Thursday, November 19, 2009

We like: Michael Williams of A Continuous Lean



A couple years back, Michael Williams was bored by the handful of menswear blogs he browsed. They were either "too straight or too gay," as he puts it — "either about grills or about some crazy new man accessory." So in December 2007, Williams launched AContinuousLean.com, a style-slanted blog after his own interests — handmade goods, Americana, denim, and workwear — plus whatever else struck his fancy in music, food, and booze. Spending a few hours a night blogging, his following has grown to around 350,000 visitors a month, and he's a regular contributor to GQ.com and Selectism.com. This weekend, Williams and UrbanDaddy editor Randy Goldberg have curated a menswear-only Pop-up Flea, stocking merch from Rogues Gallery, Billykirk, No Mas, Michael Andrews Bespoke, and more, and some of Williams's favorite brands will carry over into his blog's new online shop, launching Monday. We talked to him about shoes, eBay trolling, and drinking (occasionally all at once).

What sets A Continuous Lean apart from other style blogs?
It's not about fashion — the F-word is never used — it's just about well-made stuff. It's focused on craftsmanship more than anything, whether that's a $6,000 Savile Row suit or work boots from Wolverine.

You've curated a menswear pop-up this weekend. Are you worried about competing with Save Fashion?
It's like the antithesis of Save Fashion: It's not about fashion, it's not a sale … it's just clothes and curated stuff. Randy [Goldberg, of UrbanDaddy] and I were joking around, "You go ahead and save fashion — we'll be over here, drinking whiskey."

Who are your favorite designers?
I like Nigel Caubourn from the U.K., Steven Alan, and Billy Reid. But mostly I'm adherent to a uniform: flap-pocket Oxford shirts from J.Press or Hamilton 1883, jeans from A.P.C. or Jean Shop, and Barbour jackets. But that's representative of the guy that reads my site — it's a very sort of man thing, to wear the same stuff over and over.

What's the first designer item you bought?
I think in the nineties sometime I bought some Prada shoes — that was a big thing for me at the time. Now a designer buy for me is Alden or Church shoes.

Where do you like to shop in New York?
Steven Alan is the store that best represents me. I also like Hickoree's Hard Goods, an online store that has awesome vintage stuff. And City Foundry, which carries all this Machine Age industrial furniture. I'm also the craziest eBay addict.

Anything in particular you're hunting for?
I love to buy stuff on eBay, just so every day I get a crazy package with something random in it. Sometimes I'll get drunk and go on eBay and forget I bought something the next day — then a package will show up with all these buttons or a wool blanket or something. It's my own induced vintage Christmas.

Photo: Courtesy of AContinuousLean.com.

How would you describe your personal style?
Disheveled. I think people are a little underwhelmed when they meet me. I love workwear, but I don't need to wear bib overalls. I can exorcise those demons online.

What trends are you appreciating right now?
A lot of people are buying American-made stuff, and I hope that continues.

Any current trends you hate?
Luxury for the sake of luxury. It's like luxury condos: Do you ever see a condo that's just marketed as a condo? No, it's always a luxury condo. It's bullshit. And it's indicative of the whole luxury market.

What's something you're saving to buy?
I don't really have any needs in my life. I mean, sure, I'd like to go to Savile Row and buy a crazy-expensive suit, or go buy an IWC Portuguese watch. I'd like to buy that, but I don't have any money, and I'm okay with that. I have a Timex; it works.

What should every guy have in his closet?
The real giveaway with style is footwear, and I think women will attest to that. If you met a guy with bad shoes, it'd be something you'd have to get over. He should have a Chukka boot, a nice English brogue, and a saddle shoe.

What's something you never leave the house without?
My Springer spaniel, Lancey (like Delancey Street). I take her to work every day.

The Pop-up Flea, 201 Mulberry St., nr. Spring St.; F (3–9), S (11–7), Su (11–6)

Courtesy of NY Magazine

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Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Couple New Gitman Bros. Vintage!!

Here at ShopDetour.com we love Gitman Bros. Vintage. We love the story behind the brand, we love the heritage patterns and we love the fits and quality, all at a great price! Now I don't have to remind you how fast these sell, so if you're interested in either of these jump on it now:), because they won't be around for long.

