HAPPY HALLOWEEN.....

Love this one, but i must admit ,it's not your everyday kinda jacket .....

Here's the ultimate halloween voodoo night ring and my all time favorite.Its made with a real human finger bone ,that might explain why there were only 4 made ,right !??

Pulled out some special "accessories" for today .getting ready for trick o'treating ......

A MILE IN MY SHOES part 1:the brogues

1940 Johnston&Murphy classic full brogue oxford dress.This one was a custom order when they were still made in NJ by the original company.....

Quater brogue oxford dress slip on .Co designed this one,for the RODSON shoe co. back in the late 80's .obviously inspired by the model under....

1940's John Lobb from London not to be compared to the one produced nowadays by Hermes under the same name .This semi brogue dress model was created and introduced by Lobb in the late 30's.....

Probably early 60's McAfee full brogue [wingtip] with a smooth French toe......

Here's a late 50's sharp moc toe,i Co designed this model for RODSON.Great feeling to literally walk in YOUR shoes.....

Talking about shoe fetish ......I think i've payed my dues.Back in the late 80's i was all about dressing up the part ,from head to toes and could never get enough of it .Suits ,ties ,brogues and so on... i could not resist whenever a bargain was crossing my pass and back then believe me there was quite a few .It really changed,when i moved to the US. I needed to feel more relaxed ,more at ease, inclined to go for chinos and chambray, rather than pleated pants and oxfords i guess...nevertheless ,from time to times, i must admit,i still enjoy to "dress to impress". i've just kept the "creme de la creme"and i've decided to showcase some of my favorites .So today's post will be more visual than tutorial ,as candy for the eyes and more to come .......

1930'S LOGGER'S FAVORITE .....

From the collection of Clark Kinsey ,Oregon loggers in the early 30's .Note the army duck coat...

Very similar coat from the pages of a 1926 Montgomery Ward catalog....

The model on the left side is almost identical [ snaps aside] to the one under....

Remnants of the 1934 dated QMC tag.....

I'm gearing up for winter, Pacific north west or Canadian style ,depends the mood i'm in.I'd say,for SF what's more versatile ,when freezing cold is not quite knocking at your door,than the classic logger's coat !?

Today's featured piece,is a rare example from the 30's and its classic look hasn't changed that much over decades and is still produced nowadays by American companies such as Filson.

This beauty is made of 10-ounce water repellent army duck od #3 canvas.It has 4 snaps and 5 buttons concealed under the fly.The "sport collar" with loop is offering maximum protection once lifted .The coat has a double seamless waterproofed cape ,front and back and over the sleeves .Just 2 small pocket though but who cares !??

In between the wars,military canvas products ,such as sleeping bags, covers, flag and raincoats,were produced by the" tent department " of the Philadelphia quatermaster corps.The tent depot has often met humanitarian needs by providing tents, cots, blankets, bed sacks and clothing to sufferers of tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, epidemics, earthquakes, fires and floods. Usually, these "loaned" supplies were written off and "lost".

Through 1933, President Franklin Roosevelt encouraged Congress to take steps to relieve unemployment. Congress established the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) which enrolled 300,000 young men to work on forestry, erosion and flood control. Where did the tents, cots, clothing and other canvas equipment came from? Yes, the Quartermaster .Even if it had large stocks on hand from World War I ,CCC demands required further expansion of the tent factory. By the spring of 1934, the tent shop had 112 tent sewing machines in operation.

Some new pieces of garments ,were also developed during that period and assigned to the CCC.Today's featured coat ,largely inspired by a classic logger's coat, is among such items .No specific designation for this rare coat ,just the pattern's date of 1934.

This loggers coat ,was most likely produced for 8 years,to the most, up until 1941 when it was discontinued.......

HOT ROD GANG

Being on the lazy side today ,but willing to share this piece of "hot rod history".Little is know about the RAMBLERS ,the former owner of this beauty,told me they were from Oregon and use race on drag strips back in the 50's.This shirt,has a jersey feel to it and the faded red color that is perfect for a denim combo.Few more weeks to be able to wear it .After that,it's back to the closet.......

