RIVIERA CLUB CREWNECK SWEATSHIRTS

Riviera Club - Kirkwood Crewneck Sweatshirt
in heather gray
DETAILS: 100% cotton crew neck with raglan sleeves, overlapping 3/4" ribbing neckline with V-shaped serged overlock seams, 2 1/2" ribbing waistband and sleeve cuffs.
$112
shop


Riviera Club - Kirkwood Crewneck Sweatshirt
in ink
DETAILS: 100% cotton crew neck with raglan sleeves, overlapping 3/4" ribbing neckline with V-shaped serged overlock seams, 2 1/2" ribbing waistband and sleeve cuffs.
$112
shop


Riviera Club - Kirkwood Crewneck Sweatshirt
in smoke
DETAILS: 100% cotton crew neck with raglan sleeves, overlapping 3/4" ribbing neckline with V-shaped serged overlock seams, 2 1/2" ribbing waistband and sleeve cuffs.
$112
shop


Riviera Club - Kirkwood Crewneck Sweatshirt
in caviar
DETAILS: 100% cotton crew neck with raglan sleeves, overlapping 3/4" ribbing neckline with V-shaped serged overlock seams, 2 1/2" ribbing waistband and sleeve cuffs.
$112
shop

IT ISN'T AUTUMN UNTIL THE LEAVES TURN RED

Here in Seattle, the start of autumn can be a fickle little creature that lures all your warm under-layers back out of the closet, and wraps you up in toasty little shells made of wool and fleece.

Early, on that first hazy morning, you finally come to grips with the idea of summer being over, as you sip your coffee and the rain starts to fall. You pull on your jeans, thick socks, boots, a longsleeve shirt or two, and your favorite scarf- you look smashing- then you head out the door to run some errands.

You're strolling through the supermarket. You're in the checkout line, you glance at the tabloids as the checker scans and the bagger bags, your wristwatch indicates it's just past noon. With a grocery sack in each hand, the doors graciously open for you. You take one step outside, BAM! The rain has stopped, the sun is shining, it's seventy-four and three-quarter degrees Fahrenheit, the humidity is unexpected and unbearable, and you've got a long walk home.

Sound familiar?
The trick for fall is to layer appropriately.
Here's an idea just crazy enough to work: long john bottoms under shorts.

Here I am putting this idea into action. I don't claim the idea as my own, by any means (just look at a picture of our Founding Fathers in any United States history textbook), but I can tell you this combo is a wonderful thing when the weather is capricious at best.

Filson - Alaskan Long John Bottoms
in Green
DETAILS: 100% merino wool long underwear bottoms. Filson's performance expedition weight Long John bottoms are cut for comfort, field tested and moisture wicking, and their fine merino construction makes them soft and comfortable on your skin. Made in the U.S.A.
Available online or at The Field House.

$85
shop


Robert Geller - Thermal Pant
in Black
DETAILS: 100% cotton waffle thermal long-johns with 1 1/2" elastic waistband, zigzag-stitched front and back paneling, and 3 1/2" ribbed cuffs in black.
Made in Japan.
Available online or in Blackbird.

$124
shop

Long johns have other wonderful applications as well.
Throw them on under a pair of brand new raw denim jeans this winter to avoid that painful break-in phase all together. They make great pajamas too!

NEW A.P.C. SWEATERS ONLINE

A.P.C. - Crewneck Sweater
in Marron Chine
DETAILS: 100% Italian Merlino wool argyle sweater with a crew nickline of 3/4in knit ribbing, 3in knit ribbing waistband and sleeve cuffs. Shown with Nigel Cabourn Raw Seam Wool Jacket (shop), A.P.C. New Buttondown (shop), Alden Blackbird Short Wing Blucher (shop), and Billykirk Flight Bag (shop).
$265
shop


A.P.C. - Pullover Sweater with Elbow Patches
in anthracite
DETAILS: 100% merino wool knitted crewneck sweater with 1" knit ribbing neckline, one-piece sleeves with 2" ribbed cuffs and brown suede elbow patches, and 2" ribbed waistband. Shown with Riviera Club Selvage Stripe Work Shirt (shop).
$250
shop

CREEP BY HIROSHI AWAI RAINBOW SELVAGE DENIM

Creep by Hiroshi Awai - Distressed Slim Pants
in light blue
DETAILS: Soft 100% cotton selvage denim in a well-worn washed and distressed state. The heavy wash perfectly compliments the regular straight fit through the leg for a comfortable, relaxed vintagey feel. The double front pocket detail is an excellent subtle twist on the basic jean which further pushes the relaxed look. The denim used features a beautiful and unique selvage line with alternating colors.
Shown with Alden/Blackbird Short Wing Blucher (shop) and the unbelievably warm Woolrich John Rich & Bros Fairisle Crewneck Sweater (shop).
$192

YOU ARE INVITED: BLACKBIRD RUNWAY PRESENTATION

FINAL DAYS OF WOMEN'S ITEMS ONLINE - BIG SALE

These are the final days before we go back to 100% mens online (we still have a small department for women's in the store).  Tell your lady friends or simply pick something up for her along the way.

