Articles – Well Spent

Rib & Hull Latex Dipped Totes

June 20, 2011

The Latex Dipped Totes from Poland’s Rib & Hull are made from 10 oz., 100% organic cotton canvas. As the name would suggest, each bag is dipped in brightly colored latex, providing it with a protective (and great looking) waterproof layer. Finished with a cotton drill liner and heavy-duty cotton webbing straps, the bags will make a solid summer carry-all, regardless of what your summer has you carrying. Four colorways are available and the price per is pretty reasonable (even with the international shipping). Read More »

Comments (1)

Knowledge Twisted Twill Anorak

May 24, 2011

File under: more of this please. The Twisted Twill Anorak from Denmark’s Knowledge Cotton Apparel is responsibly made in the EU from naturally waxed 100% organic cotton. Cut generously so it can easily be layered under, the jacket is a great outerwear option to take you from early spring’s chilly showers to late summer’s doggiest days. Details include organic cotton rope drawstings at the hood and bottom opening, a kangaroo front pocket with top and side entry, adjustable cuffs and a small goods zippered pocket on the sleeve. Read More »

Comments (0)

Rib & Hull Technical Tote

May 17, 2011

The Technical Tote from Poland’s Rib & Hull is handmade in Warsaw from 10 oz., undyed organic cotton canvas and full grain Italian leather. Built for every day use, the bag’s dimensions are perfectly suited for a laptop, groceries, or even an overnight trip. Details include a front button pocket, large zippered main compartment, an internal zippered pocket for small goods, contrast striped cotton lining, and both a messenger strap and handles, so you have the option of wearing it or carrying it, depending on the size of your load. Read More »

Comments (0)

Jungmaven Hemp / Cotton T-Shirts

May 5, 2011

Of course it’s not until after the name change that I finally post a product with hemp in it. Then again, it was only recently that the boys at Hickoree’s unearthed a hemp product actually worth writing about. The Hemp / Cotton t-shirts from California’s Jungmaven are knit, cut and sewn in the Sunshine State from a 60% viscose hemp / 40% organic cotton blend. Garment dyed using natural and biodegradable soy-based colorants, the tees come in an array of vibrant colors, and boast a slim fit and side-seam construction. Read More »

Comments (2)

Instead of Rent: May, 2011

May 4, 2011

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

Comments (3)

Infusion Rucksacks

May 2, 2011

I don’t usually think of backpacks when I think of summer (I tend to prefer totes when the mercury is high, since they leave my back free to breath easy), but there’s something so undeniably summer-y about the Rucksacks from Portland, OR’s Infusion. Handcrafted by the designer, the bags offer a softer take on a classic utilitarian style; just as strong, and able to carry just as much, but in much less rigid, much more warm weather appropriate form. Read More »

Comments (0)

Post Riposte: Workout Gear

April 21, 2011

Reader Jesse recently wrote:

“Hey man, I was wondering if you had any recommendations for US-made workout gear. I’m about to launch into my yearly spring scramble to get in shape for summer, and would like to do so without wearing anything made in a sweatshop.”

Jesse, thanks for getting in touch. As it turns out, there’s actually a surprisingly large number of active apparel co’s that manufacture their goods in the US. Some of my personal favorites are below.

Comments (2)

Velour Mac Shirt

April 12, 2011

As far as summer shirting goes, you can’t do much better than the Mac Shirt from Sweden’s Velour. Made from 100% organic cotton, the shirt is breezy as can be and soft as all get out, making it ideal for the summer swelter ahead. Rounded out with a pocket-less front, internal collarbones to keep its classic collar crisp, and two of the handsomest plaids I’ve seen this season, the Mac is a warm-weather favorite you’ll want to keep in your wardrobe year-round. Read More »

Comments (0)

