Want - Batten Sportswear Parka

With the summer rapidly approaching I find my woollen jackets and coats being a bit obsolete, therefore I find myself wanting a good mountain parka to complete the full 70's ivy look.

I really like the collection by Batten Sportswear, which is another American/Japanese brand lead by designer Shinya Hasegawa, who cut his teeth as Daiki Suzuki's assistant for the Woolrich Woolen Mills project. The whole collection is very, very strong with a nice surf/outdoor vibe, that is very easy to wear during the summer. To me the stand out piece is the "Travel Shell Parka" in the iconic 60/40 fabric with a lot of yesteryears functional details. On another important note it's made in the US - as is the whole collection.

You can get yours at End Clothing

WAYWT - 02

I tend to dress in the most boring fashion, hence I never do much WAYWT (except for one a while back). However today I received a parcel, which content made me take my socks off and go out into the gloomy weather, which later turned to snow. But I didn't care much because my feet were wrapped in the some of the best leathers known to man in the shape of a pair of penny loafers from the venerable English shoemakers, Crockett & Jones. I friend picked up on the fact, that I wanted them badly and decided to donate them to me and for that I'm forever grateful. Thank you.

From bottom up

Crockett & Jones "Boston" penny loafers - with a Dainite sole.

Levi's Vintage Clothing  jeans - 501z 1954 

Vintage braided D-ring belt - Indigodyed.

James Dalgliesh  crew neck - Argyle in Shetland wool

Levi's x Filson trucker jacket - in waxed tincloth

Not visible

Woolrich Woolen Mills Upland shirt - in blue chambray

The Hill-Side scarf - in violet chambray

The Quest for the Ultimate Winter Coat - Various

I have neglected writing about winter coats or jackets for some time. And I'm not even sure, I'm going to write much more about it. Mostly because I have so many jackets, so I don't spend much time looking for anything for myself. Besides that relaunched Made in USA Sierra Designs parkas of course, that seems to be popping up everywhere at the moment. I feel quite strongely about them, as I have been waiting for them for years! And I think, I'll keep waiting, untill I can get one with a woolen Pendleton lining.

But if you need inspiration for jackets, then please take a look at this Flickr account, that belongs to a user, who is called Nicolas Ticklish. He seems to have one amazing collection of mostly parkas of all sorts. Very inspiring, but it also makes you wonder, does he really need that many jackets? And the answer is, I guess he does.

Here are a couple of outtakes (incidentally all taken from page 1), but you should really look for yourself. If you find anything you like, and want a second opionion, just ask away.

Vintage mountain parka from now defunct Banana Equipment - one of the American hiking brands of 1970s

Military smock - apparantly made of the legendary functional fabric, Ventile.

Recent parka by Woolrich Woolen Mills. Made in the US.