Articles – Well Spent

Crate Welt Shorts

May 23, 2011

The Welt Shorts from Los Angeles’ Crate are handcrafted in California from 100% cotton twill. A handsome, no-frills summer bottom, the shorts boast minimal detailing (zip fly, side slash pockets, rear welt pockets, a small tonal logo on the right hem), and a slim, not-too-long / not-too-short leg (8″ inseam). Even more than their looks and fit, however, the shorts’ biggest selling point is their price: simple, attractive and made in USA, all for a mere $65 per (to quote a friend of mine, “what the what what?”). Read More »

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Epaulet Modified Walt Shorts

May 16, 2011

Far be it from me to describe an article of clothing as “perfect” – that’s a little too hyperbolic even for my bombastic self. That said, the new Modified Walt Shorts from Brooklyn’s Epaulet are about as close to perfect as you’re gonna get. Handcrafted in NYC, the shorts offer a grown-up take on a school boy staple, thanks to their inner waist curtain, taped and finished seams, and split back waistband (details usually only found in high-end trousers). Read More »

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Norse Projects Lindar Shorts

May 10, 2011

Usually when I think of cargo shorts, I also think of flip-flops, backwards white hats, and the threat of date rape. However, thanks to Denmark’s Norse Projects, it’s looking like I might have a reason to ditch those less than favorable associations. Crafted in the EU from 100% cotton twill, the brand’s new-for-spring Lindar shorts offer military-style for the style-conscious (and roofie-free). Details include a button fly, snap-top front cargo pockets (that also have side entry), back welt pockets and a nice slim fit. Read More »

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Instead of Rent: May, 2011

May 4, 2011

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

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Sunny Sports Chambray Shorts

April 28, 2011

As silly as it may sound, I really think you have to go hands-on with the pieces from Japan’s Sunny Sports in order to fully appreciate them. As the owner of two of their shirts, I can tell you that when it comes to craftsmanship and attention to detail, SS’ stuff is pretty much the holy grail (which more or less explains the price, although, still, yowsa!). The co.’s new-for-summer Chambray Shorts are handcrafted in Japan from vintage-shuttle-loomed 100% cotton chambray. Read More »

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Label Spotlight: Unis

April 27, 2011

It’s not often that the head of an established and widely respected clothing label will take time out of their day to thoughtfully address the concerns of an anonymous naysayer. So, when Eunice Lee, founder of Unis, did just that last month, the response (at least amongst the menswear bloggerati) was big. Very big. I jokingly told her after the fact that she had struck upon one of the greatest marketing schemes of all time: five minutes in the comments section for a bounty of free press. However, as much press as her joining the discussion brought her, it was no PR ploy. Lee’s reply came from a place of wanting to set the record straight. She wasn’t trying to shame the commenter, or talk up her brand, she was telling it like it is – giving someone outside of her industry the inside scoop, as only a person who pours their heart and soul into their craft can.

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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.

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Engineered Garments Ripstop Fatigue Shorts

April 19, 2011

So far, these are probably my favorite shorts to come out of the SS11 season. Slim without being too tight. Short without being embarrassing. Detailed without being ostentatious. And built like an effin’ tank. The Ripstop Fatigue Shorts from Engineered Garments are meticulously handcrafted in New York City from 5.5 oz. 100% cotton ripstop. Fashioned after Vietnam-era fatigues (hence the name), the shorts come equipped with two deep front slash pockets, which are a nicely subtle alternative to the more traditional cargo style. Read More »

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Gitman Vintage Shorts

April 11, 2011

Pennslyvannia’s Gitman Brothers Vintage is now offering shorts, bringing us all one step closer to being able to truthfully exclaim “all Gitman everything.” Produced in Pennsylvania, using the same exclusive fabrics as the brand’s coveted shirting range, and featuring a similarly slim fit, the shorts are dream come true for anyone on the hunt for a casual-yet-flattering American-made summer bottom. San Fransisco’s Unionmade is currently stocking three styles, including two linen-cotton blends and one cotton madras. Read More »

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Oliver Spencer Skinny Shorts

March 29, 2011

The sudden resurgence of winter weather here in the Midwest is making these (and the temperature for which they’re appropriate) all the more appealing right now. The Skinny Shorts from England’s Oliver Spencer are handcrafted in the United Kingdom from premium cotton seersucker (or premium cotton twill, depending on the pair). In typical Spencer fashion, the shorts nicely combine classic British materials and construction with a more modern fit and details (loving the painted wooden buttons). Read More »