Gene Brown - Big Door

THE DEVIL'S BRIGADE ....USA/CANADA WW2 SWEATSHIRT

The FSSF unit's shoulder patch.This example is believed to be original to the shirt .....

Original ww2 trooper's wings logo with the owner's name stenciled.....

Here is ,straight from"the vault",an interesting bit of ww2 history.An original ww2 V sweatshirt that belonged to a member of the 1st special service forces FSSF the famous elite troop.Collecting militaria was a desease of mine a while ago and once in a while i can't help thinking of the stuff i've let go .....well! that's life right !?

Fort Harrison’s most famous contribution during the 20th century was its 1942 use as the organization and training area for the U. S. Army’s 1st Special Service Force FSSF, a joint World War II American-Canadian light infantry brigade made famous by the 1968 movie of the same name .

The 1st Special Service Force was activated on 9 July 1942 as a joint Canadian-U.S. force of three small regiments and a service battalion.The unit was raised for Project Plough - an invasion to liberate Norway, but the project was cancelled. then the unit,was sent to Kiska in the Aleutian Islands, Italy, and later in the south of France. When they disbanded, some of the Canadians transferred to 1 Canadian Parachute Battalion.

Fort Harrison in Helena, Montana was chosen as the primary training location, due to its flat terrain perfect for airborne training and its close proximity to mountains for ski and winter training.As a light infantry unit destined for alpine or winter combat, it was issued various items of non-standard clothing, equipment, and rations, including sweatshirts ,sweaters,skis, parkas, haversacks, and the Mountain ration .Following its initial training period in Montana, the 1st SSF relocated to Camp Bradford, Vermont, on 15 April 1943, and to Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont, on 23 May 1943. On 4 July 1943, it arrived at the San Francisco Port of Embarkation....

SALVAGED RELIC 3...40'S ENGINEER BOOTS

Well !! how often have you seen kids engineer boots frankly !?? i've seen cowboy boots many time over the years , but engineer boots are quite rare .A quick estimate puts these,in the late 30's early 40's ....rough and tough i know ,but that's why i could not resist and i had to have them ......

SALVAGED RELIC 2....ww1 US ARMY SHIRT

Straight from the pages of a Montgomery Ward 1917 mail order catalog.....

Same catalog in the bargain section....

Military regulation tag makes it more appealing...

The shoulders have been reinforced with a piece of printed cotton fabric with Asian symbols ....

Close up showing the heavily worn collar and chin strap....

A RRL wet dream .....

Nice variety of period buttons all over the shirt.....

You might have noticed,while reading some of my former post ,that i'm also interested in the "relic condition" of some specific vintage items.I can't help ,i see beauty ,when others see just junk .I guess it's because i consider this as being the most primitive form of "folk art".Mending,stitching ,patching was widely practiced up to the 50's .It shows how valuable the garment was to its owner and gives clues on how it was worn and used.Forensic science you say !??..

Blues Clair - Django Reinhardt

COLETTE RENARD - LES NUITS D'UNE DEMOISELLE

LOOK WHAT THE MAILMAN BROUGHT!....

A couple of months ago,i was asked to be featured in a special issue of the great "free & easy" Japanese magazine.This issue was sponsored by "the real Mc coy" to promote some of their new products for this fall/winter season. Each of us was photographed while wearing some of the clothes selected for us .well here it is...and i must say i'm in good company .4 pages for yours truly and with Robert Williams ....come on!! ,who can ask for more!? .get yours ASAP as the won't last ......ahahaha!!

IT'S ALL ABOUT SIMPLICITY

Just a quick one today ,as dressing up this morning for work,i've realized ,that simpler,is what works better for me.I guess it's the same while "on the prowl for vintage",as it's not so much the brand that catches my attention,but the character and patina of the piece.Most of all i like the item to be "classic" in its lines ,as its not about being period correct,but more about being able to mix and match.So,to illustrate today's post,here's one of my favorite boots .they're Chippewas from the 60's.

See what i meant by "simplicity"!??A great patina ,that you can't achieve without,time ,patience and care.......