OBSESSION OR PASSION !!??

A small part of the jackets and chore coats collection.Goes from the 1910's to the 50's.Can't get enough of that indigo feel and patina...
WW2 army shades :OD3,OD7 and HBT..........
Another shot of "the vault" showing some others denim lover's favorites ........

Why oh why,have i found myself buying over and over the same kind of vintage!?? Is this a quest for the perfect item,or am i just an obsessive compulsive buyer!? I just think ,that over the years ,my taste for vintage has evolved.In fact i went from your hardcore over the top rockabilly craziest patterns wearing fan ,to an easier going be-bop lovin' hep cat .... Nowadays i sort of fluctuate between mixing styles on lazy days and full early 20th century attire,depending the mood that is......

LATE 50'S N4 USN JACKET

The original 1953 US NAVY VA 155 patch .....
In 1959 changes in the patch's design were made: a rocker,baring the squadron's name and two stripes behind the skull were added ....
Who's Smitty !!?.......
The 50's N4.....

Straight from the vault, another N4 jacket.Even if identical in every detail to a regulation ww2 one,this jacket is most likely from the late 50's early 60's .i was able,more or less accurately,to date this piece as its squadron was very active during the Korean and vietnam conflicts .I will spare you the details but basically this famous US NAVY attack squadron[ VA 155 ]was activated in 1948 the "skull and cobra" baring patch, was first approved in 1953 and transformed to the actual one,as seen on the above jacket,in 1959.As the N4 was superseded by the A2 in the 60's this places our discovery in the later part of the 50's.....One would like to think it was worn by a pilot right !?? well !! it was most likely by a NAVY "deck ape"

A GREAT FIND

Detail of the riveted leather....
I wish i had the original lock to go with ......
Back of the bag showing RAF stencils......
Front view revealing the plastic covered "tag holder".......
HERMES canvas and leather Birkin bag strangely similar ....

I've recently acquired this great "tote bag". After a quick research,i've been able to confirm what i've suspected from the beginning: It was a ww1 to early ww2 ROYAL AIR FORCE bag.It might have been used to carry some "secret documents" [as opposed to regular mail], as it features an heavy brass lock pad to secure its content.The leather parts are strongly riveted to the heavy canvas covered with RAF stencils.It's fun to compare this,hundred and something years old bag ,with an Hermes one.Was the famous French brand inspired by it or what !?...I'll let you be the judge.

IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR

Barthelemy Spertino 1953 in Algiers.....

On my mother's side of the family Barthelemy Mathias Pierre Spertino ,my grandfather,son of a proud Italian immigrant has always been more of a "dapper Dan" kinda guy than a "mauvais garcon",as his idols were more like Clark Gable and Jean Sablon than Jean Gabin .Speaking of Jean Sablon,the first french crooner and perhaps the original "velvet fog",i've always thought he was its spitting image .... you'll be the judge [check the above video]

FAMILY STYLE

Algiers 1930 my grandfather Michel Segui and friends at work straight out of a Chaplin's movie
The Apache ,was the style "en vogue" among men in the first part of the 20th century.Thanks in part,to actors such as Jean Gabin the bad boy of his time .Apaches were Parisian hoodlums, living of gambling,prostitution and petty thefts.They spent most of their time in cafes and "bal musette"where they found easy preys [read women].Their "tools of the trade"were switch blades,brass knuckles and small custom made pocket revolvers.Their uniform,a large colorful and slightly tilted cap,a neckerchief and a sailor's shirt or tank top .....and,i've almost forgotten "le clop" [ the very important cigarette].
Around 1939 in Tunisia with the 4TH Zouaves regiment .He was one of only 2 surviving soldiers, as his entire battalion was,after fierce fighting,decimated by the German .

Today's post will mostly be about pictures ,as they speak by themselves......right !? Thanks to my dad,i was able to get my hands on some great pictures of my grandfather in Algiers back in 1930 .Typical style of the "everyday people" back then and quite stylish nowadays i might say.

THE SIMPLER THE BETTER....Talking about work boots

Ads from a post war sears catalogues.Surplus were plentiful so prices were lowered.....
Nice pair of horsehide work boots with cork sole .A classic look brought back to life by brands such as Redwing and Lonewolf with an insane price tag .I'd rather hunt for a good pair of vintage.

al

ways been a fan of simplicity and this goes for footwear too .Nothing speaks to me like a beautiful pair of work boots looking good with either, a pair of denims ,cords, chinos or even wool pants .That's why,while on the prowl,i always favor straight lines and colors .today's post will feature one of my favorite pair of horsehide 40's boots .They have that timeless style that still inspires today's designers .Rationing was probably the biggest influence on wartime footwear in the United States Britain and France. The U.S. government at the time conserved leather and rubber among other precious materials for the war effort. The fashion industry was then asked to promote styles that would remain in fashion for a long time, releasing factory space for wartime endeavours. Basically shoppers were"told" to buy high quality clothing and shoes of simple and versatile styles that would last the duration of the war.With the rationing brought upon by the war only leather not suitable for army boots were used for civilian shoe manufacture. Canvas and heavy cottons began to be used for uppers too . Cork and cord were used to make soles mixed with recycled rubber.In Britain clothes were rationed from 1941 to1949 and rubber soles were banned in 1942. In the United States, people were limited to two new pairs of shoes a year. The soles were thinner, and for sports shoes soles were made of plastic or reclaimed rubber. In occupied France, leather shoes could not even be purchased. All shoes were wooden-soled, with uppers of string or fabric.Lucky us the wooden soles were to be "articulated" to ease the pain.

WW1 JUMPER UPDATE

Just found this picture of a 1918 cutter's tag ,sewn on a ww1 dead stock jumper .As i've previously mentioned there was ,to my knowledge,no "official marking" of any kind prior to the late 30's on any US navy enlisted men's clothing. so i guess this is a rare example right !!??