Fall Plaid Round-up

Here in LA we like to pretend we have seasons. Yeah, it might have been nearly 100 degrees yesterday, but it will probably get slightly cooler. And making believe it is autumn gives us a chance to wear something a little cozier, something that goes with pumpkins and cider. For everyone else, there may actually be a nip in the air and these choice American-made styles work even better for that.

Woolrich Woolen Mills

Available from Mr. Porter or at these stores

Woolrich, Pennsylvania

Paul Bunyan Jac Shirt from Bemidji Woolen Mills

Bemidji, Minnesota

 

Board Shirt from Pendleton Woolen Mills

Portland, Oregon

Kromer Carryall from Stormy Kromer

 Ironwood, MI

Wool Western Shirt from Filson

Seattle, Washington (Not everything is made in the US)

Northwoods Jacket from Wintergreen Northern Wear

Ely, Minnesota

Illuminating Design

Sometimes a simple household item can be so beautifully designed that it borders on becoming art. The Cerno Group has elevated modern lighting and furniture to that level. Started in 2009 in Southern California, Cerno aims to "fuse quality, performance and resource efficiency with modern design," while keeping their manufacturing here. They blend form and function into sustainably-made, usable sculpture for your home.

AFFORDABLE ALERT: This Is (Not) A Decoy

This is the real thing. A small company doing it SO right. Decoylab explains it best when they say they make "playful and creative, unique items that are not mass produced but still affordable." That's right. You don't always have to pay more to support American-made goods. Decoylab makes large selection of adorable and sustainable laser cut bamboo clocks, housewares and accessories. All of their products are made to order and each piece is lovingly hand-crafted in Kansas City, Missouri.

Ants in your Pants?

The classic look of work pants never goes out of style. Rugged, simple, and just a little bad ass. But if you are a woman, one with a few feminine curves, those men's styles never quite fit right. That's why I love this little company, Red Ants Pants, started by outdoor enthusiast, Sarah Calhoun. (The name comes from a little piece of trivia: in ant colonies, women do all the work.) They make work pants for women, genius! Here is their explanation of how they solved the fit problems with existing work pants on the marketplace. They use cotton duck which is dyed and sent to Seattle where the manufacturers can proceed to cut out the patterns and sew the pants. The pants are then shipped to Headquarters in Montana. Gentlemen, if you are feeling left out, Red Ants Pants says although these pants are made for a woman, men often like them too.

You don't need a barn to have a Barn Light

Like so many of the best jobs, Bryan Scott started Barn Light Electric Company because it was his passion. A part-time hobby of searching through antique stores, estate sales, abandoned buildings, and garage sales looking for vintage lights to restore, Bryan soon realized this could be more than a pastime. In 2001, he found a true American manufacturer who could create barn lighting with the same high standards he held himself to. While this company has grown by leaps and bounds, all the products are still 100% manufactured in the US, headed up in Titusville, Florida.

Blackboxes, they're not just for airplanes anymore.

Coors Beer is not the only thing being made in Golden, Colorado. This beautiful Southwest town is also home to Blackbox Case, a family company making wooden Macbook and iPad cases that are guaranteed for life. These little beauties bring the natural beauty of wood or bamboo into your busy, electronic-filled everyday life. Light weight, strong, good looking and made stateside. Yay!

The Classic Little Red Wagon

Speedway Express Wagons Lancaster County, PA, could be considered the source of the original Little Red Wagons.  They have been making classic wood wagons since 1962. These Amish made beauties aren't just great looking, they're perfect for outings with kids: swap meets, farmers markets, pumpkin picking. Each wagon is built to conform to strict specifications, from no tilt auto turn steering and ball bearing wheels to welded heavy gauge steel framework to handle heavy loads. So they aren't just for kids play, they are built for gardeners, farmers, and contractors too. Did I mention they make tricycles too? Love they're simple utilitarian look.