RAIN, SNOW, AND SLUSH-PROOF FOOTWEAR

You're going to need some all weather boots for the months between now and spring. Why? Rain, snow, and slush can turn your favorite shoes into soggy, freezing nightmares for your feet. We have your needs covered here at Blackbird. From low-priced to highest quality, from sporty styles like the Tretorn Klipporone or all-purpose wellingtons like the Le Chameau Vierzon, you needn't look any further. Do your feet a favor and stock up before you find yourself with cold, wet socks and feet that tell you they told you so...

Tretorn - Klipporone Combo
in spice/brown

DETAILS: 100% leather rubber-toed boot height sneaker with metal hardware and quilted red cotton lining. Constructed out of smooth and tumbled leather panels and equipped with a rugged rubber sole like its shorter cousin, the Klippor, these hearty sneakers offer the extra ankle support and style of a high-lacing hiking boot. Equipped with two pairs of laces - brown with yellow flecks and all brown - for two distinctive looks. Try the brown out for a more conservative feel. The brown and yellow works perfect for a fun weekend in the woods.

sizes: 8, 9, 9.5, 10, 10,5, 11, 12
$140

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Le Chameau - Vierzon
in green (also available in black)

DETAILS: Blackbird is one of a few U.S. vendors for Le Chameau and currently stock three of their most essential styles. The vulcanized natural rubber has a tough, organic feel like no other rainboot and conveys the fierce durability and quality you get with each pair. 100% natural rubber boot with tractioned rubber sole. Featuring a 15 inch shaft with cinching opening and soft plaid lining.

sizes: 8, 9, 10, 11
$180

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Tretorn - Arsta
in black

DETAILS: The 120th Anniversary Edition Arsta pull on rubber ankle boots in olive green. Featuring rear pull tab, tractioned black rubber outsole with "Est. 1891" etched into the heel, and elasticized side panels with reflective detailing. Fleece lining and cushioned insole. These easy-going rubber Chelsea boots are great for marching through puddles, and kicking down snowmen. Heck, the King of Sweden gave'em the thumbs up. Wear with warm socks and rolled up jeans.

sizes: 42, 43, 44, 45, 46
$85

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Le Chameau - Bon Anjou 2
in brown (also available in black)

DETAILS: The water resistance and extreme comfort can be depended on whether you're wearing them for hunting, riding, fishing, gardening, a trip to the countryside or an outdoor music festival. 100% natural rubber boot with contrasting tractioned sole. Featuring a 10 inch shaft with rear loop, and soft plaid lining.

sizes: 8, 9, 11
$125

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Tretorn - Klipporone Combo
in blkfyred

DETAILS: 100% leather rubber-toed boot height sneaker with metal hardware and quilted red cotton lining. Constructed out of smooth and tumbled leather panels and equipped with a rugged rubber sole like its shorter cousin, the Klippor, these hearty sneakers offer the extra ankle support and style of a high-lacing hiking boot. Equipped with two pairs of laces - black with red flecks and all black - for two distinctive looks. Try the black out for a more formal/military feel. The red works perfect for a fun weekend in the woods.

sizes: 8, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11
$140

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Le Chameau - Chasseur
in green

DETAILS: Le Cameau's signature boot. Constructed from a 100% natural rubber featuring a 15.5" shaft with completely waterproof side zipper closure with snap tab fastener, and tractioned rubber sole. Lined entirely with deerskin. Handmade in France.

sizes: 8, 9, 10
$440

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Tretorn - Arsta
in olive/gum

DETAILS: The 120th Anniversary Edition Arsta pull on rubber ankle boots in olive green. Featuring rear pull tab, tractioned gum-colored rubber outsole with "Est. 1891" etched into the heel, and elasticized side panels with reflective detailing. Fleece lining and cushioned insole. These easy-going rubber Chelsea boots are great for marching through puddles, and kicking down snowmen. Heck, the King of Sweden gave'em the thumbs up. Wear with warm socks and rolled up jeans.

sizes: 41, 46, 47
$85

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Sorel - 1964 Premium T
in tobacco (also available in buff)

DETAILS: Completely waterproof and rated for temperatures down to -40 degrees below zero, these classic Sorel pac boots feature a hand crafted, vulcanized rubber sole and lower shell with sealed seams and afull-grain leather upper in buff with eight lacing eyelets and contrasting tubular laces. The 9mm, recycled felt boot liner is removable and easily washed, keeping these boots feeling and smelling like new.

size: 8
$110 $56.99

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BACK IN BLACK: TRETORN RAIN BOOTS AND LEATHER LACE UP STYLES

Tretorn is a brand we always do well with, but this fall's success with the Skyrma Mid SL series, not to mention the perennial favorite Arsta 120AR in black really blew us away. We just got a brand new reload of them so if you missed out the first time, be sure and get them while they are still here.

