White Mountaineering Shell Luggage Jacket

White Mountaineering has put together one of the strongest collections of this season and it's definitely a shame that it's not available around these parts. The soft knits, pants, hats, bags and socks are all stronger than most western brands are producing, but it's this Shell Luggage Jacket that I am really loving. With a technical interior of Gore-Tex and solid shell, you would need nothing more than a cozy layer underneath to stand up to any weather. I prefer the tan version although both are amazing. The pocketing feels perfectly balanced while mixing in great zipper use and a hand loop link on the chest. The length of the jacket is a little on the shorter side which is nice with such a technical jacket as well. It allows you to let a EG Baker poke out the bottom and give the look some texture and depth while keeping you protected. As it's made for the Japanese consumer, the sizing is smaller and the fit looks slim. It could be a great option for those looking to invest in a technical outer shell that looks great in the city and on the ski hill in early spring.

Click to read more ...

White Mountaineering Fair Isle Socks

Thick red socks always look great during the winter. An Argyle pattern can also be good but there's something about Fair Isle that's even better. I pulled these off the White Mountaineering site as a reminder to get something similar and thought I'd do a post as well. I've got a couple of Ralph Lauren pairs in the same pattern and while they're still going strong, I definitely want to track down a few more options. The right colour combination is obviously important but I always think a well chosen sock speaks volumes. It's a detail that many people overlook but as part of an outfit, they provide a great point of interest. These are a good example of that. All four colours work really well and my hunt for similar versions begins in earnest this week.

Click to read more ...

Porter x White Mountaineering Luggage Bag

This Fall's White Mountaineering line might be one of their best yet. While the collection continues to grow and impress one of my favourite things they do is make their luggage in collaboration with Porter each season. While they probably don't need any help, working alongside a master bag maker can't hurt and it didn't this time around. The bags are adorned with Yosuke Aizawa's unique mountain camo textiles which are finished with solid accents and interiors. Admittedly I'm not much of a tote bag enthusiast but I can easily get on board with this pattern as I do love the odd hit of camo here and there. My pic is the lighter 'desert' version but it's sometimes hard to beat plain old Jungle. Its oversize shape and removable shoulder strap add plenty of functionality to a good looking bag. This one's available only at Beams

Click to read more ...

White Mountaineering Spring Collection

White Mountaineering is definitely one of the most blogged Japanese lines that should be in North American, right beside Nonnative. The aesthetic could easily transcend the continents, the price isn't too crazy and I want some of it. This spring the collection had a lot of hits or misses for me. I included images of the real hits to highlight my favorite items from the seasons offerings. Of course the black watch plaid bucket hat is on the top, along with the bright plaid blazer, denim coat, worn oxford and boat shoes by Timberland. These items would definitely work pretty well into the daily rotation. I particularly like the denim coat as it looks like it could fit that chore coat spot in the closet pretty well. There were also a number of more technical GORE jackets that would be good to have, but not something I can get overly excited about.

Click to read more ...