THE ICONIC WHITES

Spring is coming and that means that you get yourself some fresh new white sneakers. They are like a blank page to start your season. And like the guys on top you can't get wrong with a classic white canvas. Either you buy yourself some Seavees, a Jack Purcell like James Dean & Steve Mcqueen or some Sperry Topsiders like JFK not to forget the new a fresh pair of Chucks.

A WARM SMILE - CONVERSE X HUDSON BAY CO.

Jack Purcell's are also know as the sneaker with a smile. This time it's a warm smile, Converse teams

up with Hudson Bay the Canadian famous blanket producer. 

The Jack Purcell silhouette is named after another Canadian, John Edward ‘Jack’ Purcell. Purcell was a world famous badminton player in the 1920s and 1930s who designed the canvas and rubber shoes to provide extra support on the court. In the 1970s Converse purchased the rights to the design and have been producing and selling it ever since – the shoe has become instantly identifiable by the signature ‘smiley’ across the toe.

Hudson’s Bay Company was founded way back in 1670. It is North America’s longest continually operated company and one of the oldest in the world. The Hudson’s Bay Company point blanket has been a familiar staple in Canada and across the globe for over 200 years. Mirroring the manufacturing of the blanket, the wool used on the shoe is dyed before it is spun, then air and sun dried to brighten the colours.

The result is a great casual shoe with a vintage feel and injection of colour due to the green, red, yellow and navy stripes. The shoe comes complete with threaded stitching and antique brass eyelets, and includes the Jack Purcell and Hudson’s Bay logos on the foot bed.

CHADS THINK'S T.G.I.F.....

Breakfast @ Balthazar

Gant Rugger, Bleecker Str.

Goorin Bros., Bleecker Street

The Palmer Trading Co.

Self Edge, Freeman's & Opening Ceremony signs

Gant Rugger, Prince Street

Lunch @ The Fat Radish

Rugby, Converse & Flight Club

Game Night Yankee's

Nope, that was not what I thought last week, Thank God it's Friday. I had a great day again, lot's of sun. I started the day with a breakfast at Baltazar on Spring Street. Their eggs benedict are amazing. Then I headed to Bleecker Street, where I bumped into Christopher Bastin at the Gant Rugger Store. After a quick chat I followed my way to the Goorin Bros Store. In 1895, Cassel Goorin sold his first hat in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Cassel's sons – the Goorin Brothers – continued the tradition of hat making when they moved the family business to San Francisco in 1949. The next stop was Palmer Trading Co. Zack, the manager, told me everything about the collection and how the store was designed. This made me so enthusiastic that I bought a chambray tie with printed fishes myself. This store is worth a detour,  another detour worth is lunch at the Fat Radish on Orchard Street. I treated myself with a bacon cheeseburger with duck fat fries. Did you know that the owners are models in the latest Gant Rugger campaign? I ended the day with a game New York Yankees versus Tampa bay Ray. This was my first ball game...........Go Jeter Go!!

TAFKAP

TAFKAP, this isn't about Prince no this is The Artist Formerly Known As Preppy. Mr. Castleberry painted his GANT by Michael Bastian Chino over a span of 2 weeks with oil paint. The first layer of greens and blues was applied with brusher and a knife and allowed to dry for one week. Then, a top layer of with was applied in the same fashion, as he explains on his blog The Unabashedly Prep.

COLOR MY DAY

Color your day with a sneaker, whether it's a New Balance by J.Crew or a Jack Purcell by Converse, it looks great with jeans, kaki or white chino's.

THE HIGHLIGHT REEL @ J.CREW

The guys @ J.Crew get themselves prepared for spring 2011 and they do that in good company, like Quoddy, Fjallraven, New Balance, Levi's, Jack Purcell by Converse, The Hill-side, Alden and many many more. Enjoy!!

BORN IN THE U.S.A.

The American magazine Details, did a story about the 5 American Classics every man should own, like there is a pique polo either from Ralph Lauren, Gant or Tommy Hilfiger, a Levi's 501, a Ray Ban Wayfarer, a Timex Military watch for J.Crew and those good old Chucks. Now you are ready to read more about the American Style on the site of Details. 

BORN IN THE USA?

The Canadian worldchampion badminton player Jack Purcell designed a canvas and rubber badminton sneaker for the B.F. Goodrich Company in 1935. He designed the shoe to provide more protection and suport on badminton courts. In 1970s, Converse purchased the trademark rights to Jack Purcell sneakers. Converse "Jack Purcells" are still very popular more for their "vintage fashion" appeal than for playing badminton. Check out how great they look at Icons like James Dean and Bruce Springsteen. For sure they throwed the shoebox away.