We just received the first models for the Crittenden Fall 13 line, and they are everything you would expect from this longtime menswear industry veteran, Crit Rawlings.

After 50 years of working for and leading such venerable names as Norman Hilton, Polo and Oxxford, Crit is now producing a line of soft coats for specialty stores that pays homage to the best days of the Ivy League Look. The coats are made in Tennessee by Hardwick Clothes, a 135 year old tailored clothing manufacturer that is still family owned. The coats, in Shetland Woolens that harken to the days of casual elegance, feature a 3/2 rolled lapel, lapped seams, swelled edges, patch pockets w/ flap and a hook vent. The unpadded shoulder has a forward slope. The construction and fit is very soft, a silhouette that looks as good with jeans and cords as it does with gabardine.

Seersucker & Tweeds blog by American Suit Store

Those who would write the obituary for “Made in the USA” are premature, period.

By Billy Neville

One need only look across the broad expanse of America’s heartland to see that we are not only competing but actually winning! Strong evidence piles up daily; American made is reassuming its rightful place as the leader in so many vital segments of our economy, particularly apparel and textiles. Studies show that shoppers these days are checking to see where the products they’re purchasing are made.

Reasons for this resurgence range from emotional to economic. Emotional, because there is in many of us a very real sense of American pride. Economic, because our factories and wages are once again “in line” especially once transportation costs are factored into the equation. Add to this fast delivery, top quality and a committed work force, and the American-made advantage is increasingly apparent.

A few success stories: New England Shirt Company in New Bedford, Massachusetts; Hardwick Clothes in Cleveland, Tennessee; dozens of denim makers on the West Coast. Those more under the radar include Phar-Shar in Leitchfield, Kentucky (making top quality outerwear and bags for so very many brands); Char-Dan in Thomson, Georgia (where hundreds of workers have never ceased producing top-quality trousers); Brigade in tiny Tylertown, Mississippi (once home to Haspel, now making quality denim); Brooklyn Denim in Brooklyn, New York; and Raleigh Denim in Raleigh, North Carolina. You want more? How about The Pointer Brand in Bristol, Tennessee (they’ve been at it since 1933); The Red Heel Sock Company in Osage, Iowa (home of the iconic Sock Monkey); Faribault Woolen Mills in Faribault, Minnesota (producing incredible blankets for the military); and Stormy Kromer in Ironwood, Michigan (a headwear company that’s recently expanded into a full lifestyle brand).

Stormy Kromer is a great case study in how to market heritage. George “Stormy” Kromer was a real guy: a semi-pro baseball player and railroad engineer. Born in 1876 in Kaukuna, Wisconsin, he grew up with baseball and would eventually play on nearly 30 semi-pro teams throughout the Midwest. He might have continued in baseball but he met Ida, and before Ida’s father would allow her hand in marriage, our ballplayer needed to find “real work”, which meant the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad and long, cold trips across the plains.

Stormy was an engineer and to see where he was headed he had to stick his head out the window…into the wind. In 1903, he asked Ida (now his wife and an excellent seamstress) to modify an old baseball cap to help keep it on in windy weather. The all-cloth cap with the soft, canvas visor was a departure from the traditional fedora of the day. It was more comfortable, and because of its six-panel fit and unique modification, it stayed put. Soon other railroad workers wanted one and when Ida could no longer keep up with demand, they hired a few employees and the business was born. To this day, these hats are hand-stitched right in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, still made to fit perfectly.

Surely most of the American-based companies mentioned above, and dozens more, have equally fascinating histories. Perhaps it’s time to get the word out!

Billy Neville is an industry consultant and branding expert. He can be reached at 601-278-5155 or wnmnn3@yahoo.com.

For years traditional and preppy men have known that there is more than one way to express one’s interests or passions than neckwear. Check out just a few of the dozens of motif design belts from Belted Cow. Made in America

Rounding The Mark

Tug of Dog

Flags

Pirates

Lacrosse

Fish and Flies

Seersucker and Tweeds blog by americansuitstore.com

Seersucker & Tweeds blog by American Suit Store

See our selection of Harris Tweeds here

Seersucker & Tweeds Blog by www.americansuitstore.com

]]> http://seersuckerandtweeds.net/2012/11/18/bows-and-tweeds-tweeds-and-bows/feed/ 0 americansuitstore 84794405454084392_FYqp6Xyi_c 193584483953695528_cTZIjMWb_c 214343263486578522_6XUwYBzU_c 134404370100624515_Tp4V10Nk_c 135741376240315959_rIXKtI8S_c 148407750190805140_Hx5OaNlW_c 249527635575222999_0YPRJQEV_c http://seersuckerandtweeds.net/2012/11/17/in-praise-of-a-little-mixing/ http://seersuckerandtweeds.net/2012/11/17/in-praise-of-a-little-mixing/#comments Sat, 17 Nov 2012 13:26:22 +0000 americansuitstore.com http://seersuckerandtweeds.net/?p=1496 ]]> I’ve always been a fan of mixing patterns and color…….. nothing shows a man’s own self confidence and adventure than putting together an outfit that blends different patterns into an unique look.

Seersucker & Tweeds is a blog of www.americansuitstore.com

There’s not a segment of the American Men’s Population that is more under served when it comes to clothing than the Gentleman 5’2″ to 5’5″. I dare anyone to go into a men’s store or department store and find a suit or sport jacket that is cut specifically for a Gentleman this size. In most, if not all cases, the salesperson will show garments that are made for taller men and expect the gentleman to accept the less than perfect fit.

We recognize this need and are proud to offer two models, The Napoleon Blazer in a regular cut and The Dwight Blazer in a portly cut.

Both are made from patterns cut for men 5’2″ to 5’5″

100 % 2 Ply Worsted Wool
$189.95

Offered in Navy & Black

Sizes Extra Short 34 to 46

Seersucker & Tweeds blog by www.americansuitstore.com

These are not Yappers; content with sitting on your lap and sleeping the day away. The Sporting dog is truly Man’s best friend, ready at a moment’s notice to take to the fields and woods…. and always there to greet you with a wagging tail when you arrive home!  There should be an Olympic Event for these great athletes!

Seersucker & Tweeds blog by American Suit Store

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Seersucker & Tweeds blog by American Suit Store