UP TO 80% OFF*

...but if you want to pay less email leo@blackbirdballard.com

CLICK TO SHOP

Helmut Lang

Coming Soon by Yohji Yamamoto

Boy by Band of Outsiders

Cosmic Wonder

Tretorn

Jeffery Campbell

Built by Wendy

...and more!

*all sales are final.  everything is sold as is and no exchanges or returns will be accepted.

CMRTYZ! MONDO SHREDDERS AND MORE

The CMRTYZ guys just dropped a box of merchandise off at our office yesterday afternoon. Their signature DIY t-shirts have been sold out at Blackbird for quite a while and it is about time that they are back in our world.

We will be processing the delivery today and should have everything both online and in the store very soon. Expect Mondo Shredders, Micro Shredders, print t-shirts, and the lovely Death Cowls.

Micro Shredders in black or gray



Mondo Shredders in black or white

.. and more!

PREP IT UP WITH SMART TURNOUT WATCH STRAPS

Are you looking for a way to add a little bit of personalization to your prep look this Fall?  How about if you convert your old boring watch strap to a Smart Turnout strap.  They have been outfitting the very best British and American military and higher learning schools for a long while and now you have access to these unique accessories at Blackbird.  You not only get a great looking accessory but each product if in the colors of a particular school or military organization that will give you a story to tell when people pay you a compliment.

Here's what Smart Turnout has to say for themselves:

For years, the name Smart Turnout has only rarely been heard outside Oxford, Ampleforth, the Royal Artillery, and similar strongholds of tradition. To universities, schools and regiments like these, we were the specialist label with the odd name, the one turning their celebrated colours into handcrafted essentials – bespoke cricket sweaters, slip-stitched ties, and hallmarked silver cufflinks.

None of this has changed. What has, however, are the places our grosgrain watchstraps and regimental socks are beginning to turn up. We have it on good authority that some are even calling our collection a vital discovery for the modern gentleman. A discovery? He’s preferred our sort of attire for 300 years.

Smart Turnout stands for what is timeless about British style: vibrant colours, bold patterns and exacting craftsmanship. Maintaining and subtly updating this classic tradition is what makes Smart Turnout distinctive. After all, silk ties and striped socks have been the choice of gentlemen for centuries. We happen to think they look particularly fine in this one.

And our name? A favourite regimental term. It means looking your absolute best.

click for more info and choices

ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS - WHISPER NOT

PLEASURE PRINCIPLE UNISEX T-SHIRTS

Pleasure Principle - Monsters T-Shirt
in white
DETAILS: Pleasure Principle's unique signature unisex t-shirts are cut a bit short and boxy through the body with narrow shoulders and a u-neckline. Made from a super soft washed jersey cotton that already feels like your well-worn favourite t-shirt. Fits a bit on the slim side, so we recommend sizing up. Shown above in a size medium.
$106


Pleasure Principle - Monsters T-Shirt
in pigment gray
DETAILS: Pleasure Principle's unique signature unisex t-shirts are cut a bit short and boxy through the body with narrow shoulders and a u-neckline. Made from a super soft washed jersey cotton that already feels like your well-worn favourite t-shirt. Fits a bit on the slim side, so we recommend sizing up. Shown above in a size medium.
$106


Pleasure Principle - Musical Cats T-Shirt
in white
DETAILS: Pleasure Principle's unique signature unisex t-shirts are cut a bit short and boxy through the body with narrow shoulders and a u-neckline. Made from a super soft washed jersey cotton that already feels like your well-worn favourite t-shirt. Fits a bit on the slim side, so we recommend sizing up. Shown above in a size medium.
$106


Pleasure Principle - Handprint T-Shirt
in pigment gray
DETAILS: Pleasure Principle's unique signature unisex t-shirts are cut a bit short and boxy through the body with narrow shoulders and a u-neckline. Made from a super soft washed jersey cotton that already feels like your well-worn favourite t-shirt. Fits a bit on the slim side, so we recommend sizing up. Shown above in a size large.
$106

VANDALIST BY VANDAL: A WHOLE 'NOTHER WORLD

American photographer, Jerry Uelsmann was born in Detroit Michigan on June 11, 1934. His interest in photography sparked in high school and he used his camera to exist outside of himself in other realms. To this day Uelsmann creates all of his images in darkrooms, no Photoshop, no digital whoop-dee-do, just a true mastery of his analog medium.

