My friend Réginald-Jérôme de Mans – who writes every Tuesday at A Suitable Wardrobe – likes to give me crap for my blog’s name. He once joked that I should change it to Workwear to Die For, given what I now sometimes wear. Maybe I should. Lately, I’ve been really into Stevenson Overall Co., a Japanese label that offers the kind of quality you see from brands such as The Real McCoys, but is much more than just a straight vintage reproduction company.
Take these Santa Rosa jeans, for example. They were inspired by jeans made in the 1920s, before the invention of bartacking machines, so all the belt loops have been secured by running a single needle machine back and forth. In fact, the entire garment is single-needle made – even the two lines you see running around the curved pockets are just two single needle stitches running parallel to each other. The back pockets, coin pocket, and belt loops also feature a subtle scalloped design, which allow these to feel vintage without looking like straight reproductions. And of course, the unsanforized denim fades uniquely and beautifully. Just check the photos below and compare them to the smoother, less textured fades you see almost everywhere else.
Perhaps my favorite piece from them is this brown cotton twill bomber. Absurdly simple, but with a trim fit, shearling collar, and an alpaca and wool lining, it’s been an easy go-to for me as temperatures drop. Even with just a t-shirt layered underneath, I feel comfortable enough for some of the Bay Area’s chillier nights.
Unfortunately, the brand’s distribution at the moment is limited outside of Japan. They’re most easily found online through Self Edge, Son of Stag, Burg & Schild, and Rivet & Hide. Bench & Loom also sometimes does collaborations with them through their subline, Phoenix Project. Other than that, you can try contacting Stevenson directly, but I’ve had mixed luck.
So, there it is. I’ll eat crow and say this is workwear to die for.
(Brown flight jacket by Stevenson & Co., white pocket t-shirt by Barns, straight legged jeans from Stevenson & Co., mid-length wallet by The Flat Head, silver double feather necklace by J. Mace, silver wire bracelet by Delbert VanDever, Chromepak service boots by Viberg for 3sixteen, and hand-dyed saddle leather belt from Don’t Mourn Organize)
(Photos via me, Stevenson Overall Co., and amardeep)