Tretorn - Skyrma Mid SL Alpine
in mahogany

DETAILS: Mid-top sneaker with mahogany leather upper, rubber midsole, tractioned PVC free rubber outsole, and olive green fleece-y lining. Tonal red stitching on the outstep of upper. Red rubber and plum-colored nylon at the Achilles tendon. Cushioned insole. Comes with flat woven red laces and round brown & red laces with bronze-y aglets to play around with. An excellent shoe for cold weather, mild hiking, and lawn mowing.

$120

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Tretorn - Skyrma Mid SL Goretex
in black

DETAILS: Ten eyelet midtop sneaker with Gore-Tex upper. At last, an ultra lightweight sneaker that keeps the rain out and the feet dry of sweat. Featuring a tractioned tan rubber sole with white midsole, soft interior with cushioned yellow insole, embroidered detailing along the outstep, and pops of yellow at the heel counter and collar. Comes with two sets of laces; black flat ones, and black round ones with flecks of yellow in them.

$150

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Tretorn - Skyrma Mid SL Alpine
in black

DETAILS: Mid-top sneaker with black leather upper, rubber midsole, tractioned PVC free rubber outsole, and olive green fleece-y lining. Contrasting yellow stitching on the outstep of upper. Yellow rubber and plum-colored nylon at the Achilles tendon. Cushioned insole. Comes with flat woven yellow laces and round black & yellow laces with bronze-y aglets to play around with. An excellent shoe for cold weather, dance parties, and grocery shopping

$120

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Tretorn - Arsta 120AR
in black

DETAILS: The 120th Anniversary Edition Arsta pull on rubber ankle boots in olive green. Featuring rear pull tab, tractioned black rubber outsole with "Est. 1891" etched into the heel, and elasticized side panels with reflective detailing. Fleece lining and cushioned insole. These easy-going rubber Chelsea boots are great for marching through puddles, and kicking down snowmen. Heck, the King of Sweden gave'em the thumbs up. Wear with warm socks and rolled up jeans

$85

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BLACKBIRD - RAIN READY CLOTHING

Here in Seattle, we are used to rain and the modicum of preparedness it is best dealt with. To this end, we always carry a wide variety of clothing, footwear and accessories to help us all stay warm and dry.

Here's a rain ready list of our greatest hits. Might as well be impervious to the elements this winter. With these items, warmth, dryness, dependability, and extreme quality are just a click away.

TRETORN
Arsta
in Black
$85
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WHILLAS & GUNN
Kingsford-Smith Jacket
in brown
$310
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WHILLAS & GUNN
Spitfire Hat
in Black
$75
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LE CHAMEAU
Vierzon Boot
in Green
$180
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FILSON
Cover Cloth Weekender Jacket
in Black
$266
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FILSON
Cover Cloth Umbrella
$100
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RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY - FILSON AND TRETORN

We at Blackbird are used to a certain inevitability of rain. We don't sing that old song about rain coming again some other day. We already know it will. And the day after that. So instead of bumming on the downpour, we gear up for the puddle splashing.

Two of our most essential items in stock right now, no matter what time of year it is, are our Filson umbrellas and Tretorn boots. Tretorn is like a Swedish cousin to Filson and underline the Scandinavian connections already existing in Seattle. Both companies were started in the 1890s and have weathered time, as well as rain, to find themselves both still sought after and still as in style as ever.

The classic style umbrella from Filson is made of their famous lightweight and water repellant Cover Cloth and comes in otter green. This umbrella is built to the usual Filson standards and is as rugged and durable as it is utterly gentleman in its subliminal high class aura. As if that weren't enough, it comes with a full guarantee for the life of the item, just like all of their products.

Tretorn boots are a must-have for anybody wanting to be ready for any type of weather. Not sure if it's going to rain today? Wear a pair of Tretorns and you don't just look smart and ready, but fashionable too. They also make styles and colors for absolutely everyone, whether you want the subtle chelsea boot pull on, the more versatile look of a mid-calf boot, or a calf-high boot for come what may. In fact, the look is so modern and classic at the same time it's able to be worn whether it's raining or not.

FILSON - COVER CLOTH UMBRELLA
in otter green
$95
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TRETORN - ARSTA
in olive
$85
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If you don't see your size in stock, be sure to contact us as we may be able to order sizes. Please contact info@blackbirdballard.com or 1-866-500-2524 for more assistance.

ARTIST TO ARTIST: TRETORN VS. ANDY WARHOL

Tretorn shoes and boots have been keeping people dry since 1891. From Helsingborg, Sweden to SOHO NYC and of course here in Seattle. Swedish Goodness all year round.

Andy Warhol: Camouflage, Berlin's Museum for Contemporay Art

Andy Warhol: Self Portrait

Andy Warhol made Self-portrait a few months before his death, which was in February 1987. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art describes the image: "Warhol appears as a haunting, disembodied mask. His head floats in a dark black void and his face and hair are ghostly pale, covered in a militaristic camouflage pattern of green, gray, and black."

