Bleu de Paname

I just learned of Bleu de Paname thanks to Junctioned.  The French brand, started in 2008, develops and manufactures everything in France and is a "revisiting of the work uniform with a contemporary vision" via mixing of the functional and aesthetic.  The gear will be available soon at Tres Bien Shop and Oi Polloi, but in the meantime get a feel for the brand with this pretty rad video (it starts slow, but picks up) and some S/S lookbook pics below.


Bleu de Paname AW09 at Très Bien Shop from Très Bien Shop on Vimeo.

-L.A.S

Bustin' Out The Funk

Since I recommend Vans Authentics like my life somehow depends on it, I figured I'd share with you guys how I keep my joints smelling fresh.  As you probably already know wearing canvas sneaks sockless in sweltering weather can lead to some funky-ass kicks, especially if you have some seriously sweaty dogs, so here is my method to keeping things fresh to death:

1. Apply a layer of baby powder on the insoles of your Authentics proportional to how bad your shoes actually smell.
2. Make sure everything is evenly distributed and knock out the remaining powder.
3. Place your "dusted" Authentics outdoors to breath for a while (I do this for a day max).
4. Knock your shoes together to make sure that every last bit of rogue powder is out.
5. Place you Authentics in the freezer for a couple of hours.
6. Put on your super duper fresh kicks and go do some damage.

It's that simple folks and the results are the real deal.

-L.A.S

Lumina Clothing Co.

Lumina Clothing Company is a Raleigh, NC based brand making handmade neckwear in the good old US of A.  Their southern heritage comes together with modern sensibility in the ties which combine classic southern fabrics (perfect for this time of year) and modern cuts.  All their neckwear comes in three widths ranging from a "skinny" 2 inches to a traditional 3.25 inches.  With bow ties going for $39 and ties $59 Lumina presents itself as another affordable player in the neckwear conversation.  My favorites have to be the printed bow ties, which I imagine looking pretty smashing when paired with a white or blue oxford at your local lawn party.  Break out the mint juleps because it's time to tie one on.

-L.A.S

Lusting After: Diemme Roccia Vet Boot

Diemme is a 2 decade old Italian brand making some of the finest boots across the pond.  Their Roccia Vet boot has just hit Tres Bien Shop in limited quantities and is one of the finest hiking style boots I have ever seen.  Coming with 2 sets of contrasting lacing, colored suede, an orange-ish Vibram sole (reminiscent of a red brick sole) and authentic hiking hardware this boot is the real deal for both hikers and lifestyle fans alike.  They are made in Italy and produced in limited qualities hence the $330 pricetag, but the one of a kind looks and craftsmanship more than justify the cost.

-L.A.S

Rod Laver Vintage

In the last issue of GQ Creative Director Jim Moore endorsed the Rod Laver vintage sneaker just re-released by Adidas.  As a fan of the standard Rod Laver sneaker I had similar sentiments especially after seeing just how bare bones the new vintage model was.  The vintage model actually reminds me a lot of a slimmed up Stan Smith (an ex-girlfriend of mine actually used to refer to my Stan Smith's as "grandpa shoes") complete with mesh body, which will really come in handy when going sockless.  Part of me also wonders if Adidas was taking cues from Common Projects and their best selling Achilles model.  Anyhow, I can get down with the Rod Laver vintage and it's one of the rare times that I have been impressed with a black sneaker.  Anyhow, you can buy the black colorway from Adidas online and the white and green colorway at J. Crew.  At $75 it is a cheaper alternative to the Common Projects Kool-Aid and a welcomed addition to anyone's S/S sneaker rotation.

-L.A.S

From The Inbox: A True Clarks Love Letter

Thanks to reader R2 for pointing me in the direction of what is by far the most amazing love letter to Clarks I have ever seen. If you ever doubted these classic shoes were an institution in the Caribbean have a listen too my new favorite jam. Pay attention to the lyrics too, there a some serious tips to be had - "toothbrush get out the ____ spots." Please keep in mind that despite this awesomeness I do not endorse wearing two different pairs of shoes.



-L.A.S

Hand's On: Millican

I don't go crazy over bags like a lot of my style brethren, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate a well made, functional carry-all made by some good folks.  Until recently Millican, an England based lifestyle brand, was admittedly off my radar, but I am very thankful they reached out to me.  This "style circle" many of us function in can be so dynamic at times that the very best brands often slip through the cracks unnoticed - I try and do my very best to stay informed, but it is impossible to keep tabs on everything.

Millican is one of those brands that knows exactly what it wants to be and I respect the hell out of that.  With these guys there is no wavering, no trends - just doing what they love and producing real stuff.  For the unitiated, let them break it down:

"We’re a travel and outdoor lifestyle brand for eco-friendly travellers and curiously deep thinkers. You know, the type of people who like the fact that we’ve pumped a lot of thought into every bit of organic fabric for our rucksacks, every strip of vegetable tanned leather for our wallets, every piece of recycled polyester for our travel bags. Like us, they’ve always got one eye on the planet and the other down a path into the woods."

Now that is a mission statement I can get behind.  See, the beauty of Millican extends beyond their bags.  It really is about the journey and the process - a journey and process that are evolving organically.  "We don’t pretend to be perfect. Sometimes, we fail, but we keep trying."  If only all brands were that honest up front I would probably spend more of my hard earned money.  Don't get it twisted, however, as they're isn't anything failing as far as I can tell.

With introductions out of the way, let's get down to the nitty gritty...the gear.  Everything that goes into Millican's bags is the real deal.  Organic weatherproof canvas, organic cotton lining and vegetable tanned leather are the building blocks to their entire collection.  The bags are sturdy, functional and look flat out fantastic.  In the same vein as everything I hold near and dear to my heart, Millican's bags are classic, understated and wholly masculine.  I was lucky enough to get my hands on a sample of the Steward courier bag and I couldn't be more pleased.  It's big enough for that weekend jaunt and not to cumbersome for my commute.  Add in its unique closure system and utility roll-top and you have my new go to right there.  Without a doubt in my mind I can say that my bag search has ended before it even got started and for that I thank the fine folks at Millican.  Give their gear a serious browse when you get the chance and you just might be saying the same thing.

-L.A.S