Sierra Designs Sale #RoundUp

Sierra Designs is currently holding a post-holiday sale!  Some pretty wicked sale drops and great styles.  I picked out my three favorite pieces of outerwear, what do you think?  Leaning towards the Ranger Jacket (center)...

1. Alpine Pullover
2. Ranger Jacket
3. Patrol Parka

Winter Warmer #RoundUp

A great winter ensemble starts with the most reliable outerwear.  That's why I've put together a #RoundUp with some of the highest quality gear on the market to keep you warm and dry through what the
Old Farmer's Almanac is forecasting--another long, cold, and snowy winter.  

The key is to start with a jacket that you can be sure will keep your core warm and snug.  Fjallraven makes it easy with their array of winter jackets that have been tested in some of the harshest environments.  Yep, and their pretty good looking pieces too.  

Apart from the jacket, the second most important part of the ensemble is definitely what goes on the feet.  Smart wool socks and a solid pair of waterproof boots.  You just can't skimp on this part.  Get something reliable with classic styling and a good guarantee.  This is something you can spend a lot on now and keep forever.
Try the LL Bean boots, they're timeless and indestructible.  

1. Fjallraven - Greenland No.1 Down Jacket
2. Harris Tweed - Men's Gloves
3. Fjallraven - Yupik Parka
4. Filson - Wool Seattle Shirt 

5. LL Bean - Men's Maine Hunting Shoes, 10"
6. LL Bean - Men's 10" Shearling Boots

7. Fjallraven - Viso Beanie

8. Outlier - M-Back Climbers
9. Tretorn - Gärde Stövel Vinter GTX Boots
10. Black Diamond - Spark Gloves
11. Pendleton Woolen Mills - Yakima Camp Blanket
12. Woolrich - Boot Socks
13. Brooks Brothers - Fair Isle Half-Zip Sweater
14. Drakes - Fair Isle Scarf
15. Paulrose Denim - Slim Slub Indigo Raw Denim

What keeps you warm in the winter?  

Mackintosh x Band of Outsiders Coat in Black Watch

Um, yes.  This is just about the best thing I've seen all season in terms of rain coats/outerwear. Mackintosh and Band of Outsiders collaborated on a whole line of goodies. The subtle fading of black watch at the bottom, the green cuffs, the classic silhouette, what's not to love?!

History--Charles Mackintosh developed a unique cloth that spread rubber over cotton. In 1823 it became the world's first formal waterproof cloth and the original Mackintosh coat.  It seems to have garnered a bit of attention: here. 

And if you need a new instagram to follow, check 'em out here.  

#black watch

Behind the Scenes: Steam Horse Dry Goods Co. Spring Shoot

Muffin in the Golden Spike Bandana

Steam Horse Dry Goods Co. is prepping to release new gear for the Spring and crafted a wonderful behind-the-scenes video to get you excited!  This is where fashion meets utility.  Work wear becomes every-day-wear because classics never go out of style.

If, like me, you still need some gear to keep you warm through the end of Winter, check out their sale goods!

Also, check out their YouTube Channel  for your viewing pleasure.

It's Still Winter!

Yep, there's still a lot of season left for us here on the east coast, and I am not complaining.  It's been magical so far and I can't wait for more snow.  Call me crazy!  Philly's being hit with a snowy/ice mix today and it's very pretty outside.  The dog loves the snow, too!

Dressing the part:

Diemme Firenze Combat Boots

AXS Trail Parka

Barbour Morris Utility Waxed Jacket (W)

Quoddy Black Deck Chukka

Hiut Denim Selvedge Denim Hack@ 2013

Mad Bomber Plaid Wool Hat

Stay warm, folks!

Clothes That Keep You Warm | Steam Horse Dry Goods

 

Two Winter weather necessities for me are a solid pair of thermal layers and a big, warm wool sweater.  Steam Horse Dry Goods, previously mentioned here, do the classics right.  I strolled the streets of Philadelphia this weekend looking for some last minute Christmas gifts and stayed warm and dry for the 5 or so hours I was out.  It helped that I stopped at Beiler's to grab a donut and Nook for a warm beverage, but man, this sweater is amazing.  Fits perfectly and isn't too itchy.  If you found a wool sweater like this, you are set.  If you're looking for (the) one (and only), find it here.  #ChristmasGear

Steam Horse Dry Goods Co. | Made in America

Every now and then you find a diamond in the rough and this week-- Steam Horse Dry Goods Co., hailing from the Appalachian Mountains in East Tennessee.  The team over at Steam Horse Dry Goods has nearly 60 years manufacturing experience making everything from ball bearings to engine parts and 40 years sewing and pattern making.  All denim comes from an established leader in textile manufacturing, Cone Mills.  All canvas is sourced from some of the oldest cotton mills in the south.  You can expect quality here and some really nice people! 


Check out their blog - The Telegram
#StockingStuffers - Tools & Supplies
Look book in action - Video Reels

Pointer Brand: Black Watch Banded Collar Wool Coat

The L.C. King Manufacturing Company, makers of the Pointer Brand, bring to you the best looking chore coat I've seen in awhile.  And it's affordable!  So pretty and just in time for the cool seasons ahead.  Black watch all the way.  Check it out here.

