Showing posts with label Indigo Denim. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indigo Denim. Show all posts

Nov 19, 2012

Vintage 1920's CARHARTT Chore Coat

This exemplary Carhartt chore coat described as dating to the 1920's was recently offered for sale by the fine folks at IN VINTAGE WE TRUST and even priced at just under five big ones, this beauty didn't last long.
Some of the killer details seen in the photos below include angular watch pocket with primitive single stitching and rarely seen early Carhartt Master Cloth label, heart shaped "change" or removable buttons with patent date of 1918, sleeve cuff rivet reinforcement and early United Garment Workers of America union label.
While many of the same type of coats from the same time period featured chin strap collar closures, photos and description of this coat did not reference this feature which was also know as dust proof collar or military style adjustable collar.  A similar coat is seen inside the Carhartt Universal Time Book from 1935.
Carhartt Chore Coat photos via In Vintage We Trust
Carhartt Universal Time Book part of the VintageWorkwear.com collection

Aug 14, 2012

BLUE GRASS ROY "The KENTUCKY KORN KRACKER"

The double tuck. Rigid dark denim split pocket overalls placed inside the boots with a chore jacket worn underneath. Add bandana, hat and a four finger spread on the neck... no pick required!  This one goes out to our friend Kevin, the Kentucky Junker.

Jun 25, 2012

The "WASHINGTON DEE-CEE VAGABONDS"

Dean, Herald and Curt aka the "Washington Dee-Cee Vagabonds" seen sporting their alternative to the "Texas Tuxedo", likely circa 1930-1940. The microphone on the right belonged to WSM, the AM radio station best known as the home of The Grand Ole Opry, the world's longest running radio program.  
Just about the best denim "suits" since Bing Crosby donned his LEVIS Tuxedo back in 1951.
The "Washington Dee-Cee Vagabonds" killing it in their rigid indigo denim chore coats and overalls

Apr 30, 2012

1940s-1950s Era BLUE WING Indigo Denim Button Fly Lace Back Dungarees


BLUE WING registered trademark printed label. Not quite sure of the answer to the A LITLE BETR puzzle that finds the second T in LITTLE and the second T & E in BETTER omitted. Was another manufacturer already using the phrase A LITTLE BETTER?
This pair of Blue Wing brand button fly lace back dungarees likely dates to the 1940s-1950s and has been part of the vintage workwear archive since around 2003. We had offered these for sale via The San Fernando Valley Mercantile Co. at The Rose Bowl a few years back for what we believed to be the reasonable price of just over $250 but didn't get much interest at the time, likely due to the smaller sized 30" waist and the wider leg opening. This pair would later be used for design inspiration for the lace back adjustment on the BEAR BRAND Indigo Dyed Selvedge Denim Engineer & Workman Cap below, available via The San Fernando Valley Mercantile Co.

Apr 13, 2012

Wearing the Blue and Brown: Papa's Gold Coast Trading Post

Just came across some nice vintage workwear, military and vintage inspired gear currently being offered via ebay by our friend the Papa of Papa Nui Says... fame. Check the links below and as Joe Strummer once said "start wearing the blue and brown", Papa style. 
    
Vintage DENIM COVERALL JACKET, blanket lined with Dearborn Farm Equipment Patch
8 HOUR UNION dark brown duck DOUBLE FRONT PANTS
1940s-MILITARY DENIM COVERALL JACKET, blanket lined with donut wreath & star buttons
Vintage HETTRICK MFG. CO. AMERICAN FIELD hbt lined DUCK HUNTING and SHOOTING COAT
 REAL McCOYS BUZZ RICKSON VINTAGE DOUBLE V SWEATSHIRT usmc aviator monster Big Daddy Roth inspired
     Vintage BRILL BROS. US NAVY/USMC SUMMER FLIGHT JACKET
For your listening pleasure, THE CLASH perform the track Clampdown live on the abc TV show "Fridays", April 25 1980 in Los Angeles California.


