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- Fade Friday – Sugar Cane 1953 Type II (20 Months, 2 Washes)
Fade Friday – Sugar Cane 1953 Type II (20 Months, 2 Washes)
/ Fade Friday /
It’s Fade Friday! And today, we have some Sugar Cane goodness to make your weekend that little bit sweeter. This Sugar Cane 1953 Type II denim jacket comes to us from Rex over of Taiwan, who’s put in 20 months of intense wear to get some glorious fades out of a notoriously slow-to-fade fabric.
When we say ‘intense wear,’ we mean it. Rex tells us he’s worn this jacket every day, even in the hot and humid Taiwanese summer. It’s safe to say he’s reaping the rewards, as his jacket is peppered with fades and patina. Stark, monstrous honeycombs cover the inner sleeve, and a solid fade has developed on the left chest pocket. Two washes have given the denim a heritage-blue cast, which helps to deliver the perfect vintage steez along with the chalky roping that covers almost every seam.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen top-class fades from Rex; he submitted a solid pair of Momotaro jeans to us back in March 2017. Judging by this beastly jacket, this probably isn’t the last we’ll be seeing from him.
Sugar Cane 1953 Type II Raw Denim Jacket
Fabric: 100% cotton selvedge denim
Fabric weight: 14.25 oz.
Fabric source: Japan
Made in: Japan
Additional Details:
Deerskin leather patch
Reproduction of 1953 Levi’s Type II Denim Jacket
Iron buttons
Available at: Redcast Heritage for $238
/ New Releases /
From fries to pancake alternatives, we have always had a soft spot for waffles in our hearts. So when Iron Heart tells us they have a waffle textured button-down shirt — that’s right, not a henley — we had to see it to believe it.
Featuring a complex weave that creates a lovely 3D texture, the shirt isn’t just fun to wear, it provides greater breathability which will be key as warmer temps are on the horizon. It’s made from indigo rope-dyed cotton, you already know some ridiculous fades are just a few dozen wears away. Closed out with all the dressing you’d expect from an IH, made-in-Japan garment, like felled internal seams, single, double, and triple stitch construction, and black cat’s eye buttons, the wild texture might seem like a novelty at first but you better believe it isn’t smoke and mirrors.
Available for $290 from Iron Heart.
In the denim world, indigo is king while black dye provides a much-needed break from the blues in your rotation. But with all this bruise talk, we’ve failed to mention one hue that adds a whole other layer of flavor to the conversation: grey.
Whether you see this 12.5 oz. Gustin denim as khaki or off-white -or #542 Titanium, this lighter tone is great for warmer months and brings new life to the rest of your wardrobe. So why wouldn’t Gustin triple down on it this spring? Available right away in Straight, Slim, or Skinny cuts, the #542 Titanium Super Slub Selvedge Denim Jean is made from 12.5 oz denim — arguably the perfect 4-season weight — and feature a gold selvedge ID that can be see on one of the waistbands as well as your upturned cuffs.
They’re made in the USA to the undeniable 5 pocket design, making them a no-brainer if you want some less conventional jeans, no matter what cut you choose. And if you want our advice, lean into the stains. They will only make them look cooler over time.
Available for $175 from Gustin.
You don’t have to be a proud Scot to appreciate the beauty of tartan. Historically linked with Scottish families, clans, religions, and military regiments, tartan comes in a range of colors and patterns, all conceived hundreds of years ago using native dyes. Fast forward to today and tartan is intrinsically linked to the modern wardrobe, from flannel shirts to scarves and beyond.
Putting tartan through a more unique pace this year is Bleu de Chauffewith its range of bags crafted from green & navy tartan waxed cotton. This attractive yet practical tartan sourced from the legendary waxed cotton clothiers, British Millerain, infuses the history of the Highlands with Bleu de Chauffe’s unmistakably French DNA, making it the calling card of the brand’s 2025 collection.
Bleu de Chauffe Meline Tote Bag in Tartan
This spirited fabric can be seen across a range of bag silhouettes and styles. It sits proudly on the Meline, a brand new Tote Bag from Bleu de Chauffe that orients the rugged totes of old for modern life with dual straps for shoulder and hand carrying, a detachable internal pocket for valuables, and two roomy outer pockets for quick access. The Missak Aviator Travel Bag also looks fantastic in tartan. This larger bag draws inspiration from Aviation styles of the early 20th century but is designed with the modern traveler in mind. Scaling things down is the New Beat Belt Bag XL, a fanny pack style affair with perfect for springtime jaunts where you just need somewhere safer than your pockets to store your phone, keys, wallet, and perhaps a packable rain jacket for those April showers.
