I never really thought of my blog as a fashion blog, and the more and more I continue forward with Simple Threads, the more I realize that it isn’t. It’s just a photographic journal of well made American clothing from some amazing brands with rich history. I’m not by any means fashionable, and I honestly am fine with that. I just like to share the wear & tear of the stuff I own. To show everyone else why it’s worth the extra money for nice stuff.
Filed under Engineered Garments, Made in USA, Red Wing Boots, Rogue Territory, The Hill-Side
It’s really good to be back. A long move, and a very busy work schedule have kept me away for far too long. Thanks for sticking around and continuing to read & write me. Summer is 100% here, yet I continue to find myself in these Left Field trousers. At first, a herringbone pattern on pants sort of weirded me out due to the vertical stripes, but now I’ve grown to really dig them. Brushed flannel Engineered Garments work shirt and the good ol’ RW 8131′s. Summer or not, these are just to comfortable to take off.
Filed under Engineered Garments, Left Field NYC, Red Wing Boots
Over the past two years I’ve slowly put together my wardrobe. Since I have no local shops to actually try stuff on, shirting was really difficult. I was totally against slim fitting shirts, and that’s really what the market is filled with right now. I began to slightly obsess over the fit and construction of the Engineered Garments work shirt once I snagged my chambray. I’ve broadened my horizons since then, and will continue to do so, but I stick with what works for me. High gussets, lots of pockets, long-lasting fabrics, made in America, and absolutely no button down collars. Shop smart, and wait for sales. I know a lot of people steer clear of brands like Woolrich Woolen Mills, Engineered Garments, Post Overalls, etc because of the higher cost… but when you’re still wearing it in 5 years, it’ll be worth it.
One of my biggest style inspirations and hands down favorite designer, the man himself, Daiki Suzuki understands that wearability is key when it comes to garment design. I’ve built my wardrobe around various Engineered Garments and Woolrich Woolen Mills pieces because they all go so well together. A few years ago when I decided I wanted to put together a wardrobe that I wouldn’t get tired of, or that wouldn’t get out of style; I focused on putting together things that could just be “thrown on” and look good. This Knockabout shirt was one of the first American made shirts I purchased, and I’ve been wearing it none stop for the last few weeks. This is seriously the type of garment you pass down to your grandkids (if it’s still cool by then). Tons of pockets, triple-stitched throughout, and an amazing fabric. The Engineered Garments Workaday line is just basic, functional clothing made with top quality fabrics and sewn together by some seriously skilled workers in the New York City Garment District. These Workaday fatigues boast a more baggy fit and are seriously the most comfortable pants I’ve worn. The reversed sateen is super soft but really durable. Just simple, well made clothing that will continue to look better the longer you own it. Don’t buy a lot of stuff, just buy stuff that’s well made, that you like, that ou can easily wear, and that won’t fall apart on you.
Filed under Engineered Garments, Made in USA, Woolrich Woolen Mills
Easily wearable as everything Suzuki designs. I picked this up from my good pal Michael Andersen, since he’s slowly but surely becoming a tech-ninja. Another mans trash if another mans treasure or something like that. I really like the construction on this one: the saw-tooth stitching on the shoulders, sleeves, and collar allows it to keep it’s shape even though the fabric is extremely lightweight. May be due for an indigo dip shortly if I continue to spill guacamole on it.
Filed under Engineered Garments, Made in USA
I’m on over a year and half of daily use with this Tanner Goods workman wallet, and with their neat exhibit to celebrate their one year anniversary of the Tanner Goods flagship store, I figured I would submit it. No one seems to believe me that this did start out as a natural vegetable tanned leather, but it did. It’s been through a lot, and it just continues to look better with age. The exhibit name, “Worth Holding Onto” is plain and simple: when you buy a well-made product, you want to see that investment pay off. I know that mine certainly has, and it’s also sentimental to me. My now fiance, soon to be wife got this for me for our first Valentines day. So, this will always serve as a reminder of our first year together… and the fact she’s willing to buy me awesome stuff. Until next time.
Filed under Made in USA, Tanner Goods
When I think of duck canvas, I think of my grandfather always wearing these Carhartt double knee’d loggers s for work. He’d wear them to hell and back before they gave way and he had to replace them. That’s the beauty of duck canvas, it’s tough as nails and perfect for a pair of pants you can beat up or dress up. This duck is quite special though, a limited make up from the historic Cone Mills of Greensboro, NC. Natural selvedge duck canvas that has cotton seeds woven into the fabric. The weight and feel of these is similar to a pair of raw denim, but with better breathability. The fabric is 12oz’s, and will definitely soften up after some wear. I haven’t got to start wearing mine yet, as I had to keep them clean for a wedding I was attending… but now that has come and gone, so I can start breaking them in.
As with all of Left Field’s trousers, these are made extremely well in a small factory in San Fransisco. Bar-tacking at stress points, corozo nut buttons, chambray pocket bags, and a chain-stitched waist band. These details may go unnoticed by a lot of people, but it’s what makes these wear the way they do, and last the way they do. Since I’ve started simple threads I’ve developed such a respect for the craftsmanship that goes into making something, even if it is “just a pair of pants.”
Available at the Left Field online shop. Tons of photos, tried my best to capture the fabric itself.
Filed under Left Field NYC, Made in USA
I’ll preface this with the following: this stuff isn’t for everyone. But, I’ve been sick with strep throat so I decided to treat myself to some Choctaw Ridge undershirts. Choctaw Ridge was started by Christian McCann, the Americana badass behind Left Field. This line is inspired by high quality undergarments from the 1930′s, and the amazing packaging that went with them. Spun from Pima cotton, these are an absolute pleasure to put on. The construction on these is done up the same way it used to be done, with no shortcuts taken.
Filed under Uncategorized
To this day, my original Red Wing 875′s are the most comfortable pair of footwear I own. That’s the best part about any pair of Red Wing’s, they really do get better the more you wear ‘em. At over two years of wear, they still look pretty damn good. The 8881′s are about three months old, and they’re finally past the break-in period. There’s just something awesome about the Red Wing Moc-toe models. The design has stayed almost identical to one of the first pair of boots Red Wing ever crafted, and made exactly the same way over a hundred years later. So thanks, 875′s – for two good years, with many more to come. And you as well, 8881 – even though we’ve just met, I can tell we’ll be good pals for a long time.
Filed under Made in USA, Red Wing Boots
Another camera, another In Detail’s post. The 5D will be back this week, and I’ve got a couple of things I’d like to shoot – so until then! This HBT (herringbone twill) camouflage hunting jacket was a flea-market find that I stumbled upon yesterday for $10 bucks. It’s vintage “Ted Williams Approved” for Sears Roebucks. I will post the details about it when I’ve got a suitable camera. It fits almost perfect, and is in great shape. I’ve loved this fabric and although there’s been a huge uprising of brands using it lately, it’s still a classic. More history behind it can be found over at ACL - so read up if you’re into that kind of stuff. Imogene + Willie Ebbet’s Field Flannels cap, Post O’alls Cruzer vest, and a Woolrich Woolen Mills Knockabout shirt is everything else I’ve got on. I’ve been alternating between my Tellasons and these Rogue Territory Stantons’ to get them broken in before the hotter weather comes this way. And, yet again… Red Wing 8131 Moc-toes.