There is a contrast between the impersonality of the camouflage pattern, which hints at danger, and the personality of the portrait tradition, where there is direct contact with the viewer, although in this case with a protective illusory covering. The ambiguous uses of camouflage—drawing attention when a fashionable look and doing the opposite in military use—fascinated Warhol.

Andy Warhol: Camouflage 1987

TRETORN - SOFIERO

in olive

DETAILS: Two-tone olive green slip-on rubber boots with tan traction rubber sole with 1 inch heel, contrasting red stripe detail at midsole, and 14 inch shaft with decorative lace-up detail and reflective band around opening. Fleece lined. Comes with red and green laces.

SIZES: 37,38,39,40,41

$155

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BACK IN STOCK: TRETORN KLIPPORONE LEATHER BOOT/SNEAKER

These Blackbird wintertime favorites are back in stock. We loved them during their brief time in stock last year and are happy to have them back.

Tretorn - Klipporone
in phantom
DETAILS: 100% leather rubber-toed boot height sneaker with metal hardware and wool blend lining. Constructed out of smooth and tumbled leather panels and equipped with a rugged rubber sole, these hearty sneakers offer the extra ankle support and style of a high-lacing hiking boot.
$169
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Tretorn - Klipporone
in coffee bean
DETAILS: 100% leather rubber-toed boot height sneaker with metal hardware and wool blend lining. Constructed out of smooth and tumbled leather panels and equipped with a rugged rubber sole, these hearty sneakers offer the extra ankle support and style of a high-lacing hiking boot.
$169
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TRETORN GULLWING GALOSHES: SAVING YOUR SOCKS FROM SPRING'S SHOWERS

Spring just keeps holding on as summer approaches. Here in Seattle, we've had a week's worth of on-and-off rain. Those of you who goofed and tossed out your old galoshes in your recent Spring cleaning efforts can take comfort. Blackbird's got you (and summer's clam-digging enthusiasts) all taken care of with this:

Tretorn - Gullwing Setter Nordic Boots
in black/light brown
DETAILS: 100% waterproof tall rubber pull-on rainboot with adjustable gussetted back panel. Featuring a seam sealed design, cushioned insole, supportive midsole, and a flexible traction-patterned outsole, these boots are seriously weather-ready - perfect for late fall camping trips, digging oysters, or stomping around in the mud at a rainy outdoor music festival. Handcrafted in the European Union.

$180

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To check out what else Tretorn has to offer (in the non-rubber boot department) click here.

THE NORDIC HERITAGE MUSEUM PRESENTS ARCTIC SUMMER: A NORDIC FASHION SHOW

Arctic Summer Fashion Show
Saturday, May 8th at 4pm
Nordic Heritage Museum - 3014 NW 67th Street - Seattle, WA 98117
Tickets are $30 for Nordic Heritage Museum and SWEA members; $35 for non-members.

Here in Seattle, we aren't the only ones getting excited about Sweden Week. This coming Saturday, Ballard's own Nordic Heritage Museum is presenting Arctic Summer, a runway show spotlighting designers from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

Blackbird is proud to carry three of the featured labels: Lars Andersson, The Local Firm and Tretorn. Set to be hosted by Danish skincare specialist Ole Henriksen and attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Arctic Summer is putting a creative edge on the closing of Seattle's Sweden Week.

For more information, please contact James Gillespie at james@blackbirdballard.com.
For tickets, contact Sharmon Cooper at sharmonc@nordicmuseum.org or (206)789-5707 ext. 10.

FRESH FOR SPRING: TRETORN CANVAS SNEAKERS

Tretorn - T56 Low Top Sneakers
in eggnog
DETAILS: Canvas six eyelet lowtop sneakers in wheat with cushiony insole, two air vents, and decorative green stripe at mid-sole.
$66

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Tretorn - T56 Canvas Mid Top Sneakers
in eggnog (also available in black)
DETAILS: Eight eyelet canvas midtop sneakers in wheat with rubbber outsole and toe cap, cushiony insole, two air vents, and decorative green stripe at mid-sole.
$78

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To see the rest of our Tretorn stock for killar och tjejer (Swedish for "guys and gals"), click here.

TRETORN STRALA SOMMAR PULL-ON SNEAKERS: SAKTA VI GÅ GENOM ...REGNET

Tretorn - Strala Sommar Pull-On Sneakers
in black/gray
DETAILS: 100% waterproof rubber pull-on low boots with reflexive elastic ankle section and gum rubber outsoles for traction. Inspired by the traditional Chelsea boot, the Strala Sommar is functional rainwear that's just about perfect for life in a rainy metropolis. Featuring a nylon heel pull tab and reflective patch, and cozy boa lining, these comfortable low profile rubber sneakers will keep your feet dry and stylish year round. We love their quirky style with cropped trousers and a brightly colored oversized fishtail raincoat, but they mix well with more standard fare as well.
$72

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