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

BLACKBIRDBALLARD.COM PRESENTS: THE IRREGULAR BACKPACK

Fjallraven - Kanken
$87

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Diet Butcher Slim Skin - D93G263 Backpack
$590

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l

Y's Mandarina - Backpack
$546 $382.99

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Woolrich Woolen Mills - Oregon Oxford Day Tripper Backpack
$150

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Diet Butcher Slim Skin - D93G257 Big Bag
$1885

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Filson - Rucksack
$260

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SUMMER'S ON THE WAY: WOOLRICH JOHN RICH & BROS. SWIM TRUNKS

Woolrich Woolen Mills - WOMAR0236-GN01 Swim Trunk
available in blue (pictured) and navy
DETAILS: 100% nylon swim trunk with Velcro button draw string closure, vertical front pockets, single button flap back pocket, 100% polyester mesh lining, and separate mesh drawstring bag for underwater accessories.
$145

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FILL 'ER UP: WOOLRICH JOHN RICH & BROS. GAS STATION JACKET

Check out this new spring weight jacket from Woolrich John Rich & Bros. This smart alternative to heavier denim or leather jackets comes stock with a water resistant shell (great for sheddingthe season's unexpected showers), sharp and functional pockets, and a tailored trim cut. Try it over a workshirt and jeans or dress it up with a shirt, tie, and slim slacks.

Woolrich John Rich & Bros. - Gas Station Jacket
in navy
DETAILS: 100% polyester cropped jacket with combination snap and two-way YKK zip front closure, four exterior pockets (two YKK zip slant pockets and attached snap closure flap pockets), three interior pockets, working flip-up button closure collar, gussetted snap cuffs, and adjustable rear snap waistband.
$445

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SIMPLICITY: WOOLRICH JOHN RICH & BROS. LEATHER WALLET

Woolrich John Rich & Bros. - Leather Wallet

in tan

DETAILS: Lightweight leather bifold wallet with two credit card compartment and large bill/receipt compartment. Features embossed Woolrich John Rich & Bros. logo on front and "Real Leather," "Handmade in Italy," and "Est. 1830" on the interior. Needless to say, it's handmade in Italy.

$125.00

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HOW TO BE THE BOY IN BLUE: WOOLRICH JOHN RICH & BROS. 1ST DELIVERY

Thomas Gainsborough's Boy in Blue

Woolrich John Rich & Bros. - Striped Sweater
in ivory/light gray
DETAILS: 100% cotton soft and lightweight crew neck sweater with raglan sleeves, contrasting grey ribbed collar, and tonal "Woolrich" logo embroidery on left wrist in subtle ivory and light heather gray stripe pattern.
$165

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Woolrich John Rich & Bros - Mac Trench
in navy
DETAILS: 100% cotton water resistant Mackintosh short trench with 100% polyester lining and taped interior seams, laser-cut exterior seams, three front pockets (two with hidden magnetic closures at the sides and one large hunting pocket with taped zipper closure), working button cowl at the collar, and epaulets and adjustable wrist straps attached with hidden magnets to avoid tearing if snagged.
$495

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Woolrich John Rich & Bros. - Chino Pant
in blue
DETAILS: 100% cotton electric blue chinos with button fly, coin pocket, blue plaid flannel lined front pockets, reinforced leg opening, and small Woolrich John Rich & Bros. tag above the right rear pocket.
$145

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SALE ITEM OF THE DAY: WOOLRICH JOHN RICH & BROS. RINGER HILL JACKET

Woolrich John Rich & Bros - Ringer Hill Jacket
in black fade (also available in green)
DETAILS: Quilted puffer jacket with 100% nylon shell, 100% polyester lining, and 80% down, 20% feathers insulation. This super-warm coat will keep you cozy on windy autumn days when any other lightweight option would fall short. It's a no-brainer over any of your casual duds. We also love the idea of pairing sportswear like this with traditionally dressier pieces too. On cold days, layer it over your slim APC or Robert Geller suit for that fun high-low mix.
$395 $315.99

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YEAR END CLEARANCE SALE STARTS TOMORROW!

IT'S BLACKBIRD'S YEAR END CLEARANCE SALE!

Starting TOMORROW at 9AM

Be the first to score savings of 20% - 70% on great brands like:

A.P.C

Band of Outsiders

Craig Robinson

Diet Butcher Slim Skin

Julius

KZO
MA

Moleskine

Obey

Odyn Vovk

Robert Geller

Rogue's Gallery

RVCA

Vanishing Elephant

Wings + Horns

Woolrich John Rich & Bros.

