Jul 26, 2012

DENIM BRUIN; BEAR BRAND ENGINEER and WORKMAN CAP SALE



The San Fernando Valley Mercantile Co. is proud to participate in the DENIM BRUIN event this weekend in San Francisco CA. Our BEAR BRAND ENGINEER and WORKMAN CAPS will be for sale at AB Fits located at 1519 Grant Ave in San Francisco on Saturday July 28 along side other MADE IN CALIFORNIA brands including our much respected neighbors from the Los Angeles area MISTER FREEDOM and RISING SUN
Michael and Charla Harris will also be sharing special pieces of 19th century workwear along with offering signed copies of Michael's must have book "Jeans of the Old West" at Roy Slaper's (ROY DENIM) Miniature Museum located at 489 23rd St in Oakland CA from 6:30-9:00 PM.
A tip of the cap to Mark Randal for doing the heavy lifting and making it all possible.

In conjunction with the sale at AB Fits we are pleased to offer a free BEAR BRAND ENGINEER and WORKMAN CAP logo tee free with purchase of any BEAR BRAND ENGINEER and WORKMAN CAP from The San Fernando Valley Mercantile Co. online store.
Caps are locally cut & sewn and tees are locally cut, sewn and hand screened. Tees are constructed of ring spun cotton in both fine jersey and slub variations.  Available colors are black and blue, both with antique white BEAR BRAND train engine discharge print logo. Colors and sizes subject to availability on a first purchased basis. Contact sfvmercantile@gmail.com for size & style availability.

Jul 25, 2012

MADE IN CALIFORNIA, CAN'T BUST 'EM, DENIM BRUIN

In honor of the upcoming DENIM BRUIN - MADE IN CALIFORNIA event this coming Friday thru Sunday July 27-29 in San Francisco, CA celebrating denim & workwear designed and made in California, we share a vintage CAN'T BUST 'EM engineer coat in a much favored vest jacket style that was made some 70 odd years ago in the great city by the bay. 
This garment is constructed using express stripe denim which has a wider stripe pattern than the more commonly seen hickory stripe variety. The GOLD LABEL tag located at the inside collar likely dates this jacket to the 1940's. From the VintageWorkwear.com collection.
Collarless "vest jacket" styling with elongated lower front waist
Angular patch pockets with stripe pattern lined up to match the body of the jacket provide a nice detail
Engraved type buttons with enamel inlay
1040's era machine loomed rayon Union Made/ Trade Mark neck label
United Garment Workers of America Union Label
Elbow area of the sleeve showing natural wear from real world use
Back side view shows distinct vest type design with shorter back and longer front
Cuff edge stitching reinforcement and machine repaired holes tell the tale of real work and related  wear & tear
More real wear & tear found on the sleeve