The pea coat is one my favorite designs in the entire history of men's wear. Like many garments we wear today, this distinctly masculine, iconic garment has its roots in the military. Characterized by its dark blue color, broad collar…
Levi-Strauss has bummed me out over the last few years, catering to short-term trends while abandoning decades-long customers like me. But some selections from their Vintage Clothing collection have given me a little hope.
I’ve raved about the exquisite ties and pocket linen from General Knot & Co. here and on social media, but I’ve never mentioned their travel kits. As with everything from General Knot, the dopp kits are all limited edition with the shells made from vintage fabrics. Once a particular pattern/fabric is sold out, it’s gone, making these kits (and their neckwear and hankies) truly unique.
More than any other bicycle in the world, aside from the one I currently own, I have the biggest crush on the trusty vintage Raleigh DL-1. For years, I looked high, I looked low and I waited and waited for the perfect one to show up on eBay. But, alas, no dice. The frame would either be too large or too small, or there would be some other deal-breaking bummer in the bike’s overall condition, like too much rust. I eventually ran out of patience in the Summer of 2015 and treated myself to a beautiful custom Chief from Heritage Bicycle in Chicago. (It’s gorgeous and I love it.)
From 1940s through the 1970s, Raleigh made the DL-1 in three different versions: the Sports, the Superbe and the Tourist. With maybe some minor differences in the frame’s geometry, these classic bikes were basically the same, but with different packages built onto them, like a Sturmey-Archer Dynohub generator with a front and rear lighting set, a fork lock, rod brakes, an air pump, a full chain guard, a leather “touring bag” under the Brooks saddle… Things like that. They were mostly available in rich black, coffee or that gorgeous bronze green.
I love a classic valet. When I was growing up, my father had one that was made of a medium stained wood with a tray for coins, cufflinks and collar stays, and a rack on the base for shoes. He used it every day.
After he died, I inherited it and used it… sort-of. During my twenties, I wasn’t so into suits and hadn’t much use for the valet, which I carelessly lost on one of my numerous moves in Manhattan. When I saw one much like my dad’s in a movie recently, an urge was reignited. So I took to eBay.
I recently made my very first purchase from eBay. Ever. (I know.) I forwent any bidding nonsense, because I seriously don't have the energy for it. Taking the "Buy Now" option, I bought a 1971 Timex Marlin for $65, and…