Anvil Organic Ringspun T-Shirts

April 4, 2011

A few of you may remember these from last year’s T-Shirt Hunt, but I thought I’d go ahead and re-post anyway now that spring 2011 is just around the corner. The Organic Ringspun T-Shirts from Anvil Knitwear are great for four reasons. Number one, they’re ethically made in South America from low-impact dye treated 100% organic cotton. Two, they’re dirt cheap (less than $11 shipped). Three, they’ve got a nice slim fit. And four, they’re tubed, not side-seamed, so no worry about them twisting in the wash. Add all that up and you’ve got one of the best blank tees around, period. Read More »

Comments (4)

Instead of Rent: April, 2011

March 30, 2011

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

Comments (4)

Hill-Side Organic Flax Ties

March 22, 2011

I can think of few other brands that are as consistent as Brooklyn’s The Hill-Side. With every new season, the label manages to find yet more ways to build on its already solid collection of ties, pocket squares, bandannas and scarves, keeping the output fresh, but still in-line with the co.’s original concept (not an easy thing to do). The newly released Organic Flax ties, part of H-S’ near flawless SS11 range, are handcrafted in NYC from a 3.5 oz Japanese organic cotton / flax blend. Read More »

Comments (0)

hessnatur Spring Shirting

March 8, 2011

I kind of wish hessnatur had better branding. I realize that might seem a little snobbish of me to say, but I sometimes think the co.’s website actually detracts from the clothes. The thing is, there really is no other label offering sustainable apparel that’s as affordable and well-designed as theirs. But, you have to be able (willing) to look past the sloganeering and cheesy model shots to see it. So, hopefully this post will help you to do that. Read More »

Comments (0)

The Makers: Left Field NYC

February 23, 2011

“It’s just me.”

At first sight, Left Field NYC founder Christian McCann is kind of an intimidating dude. Tall, a boxer’s build, countless tattoos; basically exactly what you’d imagine – or hope – the man behind his brand would look like. However, once you get him talking, it doesn’t take long for the menace to fade. Beneath the tough exterior is one of the most genuine and thoughtful guys in the menswear business. It might seem funny to say, but he’s actually a lot like his clothes: earnest, pretense-free, and steadfast. Despite our being over an hour late, he warmly welcomes my sister and I into his studio. “I’m sorry you had such a hard time finding the place,” he says. “I’m glad you guys are here.”

Comments (7)

Being There: Wearing (capsule) AW/11

January 19, 2011

Instead of competing with the other, much better coverage of this week’s (capsule) AW/11 show, I thought I’d do a quickie round-up of (what I thought were) some of the real stand-out pieces. Full details on what’s pictured after the jump. And apologies for the crumminess of the images.

Comments (0)

Instead of Rent: January, 2011

January 5, 2011

The moderately and (very) immoderately priced goods that I’d rather spend it on this month. Special “what I wish I was wearing during last week’s blizzard in NYC” edition.

Comments (0)

Good Giving: 25 Under $25

November 28, 2010

Welcome to the 2010 Well Spent holiday gift guide. I’m trying something a little different this year: 25 gifts, all socially responsible, and all under $25. Small things, but (hopefully) a bit more substantive and enduring than your typical stocking stuffers. Here’s to a healthy and sane holiday season.

Comments (0)

A Closer Look: Tailor Store Organics

November 10, 2010

For many years, my budget was such that a $150 button-up shirt simply wasn’t a possibility. During that period, I had two choices: 1) scour local thrift stores in the hope of finding something at least marginally well-fitting (a near impossibility for my size). Or, 2) go to H&M / Gap / Etc. and shell out $50+ on a piece of disposable, slave-made crap. Needless to say, neither was particularly appealing. That’s why, for me, the discovery of Swedish custom clothier The Tailor Store was such a revelation. It meant that I could pick-up a shirt for equal to, or less than, the cost of any comparable mall brand, have it fit exactly how I wanted, and, know for a fact that it was made in an ethically run factory.

Comments (0)

Instead of Rent: November, 2010

November 3, 2010

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

Comments (0)