ETSY Finds: Woolrich Must-Haves For Fall

Etsy is a great resource for finding exactly what you are looking for.  I love the website, the concept, the blog, I love it all.  Fall weather is coming shortly, so what better way to prepare than with a quick search of those quality names we know and love.  Enter, Woolrich.  Here are three finds worth a second look...  

Peter O'Toole's Baracuta Jacket Illustrations

OneManUpManship turned me onto Peter O'Toole and his amazing illustrations.  From O'Toole's Clark's Original illustrations to his work for Disney, Durex, Carhartt and one of my favorites Baracuta, he continues to produce wildly exact replicas of the product mixed with his signature style.  Keep on!  Also, if you're not hopping over to OneManUpManship now and then, you're doing it wrong.

Sierra Designs Hurricane Rain Jacket Review

A bit of Spring showers and morning mists can't keep me off the bike.  I pulled on my newly acquired Sierra Designs Hurricane Rain Jacket for the occasion.  First and foremost the jacket didn't break the bank or require countless hours of research, but it did have to be breathable and waterproof.  I checked out REI and they had just the jacket, on sale, in a bright color with all of the right specs.  Here's what I found out:

Breathability:
3/5 Stars

There are under arm zips for ventilation, but otherwise a pretty sealed shell.  The nylon ripstop fabric is nice and light, but the actual level of breathability leaves me wanting more.

Waterproof:
5/5 Stars

Absolutely worked like a charm.  Stopped all of the rain and weather that was thrown at it.  I took of the jacket and with a quick shake, flicked all of the excess water off.  According to Evo Waterproof ratings, I would say it's between 16,000mm - 20,000mm.  I couldn't imagine it as 20,000mm+ based upon the nature and quality of the fabric, but I haven't had extreme enough weather to test it.

Fit/Sizing:
3/5 Stars

I'm really lazy when it comes to returning clothes for the correct size.  I'm impatient.  But, even though this jacket runs large, I decided that it would be good for layering once it starts to get colder.  As a shell for warm weather, it's a bit bulky.  The cut is a little too feminine for me (I hate when the bottom flares out) and the picture on the website is a bit misleading.  Just show me a front view of the jacket!

Price:
4/5 Stars

Super cheap closeout price on REI.  $49 dollars plus a pair of socks to earn free shipping, can't beat it.  I would never drop $80 bucks on this.

Overall opinion, the jacket was cheap enough to let it's lack of breathability slide.  It's kept me perfectly dry and is super lightweight.  I see myself wearing this a lot for hiking and as a rain jacket.  I'm not super excited about the fit, but it will work out and be handy in the Fall/Winter.  I would recommend to everyone to spend the ~$50 or so and pick up a waterproof shell for cycling, it makes the morning commute a lot more tolerable.

Stay dry and have a great Monday!  Oh and there's a men's version of the jacket too.

Aether Skyline Motorcycle Jacket

Spring is around the corner and with that, Aether added the Skyline Motorcycle Jacket to their inventory.  This mild-temp jacket offers sealed seams, waterproof material,  and "highly abrasion resistant Field Nylon shell." "On the interior, the jacket has a breathable mesh lining with integrated compartments for protective padding."

Four color options and a lot of features. Unfortunately this would set you back a cool $650.  On the upside, this jacket features their D30 pad system that can be added or removed for safety.  The sleeves look a little short on the model I wonder if this has been an issue with anyone out there?

Winter Things

Top Post Holiday Sale Picks

Maybe you have some holiday cash to spend or you've been waiting for the sales, either way, here are some of my top sale picks...more details after the jump.

Favorite Winter Accessories

 

Sometimes those new, updated winter accessories are the best things to be treated to.  These are some of my favorite gifts from Christmas.  A nice new Carhartt cap and a pair of Alpaca wool mittens.  Keeping you roasty toasty in the coldest of weather.  Hopefully we still have a lot of Winter weather ahead of us here in Philadelphia.  We need a couple nice freezes and a snowstorm, you know, as long as you have no place to go.

What kind of Winter gear gets you through the season?

Carhartt Ketchikan Jacket

The Carhartt Ketchikan Jacket has a roomy and breathable cut.  This is by no measure a jacket made for anything below 40 degrees F, but allows for a vest or other garments underneath.  This jacket caught my eye because it's a simple cut made for movement.  You know when you're outside and doing some chores or biking you need a jacket that will protect you from the wind chill but allow for breathing.  This is it.  $180 bucks.  Colors: black, brown, gray.

Hickoree's 25% off Jackets Today...

Beauty & Youth United Arrows Harris Tweed "Coverall" Blazer on sale over at Hickoree's.  Made from four different Harris Tweed patterns.  Have it by Christmas if you order by Thursday...

Red or Blue or Both? Scotch & Soda Winter Gear

These are my favorite items from Scotch & Soda's online shop.  Their Winter essentials are looking good! I selected some of my favorite quilted goods for the season a couple of days ago, but this Nylon Shirt Jack really hits the nail on the head.  I'd add this one to the list if you're in the market. 

Best of Quilted Outerwear

Filson: New Arrivals for Women

Filson has a lot of great new products for women.  I took a look at the new arrivals this morning and was impressed.  Though the price tag is a little more than this pocket book can handle, buying quality items is well worth the extra $ here and there.  And, um, we are approaching my birthday soon (hint).  Guys, there's some stuff for you that's well worth checking out as well: here.