For over 100 years, Pella has been making outerwear that’s as long-lasting as the company itself. Founded in 1907 in Pella, Iowa, the brand specializes in clothes that take a while to break in; jackets and coveralls that practically stand on their own when they first leave the factory. But, the harder you wear ‘em, and the more hell you put ‘em through, the more amenable they get, until, eventually, they become trusted go-tos. Garments you count on, and care about, and happily return to year after year. Pieces you form a relationship with.

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The moderately and (very) immoderately priced goods that I’d rather spend it on this month.

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By Jake Gallagher

Sir Ian Fleming was the sort of man that James Bond would have come across in the smoke-filled rooms of his stories. It’s easy to imagine Fleming sitting at a bar, dressed to the nines, dragging on a wispy cigarette, while sipping from a martini glass and chatting up his nightly arm candy. It only took Fleming, a former British naval intelligence officer, two months to pen Casino Royale, the first Bond book in 1952. Bond was never meant to be autobiographical, but he was certainly created in Fleming’s image. Spinning his tales of covert missions into full-blown spy thrillers, Fleming reinvented the espionage genre by making 007 as dashing as he was death-defying. And looking at how Fleming carried himself, it’s no wonder where the inspiration for Bond’s attitude and appearance came from. Read More »

The moderately and (very) immoderately priced goods that I’d rather spend it on this month.

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Let’s face it, buying American rarely means buying affordable. Due to our country’s (very necessary) laws and regulations regarding compensation, factory conditions, environmental impact, etc., producing goods here costs more, which means the products do too. Add to that the expense of quality materials and fabrications, and prices can go from high to downright prohibitive. However, there are still bargains out there. Durable items that are made in America by workers paid an equitable wage, but don’t require a bank loan to buy. And now, thanks to the newly launched e-tailer Inland Clothing, those items have never been easier to find.

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For as long as there’s been a NorthernGRADE, I’ve been a fan of it. Launched back in 2010 by Pierrepont Hicks and J.W. Hulme, the Minnesota-based event has grown from an intimate gathering of American-made-o-philes to a full-on menswear mecca. And now, it’s coming to Chicago. I’ve had the great privilege and pleasure of working directly with PPH to co-produce the Chicago premiere of the pop-up, and if I do say so myself, it’s shaping up to be quite an event.

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I have a confession to make. As much as I like Left Field’s Greaser jeans – and I really do think they’re some of the best on the market – there’s one thing about them I’ve never been totally satisfied with: the fit. That’s not to say they fit poorly, it’s just that they’re a little looser than I prefer, which is actually more my fault than theirs since I have a particularly narrow lower half (humblebrag?). So, when Left Field founder, and good friend, Christian McCann offered to send over a pair of his new(ish) slim-fit Chelsea Jeans for review, I was very happy to accept. “Could this be the solution to my problems?” I wondered while anxiously awaiting their arrival. “Can I have my rock-solid construction and kick-ass materials cake, and eat it too?” Spoiler alert: yes, I can. Read More »

A round-up of Fall-friendly henleys that can be worn under, over or on their own.

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Reader Ted recently wrote:

Hey Brad, I was wondering if you can do a search on weekender bags? Thanks!

I sure can Ted. My top picks are after the jump.

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