Mr Mudd and Mr Gold

Sounds like two native Americans sitting together, but nope...almost as good.

They claim to be sell "Heritage brands with a long tradition of turning out quality products, catering to discerning customers".

Shown here are Pendleton Blankets, the traditional Japanese game bags from Brady Bags, SOC Varsity sweater, Quoddy Grizzly Boots (in peanut), and Ebbets Fielf wool cap.

Lilly-Marthe Ebener's knits

The alpaca knits are amazing - Lilly-Marthe is a Paris-based fashion editor - her collection is a definite picky choice.

Drakes London

Why do men get all the best shops, products, fabrics, colors and can actually dress like their grandfather did every day and look great?

SNS-Herning

While at it, more winter gear, including at the Danish brand SNS-Herning, their beautiful website features the only sweaters you'll ever need (both stylistically and in a lifetime). They are all original styles of fishermen sweaters, crafted the exact same way today as they have been since 1931.

Happy Socks

Shared by my brother Julien, a nice socks website. I like their logo.

Quoddy boots

Getting ready for Fall with another picky pick by Thomas: Quoddy boots.
Here's the Quoddy 100% Picky story:

In 1909 Harry Smith Shorey started making his own shoes in Downeast Maine. Today, the tradition continues in Perry , on the shores of Passamaquoddy Bay, smack dab on the 45th parallel; half-way to the North Pole and as far east as you can travel in the continental U.S.

The Passamaquoddy tribe of eastern Maine have an ages old heritage of craftsmanship, from their moccasins to their birch bark canoes and containers to their famous woven baskets, all done without man-made materials or adhesives. Craftsmanship combined with a high level of artistry are what made these products special and allowed them to perform so well in the sometimes harsh conditions encountered in the big woods and ever changing ocean of Maine.

Harry was a big believer in the performance and quality of handsewn moccasin construction. It is legendary for its comfort, durability, and ability to conform to one’s foot over time for a true custom fit. Quoddy continues this long tradition of handsewn craftsmanship today.

(Courtesy of Quoddy inc)

Hunting attire (Sartorial wisdom 3)

The great Archival clothing blog can drive a sartorial freak crazy. It recently included entries on old Hunting World catalogues which reminded me of this specialty wear store on Boulevard Saint Germain in Paris that fascinated me as a kid, I always wondered who bought specific "clothes for warm countries", as the store claimed. Everything looked so old school, a real remains of the days...

Bean Boots

Leon Leonwood Bean created the Bean Boots in 1912 to satisfy his need for a dry and comfortable pair of outdoor shoes and quickly started selling them to Maine hunters through his newly founded mail-order company. Today the leather and rubber LL Bean Boots are still sewn in Freeport, Maine.
In 1951, Leon Leonwood Bean removed the locks and instaured an open door policy: the flagship store would stay open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year long. It has since closed only twice, to honor the death of President Kennedy and then of LL Bean himself in 1967.

Those who are both Wallace Steigner fans and picky freaks might have caught the reference to the Bean Boots worn by Sidney Lang when he arrives at his future wife's house in Vermont midway through Crossing to Safety.

Charvet braided belts

Charvet's braided belts, sold exclusively at the Place Vendôme store in Paris. All the colors are perfect. As worn by Richard Avedon (and my dad), in black.
(photo Richard Avedon)

Okura

Okura is so far my favorite clothing shop in Tokyo. Although it is located in Daikanyama's shopping district, it is hard to find because it's so discreet. This shop was recommended to me by my friends Tomoko and Masuo.

Okura sells only products dyed in Japanese indigo. Your skin gets blue from rubbing before you've washed the cotton twice, but the MEN's selection is amazing. The nicest and simplest garment: tees, shirts, jackets, scarves, hats...