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March 22 - Old Blue Fade

Author

David Shuck
March 22, 2024

Together with

/ Fade Friday /

Oldblue Co. 21/23 oz. Beast (6 Years, 7 Washes)

Ferdinand in Indonesia might not have discovered the Straight of Magellan but he sure knows how to sniff out an exceptional pair of faded denim. Since March of 2018, our guy has been chipping away at his pair of Oldblue Co. Beast Jeans, and much like a voyage across the 7 seas or however many Magellan hit in the 1500s, it was slow and steady all the way to indigo notoriety.

Checking in after his last submission, the jeans which weigh in at between 21 and 23oz have now seen a total of 6 years’ wear and have seen water 7 times. Wearing them just when he felt like it and not stressing too much about the details —either Ferdinand is just being humble — or these dramatic creases and well-worn patches just sort of worked themselves out. And if that’s true, is it not a lesson for all the raw denim heads out there? Sometimes it just comes down to going with the flow and living your life. The sick fades will come.

Oldblue Co. 21/23 oz. Beast Raw Denim Jeans

  • Fabric: 100% cotton selvedge denim

  • Fabric weight: 23.7 oz.

  • Fabric source: Japan

  • Made in: Indonesia

  • Fit: Slim straight

  • Additional Details:

    • Horween leather patch

    • Red hickory stripe pocket bags

    • Button fly

  • Available at: Oldblue Co. for $275

/ In Partnership with Grant Stone /

It takes over a month to make Badalassi Carlo Tannery's Minerva Box leather, and Grant Stone makes it into boots to last a lifetime.

Minerva Box is a grained version of the boutique Italian tannery's vegetable tanned Minerva leather. During the process, the hides are placed in a 'Bottali,' a large rotating barrel, that allows the organic tanning substances to stay in contact with the tannins for 30-35 days. The result is a vibrant leather with transparency, depth, and grain.

You can find the Minerva Box on Grant Stone's Cap-Toe Garrison and Moc-Toe Brass styles.
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/ New Releases /

There are blankets, and then there’s the Alberton x One Ear Brand Duck blanket.

This isn’t your grandma’s crochet project, people; we’re talking about a blanket that’s so ducking comfortable, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. Woven entirely in Osaka, Alberton’s Duck blanket – available in two very forest-friendly colorways – is a modern take on a vintage L.L.Bean blanket from the ‘30s. The blanket is generously sized and will look good next to just about any piece of furniture i.e. draped over your sofa ready to waddle into your next Netflix binge session.

As an added bonus, the blanket is flame-resistant, meaning it’s perfect for cosying up around the campfire.

Available for £180 (~$230) from Those That Know.

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Repro fiends, lend me your ears! The Burgus Plus Natural Indigo Selvedge Jeans 1955 Model are some beautiful slim-straight jeans you should really take a look at. They’re made from a one washed mid-weight 14 oz. denim woven from a combination of 100% cotton yarns sourced in the U.S., and recycled U.S. cotton yarns — rope dyed with natural indigo — woven on vintage shuttle looms to create a nice and uneven texture throughout with some nice subtle slubs.

Each pair is made in the image of the slim-fitting 1954-1955 Levi’s 501XX, with reproduction details like contrast stitching throughout, rivet reinforcements at points of stress, metal button fly, bar tack reinforcements, chain stitched waistband and side seams, all gorgeously hand sewn in Japan. Burgus plussed (see what I did there) the jeans with a blue selvedge ID, white cotton pocket bags, and a branded deerskin leather patch.

Available for $195 from Hinoya.

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If there is one common down side to well made boots, it is that breaking in a new pair can put a hurtin’ on your feet. Remedying this very problem was the target of new boot brand Hambleton, a collaboration between industry veteransJoe Pollard and Ryan Vaughan. The Hambleton tweaked a few key features to produce a softer, comfier wear right out of the box without sacrificing the look and performance boot lovers expect. 

At the heart of this cap toe boot is a springy Durameter foam in the footbed, which replaces the cork typically found in the midsole. This makes for a more cushioned feel which retailer American Trench insists, “feels like a sneaker from first wear to last.” To further soften the stride, the outsole is made by Vibram, offering more flex than a leather midsole.

To hold everything together, an old-school thick leather midsole connects the vamp and the outsole with a Goodyear welt. The whole thing is assembled at Rios of Mercedez + Anderson Beane in Leon, Mexico, one of the greatest leatherworking hubs on the planet. 

This classic work boot isn’t short on looks either. The brown-colored ox suede, sourced from the UK, provides an elevated look that can swing a business casual office just as well as taking a beating on Harley. A little polishing here and there will keep the solid brass eyelets shiny for the life of the boot. 

Available for $475 (with a free pair of socks!) from American Trench. 

/ Weekly Rundown /

  • Levi’s Secures Partial Win in Green Tab Trademark Lawsuit – Sourcing Journal

  • Artist Designed Cotton Bandanas – Ginew

  • The Chef Residency Is the Restaurant World’s Most Exciting Trend  – Inside Hook

  • Can BioFluff Succeed at Replacing Real Fur With its Plastic-Free Alternative?  – Eco Cult

  • Style & Fashion Drawings: Things I Dislike – Put This On

  • The Great British Pub Might Be Doomed. Should We Care? – Esquire

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