Oldfield Clothing – British Sportswear and Accessories

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

Oldfield-Clothing-Half-Page — A postcard from the UK that reads, “Wish you were here with all this tweed…”

Every time I turn around, I hear about a new vintage reproduction company in the UK, which seems to be where I want to spend my dollars-into-pounds lately and the retail climate appears to be thriving for vintage-inspired clothing. Swing bandleader, guitarist, and dancer Glenn Crytzer tipped me off to Oldfield Clothing, “purveyors of fine British sportswear and accessories for ladies and gentlemen,” when he picked up a pair of their 1930’s workwear trousers, wanting something in a heavier weight for loading band equipment in and out at gigs. The Oldfield Clothing collection looks well-suited to incorporating its pieces into modern wardrobes, with vintage takes on standard clothing items like trousers and sweaters.

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The trousers really shine – they offer five different cuts, ranging from the most vintage 1920’s golf knickers to the Keaton trousers that look like a standard pair of front pleated trousers (slightly lower rise than their other pairs, but probably higher rise than modern trousers, if you just want to dip your toe into the wading pool of reproduction trousers). There are a range of fabrics, from linen to corduroy and wool, so you can shop and dress seasonally. The workwear trousers Glenn picked are really special, not only for their durable fabric, but also for the details – buttons for braces, button fly, fish tail back, and cinch strap and buckle, to name a few.

Women’s offerings are limited to knitwear (specifically – but knickers, see above), but some really good pieces, like solid sweater vests and beautiful Fair Isle vests and a sweater. Other items that could be unisex include caps, leather goods, and a classic cream long sleeve polo shirt with two collar options.

Here are some of the goods:

4625296845_366x574 — “The Ralph Trouser” – 1930’s style linen, the trousers you need right now in this Northern Hemisphere heat

4619318389_373x384 — Lady dandies, it’s never a bad time to shop for fall – grab one of these cashmere camel slipovers/sweater vests

4566847612 — I love the chevron/starburst effect of this Donegal tweed herringbone cap.

4627022963 — Polo shirt, available with either traditional collar or vintage collar – “ideal for sport, but smart enough to wear with a tie.”

4621779454 — Some of the details on the workwear trousers.

Frankie 100 Swag – Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers Jacket, Custom Bag, and Tee

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

While I’m helping organize/run Frankie 100 NC this weekend, I’ll definitely have one eye on New York to see what amazing videos and news come out of the main Frankie 100 celebration. Already, I see friends posting photos and experiences, including shopping – I think the most eagerly anticipated Frankie 100 merch is the reproduction Whitey’s Lindy Hopper jacket, which FROMChloehong took preorders for several weeks ago.

It was no surprise to me that the master of vintage collegiate style, Bobby White, posted a photo of his acquisition of the jacket (I would do the same thing – it’s exciting, it’s here, it’s real!), but there was more! Chloe also had custom bags made just for the jacket with the Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers logo, as well as tee shirts. I was ecstatic to see the tees, not only because they would be available at a much lower price point than the detailed wool jacket, but also because the tees themselves are reproductions of sorts from the Keep Punching Big Apple routine! I say of sorts because it looks like the tees in the video are a lighter color with a darker graphic – Bobby says there is also a yellow tee available with a darker graphic, so you can get that Keep Punching look. 🙂

Thanks to Bobby for sharing his loot and to Chloe for keeping the surprises coming!

Lindy Hop Fail Awards Merchandise

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

Cuddle up with your mistakes ;) — Cuddle up with your mistakes 😉

If there’s one thing I am thankful for in the Lindy Hop community on this day of giving thanks, it’s the humility of dancers, our willingness to make mistakes in pursuit of our craft, and that it’s all done in the spirit of fun. If we can’t make fun of ourselves, then everything just gets too serious.

I listened to Swing Nation on the drive to my grandmother’s house last night and heard them talking about the Lindy Hop Fail Awards, “merit badges in recognition of your uncoolest swing moments.” I had seen this before, but hadn’t noticed the affiliated shop (*gasp!* I know, I know). Now, you can celebrate every day with hilarious scout badge reminders, in the convenience of your own home. Merchandise is available through Roland the Illustrator’s Society 6 store – pick up a copy of the print as a poster, tote bag, throw pillow, hoodie, tank top, tee shirt, even a stretched canvas. I’m with Ann Mony, I would also love to see this in a shoe bag.

I have definitely been guilty of all of these at some point, with the exception of “Swing in Shorts” – I’m guessing that surprises no one. 🙂 I am still guilty, occasionally, of “Slip Slop” – if you don’t fall sometimes, you aren’t trying hard enough, right? (This is what I tell myself in a fit of giggles on the floor, after an epic fall.)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wear your merit badges proudly on this hoodie