The Field House

Blackbird have apparently opened a new shop in Ballard to showcase some of their American heritage brands including, Woolrich Woolen Mills, Filson, RRL, Red Wing, Alden and a selection of candles, soaps as well as some vintage garments. Mister Crew reports on the new shop with some nice photos of the space and product being offered. It looks absolutely great to me. The cuttered layout works very nicely with the balance of brick walls, fall coloured flannel and candles and flowers. The product curation is much more focused in this space and everything seems to work together nicely, down to the name. Browsing the images, I can spot at least a handful of items I would love to pick up, there is no information regarding the shop otherwise, so you'll do well to make a trip to Ballard yourself if possible. —

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Chimala Wool Coverall

I could've used one of these yesterday. It was raining, it was windy, it was cold. Chimala, while extremely enigmatic, is always impressive to me and this coverall even more so than usual. The materials are a great mix of perfectly weighted melton wool with soft cotton lining and chambray finishing under the collar, all of which are of the highest quality. Nice design details like the use of bar tacks throughout (the orange ones on the cuffs are dynamite) raglan sleeves, wood buttons and metal eyelets under the arms give the coverall tons of personality. It's a great wool piece that would be perfect for under the parka and over the sweater. Or when it's slightly warmer out it'd be great as a jacket on its own. This one has a very good tailored fit to it which only made me want it more when I tried it on a couple of days ago. Available at Lark

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Porter for Monocle Garment Bag

The Porter for Monocle collection continues to grow this fall with the latest edition, the garment bag. Not as bulky and big as the average travel companion, it is much more practical for short trips that require a suit or more formal attire that might not fit into the Boston bag. It comes in the standard Monocle colour options – black and olive. It fits a fair amount of clothing while packing more than enough interior pockets, zip pouches and places to put one of your passports. I wouldn't have really considered purchasing a garment bag before, but the price isn't outrageous and the functionality is undeniable the more I seem to travel. It will be available from Monocle next month.

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LOOK | Another Fall Day

There isn't anything too special about this outfit, but it is perfect for fall. We have seen a definite temperature drop here in Vancouver so layers of wool are essential. I'm just as fond of the red and black lumberjack as anyone and still haven't acquired a Filson Mackinaw – but the hankering has been kicked up a notch lately. Engineered Garments tab collar broadcloth shirt and wool cardigan are a perfect match and the blue tones go really nicely with the Mountain Research scarf. The South 2 West 8 cords worked nicely with the flap pockets and good buttons, and of course the colours sit nicely with the Alden Indy's from Blackbird. Finished off with our own Duluth Pack collaboration bag and you're set for another fall day.

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INVENTORY Number 01 Fall–Winter 2009

With the launch of INVENTORY we aimed to go a step further than h(y)r collective. It wasn't really supposed to be a re-brand, rather it's a new brand built around our biggest venture yet, a printed magazine. Volume 01 Number 01 is due to arrive in our hands for release at the end of next week. The magazine has taken a lot of hard work and effort from a (very) small group of passionate individuals and it has turned into something special right before us. I don't want to get too far into how important the project is to me personally right now, instead I just want to let you know a little about it to begin with. The magazine will be retailed in the Inventory Stockroom, for $20 USD – as well as at select retailers around the world. The bi-annual magazine has been produced not just as a catalogue of what's happening right now, but as a way of telling stories and curating a certain aesthetic, product and feeling. It carries a higher price tag not only because we feel the magazine's content holds value, but also because the tangible product itself comes at a cost as we chose to print here at home in Canada. With little advertising, buying it is the absolute best way you can support our work and efforts to create something good. The focus has always been to produce something we would love to find and see ourselves, and it's been wonderful to see the reaction over the last couple of years. We are very proud to present the first offering from Inventory Magazine this fall. – Number 01 features; Yuketen, Willo Perron, Nigel Cabourn, Mister Freedom and Engineered Garments. There are focus articles on Duluth Pack and Chris Gibbs, and we've featured Collection No. 9 from Nom de Guerre in an editorial spread, among others. There are 140 pages of 100% original photography, words and thoughts – and we hope you enjoy it. Thank you to everyone involved and who has supported the making of this magazine. INVENTORY Stockists – The Bureau Garbstore Albam Self Edge Winn Perry Roden Gray End Clothing Craft 4Horsemen Mister Freedom Superdenim Farinelli's Tenue de Nimes Surrender Oi Polloi Indigo&Cloth – Email info@inventorymagazine.com if you'd like to carry the magazine in your shop.

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Beaver Quilted Shooting Vest

Quilted garments are starting to creep their way back into the mix as winter quickly approaches. I've seen a handful of good versions in stores here and there but most of them have been nylon. Beaver of Bolton makes an excellent vest option in tweed however. The patterned weave just has so much more character than the synthetic fabric and I've always loved the look of it with a brown suede patch or two, which in this case comes on the shoulders. The brown ribbed collar looks great with it too. Snap button front is ideal and the middle shell pocket is a nice bit of detail even though I doubt I'll be hunting anytime soon. Most will be glad to hear that the vest is Made in England but you probably wouldn't guess any other way after taking a gander at the traditional British hunting & country outfitter's website.

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Band of Outsiders Striped Oxford

One of my favourite oxford shirts this season actually hasn't come from Gitman Vintage, surprisingly. Band of Outsider's new body combined with the subtle stripes on this oxford shirt have it on top of my list this fall. The soft blue combined with a gentle yellow somehow has blended beautifully. The two colours I might not naturally pair, especially in the fall, work well here and layered under any sport coat or sweater. While I'm still warming to the darts on the back, I like the shape of this shirt and it feels great on. If I buy one Band of Outsiders shirt this season, it will be this one. – Available at Opening Ceremony

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Bleu de Paname FW09

Bleu de Paname has been on my radar for a little too long without making note on the Updates. I'm not claiming to have known about it for a long time, but since a friend from Kapok mentioned the brand I've been checking in regularly on the French work wear label. The pieces are all made in France and use specific references to the regions deep history while producing great looking articles that fit in perfectly today. Blue denim, chambray and cotton cover the collection as they stick true to the "Bleu" in their name. The brand has been showing up at a few retailers this fall. With only a couple shops stocking the modest collection, Tres Bien have just put up a handful of pieces online. It's a great selection and I would probably wear each item shown. —

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