DONEGAL TWEED

THE SCOTS AND HARRIS SEEM TO BE GETTING A LOT OF PLAY RIGHT NOW AND I HAVE TO ADMIT I CHERISH MY HARRIS TWEEDS. BUT I MUST CONFESS TO MY CURRENT INFIDELITY AND SLIGHT OBSESSION WITH VINTAGE DONEGAL FROM IRELAND. 

DONEGAL FOR CENTURIES HAS BEEN PRODUCING TWEED FROM LOCAL MATERIALS. THE SHEEP THRIVE IN THIS AREA OF IRELAND AND THE INDIGENOUS PLANTS PROVIDE THE DYES FOR THE WOOL (NOTE THE FLECKS OF COLOR IN THE WEAVE). THE LOOMS AND WEAVERS HAD BEEN SPREAD AROUND HOMESTEADS IN COUNTY DONEGAL LONG AGO TO PRODUCE THE TWEEDS AND THEIR NAMES CAN ALWAYS BE FOUND IN THE LABEL WITH THE LINE "JOY AND HEALTH TO YOU TO WEAR IT". NICE TOUCH. 

BEAN RAGG WOOL

THE LL BEAN RAGG WOOL SWEATER (AND SOCKS FOR THAT MATTER) WERE IN HEAVY ROTATION IN MY HIGH SCHOOL WARDROBE. I AM HAPPY TO SEE BEAN PRODUCING THEM AGAIN AFTER MANY YEARS OF NOT (INCLUDING THE RED RAGG). I AM ALWAYS LOOKING OUT FOR THE EARLY ONES WHEN I AM ON THE THRIFT CIRCUIT AND WHEN I FIND THEM I BUY THEM. 

NO LABEL BOILED TO PERFECTION

911 REIMAGINED

LA BASED SINGER VEHICLE DESIGN TAKES A GOOD USED 90'S PORSCHE 911 STRIPS IT, GUTS IT AND REBUILDS IT INTO MY KIND OF SUPER CAR.  THEY SHAPE THE EXTERIOR WITH CLASSIC 70'S ERA LINES, CUSTOMIZE THE INTERIOR WITH LUX LEATHER, CARPET, ADD RECARO SEATS AND FINALLY THE ENGINE IS REBUILT BY BRITISH FORMULA ONE SUPPLIER COSWORTH. AT ABOUT $250,000.00 THERE WILL BE A WAIT FOR ME, BUT A BOY CAN DREAM.

EDDIE BAUER SPORT SHOP

WITH SO MANY OLD SCHOOL BRANDS MISSING THE MARK WITH REDESIGN, IT IS GOOD TO SEE EDDIE BAUER DIGGING INTO THEIR ARCHIVES AND GETTING BACK TO THEIR ROOTS WITH SURPRISINGLY GREAT DESIGN AND FIT SOLUTIONS.

THE KARAKORAM

DUNDERDON (RIP)

I AM SAD TO SEE ANOTHER ONE OF MY FAVORITE RETAIL BRANDS CLOSING ITS DOORS IN NYC. THE OUTERWEAR BRAND DUNDERDON (THINK CARHART OF SWEDEN) IS SHUTTING SHOP AFTER THE PASSING OF THIER FOUNDER PER-IVAN HAGBERG LAST MONTH. THE SHOP AT 25 HOWARD STREET IS SELLING ITS REMAINING GOODS AT 50 -70% OFF. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A FAN OF THEIR STURDY KNITS AND OUTERWEAR (FASHION MEETS FUNCTION) AND THE WOMEN'S STUFF HAS BEEN A FAVORITE WITH MY WIFE AS WELL. GET THERE WHILE THIS INCREDIBLY GOOD STUFF LASTS.

LATIN AMERICAN CAFE

I REALLY CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THESE PLACES IN MIAMI