simple threads

December 20, 2012 · 4:25 pm

I’m dyed.

So I took the plunge, and decided to risk ruining this organic cotton Engineered Garments coat. I just find myself not really digging the off white color, it didn’t seem to blend with everything else I was wearing. One scarlet red coat, and one dark brown coat later – I got pretty close to the color I was looking for: “barn door” red. Ever since I dyed it, it seems to be worn a lot more. I really love how it did not dye the stitching due to the threads not being 100% cotton, but probably a cotton/poly mix. Just as a forewarning, I got a little dye crazy and tried dyeing something else and ruined it… so me posting my process would be useless, because I did not do it the right way by any means. This is definitely a neat way to switch up some garments you may not be wearing, and hopefully make them wearable again (or ruin them, in my case.)

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Filed under Engineered Garments, Made in USA

Tagged as dye, engineered garments, made in usa, ruining expensive stuff

December 13, 2012 · 9:53 pm

Redwing 8114 Iron Ranger

First of all, I’m sorry for the hiatus. I wanted to take some time to figure out what direction I wanted Simple Threads to head in, and I feel like I know what I’m doing now. Thanks for still reading and all of the e-mails asking me if I was still alive. It’s super awesome to have kept in contact and spoke with so many people from all over the globe and I’m eternally grateful for that. So, anyways… I am alive, and it feels really good to be starting Simple Threads back up again.

So all of that being said, I finally got around to picking up a pair of 8114 Iron Rangers’. I think I waited so long because I heard such bad stories about people not being able to properly size them due to the last being different than models like the moc-toes, etc. I went with my normal Redwing size (10.5) and I have to say they fit wonderful right out of the box. The boot itself has a different silhouette than I’m used to wearing, but I think that is why I like them so much. Construction of course is top notch: Goodyear welt, Nitrile cork sole, and a double-layer toe cap.

17 Comments

Filed under Made in USA, Red Wing Boots

Tagged as 8114, iron ranger, made in usa, redwing, redwing heritage

September 19, 2012 · 2:50 pm

From The Back of My Closet: Engineered Garments Fall/Winter Workshirts

Soon enough I’ll be able to wear these gems. It’s been way too long. Without a doubt the nicest flannel I’ve ever laid hands on, and super comfortable. Hopefully one day I’ll live somewhere that allows these to be worn year round, but until then I’ll enjoy these next few months.

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Filed under Engineered Garments, Made in USA

Tagged as engineered garments, made in usa

September 5, 2012 · 9:59 pm

In Detail – 9/5/2012

10 Comments

Filed under Engineered Garments, Left Field NYC, Made in USA, Red Wing Boots

Tagged as 8131, cone mills, engineered garments, left field nyc, redwing, selvedge

August 31, 2012 · 2:12 pm

Three Years Later: Corter Utility Belt

It’s been somewhere around three years that I’ve been wearing this belt everyday. One of the first American made pieces I picked up that really made me realize that you truly get what you pay for. Starting out as natural vegetable tanned leather, it has darkened and developed some really nice patina. I snapped these just to share with Eric, but figured I’d share ‘em here. Looking back at where he was when I purchased this belt from him, it’s really amazing to see how he’s expanded Corter Leather. It definitely shows that guys (and gals) are more interested in quality over quantity. Keep up the good work Eric!

9 Comments

Filed under Corter Leather, Made in USA

Tagged as belt, corter leather, made in usa, vegetable tanned leather

August 28, 2012 · 6:30 pm

In Detail – 8/28/2012

It’s been far too long, and I’m sorry. Thanks everyone for giving me a hard time about not posting, it’s sort of given me some motivation to go back at it. Shout out to Shane for helping me get these Workaday Corduroys for a steal, I’m really digging the quality and fit of them. I have an obsession with chambray, so I picked up an older season Engineered Garments Miner Shirt to sort of give me another shirt in rotation for when my chambray work shirt is waiting to be washed. The fit is pretty similar and the details are completely different. Reinforced elbow all the way down to the cuff, tons of pocket space, and a chin strap button. Sawtooth stitching on the collar as well. The vest is a Post O’alls Royal Cruzer vest, which needs no words.

1 Comment

Filed under Engineered Garments, In Detail, Made in USA, Oak Street Bootmakers, Post Overalls

Tagged as engineered garments, imogene + willie, made in usa, oakstreet bootmakers, Post Overalls

July 31, 2012 · 8:30 pm

Post Overalls Royal Traveler Vest

So, this year I set a wardrobe budget for myself- that was very modest and made me shop around for bargains. It’s paid off extremely well and I’ve made $1,000 go pretty darn far in my opinion. I had been eyeing this Post O’alls Royal Traveler vest in “southern” chambray to wear year round here in the South. I ended up snagging it for $108 (retail was $254) from Union Made Goods and I’ve really been enjoying it. This will be my fourth Post O’alls piece and I have nothing but amazing things to say about what Takeshi is doing with Post. The construction, fabric selections, and overall utility of all of the garments is perfect. This vest is nothing less, tons of pockets, a great fit, neat details, and just very wearable with everything I own. I really enjoy anything chambray because it always wears well, and you can see the wear patterns after constant wear and wash. The pocketing on the vest is what I really dig about it. There’s two side pockets that are actually two separate pockets, both accessible under the same button flap. Both sides of the chest are huge pockets, you can see the openings on either side of the buttons. It also has two internal button closure pockets. It’s quite different than the Cruser vest I have in navy herringbone, and that’s why I wanted it. Variety is always good. The material itself is similar but not exactly the same as the chambray Daiki uses for Engineered Garments season after season – so I do plan on wearing it with my chambray work shirt.

The shirt and pants are Engineered Garments, and the shoes are the ever-so comfortable Birkenstock Bostons.