Bleu de Chauffe Missak Aviator Travel Bag in Tartan.
If you don’t fancy going full tartan, you can always take a look at the Business Woody Bag, a unique daily bag for the commuter that features a rolling internal section to keep your valuables dry, which in this case. This internal compartment is crafted from BdC’s British Millerain tartan, while the rest of the bag is made from navy waxed cotton and vegetable-tanned leather.
No matter which bag you want to throw over your shoulder, each one is handmade by one person in Aveyron, South of France, an advent confirmed through the maker’s signature inside every bag. All leather components such as handles, welts, and trims, are crafted from vegetable-tanned leather, a chrome-free, patina-ready material that also meets Bleu de Chauffe’s unwavering standards for sustainability.
All styles are available at Bleu de Chauffe from $178.50.
It may be the best part of a century since the Dust Bowl, but that doesn’t stop us from appreciating the flavor of workwear that helped rebuild America after that difficult era. And when it comes to producing vintage-inspired Americana goods with integrity, Left Field NYC is among the cream of the crop.
Left Field’s Dustbowl Shirts harken back to 1940s work shirts which were built tough as nails to withstand the demands of working in a nation recovering from the Great Depression. They don’t ’em like they used to, so it’s up to brands like Left Field to preserve the craft while supplying us with serious threads.
The latest drop of Left Field Dustbowls consists of a quintet of Japanese fabrics. Two new 100% cotton Shadow plaids keep things familiar, a deep Green Shadow and charmingly murky Tobacco Sunburst. Close-ups show that this pair of plaids have been perfectly brushed for a slightly hairy surface that provides coziness and texture from the jump. Next up? Mr. Roper and Grandpa. Both of these 100% cotton Japanese cotton flannels feature a tighter check pattern, with Mr. Roper hitting some nice verdant notes while Grandpa channels the essence of British tweed colorways with its brown, beige, and blue makeup.
Last but certainly not least is my favorite, the Galaxy cotton/wool blend. This whimsical cloth is made up of 45% Cotton, 35% Wool, 20% poly and woven with multicolored neps that imbue the fabric with a nebula-like quality unlike anything else on the market right now. Tonal buttons keep this one sleek and stealthy – wear it to the office, bar, wherever. The galaxy is your oyster.
Each shirt is cut and sewn in California using chain stitch side seams, branded copper/tin reproduction buttons, dual chest pockets, stress point reinforcements, and a custom Left Field NYC neck label.
Available for $245 from Left Field NYC.
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking to channel the aesthetic, the Meermin 516690 Boot in Tobacco Waxy Calf will get you out the door looking slick and ready to ramble.
Meermin’s Hiking boot is built on the brand’s ONYX last which was designed specifically for this style to provide comfort and a wider toe box. The silhouette takes the best of vintage hiking boots with its high shaft, mix of metal eyelets and speed hooks, and all leather construction. But this contemporary Hiking number turns things up a notch with Waxy Calf Leather and Goodyear welt construction that allows the boots to be re-crafted if you ever manage to wear down that lugged rubber sole.
Further quality-of-life features can be found in the padded ankle and extended bellows tongue, the latter of which is made from a soft and supple waxed Kudu leather. This layered tongue is designed to adapt to your movements, enhancing both comfort and durability — all while retaining the look and heritage charm of leather. Steel shanks keep things stable, whilst Meermin’s Ultraflex System Construction promotes balance and flexibility. Vintage-style, modern comfort.
Each pair is handmade in China and comes with smooth horsehide lining, vegetable-tanned leather insole, and traditional rope laces.
Available at Meermin for $280
/ Weekly Rundown /
Super Heavyweight 40oz – The World’s Heaviest Denim Jean – Tate + Yoko
The Untold History of Outdoor Research, A Great American Gear Brand – Field Mag
Celebrating the Evolution of Riveted Denim – Levi Strauss & Co.
Levi’s Revived the Best Sonic Youth Band Tees – High Snobiety
Making the Rarest Even Rarer – Crown Northampton
Trump’s Threat to Human Rights in Fashion’s Factories – BoF
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