Woolrich Woolen Mills

and way more!...

BLACKBIRD'S WINTER DESIGNER SALE: IT'S ON

Blackbird is excited to announce the arrival or our semiannual designer sale!
Right now, get 20% off your purchase when you shop select items from these sought after Blackbird designers:

A.P.C.
Craig Robinson
Diet Butcher Slim Skin
Julius
KZO
MA
Odyn Vovk
Robert Geller
Wings + Horns
Woolrich John Rich & Bros.
Woolrich Woolen Mills
and more...

Don't wait - the good stuff goes fast every year.

Click here to check out the freshly updated sale section at BlackbirdBallard.com.

DAILY CANDY: LOVING BLACKBIRD AND THE FIELD HOUSE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

The tasteful folks over at Daily Candy just put out their 2009 Guys' Gift Guide, and it included some great stuff not the least of which included outerwear from Woolrich John Rich & Bros., Billykirk bags, and Simon Carter watches. Nice pics, guys!

Woolrich John Rich & Bros. - Hunting Check Jacket
in red black
DETAILS: 75% wool, 25% nylon jacket with seven front pockets, large rear map pocket, and functional cowl-neck button tab. This utilitarian hunting style blazer offers the wearer tons of cargo space and its wool exterior affords ample protection from the cold and the wet, but don't let its usefulness fool you - this coat's sophisticated air still comes through in its cut and quality of construction. Give your formalwear a dose of the rustic outdoors by wearing it over a wool or tweed winter weight suit, or throw it on with a chunky knit sweater and jeans for a brisk walk on a winter day.
$550

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Simon Carter - WT 1600 Watch
in white
DETAILS: Watch by Simon Carter. This stainless steel round cased model features a 5 ATM interior frame and white dial equipped with black arabic numerals, glow-in-the-dark hands, and a date window. Its durable leather band and slim modern proportions make it a staple for any casual look.
$175

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To see the original Daily Candy Seattle post, click here.

BUNDLE UP: WINTER COATS FROM WOOLRICH JOHN RICH & BROS.

The Pacific Northwest has been smiled upon by the weather gods in recent days, but we know it won't last long now that October has arrived. Sorry, guys, but cooler temperatures and Seattle's much-maligned precipitation are on their way.

Woolrich has been keeping folks warm and dry since 1830, and with the recent delivery of three new winter coat styles from Woolrich John Rich & Bros., we're reminded of why this historic company has stayed in business all these years. The John Rich & Bros. collection is directly inspired by the classic Woolrich pieces that fill the company's archive. Reinterpreted in today's fabrics and fabrications, Woolrich John Rich & Bros. garments offer the wearer a range of clothing that is at once modern and old school. Get yourself geared up. These coats will be long gone by the time the really nasty winter weather arrives.

Woolrich John Rich & Bros - Hunting Check Jacket
in red black
DETAILS: 75% wool, 25% nylon jacket with seven front pockets, large rear map pocket, and functional cowl-neck button tab. This utilitarian hunting style blazer offers the wearer tons of cargo space and its wool exterior affords ample protection from the cold and the wet, but don't let its usefulness fool you - this coat's sophisticated air still comes through in its cut and quality of construction. Give your formalwear a dose of the rustic outdoors by wearing it over a wool or tweed winter weight suit, or throw it on with a chunky knit sweater and jeans for a brisk walk on a winter day.
$550

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Woolrich John Rich & Bros. - Military Parka
in cocoa
DETAILS: Heavy winter parka with 100% nylon shell and lining, and 100% polyester insulation. Based on the original Woolrich coat that was commissioned to help workers on the Alaskan Pipeline combat -40 degree Fahrenheit temperatures, this prototypical winter coat comes equipped for the winter months with a heavy quilted Thermolite liner, button and two-way zip enclosure, faux fur lined split zip hood, cinch waist, and multiple interior and exterior pockets. Made in Italy.
$475

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Woolrich John Rich & Bros. - Heritage Stadium Coat
in green
DETAILS: Stadium style plaid winter parka with 80% wool, 20% nylon shell, 100% nylon shoulder lining, 65% polyester, 35% cotton, torso lining, and 100% polyester insulation. This beautiful blue, green, and black plaid heritage coat sports a removable hood with adjustable toggles, two jumbo exterior patch pockets, and a combination button and two-way YKK zip enclosure, and its stylish vintage look pairs nicely with all of your classic winter basics.
$795

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