Release - Archival Striped Tees

We just restocked our collection of durable, snappy, striped cotton tee for ladies and gents.  See the Archival Web Shop for more details.

Wishful Shoppping - Russell Chukkas

Russell Moccasin is one of the first US brands I rediscovered via Japanese web shops.  In the mid-oughts, I used to wishfully shop for Japan only,  Russell special make ups.  My favorite models were those which paired a Fishing Oxford upper with a sturdy hunting or workwear tread.  By comparison,  I was uninspired by Russell's domestic print catalog featured school yearbook quality photographs and confusing print lists of of pricing and leather selections.  Here is a pair of Russell Chukkas that caught my eye from the Japanese shop MAPS.  In addition to the Chukkas, I love the detailed product snaps and the sockless model. 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Restock - Archival Scarves

We just restocked our Archival Scarves in soft, 7 oz cotton jersey.  For folks who prefer summer stripes over solids, we've added a new colorway: gray/navy/natural.  To order, visit our Archival Web Shop.  Made in USA.

Archival Playground

 

Thanks to Elizabeth Peterson and Dave Baker for making Adventure Playgrounds (1965) available via the UO Channel.  This 16mm short film demonstrates the concept of the adventure playground, a place where children construct play spaces out of raw building materials ("no swings or seesaws, only things created by the hands of the children from waste materials on the site"). Like many educational films of the era,  Adventure Playground escalates the success of the program.  Suddenly, the children's "building, burrowing and digging" morphs into a bicycle shop, a literary journal and a canteen where tea is served.  What I love most about the film is the fact that all the children look like they were garbed by Old Town Clothing.  The derelict bombsite becomes a playground for boys in belted shorts, sturdy corduroy jackets, summerweight cardigans, cotton poplin shirts and durable lace up oxfords. 

 

 

 

 

  

Shopping from Pillpat

From Pillpat, a cryptic French playing card games involving beautiful objects. 

 

 

 

 

Archival Paddle Tennis

As much as I enjoy tennis, I prefer the snappy uniforms worn by these vintage gents playing paddle tennis.  For reference, paddle tennis is an indoor variation of the traditional tennis played with solid rackets and underhand serve on a smaller court.  I liken paddle tennis to the elegant, east coast cousin of  pickleball, a PE course requirement in 1980s Eastern Washington.   Per usual,  I endorse any sport that permits you to wear clothing that still resembles what you might wear to work.  I'm shopping for a pair of deadstock saddle shoes so I can start working on my own, from-the-ground-up, paddle tennis ensemble.   See below for step by step illustrations on how to play the game.