seeing companies churn out work aprons and charge an arm and a leg. It’s exactly what’s wrong with “workwear”, or maybe it’s the point of why it’s cool in fashion. Either way, I dig these aprons quite a bit. They’re more expensive than most but the pockets are well thought out, they’re cut extremely well, and the leather looks quite durable. Somehow they pull all this off without it appearing even remotely bondage-esque (via Cool Hunting).

Postcard from 1952

by Explosions in the Sky

I’m aware that Explosions in the Sky has it’s share of haters out there but it plays frequently at The AC HQ here in Philly helping to keep an air of focus in a very distracting environment.

White’s Boots x Imogene + Willie

Excellent collaboration between two companies

Imogene + Willie, primarily known for their denim, has churned out an awesome boot with the famous White’s Boots. While White’s isn’t as gargantuan as Red Wing, which has permeated almost every level of menswear, they do excellent work and these boots are a testament to that. They remind me of my RW Iron Rangers but I like the lines and trim on these quite a bit more. Make sure to check ’em out (via FREE/MAN Brand).

Baracuta ’12 Promo Video

The classic jacket in HD

Simple Threads

He’s been busy churning out the good stuff

Ryan from Simple Threads is a good all around dude. We’ve interviewed him in the past and had a few phone conversations with him over the years and as of late he’s been a bit quiet. I noticed he’s put out a few great articles lately, particularly one on “wearability” and it’s importance. As always, accompanied by great photos. Check it.

Presidential Campaign Posters

Ready-to-frame from the L.o.C.

The Library of Congress has put out a book of ready-to-frame presidential campaign posters from years of candidates. Obviously it doesn’t cover all of them but it’s still an excellent idea with great execution (via Gear Patrol).

Categories: The Standard Relay

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

The Standard Relay: Corter’s Bottle Hooks, Nau Wool Organizer, Taylor Stitch Summer Denim, & more.

Posted on May 29, 2012

Shutter Island

Not the film you’re thinking of

This is pretty. And excellently edited. Enjoy [via Gear Patrol]:

Kaihara 8oz. Selvedge

Summer-Weight Japanese Denim

Taylor Stitch has put out an 8oz. selvedge denim for summery-purposes. The line on these guys reminds me of some of the deadstock selvedge rolls my grandfather has lying around from his old fabric business: extremely bold detailing. It appears they’re sold out of every size of the very reasonably priced pant but hopefully we’ll see a re-stock soon.

Nau Wool Organizer

Die Cut for design precision

From first glance, this thing looks rather unimpressive. That is until it’s unfolded and all of the storage pockets are revealed. This thing can handle all of your small electronics and folds up neatly into a little triangular package. I think we could find a use for several of these around The AC headquarters.

Corter Bottle Hooks

Three colors to tickle your fancy

Corter Leather ran a fantastically successful Kickstarter campaign to launch their newest product: well-designed bottle hooks that slip nicely onto a belt loop. They come in three colors (copper, pewter, or powder-coated red) and are available for pre-order in the web shop. We got a chance to manhandle a few at Confirmed Stock and they’re well constructed and excellently designed. The photos do them the great justice they deserve.

Slow-Mo Skatbeoarding

FPS to Infinity and Beyond

I’m a sucker for everything with a ridiculously high frame rate. This has nothing to do with anything. Visual entertainment purposes only [via Devour]:

Categories: The Standard Relay

Hammarhead X Dunderdon Build, Round 1

Posted on May 24, 2012

Last Thursday the 17th marked the first in a series of build events at Dunderdon in NYC. The Swedish workwear company paired up with Hammarhead Industries to release a collaborative line of clothing, including a waxed welding jacket, workshirt, work pants, and deerskin gloves. At the same time, Hammarhead is building a brand new model, the Ninety-Two, based off of the Triumph Bonneville. Hit the jump for full article and lots of photos…

Categories: Photos, Writeups

In Support of Lumina Clothing Co.’s Kickstarter Campaign

Posted on May 15, 2012

It seems like we’ve been talking about Kickstarter projects quote a bit lately and it’s true, they’ve somehow waltzed into our lives in a pretty big way. Not only did the Eliot & Eads campaign launch using our video and promo images but our new friends over at Lumina Clothing Co. have launched theirs as well and need your help. These guys run an awesome company out of North Carolina making solid menswear staples in neighboring South Carolina at a pretty amazing price point for being made in the USA. We met Lumina at Confirmed Stock in Baltimore and were smitten with their honesty and…well…the affordability of their sharp-looking products.

The rewards available on Lumina’s Kickstarter page are pretty incredible, especially some of the bigger ticket items. My favorite within the everyman buying range is the $135.00 price point which gets you your choice of a button down and pocket square or t-shirt, and a tie, bow, or tote, and a handful of stickers. If you were to buy that stuff from a big box retailer you’d shell out $200+ for something made in Mauritius. If you’ve been looking at giving your wardrobe a little revamp, this will help you pick up some of the basics. There’s also some other staples in the works like a pair of pants and a deconstructed jacket. All things you should probably have in case the need arises.

Do bear in mind that Kickstarters are time sensitive and there are only a few days left to partake in the offerings listed here. As of the posting of this article, there are 24 days remaining.


Steve and I headed out of the city limits a ways with our good friend Dan (of Mt. Vernon Book Co.) to snap a few photos of one of their shirts and ties in action. This is the Classic Oxford in Royal Blue and the Chatham tie. Dan’s a pretty built guy having done construction on the weekends for most of his life and the slimmer fit of this shirt seems to suit him just fine. The shirt fit me pretty well, too (seen in the white background shots). All around, it’s a great cut. We’re looking forward to seeing what Lumina puts out in the future and certainly hope their Kickstarter is successful.

Click here for Lumina Clothing Co.’s Kickstarter page.

Click here to check out Lumina Clothing Co.’s website.

Categories: Reviews