Monthly Archives: June 2010

June 29, 2010 · 10:08 pm

Americana at the Peace and Love Festival in Borlänge Sweden This Week

Americana is at the Peace & Love Festival 30 June-3 July

This week, Americana kicks off our summer tour! We will be selling all the coolest American vintage clothes at the Peace & Love Festival in Borlänge Sweden from June 30th until July 3rd.

Stop by and see us at the “Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven“ rockabilly/punk camp at the festival!

If you can’t make it to Borlänge, you can always shop with us 24/7 on Tradera.

The Seersucker Suit

Seersucker Suit - Photo via Sleepy Neko

The seersucker suit is often worn by men in the American South during the summer months. The suit is made from an all-cotton, woven fabric in which some threads are crimped together to give the striped fabric a half-wrinkled appearance that requires no ironing. This wrinkling allows the fabric to be held away from the skin, making it well suited for hot and humid climates.

Seersucker - Photo via We Are The Market

Since its origins during the 19th century, seersucker was widely worn during the British colonial period as a cheap alternative to Indian silk. From the 1920-1940s, seersucker suits were donned by stylish undergraduates as a statement of reverse snobbery. American writer Damon Runyon stated that wearing seersucker suits was “causing much confusion among my friends. They cannot decide whether I am broke or just setting a new vogue.”

Through the years, seersucker has also been a popular material for warm weather and military environments. During World War II, nurses and female Marine Corps’ summer uniforms were made of the lightweight fabric.

J. Press Seersuckers: A "Southland Favorite" - Photo via A Continuous Lean

Today, seersucker is worn by people all over the U.S. who want a comfortable, lightweight fabric for a smart summer look. Even the United States Senate holds “Seersucker Thursday” in June, where the participants dress in their favorite clothes made of the light summer fabric.

Seersucker Thursday at the U.S. Senate - Photo via United States Library of Congress

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Tagged as American South, British Colonial Dress, Damon Runyon, J. Press, Seersucker, Seersucker Kostym, Seersucker Suit, Seersucker Thursday, Southern Gentlemen's Fashion, Summer Military Clothing, U.S. Senate, Word War II Nurses, World War II Female Marine Corps

June 22, 2010 · 5:00 am

I ♥ NY T-Shirt

A Rainbow of I ♥ NY T-Shirts - Photo via Arlene Senser

The I ♥ NY logo t-shirt is an iconic part of American popular culture. The logo was first used in 1977, when the New York State Department of Commerce ordered an advertising agency to develop a promotional campaign for the state. Graphic designer Milton Glaser agreed to produce the logo for free since everyone believed the campaign would last for only a short time.

He's Loving NY - Photo via Kevin Klöcker

The trademarked logo, which is based on the American Typewriter design type, has been reproduced on t-shirts and sold throughout New York City since the late 1970s. People commonly mistake the logo for representing the City, whereas it has always been used to promote New York State.

They Heart NY - Photo via Ed Yourdon

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Tagged as American T-Shirts, American Typewriter, Amerikansk T-Shirt, I Love New York, I Love NY, Milton Glaser, New York State, T-Shirts

June 18, 2010 · 5:00 am

Red Wing Shoes Videos

Here’s a follow up to my earlier post about Red Wing.

It’s a video about the town, the factory and its generations of workers.

As an added bonus, here’s a Red Wing ad giving you permission to wear your boots to the beach this summer!

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Tagged as American shoes, Amerikansk arbetskor, Complex.com, Minnesota, Red Wing, Red Wing Shoes

June 15, 2010 · 5:00 am

Moccasins

Various Styles of Moccasins - Photo via Valerie Everett

Moccasins are shoes or boots without a heel, usually made of soft leather where the sole is stitched to the U-shaped top part at the toes and on the upper sides of the foot. This allows the whole shoe to flex and shape itself to the foot. The term is derived from the word for shoe from the Native-American Algonquin language.

Many Native American tribes wore the shoes, as did early settlers, tradesmen and hunters. The soft soles allow the wearer to feel the terrain, while still protecting the foot.

Soft Soles Allow the Wearer to Feel the Terrain While Still Protecting the Foot - Photo via Kthryn

Popular traditional styles of moccasins are ankle high boots, knee high boots and slip-on shoes. Still preferred by hippies and anyone who wants a classic, comfortable American shoe or indoor slipper, moccasins are manufactured today by Minnetonka, Footwear by Footskins and Hush Puppies.

