Eating Burritos a Mile High: Denver Adventures

I did two pretty important things in Denver today:

1) I ate an outstanding burrito.

2) I finally bought a Topo Designs bag. At the flagship store. 

The burrito came from a place my coworker had heard of and really wanted to try. I consider myself something of a burrito connoisseur, so I was game to have Denver give me its best shot. The burrito in question was the Big Fish from Illegal Pete's and yes, it passed the test. We all had to spend the larger part of the day walking around the city just to work off the urge to go en masse into a giant burrito coma. To be honest I'm usually very wary of getting anything with fish in a place that's far from the water, and you really can't get much more landlocked than Denver, but for whatever reason the well-intentioned eagerness to make my burrito dreams come true of the guy behind the counter really swayed my judgment. I don't regret it.

On to the bag. I've been a Topo Designs fan for quite a while now... and when my boyfriend picked up a Mountain Briefcase in Duck Camo on his trip to Colorado last winter, I was super jealous but encouraged him to write a guest post about the experience. So after our burrito break and a leisurely stroll through some small shops in the city, I forced my accomplices to take the 20 minute walk in 95 degree heat up to the Topo flagship store. Come hell or high water... I'm in Denver, I'm getting one of these bags.

I have a monstrosity of a messenger bag that I'd bought from Incase in the beginning of graduate school. It certainly served it's purpose, and it has tons of little pockets, but it's big and structureless, and the size/weight make it extremely difficult for me to haul around as a single strap messenger bag. What I needed was a bag that can carry what I need daily for work: 15" Macbook Pro, binder, legal pads, notebook, planner, pens, measuring tape, knife, etc., be acceptable to maybe walk into a conference or something with, but also be dope, neither too feminine nor too masculine, and not boring. I recognize that this is quite a tall order, but the genuinely helpful salesman at Topo was unflagged by my request. I said that my boyfriend had the Mountain Briefcase and that I essentially wanted something to serve the same function without just copying my boyfriend. In a "I've got just the thing for you" move, he whipped out the Backpack Tote, a clever little hybrid with the right shape and shoulder straps to be a woman's tote bag, but with hidden backpack straps that can be taken out to transform the bag into a very manageable backpack. I was sold on the functionality of the bag, but neither of the two color options really leapt out at me. I asked if there were any alternatives and the Topo gods smiled down upon me when he ran to the back and brought out a one-off of the same bag, done in coyote brown and purple. The color combo was pretty solid, but the fact that it was a "one of a kind" of sorts made it extra appealing.

Front!

Back with straps out!

Back with straps hidden!

Proof that it fits lots of stuff!

Thank you, Denver, for being awesome! I'm here until Sept. 6th... and this was only Day 1. I can't wait to see what the rest of the week has in store for me. 

Dope Design Featurette: Side Project Skateboards

Design junkies and skate culture fanatics alike should be drooling over Side Project Skateboards. The name describes the product better than my blog post ever could... they are literally a one time project, all handmade in Houston by a single craftsman. These vintage inspired boards are made from found/recovered hardwoods that are selected based on integrity and visual appeal. The finished pieces are painstakingly cut and finished by hand, then outfitted with the highest quality components, including hand-cut risers made of a single piece of Horween Chromexcel (!!!). I honestly would get one just to hang on a wall and admire, but they are fully rideable for those choosing to do so! The boards range from $435-$515, and only 18 of these were made. Once they're gone, they're gone forever. 

Available exclusively at www.sideprojectskateboards.com. Also, follow them on Instagram @SideProjectSkateboards!

Feels like Fall: 5 Picks to Start the Season!

One year ago this very month, I started a little project I thought I'd call "the Dappled Waistcoat." After traveling around to different horse shows and trade fairs, and meeting people from around the country who oftentimes had given up more lucrative careers to pursue their passion for craftsmanship and product curation, I decided it was time to take to the web and give them their due. Truthfully, I didn't think that I would stick with blogging for that long. I assumed that I'd find myself uninspired and discouraged by the daunting "blogosphere," and that my voice would go unheard amidst the cacophony of other more established writers. It pleases me to say that this hasn't been the case. Through this blog, Twitter, and Instagram, I've met some amazing people, and there is no shortage of new and inspiring brands with stories to be told. So yes, Happy One Year Anniversary to the Dappled Waistcoat! 

Let me tell you, I've been delaying writing any kind of autumn-related post because I refuse to let go of summer. This is an annual problem, but I've lived in the Northeast my entire life... so I probably should have learned to cope with it by now. My signal that it's time to start writing about flannel and boots? The first morning that I have to put socks on to walk around my house. Strange as it may be, wearing socks while drinking coffee and reading the Times is what alerted me to the necessity of Fall blogging. 

