Recently we discussed ways to keep cool in the summer heat. However, if you are truly “cool” the heat never gets to you. (Or at least that is the way it appears to others.)
This type of cool has no universal definition. It is kind of like Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart’s definition of pornography — you know it when you see it.
For me, cool is effortless, authentic, and has an uncomplicated elegance. It is both masculine and feminine.
Check out the head-to-toe options below for amping up your own cool-factor. As always, the products featured are made in America and that is definitely cool!
___________________
Perhaps no garment is more elegant than a tuxedo jacket. But when worn by a woman or worn by a man with something other than the standard tuxedo pant, the elegance becomes more approachable, dare I say “cooler.”
EmersonMade – Made in New York, New York
The tux gets an overhaul for summer.
Emerson has brought her eye for design and detail to this menswear classic. In her interpretation, the tuxedo jacket (left, $225) gets a more feminine silhouette and trades its traditional black wool for cream and black linen (a really cool fabric!). For the finishing, she has chosen gold-piped lining and functional pockets.
All of EmersonMade’s clothes have a cool vibe. Check out her work at www.emersonmade.com.
Band of Outsiders – Made in US*
This jacket at the “peak” of perfection. No really, it is a 1-button peak lapel tuxedo jacket.
If this Band of Outsiders’ gem looks like it was made just for you, James Bond, or the man in your life, it was. Band of Outsiders’ tuxedo jacket (left, $1752) is hand-tailored by Martin Greenfield Clothiers in Brooklyn, New York. It is rendered in 100% tropical wool with double besom pockets and back side vents and with proper care it will last a lifetime.
Band of Outsiders is known for their cool products and partnerships so check them out at www.bandofoutsiders.com.
*Many, but not all, of Band of Outsiders’ products are Made in the US. They do an excellent job of noting the source of each product on their website, so please read carefully.
Kim White Handbags - Made in US
Cars are inherently cool (at least most of them). So when Kim White started fashioning handbags of vintage automotive fabric, it is no surprise that the result was ultra-cool.
Kim uses virgin dead-stock automotive fabric that she found tucked away and wisely purchased. This means each of her creations has a retro auto vibe, but is made with fabrics that have been stored since production. It is the best of all worlds — authentic vintage feel and pristine fabric.
Not only are the handbags (left, Camaro clutch for $225) that Kim creates great looking, they are inherently durable. Think about how long the fabric in your car is meant to last. That can be a very handy trait in a purse also.
The design of today’s automotive upholstery fabric does not hold a candle to that of the 50′s, 60′s and 70′s. Whether you remember it fondly or simply wish you’d been there, you will want to check out www.kimwhitehandbags.com.
Nedrelow – Made in Minneapolis, Minnesota
If you have an Ipad, you’ll want a cool way to transport it. After all, isn’t that the point?
There are myriad of options out there, but not many are stylish and even fewer still are made in the US. Book (left, $99 as shown) is both.
Book is hard-cover shell on the outside with a custom wool felt liner on the inside to protect your iPad. It closes with velcro making it safe to carry in your hand or bag.
Because each Book is hand-made at the time of order, you can customize the outside with your own text (for $109) or with your own text and logo (for $119).
This Book does not belong in any library but it is definitely worth checking out. Visit www.nedrelow.com.
Lydia Marcos Designs – Made in Los Angeles, California
The collaborative known as Lydia Marcos Designs creates jewelry that oozes cool.
Through unusual pairings, woods traditionally used only on guns and knives – burled maple, buckeye and box elder – are given starring roles next to some of the jewelry world’s favorite metals – sterling silver, brass and cooper.
In other hands wood might not feel like a sophisticated choice for jewelry makers but in the hands of the LMD artists these woods have a star quality that would rival most gemstones.
Check out this green marble wood and brass ring (left, $260) and LMD’s other designs at lydiamarcosjewelry.com.
Raleigh Denim – Made in Raleigh, North Carolina
Perhaps the coolest and the most American of all garments – blue jeans.
The couple behind Raleigh Denim is dedicated to building “an ideal pair of jeans.” To do this they begin with selvage denim made at Cone Mill’s White Oak plant. After transporting it the short distance to their downtown Raleigh factory, they work with their small team of skilled workers to design, cut, sew and finish every pair of jeans.
How can you tell Raleigh Denim from the other guys? Raleigh Denim runs small batches of its jeans and hand-numbers each pair. This number can be found on the leather patch on the back of the jeans. They also sign the inside pocket of each pair.
Their own retail store is in one end of their factory, so if you ever in the neighborhood stop in and see them work. If you find a pair of jeans you like enough to buy (and odds are you will), they will hem them for you on the spot.
If you are not in the area, you can check them out at www.raleighworkshop.com. To purchase their jeans give them a call, visit your local Barney’s CO-OP or stop in at one of their other stockists.
Vintage Shoe Company – Made in Martinsburg, Pennsylvania
Cool does not follow fads. It does not need labels to validate itself. It does, however, insist on quality.
For over 150 years, Vintage Shoe Company has been “handcrafting fine leather footwear” according to these same principles. Each pair of Vintage shoes is the result of uncompromising quality and ruthless attention to detail.
In their array of soft leathers, they make up-to-date versions of timeless classics like the cap-toe oxford (left, men’s for $285; right, women’s for $ 285), the chukka, the penny loafer, the saddle oxford and the jump boot – to name a few.
Want to be a “shoe-in” for coolest? Check out www.vintageshoecompany.com.
___________________
Thanks for stopping by.
Got other “cool” recommendations? Please share.
