I bought these Levis LVC 1933 501XX jeans in December of 2012. They’re made from denim from the Cone Mills and were made in Turkey. A little over two and a half years on, they’re still hanging on, barely. I’ve worn them pretty hard in that time. In the wood shop, metal shop, while doing construction, while building architectural models, etc. So they’ve had a rough life. That said, they’ve still worn out faster than any other pair of jeans I have owned. They’ve worn through in the crotch, knees, thighs and seat. A rivet fell out of the pocket fairly early on, the stitching has come undone on about half of the pocket accurate, and there are many spots worn so thin that I’m sure another round of patches is due before too long.
Tag Archives: review
Steve Alan Shawl Collar Deck Jacket
This Shawl Collar deck jacket seems to be from Steve Alan’s 2009-2010 collection. Originally, depending on the store, it sold somewhere in the $350–$475 range, so not a cheap jacket. Proudly made in the USA. People go on about how much better US made goods are, and I agree from a standpoint of employment. Yet sometime between me ordering this jacket and it arriving, the bottom snap fell off. And within five minutes of me owning it, the second one dropped off. Thankfully, snap replacement is cheap, and it’s a great looking style, but for a jacket made in the USA and sold at that price, I would expect less shoddy workmanship.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271165248496
This lightweight cotton jacket was made in the USA by Steve Alan. It is unworn, with tags, but the two bottom snaps have dropped off. It has patch cargo pockets and handwarmer pockets. The style takes influence from WWII deck jackets.
Chest (pit to pit): 22″
Shoulder to shoulder: 18″
Sleeve (shoulder to cuff): 25-1/2″
LL Bean Boots – a Review
I bought this pair of Bean boots almost four years ago, trying to find a way of combating the winter in Halifax, Nova Scotia. For those of you who haven’t been to Halifax in the winter- it’s a big slushy mess. It snows one day, rains the next and freezes the day after that. It’s a constant cycle of slush, ice, sand and salt. It will soak you to the bone and ruin all but the hardiest footwear. As a student in Halifax, without a car, I walked, a lot. So poorly fitting rubber boots just weren’t going to cut it. I needed something warm, waterproof and comfortable.
These Bean boots fit the bill. These have a goretex and thinsulate lining and they’ve kept me plenty warm and dry. The rubber has kept the salt from destroying anything and the leather uppers ensure a good, comfy fit.
I’ve run the heels and soles down, so it’s about time for them to go back to Maine for a rebuild. Some of the stitching is wearing as well, but since Bean will resole them for a “reasonable cost”, I would think four years in their life is just beginning.