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People Tree Oliver Shorts

March 15, 2011

The Oliver Shorts from London’s People Tree are made in Bangladesh by the Fair Trade certified Folk Collective. In addition to cutting and sewing, the Folk members also hand-weave the cotton chambray from which the shorts are made, using century old methods. Cut slim, and free of extraneous detailing, the Oliver Shorts are an attractive, no-fuss bottom option for the warmer months ahead, and, even after the exchange rate and international shipping, a pretty affordable one too. Read More »

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Alternative Apparel Twill Short

March 1, 2011

I might be getting a little ahead of myself with these, but at this point, I’d rather stare at a pair of shorts on my computer screen than at the snow outside my window. The Twill Shorts from Georgia’s Alternative Apparel are responsibly crafted in South America from a lightweight, 100% cotton twill. Designed to fit and feel like an old favorite, the shorts are garment dyed and washed for extra softness, and come with pre-ground pocket and hem edges for a subtly worn-in look. Read More »

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Happenings: C.H.C.M. Shop

January 26, 2011

It’s a funny thing, the “Heritage” trend. As anyone in the fashion industry (er, I mean ’style’ industry – got to keep it menswear blog appropriate) will tell you, everything that’s old will eventually be new again. And so, the current popularity of utilitarian garments from the 1930s – 1950s amongst the modern non-utilitarian set isn’t all that shocking. What’s funny, though, is that the items that make up the trend were never intended to be fashionable. They were designed and built purely for functionality. That’s why they’re still around, decades after their inception. That these items are now a part of a trend, and, as such, suddenly have a shelf-life – well, it entirely defeats their purpose.

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Being There: Epaulet Manhattan

January 12, 2011

I finally had a chance to visit Epaulet’s new Manhattan location while I was home for the holiday, and I decided to bring my little sister along to take some pics. Unsurprisingly, the store is brimming with covet-able goodness. From the Canadian-made shawl collar sweaters, to the vast in-house shirting collection, to the just-dropped Epaulet suiting, to the exclusive Alden collabs, to the new CPO Shirt Jackets – well, let’s just say there’s a lot that I wanted. If you’re in NYC, and you haven’t already stopped in, add it to your to-do list. You’ll be glad you did. More pics after the jump.

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With Benefits: Nau

October 27, 2010

With Benefits is a series featuring for-benefit companies — for-profit models that inherently benefit social causes — written by Janette Crawford, founder of the consistently excellent ethical fashion daily Fashion Loves People.

I’m told that the founding of Nau went something like this: a small group of do-gooders (some of them ex-Patagonians) got together to launch an endeavor that, whatever it might be, would be truly world-changing. They considered the many ways they might be able to “un-fuck the world” (their original working name was an acronym of this phrase). In the end they were most compelled by the positive change they could effect through the power of capital-B Business. They decided they would start an apparel company that would change the garment industry’s paradigms on environmental impact and social good from the inside out, and launched Nau in 2007.

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Happenings: Left Field NYC

September 1, 2010

Long before L.L.Bean went Signature, Lands End went Canvas, or J.Crew went Red Wing, there was Left Field NYC. Founded by Christian McCann, the Brooklyn-based label has been churning out rugged, American-made goods since chambray was still putting the blue in blue collar. “We have been in business for over 10 years,” explains McCann, “and have always strived to make quality, made in America clothing at a fair price.” Unfortunately, being so ahead of the curve (just think about what you were wearing in the late ’90s), meant that the majority of people who initially took advantage of those fair prices lived elsewhere. “The Japanese have been great supporters of our brand,” notes McCann. “And, they’re a good litmus test for authenticity.” Despite the lack of a domestic audience, McCann believed enough in what he was doing to keep his label going, never deviating from his original vision.

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Instead of Rent: August, 2010

August 4, 2010

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

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Recession Rags Navy Linen Shorts

August 3, 2010

After getting a bit too seasonally ahead of myself yesterday, it seems only fitting that I feature some appropriate for the present bottoms today. The Navy Linen Shorts from New York’s Recession Rags are made entirely from repurposed dead- and over- stock materials (that includes both the fabrics and closures). Handcrafted by expert clothes-makers in NYC’s garment district, the shorts not only give new purpose to the vintage textiles from which they’re made, they also ensure that that purpose will last for years to come (fortunately, they’re styled tastefully enough to stay looking good during that time too). Read More »

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