This run of products remains a fashion mystery. An explanation is long overdue, or as I like to say "right on time".
These 3 vintage fabrics had originally been cut to 23" squared months back with another hand selected batch of fabrics. You have already seen the collaborative bandanas which were released as "Un-branded" by Concrete Revolt (Concrete Trails + Revolt Art) back in September of last year. These included the "Picnic Plaid", "Realtree misprint", and "Treebark Teaser".
These additional fabrics had been sitting without purpose until early March of 2023 when I arrived back in Texas after a trip to NYC. On my desk, to my surprise, I found these fabric squares finally sewn up. Two of the fabrics with a white lock stitch and the other with navy. Hmm. They would need something additional, so I searched the factory for something that may work.
I chose three vintage labels that I felt blended complimentary with each. (in a 50 year old sewing factory, everything seems to work well I feel) Each one of these labels has a fun history of it's own from garment production at the factory over the decades.
First, we have the "Brooklyn Overall Co" label. This label is most likely 40 years old, as told to me by a family member at the factory. The Brooklyn Overall Co was one of the first clients for Earl's Apparel Manufacturing, (the Texas factory), back in the 1970's. The company was based in Long Island, New York and founded Smith's Workwear. Smith's is a heritage workwear brand known globally to this day. You'll see the small blue "Smiths" logo in the bottom left corner of this woven label design.
I chose to pair this woven label with the vintage striped linen fabric. It just screams vintage, especially when it crinkles up when washed and dried. (some ironing will help, or just hang dry)
Second in this batch, is the "Ships Outfitters" label. What a crisp looking red, white and blue design. Ships Japan was founded in 1994 as a chain of retail stores, housing some of their own fashion collections. Obviously throughout Japan. What this ultimately meant was that the Texas sewing factory manufactured some clothing for Ships at some point. I was told it may have been late 1990's or early 2000's. Either way, it's a gem of a woven label and looks amazing on the Blue stripe oxford fabric. This fabric was most likely used for shirting. I feel a beautiful oxford button down shirt is a staple in any person's wardrobe at some point.
Last, but not least, in this mystery project is the "Greenspans" label. Greenspans is a clothing retail store that has been in business for nearly 100 years in California. They are still family owned and operated to this present day. The Greenspans "Ooo Gees" woven label was used to produce a fashionable line of workwear back in the 1990's. (To my knowledge it's the 90's, but could have been earlier). Most of the original pieces of "Ooo Gees" workwear that you can find on ebay today are made in blue denim. For more info on Greenspan's you can read this interview here: http://voyagela.com/interview/meet-evan-greenspan/
The Red plaid fabric I chose to match this with looks great not only with the navy blue and white label, but it also looks great with any navy denim styles!
Each of these fabric bandanas compliment a multitude of garments from Stan Ray especially.
-Match the Red plaid with Indigo denim or Olive Sateen fabrics from the brand.
-Linen stripe and the Oxford stripe both pair well with blues, yellows, and of course the Natural white color Painter Pants and Shop Jackets.
(In my opinion, they all look great with a white t-shirt!!)
Thank you for reading,
Concrete Trails