Moccasin Means Shoe in the Algonquin Language - Photo via Maier Loves You

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Tagged as Algonquin, American shoes, Footwear by Footskins, hippies, Hush Puppies, Minnetonka, moccasins, slippers

June 11, 2010 · 5:00 am

Americana Vintage Fashion Story

Wardrobe: AMERICANA
Photographer: Mårten Keijser
Styling, Makeup & Hair: Emilie Karlberg
Models: Anna H. Nouveau Model Agency
Brent Chua Ford Models NYC

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Filed under About Americana, Americana Photos

Tagged as Americana, Americana Classic Vintage, Americana Vintage Fashion Story, Anna H., Brent Chua, Emilié Karlberg, Ford Models NYC, Mårten Keijser, Nouveau Model Agency

June 8, 2010 · 5:00 am

A-Z of Classic American Clothing: The Book

A-Z of Classic American Clothing By Gina Holdar

I am currently finishing up a book with the working title A-Z of Classic American Clothing. You can click here to see a preview and leave feedback.

The book takes a light-hearted approach to uncover brief histories, facts, heritage, provenance and anecdotes about American clothing and brands that have made their way into mainstream modern wardrobes.

I think that this information is especially interesting for those who want to learn more about American clothing classics and their social context, which have origins dating back decades, even centuries. It should also be appealing to readers who want to investigate the elements that make up their persona and lifestyle.

AMERICANA aims to give you unique pieces of classic American vintage clothing and an interesting story to go along with it!

All comments and suggestions that you share are most welcome!

♥ Gina

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Filed under A-Z of American Vintage Clothing, About Americana, The Book

Tagged as A-Z of Classic American Clothing, American Vintage Clothing Book, American Vintage Clothing Guide, American vintage kläder bok, American vintage kläder guide, Americana, Americana Classic Vintage, Americana.se, Gina Holdar

June 3, 2010 · 10:18 am

Red Wing Shoes

Red Wing Shoes via Julia Klarman

Red Wing Shoes was started in Red Wing, Minnesota in 1905 and is one of America’s most respected work boots manufacturer for its durability, comfort and quality.

The brand, which is best known for its work shoes and boots, made combat boots for American soldiers in World War I and II.

The classic Red Wing work boot has also been captured in paintings by Norman Rockwell. Today, the company makes boots and shoes suited to any type of job.

Red Wing Factory in Red Wing, Minnesota via Nina Hale

Red Wing Shoes startades 1905 i Red Wing i Minnesota och är en av Amerikas mest respekterade tillverkare av arbetsskor vad gäller skornas hållbarhet, komfort och kvalitet.

Märket, som är mest känt för sina arbetsskor och stövlar, tillverkade militarkängor för de amerikanska trupperna under första och andra världskriget.

Red Wing Boots in a Norman Rockwell Painting

Den klassiska arbetsskon från Red Wing kan ses på målningar av den kände amerikanske konstnären Norman Rockwell. Idag tillverkar företaget skor och stövlar som passar alla möjliga olika typer av jobb.

Red Wing Made in USA via Nina Hale

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Filed under Red Wing Shoes, Shoes

Tagged as American work boots, arbetsskor, combat boots, militarkängor, military boots, Minnesota, Norman Rockwell, Red Wing, Red Wing Shoes, stövlar, work boots

June 3, 2010 · 10:18 am

Red Wing Shoes

Red Wing Shoes via Julia Klarman

Red Wing Shoes was started in Red Wing, Minnesota in 1905 and is one of America’s most respected work boots manufacturer for its durability, comfort and quality.

The brand, which is best known for its work shoes and boots, made combat boots for American soldiers in World War I and II.

The classic Red Wing work boot has also been captured in paintings by Norman Rockwell. Today, the company makes boots and shoes suited to any type of job.

Red Wing Factory in Red Wing, Minnesota via Nina Hale

Red Wing Shoes startades 1905 i Red Wing i Minnesota och är en av Amerikas mest respekterade tillverkare av arbetsskor vad gäller skornas hållbarhet, komfort och kvalitet.

Märket, som är mest känt för sina arbetsskor och stövlar, tillverkade militarkängor för de amerikanska trupperna under första och andra världskriget.