It's hard to focus your attentions on what you really "need" every time a new season rolls around, and now after NY Fashion Week I like to hone in on just a few pieces that can serve as the home base for my Fall vibe. In this case, there are five of them. 

1. General Knot & Co.  Woodsman Plaid and Buffalo Check Corner-block Bandana, $45. The folks at GK really know their way around vintage fabric, and I really know my way around a bandana. Wear this with.... everything, it doesn't matter. Look at it! Are you kidding? If you don't feel like wearing a tie but you want to keep your neck looking fresh, this is the answer.

2. JCrew Excursion Quilted Vest in Camo, $138. I saw this while I quickly popped into JCrew to find a cardigan to wear to a wedding (I hate that I just said that) and my jaw fell to the floor. I don't think I'm alone in feeling that camo is the new neutral. Like denim, camo can be worn with just about anything and adds a bit of edge to more conservative fall colors and textures. When I go back to the store again this week to visit my dream vest, I'm sure they'll all be gone.

3. Greats Brand  Royale sneaker in Chocolate/White, $99. When I was in high school my mother would yell at me for wearing Vans and Converse in the fall/winter. She called them "summer shoes" because they were canvas. If I'd had these, she would have been stunned into silence. The Royales are Made in the USA with deerskin leather uppers and waxed cotton laces sitting atop a vachetta calfskin liner and imported Italian Margam rubber cup soles. It's a mouthful, but it's worth it. 

4. Penfield Idlewood daypack in Moon Tweed, $125. Made in USA from authentic Abraham Moon Tweed and leather trim. I like using the term "daypack" because it makes me feel less guilty about the fact that I'm not a student and I don't necessarily plan on just carrying this on my back. Like camo, this tweed will be one of the most versatile pieces in your wardrobe while still managing to really stand out. Rugged and functional, but classic and beautiful.
5. HELM Boots Marion in Olive, $395. Designed in Texas, crafted in Maine. The Marions are made of olive green Horween Chromexcel, which means they have a matte, slightly waxy feel and they'll break in to look like they were made just for you. The soles are leather with a stitched, injected rubber mini-tap lug and signature white midsole. Helm make boots that work hard for people that work hard. It just so happens that they're also absolutely amazing to look at.

Next week I'll be heading down to Texas to work for Dubarry at the American Eventing Championships, so I'll get one last taste of blazing heat before Fall really sets in. Keep up with me on Instagram and Twitter for updates on my first Texan adventure, and as always, I welcome any suggestions or photos of your favorite Fall pieces!

the Tale behind the Ties at PINO Portland

Yet again, Twitter has proven an invaluable resource for me in finding exciting new brands and meeting interesting people. I was flattered when Crispin Argento of PINO Portland reached out to me to scope their new site, and naturally obliged. What I found was a crisp, straightforward design that let the product stand out on its own. PINO offers a rainbow of neckties and bowties, all made of raw silk. At first I thought the solid colors were a bit plain, being accustomed to seeing all the elaborate prints and patterns that many other neckwear makers are implementing. Upon further inspection though, I decided that the raw silk was perfectly understated and elegant. Regardless of how vivid or subdued the hue of the tie, the striking texture of raw silk draws the eye in without being too flashy. 

I asked Crispin why raw silk was his "weapon of choice," and he explained:

I chose the solid raw silk for a variety of reasons. As a designer, I am drawn to color and texture, two things mainstream menswear is slow to embrace, although things are changing, albeit slowly. When I began PINO, I started using heavy wools, upholstery fabrics, etc. to achieve my aesthetic. As the line grew, I didn’t want to work with jobbers (fabric resellers) any longer because I didn’t know the origin or provenance of the fabrics I was using and this type of sourcing did not align well with my quest for transparency, telling a story, and facilitating a closer relationship between consumers and their clothing.

I am working with a distributer that has a direct relationship with a family run mill in Bangalore, India, where the raw silk is harvested from Mulberry worms, and hand-spun, woven on treadle looms and dyed by hand.

Since raw silk is not common, especially in neckties, customers often are curious and mistake the raw silk for linen. When I tell them it’s hand-woven raw silk it spurs curiosity and provides a lead in for sharing with them the story of where it is from, how it is produced, why it feels and drapes a specific way, etc. They often like the part of why it is slightly gummy and smells sweet, I tell them it is because the fibers are not chemically processed like traditional silks. This helps to forge a relationship between the consumer and the garment.

