Outlier is really ramping up their product line with another innovative and well made product.  The price is high, but it’s understandable to a degree when you see “Made in New York City” on the label.  I love the dedication to US manufacturing.

Similar to softshells- the material is not 100% waterproof, but according to Outlier, it will keep you dry when out in the elements for hours.  Supermarine cotton is tightly woven Egyptian cotton, whose fibers swell up when they get wet, keeping the water on the outside.  It’s also supposed to be breathable, which is aided by ample vents and zips.  Also cut long in the back, making more appropriate for on the bike.  No word on how the hood works with a helmet.  Looking good guys.

Available in Black, Red or Anthracite.  $650.  Available at Outlier.

Wow.  These look great.

Only 160 pairs will be available and that is spread between men’s and women’s sizes in two colorways. 

Sign up at the Outlier Feit joint site to get the first notice when these go on sale.

Just finished printing up another small run of shirts and crew neck sweatshirts for the winter.  The Baphomet is printed on an American Apparel black shirt.  The other designs on Gildan preshrunk cotton shirts.  They turned out really well and I like the colors a lot.  Green, blue, purple and grey tees as well as a blue crew neck.

The webstore is updated.  Head over and buy a shirt, sweatshirt- or one of the new 24oz coozies (coozies will be shipping 12/30)

Check out the webstore HERE

Over the past few years there has been an increase in companies offering cycling inspired clothing- clothes that work well for riding as well as being comfortable and casual enough to run errands or work in.  One of the materials that has seen the most attention is Merino wool.  Wool isn’t new by any means- it has been the “performance material” of choice for generations.  In more recent times, many outdoor clothing companies veered away from natural fibers such as wool- seeking out new synthetic materials to take there place- with with varying amounts of success.  Smaller couture brands have picked it up again, and are putting a new face on wool- stylish as well as functional.

Now I won’t try and convince you as to why you should wear merino wool.  It IS an animal product which- along with the leather saddle, is a no go for the vegans.  It does cost more.  How much more depends on who’s label is on the product- but if you want a cheap jacket- merino probably isn’t for you.  The decision is up to you.
If however, you are a fan of wool- read on.

If you are looking for a women’s specific merino hoodie/sweater, the Chrome Pasha may be just for you.  Personally I love the new Bosun jacket from Mission Workshop.  Mission Workshop has been coming out with one great product after another, from their bags to their shoes to their rain jacket-all of which have being met with rave reviews.  The same goes for Outlier- who has been soaking in the world of cycling couture for a while now.  They’ve even got a peacoat- which I wouldn’t call a riding jacket- but hey, whatever makes you happy.

Mission Workshop Bosun Merino Wool jacket

• $235
• Made in Canada
• zippered “touring style” rear pocket
• slighty longer tail
• reinforced shoulders and elbows

Chrome Pasha women’s hoodie

• $160
• Made in China(?)
• offset zipper
• rear cargo pocket
• women’s specific

Chrome Cobra men’s hoodie

• $160
• Made in China(?)
• handwarmer pockets
• thumb holes
• pass-through zippered rear pocket

The Outlier Clothing Classic Merino Hoodie

• $225
• Made in New York City
• large hood designed to fit over helmet
• two way zipper

Rapha Track Top

• $275
• made somewhere
• one button rear pocket
• full length zipper
• it has pink on it
• slim fit
• did I say it was Rapha pink?

Swrve full-zip Merino sweater

• $200
• Made in the USA
• stand up collar (no hood)
• two way zipper
• men’s cut (no women’s cut available)
• reflective details
• high hem at front, low hem at tail

There are others offering wool jackets, and still more companies offering wool jerseys, pull overs, sweaters and the like.  These are just a taste.  What do you like?

Shipping starts December 10th, just in time for Christmas.  The Rapha Tweed softshell is looking great.  At $700, it will be reserved for those with deeper pockets.

Check it out HERE

Outlier and their experiments….

Wow.  This is really nice.  It gets me excited for fall as opposed to mourning for a summer’s end.  Size Large please…

Pick one up at Outlier Clothing

Pista Collective has some pretty rad shirts, I really like the “Move” design.

Available HERE

In June of this year, the Vigorelli velodrome became home to a fashion show during Milan’s mens fashion week.  Thom Browne’s Gamme Bleu collection for Moncler, inspired by the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia was on display- models riding around the velodrome to an orchestral version of Queen’s “Bicycle Race” and to Kraftwerks “Tour de France.”  I appreciate non-traditional venues for events, and an aged velodrome makes for an interesting fit for something like a fashion show.  You can see more of Moncler HERE- including the jackets designed by T.I….

Moncler Gamme Bleu Spring/Summer 2011 Runway from LAT Videos on Vimeo.

See more photos from Style.com (photos above taken from their site) HERE

Mission Workshop…  Poets of the cycling softgoods world.

rondel |ˈrändəl; ränˈdel|

noun

1 a rondeau, esp. one of three stanzas of thirteen or fourteen lines, with the first two lines of the opening quatrain recurring at the end of the second quatrain and the concluding sestet.

The fine folks at Mission Workshop have outdone themselves, yet again.  They’ve already set themselves apart by doing something different with bags that other bagmakers haven’t (the vandal looks pretty awesome)- and now they’ve pulled the rug out from under the casual bike shoe manufacturers by offering something that many of us have been waiting for.  Sure you can get bmx, freeride and downhill shoes that are SPD compatible- but they all look too much like skate shoes.  These things will look good with normal clothes and they don’t look like something from a Redbull commercial.  If you are looking for a shoe a little more casual than the (very beautiful) Dromartis, this could be your ticket.  Available soon.  You can get an email update when they hit the streets on from their website.

Well done fellas!

Henrik Vibskov. A Scandanavian fashion designer with a different way of doing things. The titles of the show’s he has produced are anything but boring. “Big Wet Shiny Boobies”‚ “The Solar Donkey Experiment”, “The Slippery Spiral Situation”, and “The Fantabulous Bicycle Music Factory” being just a few. Part runway show, part theater, part performance art- the models are part of a moving display.  Interacting with the “Fantabulous Bicycle” in something that, if nothing else, is interesting to watch.