Any questions just call or email us.
Thanks!






Gitman Bros. Vintage. Brown/Cream Flannel. S-L. $149 Made in USA.




Gitman Bros. Vintage. Large Plaid in Red/Orange/Purple. S-L. $138. Made in USA.

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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

acknowledge your roots...

This is what my brother and I grew up doing...loved it!
Somehow this got us into doing what we're doing now. If someone can find the tangent let us know, we're still trying to figure that one out




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Monday, November 9, 2009

Just In!! Holiday Band of Outsiders.

Anyone who knows Band knows how amazing the fits are and more importantly how fast they sell. Well we just received these today and wanted to get them up on our blog ASAP for all our members to get 1st pick of...Enjoy!





Band of Outsiders. Micropane Navy Check. XS-XL. Navy. $219.




Band of Outsiders. Light Blue Twill. XS-XL. Lt. Blue. $219.




Band of Outsiders. White/Blue Chalk Stripe. XS-XL. Blue. $219.



Band of Outsiders. White Oxford w/ Black Button holes. XS-XL. White. $207.

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Band of Outsiders. Black Oxford w/ White Button holes. XS-XL. Black. $207

Let us know if there are any questions on fit or construction.
Be the 1st to get one, just call or email us.
Thanks!

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Friday, November 6, 2009

Passion comes in all flavors

Good Video

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Things we like:

Things we like:

Joy Division



There’s no shortage of books on Ian Curtis or Joy Division. At this point, everyone recognises Ian Curtis as a certified musical and style icon and he’s revered accordingly. It reached a point when Men.Style (RIP) labelled him as an ‘overinfluencer’. What makes this book different from the others is the fact that Kevin Cummins had captured them from their beginnings as ‘Warsaw’ to their heady heights. And, as you’d expect, there’s more than enough unseen images to make this worth a purchase. It is a first edition collectable copy though, so the £200 price tag shouldn’t be much of a shock. (Paul Smith)

courtesy of selectism

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Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Things we like:

Herman Miller Select Spinning Tops



“Toys and games are preludes to serious ideas.” – Charles Eames

Herman Miller Select’s own write up of their spinning tops begins with the above quote. Eames was fond of games, as you’ll guess, as a method of relaxation and beginnings to creative work. These tops are inspired by Eames, if not purely in aesthetic then by thought. Beautifully formed from walnut, they are designed by KleinReid. The New York-based firm formed by James Klein and David Reid is best known for its porcelain, but also offers fine work in jewelry and prints. Herman Miller Select’s spinning tops are a rare opportunity to bring home some of KleinReid’s wonderfully crafted work and have a bit of fun at the same time.

courtesy of selectism

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Sunday, November 1, 2009

There is a difference

In the shop we get the question all the time: why is this "X" amount of dollars. Since 1997 we have specialized in premium brands not luxury/designer brands. Our brands have had and will always have value associated with them because of the materials or fabrics used as well as the type of and country of manufacturing. We can spend hours explaining why a jean costs $200 in our shop, because we care how it's made, who is making it and why they're making it. Below my brother found this brief article and I think it explains it well. Enjoy!!


LUXURY VS. PREMIUM

Luxury goods are needlessly expensive. By needlessly, I mean that the price is not related to performance. The price is related to scarcity, brand and storytelling. Luxury goods are organized waste. They say, "I can afford to spend money without regard for intrinsic value."

That doesn't mean they are senseless expenditures. Sending a signal is valuable if that signal is important to you.

Premium goods, on the other hand, are expensive variants of commodity goods. Pay more, get more. Figure skates made from kangaroo hide, for example, are premium. The spectators don't know what they're made out of, but some skaters believe they get better performance. They're happy to pay more because they believe they get more.

A $20,000 gown is not a premium product. It's not better made, it won't hold up longer, it's not waterproof or foldable. It's just artificially scarce. A custom-made suit, on the other hand, might be worth the money, especially if you're Wilt Chamberlain.

Plenty of brands are in trouble right now because they're not sure which one they represent.

-Seth Godin

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