"Untitled" 1982

"Untitled" 1996

"The Committee" 2002

See more Jerry Uelsmann here.

Vandalist by Vandal - Hands Tee
in Black
DETAILS: 65% polyester 30% Rayon 5% spandex tee with a screen print of two hands cupping water and clouds, a photo by Jerry N. Uelsmann, and tucking bias neckline finish.
$68
shop.

FREE BLACKBIRD MUG - UNTIL SEPTEMBER 24th

We are so excited about the cooler weather that we'd like to exend a little gift to our customers this week. Spend over $250 until September 24th and receive a Blackbird or The Field House mug for free with your order ONLINE ONLY. By the way, our system is funny and we can only create a code with a discount so as an added bit of fun you will also receive 1% off of your order.

For the Blackbird mug enter BIRDMUG

For the The Field House mug enter FIELDMUG

LARS ANDERSSON AUTUMN/WINTER 2010 IS HERE

Swedish knitwear designer Lars Andersson is a definite Blackbird favorite, as his collection embodies everything we believe in as a company. Hand-knit from his studio in Brooklyn, Andersson relies on no outside production sources to complete his collections, making each piece a beautifully hand-crafted work of art. Each piece he knits is extremely versatile in its wearability, allowing people of any aesthetic or lifestyle to experience what every designer hopes to accomplish: true luxury. This designer's collections fall into the 'you have to see it to believe it' category.



The Fall/Winter 2010 collection is inspired by the dark artistry of Norwegian painter Odd Nerdrum. This season offers Andersson's recurrent theme of timelessness with styles romanticizing the politics of the human experience from the pre-historic era to the understated intensity of dark Scandinavian forests.

Andersson doesn't believe that elegance and environmental sustainability are mutually exclusive, and this is evident in his use of natural fabrics, such as cashmere-plated eco-cotton and light linen, constructed to fall in his signature drape.

Quiet and stillness are the motives that resonate through the muted color pallete, ranging from coal black to cool shades of blue-purple.

Ladies keep your eyes peeled, Lars Andersson's equally-as-incredible collection for women is on its way to Blackbird this very moment.

Shop

UPLAND v. UPSTATE - The WOOLRICH FACEOOF

Every year around January and July we head to New York to view the collections, take notes and pictures and learn about the garments we could possibly select for our store in 6 to 8 months.  When we visit our Woolrich sales rep, he tells us about how the designer visited the archives and selected these specific items to reinterpret in his collection.  Then we visit Woolrich John Rich & Bros. and our sales rep tells us how the designer visited the archives and selected these specific items to reinterpret in her collection.  Clearly the two are not talking because they inevitably select the same or similar garments and produce them in nearly the same fabric with slightly different details.  For us we love when this happens!  It's a fun way to compare the two side by side.

This season it's the Upland Jacket and the Upstate Blazer that are so similar.  Both coats bear the front map pocket but the Upstate Blazer is more of a deep slate blue where the Upland is a rich and vibrant cobalt, the Upstate is more refined and the Upland more for the wild.  Here they are.  What differences do you see?  Which one will you choose?

WOOLRICH WOOLEN MILLS - UPLAND JACKET

Woolrich Woolen Mills - Upland Jacket

in navy black

DETAILS: 100% wool shell, notched collar with buttoning lapels, left shoulder shooting detail, right chest patch pocket, right mid buttoning torso pocket, two lower patch pockets with tuck detail and buttoning flaps. princess seam tailoring in back with band at waistline and vent in blue and black herringbone. Two-piece sleeve, black leather elbow reinforcement, non functional cuff button plackets. Sleeves lined in acetate, cotton inner facings, inside patch pocket with buttoning flap

$625

WOOLRICH JOHN RICH & BROS - UPSTATE BLAZER

Woolrich John Rich & Bros - Upstate Blazer

in navy

DETAILS: 80% wool 20% nylon shell, notched collar with button over tab option, five button front closure, single chest patch pocket, right mid torso pocket, two lower patch pockets with button through flap closure. Two-piece sleeve with two-button placket at cuff, rear vent at hem, nylon sleeve lining with nylon facings and inside pocket with button through flap closure.

$495