Left Field NYC – Brand History, Philosophy & Iconic Products

An institution in Americana garb for over twenty years. Have a look at the inspiration and story behind Left Field NYC.

John Bobey & James Smith

Clocking in at a quarter-century in the heritage menswear market, it’s clear that Left Field NYC is here for the long haul. The brand is committed to American-made goods that honor the rich sartorial history of the United States, from workwear to sportswear and Ivy League garb.

Left Field is also a pillar of the American raw denim scene, offering top-quality, domestically-made five-pocket jeans in a range of cuts and fabrics. We’re taking a moment to shine the spotlight on Left Field and what makes the brand so charmingly American.

Left Field NYC History & Philosophy

Left Field was founded by Christian McCann in 1998. Growing up, Christian became obsessed with the craftsmanship of yesteryear by attending antique flea markets as a child. As he grew older, Christian gradually noticed that products that were once handcrafted in the U.S. were now mass-produced in outsourced factories.

This trend was extremely prominent in the mid-to-late 90s as more and more manufacturers closed their domestic operations in the wake of NAFTA. there wasn’t the swath of homegrown American brands making quality products in The States like there is nowadays. In fact, the heritage menswear market was practically non-existent. Streetwear had certainly kicked off by the mid-90s, but makers producing time-honored goods in the U.S.A. were few and far between.

Christian reflects, “Left Field was started back in 1998, a time when American-made clothing was practically unheard of. Back then, the word “vintage” was only used to describe pieces that were actually old, and the brands that dominated menswear were as inspiring as the local Walmart.”

Initially based in North Philadelphia, Christian collected quality vintage clothing that he would find in the area’s thrift stores. Deciding that clothing was his calling, Christian sewed some seeds in the clothing industry while working as a menswear buyer for Anthropologie when the current chain behemoth was still in its infancy.

He eventually relocated to New York in 1997 and established Left Field NYC in 1998 on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. He remembers, “Left Field grew out of small shotgun apartments and lofts throughout Brooklyn. Every step of its growth I was personally a part of, from carrying rolls of fabrics in the back of my truck, and then up and down elevators in the Garment District, to climbing over bags of clothing to get out of bed.”

In the early days, Christian channeled his Americana influences by producing vintage-style sweatshirts with chenille and wool felt motifs, and t-shirts with appliqué felt lettering. The design process was raw and fresh, with hand-stamped neck labels and unique colorways that were inherent in 40s athletic wear. Local streetwear store, Alife, started to stock Left Field NYC, as well as a handful of Japanese stores that lapped up the Americana-style appliqué lettering.

Left Field NYC eventually voyaged into the world of raw denim. And it’s with the brand’s raw denim goods that Left Field’s philosophy of American-made quality goods really shines through.

Left Field NYC Today

Today, Left Field NYC produces a wide range of products, all centered on American culture. Vintage-style tube tees, jewelry, chinos, shirting, leather jackets, and of course, raw denim goods, Left Field NYC has created a plethora of Americana goodness, all of which can be experienced firsthand at the brand’s brick-and-mortar stores in Ridgewood, NYC and their recently opened location in Silver Lake in Los Angeles.

Left Field sources raw selvedge denim from Japan from esteemed mills like Nihon Menpu and Collect Mills, but also procures fabrics domestically from mills such as Mount Vernon.

The brand has even expanded to offer a sub-label, Choctaw Ridge, which focuses on vintage-style undergarments like nightwear and long johns. Each Choctaw Ridge product comes in a decorative embossed box that honors the packaging of times past. The same goes for Left Field’s Tube Tees, which come in iconic 50s-style packaging.

Iconic Left Field Products

Jeans

Left field offers a comprehensive jean collection across four core silhouettes — Atlas, Greaser, Smokestack, and Chelsea. For a classic 60s-leaning 501 cut, go for the Greaser. Want to channel your inner Johnny Ramone? Check the Chelsea. Need more room in the top block? The Atlas has you covered, as a fit built for guys with bigger thighs. The Smokestack is there if you like more width through the leg, too. Seriously, Left Field has got all bases covered.

Fabrics vary from Japanese selvedge denim to headstock Cone Mills White Oak fabrics.

Shop jeans from $155 over at Left Field NYC.

Indigo Muleskinner Jacket

The Muleskinner is Left Field’s homage to the classic American trucker jacket. Coming in a range of unique selvedge denim fabrics, this archetypal American jacket features a singular chest pocket, pleats running adjacently to the button placket, and two hand-warmer pockets at the waist.

The above rendition of the Left Field Muleskinner is made from 13 oz. deadstock selvedge denim from the now-closed Cone Mills White Oak Plant. Drawing inspiration from both vintage Levi’s denim jackets and Lee’s iconic Stormrider jacket, the Cone White Oak Indigo Sherpa Lined Muleskinner comes with quilted sleeve lining, a sherpa lining, Scovill brass pick and shovel buttons, green bartack reinforcements, and contrasting Italian corduroy collar.

Available for $350 from Left Field.

Tube Tees

Crafted in the U.S.A., Left Field’s Tube Tees are a slice of mid-century America in charming packaging. Each t-shirt is tubular knit from heavyweight ringspun cotton, creating a premium fit with no side seams. They’re then finished with a 50s-style bound collar and a woven neck label. The Left Field NYC Tube Tee is a fan-favorite and often revered as one of the best plain white tees on the market. And they come in a 2-pack! What’s not to like?

Jelt Denim

Left Field NYC recently began using Jelt, a legendary denim fabric developed by Lee in 1925.

Determined to create a lighter-weight denim as strong as its 13 oz.+ counterparts, Lee worked with Georgia’s Canton Mills to create an 11.5 oz. denim woven with tightly twisted yarns that made the fabric more snag and tear-resistant. After 6 years in production, Lee christened this new fabric ‘Jelt Denim’, and it would go on to become one of the most popular fabrics in the American workforce.

Fast forward almost 100 years and Left Field is procuring 11.5 oz. Jelt denim from Japan (that arguably surpasses the OG Lee spec) and using it to sew up some of its most popular denim silhouettes. With a smooth hand despite some slubbiness in the weave, this fabric is rich in indigo for all your fading needs and comes finished with a white selvedge ID.

Available from $230 at Left Field.