It's easy to overlook the many attempts by American industry to turn oil refining byproducts into lucrative space age man made fabrics. We all know of Dacron, nylon, terylene etc when appliedto clothing but what is less well known and less remembered are the attempts to replace one of nature's most … [Read more...] about Plastic Ivy – Weejuns in Dupont Corfam
Weejunisms
The Freshman Blues & Other Tales of Yale
Timothy Thompson Yale Freshman 1964 In 1964 Life magazine commissioned photographer Bill Eppridge to follow country boy freshman Timothy Thompson during his first term at Yale. The published images are very interesting, but there are a whole host of others, not published, lurking in the Life … [Read more...] about The Freshman Blues & Other Tales of Yale
Arthur Shepherd Shetland Sweaters: You Can Look But Not Buy
Today the weather forecast was for cold and fine weather, so I thought I'd take the train to Cambridge for a wander around, but mainly because I wanted to pick up a Shetland Sweater at Arthur Shepherd in Trinity St. Not being term time, but still tourist time and Christmas sales, the street was … [Read more...] about Arthur Shepherd Shetland Sweaters: You Can Look But Not Buy
Merry Christmas to all Readers!
Christmas Classics. Two Last Minute Finds for 2011. Walk-Over Saddle Oxfords + Bass Sportocasins
Last minute finds - both shoes I've been searching for regularly for some time. The elusive Walk-Over saddle oxford - the original, not the coco the clown modern version - and the 1980s Bass Sportocasin reissue - slightly beefier than my 60s originals. Both decently priced considering their rarity … [Read more...] about Christmas Classics. Two Last Minute Finds for 2011. Walk-Over Saddle Oxfords + Bass Sportocasins
Highwater 501s & Derby of San Francisco : Black Ivy in Watts, LA
Update: Not knowing the exact source of this image, I'd googled 'Westminster Neighborhood Association' and found one in DC, which seemed to match the location of the shot. Today Herb Lester, a master of research par excellence, sent me some more images by LIFE photographer Bill Ray, from the same … [Read more...] about Highwater 501s & Derby of San Francisco : Black Ivy in Watts, LA
J. Press Shaggy Dog Sports Coats & Corduroy Suits to Die For…
I don't usually post other people's material, but I have to make an exception here. The mercurially 'now you see it/now you don't' blog of Heavy Tweed Jacket today features a post of special quality. A complete scan of the 1977 Fall & Winter J Press mailer. It's 1977 and the world has the death … [Read more...] about J. Press Shaggy Dog Sports Coats & Corduroy Suits to Die For…
Baby, It’s Cold Outside…
Perhaps more fitting to the season, careful you don't slip like this fellow from 1965 in Quebec, Duffle coat and Playboys. The Illustrator probably had the same gear at home... … [Read more...] about Baby, It’s Cold Outside…