I got an email from my buddy Steve the other day, with a photo of a Nike Cortez. I'm sure most opened the email and closed it soon there after. Honestly, the Cortez doesn't seem to have much of a place in this weird and crazy world of vintage inspired, preppy East Coast, relaxed and casual nod to fashion we all seem to be fixated on. But what the picture did for me, was make me realize, remember, and appreciate where I come from. I'll go ahead and say it, the shoe is a banner, a high flying flag for Southern California. Right up there next to the Vans Classics.
Growing up in California, this shoe is not just an old running shoe or a fashion statement, it's an icon. One which has been inextricably intertwined with a sub-culture less known for their 4-minute miles, but more for their "jump-ins" and claims to street numbers. It's no secret I have a not-so hidden obsession with Latino Street Gangs. In fact, I'm fairly certain that in my next life, I will come back as a heavily tattooed member of a gritty street-claiming social club. "Puppet", "Creeper", or perhaps "Dreamer" will adorn my neck in a overly flourished script inked into my skin by one of my "hermanos".
Anyway, I digress... More after the pic...
And get 'em here... CROOKED TONGUES
After reading the email, lovingly searching the internet for good pics and writing this... I ordered a pair. Can they work in my closet? Next to my Sperrys and vintage jump boots? With my fancy pants and expensive shirts? Maybe. But what I am certain of, is that they will bestow upon me a sense of pride and street cred only possible through the act of slipping my sock-less feet into a crisp pair of white Cortezs and walking the block like I mother fucking own it.
"Coach Bill Bowerman would try anything to make a better running shoe. Even a pair of flip-flops. He grafted them into a training shoe to create the first full-length midsole. His hybrid became the Cortez. The Cortez changed running. It was 1972. People said it felt like running on the moon. It won races. It was Nike's first shoe..."
"Nike's classic running shoe from the '70s, the Cortez, is sort of a Plain Jane of shoes. Equipped with a nylon body on its truest incarnations, the running shoe sports a full-length, white rubber herringbone tread and the large signature Swooshes on both sides of the shoe, giving the Cortez a simplistic, yet distinguished look." - ASSOCIATED CONTENT
"We tend to forget how uncomfortable and fragile running shoes used to be back in the days. The extremely basic design and materials of the shoes would put the sole of athletes’ feet to the test. The funny thing about the CORTEZ is that two of Bill and Phil’s regular customers suggested including the sole of a shower slipper in the soon to come sneaker. According to them it was the most comfortable insole produced at the time. Unknowingly they were behind the very first intermediary sole in the history of footwear." - WWW.BKRW.COM
Gotta love anything Cartoon puts his name on. Nothing is more LA, than Cartoon.
Not dead...don't worry. I made sure.
Photo by: ROBERT YAGER... one of my favorite photographers.
March 26, 2009
ICON: Nike Cortez
Vietnam Zippos
Came across this site the other day. BOB breaks down the war-time Zippo like nobody's business. Details like you wouldn't believe. Fakes, real ones, who, when, where, why, and even how. Amazing photos of his collection. Go spend some time. I love that this guy doesn't get paid, he's not running a business from the site. He's just putting this information out so people can come and enjoy what he does. Cheers.
THE VIETNAM WAR ZIPPO
March 25, 2009
Vintage Trends Military
One of my favorite resources for Military clothing is Vintage Trends. Not only do they have a huge selection of pieces for sale, they document the details that are important to nerds like me. Like tags, patches and stencils. Organized into easy to search categories, this site will have you wasting a weds morning before you know it.
VINTAGE TRENDS MILITARY
TRY AGAIN: Hamilton
Why try again? Because I nearly got my head chomped off last week when posting about MWC* watches. I'm sure I'll get some hate mail just for mentioning the brand name again. Evidently, military watch collecting attracts all walks of life, if all walks of life are men who care passionately about their timepieces and let you know when you are not following a strict code by which they all live. No, really, these guys are scary. As it goes, MWC* are impostors, or so I'm told. Do they look good? Yes. I tried to explain myself to these guys, saying I am merely a messenger. I do not endorse them, and I am not forcing your hand in a sales transaction, just starting a conversation about style and watches. They mistook "conversation" for yelling.
SO, without further ado...
HAMILTON WATCHES.
Fellas, is it safe to say these guys are the real deal? I'll tell you now, I don't care, cause they look good. Founded in 1892 out of Lancaster, PA (JIM REPRESENT!!!), Hamilton introduced their first line of watches, THE BROADWAY LIMITED. The watch became known throughout the country as "the watch of railroad accuracy".
"During the second decade of the 20th century Hamilton gained the prestigious rank of supplier to the US Armed Forces. The first of the wrist-watches provided was used by General “Black Jack” Pershing and his troops who were fighting in the European trenches."
"During World War II, Hamilton stopped production of watches for consumers to concentrate on the huge task of providing the forces with a total of one million timepieces. The Hamilton marine chrono-meter was the first to be produced by modern manufacturing methods and around 10,000 Hamilton marine chronometers experienced World War II action first hand."
My favorite:
KHAKI FIELD MECHANICAL OFFICER
SIDE NOTE:
"At 12.01 New York Time, on May 6, 1970, the world’s first digital watch started measuring time – made by Hamilton."
Some of the above photos by:
WATCH A DAY (This guy's collection is amazing)
WATCH U SEEK
March 24, 2009
Grey Flannel Auctions
Old sports selling old sports...stuff. So good. Mostly baseball. I can't watch the game on TV, much less play the sport, but damn if taking oneself out to the ol ball game ain't one of the mostest funnest pastimes we have in this fair country. Dodger Dogs, and if one were so inclined, cold beer on a hot day. Anytime.
Check some of the highlights from the auctions past. Even if you're not a sports fan, appreciate the detailed shots they throw on the website. Stitching, tags, labels, and applique galore.
GREY FLANNEL