Video courtesy of  pittrek81

Apr 12, 2012

CARTER'S Watch the Wear: The Vintage Garments Part 1

Deadstock CARTER'S Watch the Wear Union Made button front dungarees. Manufactured by H.W. Carter & Sons, likely dating to the 1950s, possibly as early as late 1940s. This garment includes the following details.
• Indigo dyed selvedge denim with heavy grain
• Double needle top stitching in two shades of green 
• Chain stitched main seams and waistband
• Green bar-tacking at points of strain
• Button front fly with Scovill nickle plated embossed snap closure
• Diamond crotch gusset
• CARTERS Watch the Wear machine loomed rayon label
• Union Made in the USA

Close up of CARTER'S Watch the Wear machine loomed rayon label
Interior view of chain stitched main seams and waistband and bar-tacked belt loop details
 Scovill nickle plated embossed front snap closure. Later snaps would be brass gilt plated
Button fly with donut hole type buttons
Diamond crotch gusset often seen in vintage work pants (rarely seen in dungarees)
Close up of the heavy grain indigo dyed selvedge denim. Double needle top stitching in two shades of green thread
Interior close up of chain stitched main seams with green and yellow thread
A.F. of L. United Garment Workers of America DUCK GOODS union label
Inspection tag found inside the lined back pocket states "Guaranteed to be of extra high quality, a new one free if not completely satisfied"
Exposed selvedge edge on inside leg seam



Vintage 1950s-60s CARTERS Watch the Wear indigo dyed selvedge denim apron with embossed Scovill gilt buttons and dual prong type single loop buckle strap fasteners.
Apron includes the following details.
• Indigo dyed selvedge denim with heavy grain
• Primitive crude construction with single needle stitching and lots of character 
• Bar-tacking at points of strain
• Attached selvedge edge denim straps with Scovill gilt plated embossed shank buttons and single loop prong type fasteners
• CARTER'S Watch the Wear printed rayon label
• Union Made in the USA
1950s-60s era CARTER'S Watch the Wear work apron
Printed rayon label
Backside shows narrow loom denim with exposed selvedge edging. Also seen is crudely sewn upper extension piece that has been added to the not so horizontal edge of the single piece main body of the apron
Scovill embossed gilt fastener and single loop prong type buckle
More selvedge and close up of unique single loop buckle fastener
A.F of L. United Garment Workers of America DUCK GOODS union label
We have been a big fans of CARTER's Watch the Wear vintage for some time now having worn, collected and sold more than a few garments over the past few years. Above is part 1 of a multi part installment featuring vintage NOS and used CARTER'S Watch the Wear garments from the vintage workwear archive. We were pleased to see the reintroduction of the proud H. W. CARTER name to the world of vintage inspired workwear, especially when considering the talented folks behind the effort. From what I've seen, the new H.W. Carter & Sons collection of aprons, chore coats, dungarees and especially the more affordable staple of the working man, the bandanna all look real nice.
For those having not already done so, check out some of the new gear and get the lowdown via A CONTINUOUS LEAN and RivetHEAD.

The 1996 court case between H.W. CARTER & SONS, INC., and AMERICAN MARKETING ENTERPRISES, INC., Plaintiffs, against THE WILLIAM CARTER CO., Defendant provides a basic history of both brands and an explanation of the H.W. Carter & Sons CARTER'S Watch the Wear line of work clothing "coexisting" with Wm. Carter's line of children's clothes since the 1860's.

Mar 29, 2012

Vintage HEADLIGHT Union Made Combination Denim & Hickory Stripe Work Coat


Vintage 1950's era HEADLIGHT Union Made indigo denim work coat with hickory stripe collar & lower front pockets
HEADLIGHT brand jacket photos courtesy of vintagegateway
1915 HEADLIGHT OVERALLS Made By Larned, Carter & Co. print ad from the vintage workwear.com archive