I love Crispin's focus on storytelling, and it's definitely something that sets PINO apart. This passion for the creative process, from the mulberry worm to the final product, extends beyond the PINO brand onto the community of craftspeople and small businesses in Portland. PINO has already done several successful collaborations with local businesses, such as Sterling Coffee Roasters, Hand-Eye Supply, PICA, and even a local vegan bakery. They have a project in the works to create ties made from fabric sourced entirely from Oregon, and Crispin is a board member of Portland Made, a small business collective aiming to foster a greater connection between local consumers, designers, and manufacturers.  Portland is a "perfect storm" for creative people looking to start a business right now: cost of living is low, access to resources is high, and retail rent is significantly lower than places like New York. Ergo, small business boom.

I learned the story of the ties, and the story of the city, but what enchanted me the most was the initial inspiration behind creating PINO.

Early on I decided to start with neckwear because it is one of the only options a guy has to really stand out, especially in the era of “casual” is king. The purpose of having bright, fun, and textured colors for a necktie, bow tie or pocket kerchief is that they serve as the focal point of ones outfit and stand out. There is not a day that goes by that someone doesn’t comment on a PINO tie I am wearing, it invites discussion and allows me to tell my story and the story of the tie. Sometimes I want to be left alone, so I wear a boring tie or no tie at all. Ties, believe it or not, open doors and invite conversation nowadays.

Now that I have a PINO bowtie of my very own, I can attest to the immaculate craftsmanship and the beauty of the silk.

Luckily, I'm in the business of starting conversations.

SHOP PINO

Say Hello to Hank!

If you haven't already acquainted yourself with the Hank brand, I'm pleased to be the one making the introductions. A few Michigan natives started developing the brand this past fall, and in April they finally launched. I discovered Hank through Twitter, and soon recognized the same enthusiasm for good gear, and quality > quantity mindset that I have myself. Co-founder Adam Rice and I were able to connect over the phone a few weeks ago, and he gave me the scoop on the philosophy behind the Hank brand and what developments are to come.

Adam emphasized that in getting their Spring 2013 Collection together, consistent price points were a priority. The shame about the "made in USA" movement, he explained, is that customers have grown so accustomed to price gouging that they assume all fine quality American goods have to be expensive. When these customers see something more reasonably priced, they automatically assume that the quality isn't there, and that's just not correct. According to Adam, it's really not as expensive to manufacture here as people think. That being said, the Hank folks collaborated with some favorite American brands (Parrott Canvas Co., Pointer Brand, Ebbets Field, etc.) to create some exclusive items. Through their debut collection, Hank has established itself as a marketplace for thoughtfully curated American goods. The people of Hank are interested as much in the story behind a brand as they are in the goods themselves. This emphasis on people and stories turns their collection into a narrative that reads as much more than just a shop with some hats and shirts... it's a conversation about the American experience.

The move that Hank aims to make, however, is becoming a distinctive BRAND all on their own. While the Fall collection will include more collaborations with Pointer Brand (look for a few new Chore coats tweaked just for Hank), they're looking to put out their own shirting and chinos as well, and are enjoying going through the design process for the first time.

The folks at Hank have the right combination of ambition, integrity, and passion for fine men's goods. The Spring Collection includes a bunch of classic must-haves, and as the brand comes into their own I'm sure they'll come out with plenty of new favorites. As an un-femme lady, I have a few Hank picks of my own.

SHOP HANK

An Inside Look at the Strong Brand

I first stumbled upon the Strong Brand several months ago on Instagram, where I've found many new brands and shops. It's really proven to be a great outlet because you don't just see the product, but also the story, the vibe, and the people behind what they're selling. The Strong Brand particularly touched me with their mix of old trucks, shooting photos, outdoorsy scenes, and their hats worn by people in various acts of all-American good fun. From what I can tell, they more or less invented the hashtag #strongsled and now field photo submissions of old beat up trucks from around the country. Why? Because, why not? It's cool, it's what they like, and it's this attitude that made me fall in love with their small line of hats and t-shirts. They're proof that this generation of young, brand-conscious sartorialists isn't dominated by precious hipsters in thick rimmed glasses. Oh no, there are some real, thorough dudes at work here.

I approached Don for an interview piece because I wanted to get to know what this young, small brand is all about. What I inferred from Instagram is that they are proudly American without being cheesily patriotic*, and they don't take themselves too seriously. This is a brand I wanted to know more about, and I figured you'd all feel the same. 
*(see: Dads in tube socks, dirty white Reeboks, baggy jean shorts and an Old Navy t-shirt with the American flag on it, holding a Bud Light in a koozie)

Read the interview after the jump...

Housekeeping Update!

We've updated things a bit, so our new URL is www.dappledwaistcoat.com. You can still use the old .blogspot address, but you will be redirected to the new one.

Thank you everyone, for your continued support! Some fresh posts are in the works for the new year, so check back often or follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get the quickest updates.

Happy New Year!

 - Anne