Displaying all articles tagged with &ldquo#Rising Sun Archive”
While today the word apron is synonymous with women in the kitchen, throughout history they have been a workwear staple for men, and continue to be today. The word possibly comes from the french word for tablecloth “napron”. Just as a tablecloth protects a table, an apron can be useful in protecting ones clothes from wear and tear as well as keeping them clean.
In most cases the fabrics used are various qualities of canvas, woven on shuttle looms. This ensures that they are narrow goods with selvedge edges, and a rare fabrication in todays world.
We are planning to produce a small batch of aprons in the near future, using selvedge canvas, in raw natural seed also known as, greige.
Here is a small sampling of vintage work aprons from the Rising Sun archive, and we’d like to share these beautiful articles of workwear history with you.
Tailoring is an art form that has been around for centuries, and has evolved to become a highly specialized craft. Although it’s an old world trade not much has changed in the past 200 years. The businesses have usually been family-owned, where everyone pitches in to help, even the children. An item of clothing made by a tailor is personal, unique and superior, a contrast against the mass consumed, quickly made wears that fills much of todays clothing stores.
At Rising Sun, we believe and live by the code of this honorable trade. As merchant tailors, we take pride in being torch bearers of this honest hand made craft, and feel compelled to shed some light on this subject by showcasing some timeless images from the days of old.
Our new friends from the blog Anothersomething and wrote up a brief history on the Buddy Lee dolls. They stopped by our shop when they were in town to model some of our Buddy Lee collection for the photos in the article. Click here to read the article. They have more of these articles which they call “anotherfeature,” and they also have curated online store called “anothershop.”
We are continuing our leather jackets blogging marathon with a very important, collectible type: A-2. The A-2 is the quintessential bomber jacket. It was Army Air Corps regulation flight jacket in 1931 as an update from its predecessors and went on to become the legendary leather jacket that today is mostly associated with American heroes in World War II. Today modern A-2, genuine issue jackets are permitted for aircrew personnel who have completed their mission qualifications. In civilian life the A-2 silhouette and styling have become popular with motorcyclists by the 50′s. Vintage A-2 are prized for their relative rarity, horse or steer leather (compared to goatskin on modern issues) and slimmer fit.
This particular piece in the Rising Sun Archive is made of horsehide tanned to a nice russet color. According to government specifications the back panel is a single piece of leather, the front is two, and the sleeves are two pieces each. The patch pocket with flaps each have snaps. The original knit cuffs and waist are also to government specs. The lining is an olive drab poplin.
An Acme Thunderer whistle is attached to the jacket via a hook and eye closure. If the wearer were to become stranded in dangerous terrain the whistle would help the search and rescue team locate him. How do we know it was a him? “Harold W. Lindt” is written on the inside.
All in all a fantastic piece full of research and inspiration value.
This beauty here is what many motorcycle jackets aspire to be. Pony horsehide. Late 40′s / early 50′s. Worn in to a beautiful stingray tone. Maker: Los Angeles Sportstogs “Sportswear from California.” This is the real deal.
Besides the beautiful leather and romantic nostalgia it invokes the jacket is also interesting because it was likely a highway patrolman / motorcycle patrolman jacket. The dark football shape you see on the left chest is a result of something having been there for ages, protecting the leather from fading like the rest of the jacket. It was probably another piece of leather that had eyelets for securing a police badge.
Other details include original Talon #8 zipper with stirrup puller. The chunky teeth on the zipper are beautifully aged and still very sturdy. From our experience one must look far and wide to source such quality trims and hardware these days. Likewise the heavy, black sateen lining is also fantastic and in great shape considering what the piece must have been through.
Here is a late 20′s / early 30′s sportsman jacket with its steerhide still in superb condition. There is a hint of early flight jacket influence in the styling as aviation “fashion” played a role in cycling and motoring cultures. It comes with original Amazon rain forest nut buttons and the button holes are double welted. Pocket flaps utilize snaps for easy access and closure during riding. A cotton twill lines the jacket including the sleeves and does not limit arm movement because it is a light weight lining.
One of our favorite parts of the jacket is the deep arc shaped yoke on the back of the jacket. Does it remind you of a certain San Francisco brand? In fact the pocket flaps take on arc shapes too. The nice panel work and pleats in the back are also very interesting. This is another piece we proudly own.
The label shows “Herford Jacket” and there is a debate here as to whether this was of English origin. We will post updates if we find any additional details.
Here is a sneak peak at a World War II era tent Mike found at the Rose Bowl. The khaki canvas tent is large enough to walk in and we have big plans for it. As the material is woven canvas made on power shuttle looms the fabric is of course selvage. It is in great shape and has at least one maker’s stamp on it.
