Source: The Orchid Boutique

If what you wear says volumes about you, then how you port it ‘on the go’ can make an equally strong statement. A trunk is a large, structured heavy duty piece meant for the largest of hauls. Many luxury fashion companies made names for themselves crafting trunks for luxury travel. Louis Vuitton started in 1854 and by the end of the 1800s its signature check and LV monogram prints had been born to stave off imitators. While Goyard, started in 1792, is the oldest of the great Parisian trunk makers and still crafts customized luggage for the French elite. When ships were the main form of transportation, trunks were the obvious way to go.

A duffel bag, named after Duffel, Belgium where the particular canvas originally used originated, is a barrel-shaped bag with shoulder straps. It is still usually made of canvas (or sometimes nylon) for ease of care and transport in any weather. Duffels took off in 1950s surfer sub-culture, even taking on a certain “in-the-know” status symbol. Now ubiquitous, every man should at least once in his life toss a few things in a duffel for a quick, impromptu escape. The carefully curated options available on Hudson Made (from San Francisco-based Joshu+Vela) make a great grab and go.

If your travel plans necessitate more than toiletries and a quick change of clothes, a weekender is the perfect choice. Named for the amount of stuff you can carry in its small frame, the weekender is a more structured option for a weekend away. For an even more substantial option, a traditional suitcase is the most popular choice for its ideal build and convenience. Modern designs feature perks such as dividers, expansion panels and wheels. Gracie Opulanza, co-founder of online magazine Men Style Fashion, offers up one other option you may not think of: “Foldable bags are the way forward for maximum storage. I always find you end up buying another bag whilst travelling hence your foldable one can be stored away.” Now that’s packing smart.

Once you’ve committed to your luggage of choice (as well as a travel companion) what do you put in it? The key is versatility. Pack a wardrobe of easy T-shirts, sweaters and pants that can all work double duty and be layered. And never underestimate the need for a light jacket to pull it all together and weather the elements. I’m also a big fan of setting a clothing color story ahead of time. Pick up to three colors to add to black or khaki basics and weave a story with your wardrobe. Nothing is sharper, for instance, than a navy, brown and white vacation wardrobe. But how do you narrow down the selections from your closet?

Your best bet according to Australian GQ: “Be selective. Get together all the clothes you anticipate you’ll need for your trip and lay them out. Then put half of them back.” That’s a new riff on Coco Chanel’s famous ‘take one thing off’ rule. And when it comes to shoes, Travel + Leisure also believes in a less is more mentality: “Shoes are one of the heavier items you will have in your bag so give lots of thought to taking too many. Choose a pair that can be worn in a variety of situations. Along with the one you are wearing, you’ll have enough.” Finally, pack a stylish hat, as Men Style Fashion reminds us “a hat is a great way to cover the scruffy look once you’ve landed.” That’s using your head!

“The Art of Packing” from Louis Vuitton

But it’s not just clothes that make the well traveled man. You’ll need a collection of toiletries to keep yourself looking your best on the go. In fact, traveling comes with its own set of skin issues you’ll need to consider. Flying, for instance is extra hard on your skin with the drying cabin air. Make sure travel lotions are extra moisturizing. Australian GQ also suggests double-bagging your liquids in a TSA-approved plastic baggie inside your kit. “Put any liquids—moisturizer, sunscreen and the like—in plastic zip-lock bags to avoid them leaking through the rest of your luggage. Then place your toiletries bag at the top of your case to avoid putting extra pressure on it during the flight.”

And while most tech-savvy travelers may find themselves burrowed in their smartphones, consider bringing a notebook instead. I jot down stores, restaurants and bars I particularly like and meal ideas I will foolishly try to recreate later. I also allow myself to do the kind of free flow writing I never have the time to do in my everyday life.

And while a notebook is nice, don’t forget the last minute essentials: charging cords, power adaptors for foreign countries, passport and, of course, toothbrush. Slip them in and then slip off to your fantasy destination.

Once you’ve picked a bag and packed it with your get-out-of-town outfits and necessities, well, you’re ready to be that well-traveled man on the go. After all, a great piece of luggage is just the first step in a long lifetime love affair for travel. My vintage luggage collection is part of the romance of my world travels, this great marriage of man and his wanderlust. Every time I see one of those suitcases I think of where I’ve been and the world I have yet to explore and I’m ready to fall in love all over again. Bon voyage.

Black XL Boat Tote	Canvas Leather Dopp Kit	Navy Waxed Canvas Leather duffle

Mac Smith is a New York City based fashion writer who has never met a cat, coat or cake he didn’t love. itcantallbedior.blogspot.com twitter: @itcantallbedior

In spite of its simplicity, the bandana is that rare fashion hybrid—an item that’s as stylish and classic as it is utilitarian. Image courtesy of stylist/blogger Francis Kenneth Anunciacion, photo by Sylvia G Photography.

Like a lot of styles Madonna has adopted through the years, the pop icon did not invent the bandana, but reimagined it in a way that was both modern and relevant. Kerchiefs, the forefather of bandanas, can be traced to the French aristocracy. The plebian class couldn’t afford the fine, white silks that the upper class enjoyed. They wanted a more work-friendly accessory and the dark, printed cotton scarf emerged. The adoption of the bandana was both a necessity and an act of rebellion against the bourgeois. Other European countries soon followed suit and the bandana was on a roll. No matter where the bandana turned up, from the beginning it was a symbol of the proud, workingman—even if some of these men worked on the wrong side of the law. Pirates who plundered gold- filled Spanish galleons off the Caribbean Sea soon introduced bandanas to the New World.

Portrait of a cowboy by Charles D. Kirkland, circa 1880. Image source: Denver Public Library Digital Collections.

It wasn’t just criminals that knew the benefits of a good bandana. Outdoor laborers, such as farmers, railroad workers and cowboys wore them around the neck to wipe the sweat off their faces and keep dust out of their collars. Miners and factory workers concealed their mouths with bandanas to lessen the dust and fumes they inhaled. These cotton scarves were far more practical than the standard white hanky. The saturated colors and patterns hid stains more effectively and made them more durable. This proved useful to soldiers who took advantage of the bandana’s versatility to keep their own sweat and opponent’s blood out of their eyes. On the battlefield, a bandana could be used as a tourniquet for the wounded.

The history of the bandana is inextricably linked with the history of workers. Here, a riveter wears a bandana on her head while posing atop the wing of a WWII bomber at the Burbank, CA Lockheed Aircraft Corp. factory. Image credit: Life Photo Archives, circa 1942.

Beyond practical purpose, the bandana found a new role during the Revolutionary War: propaganda and promotion. Martha Washington used a printed bandana as a huge political “f*ck you” to the British who put a ban on textile printing in the colonies. Going one step further, Washington wouldn’t dare display any old print. She met with John Hewson, a printmaker friend of Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia, to craft a cotton creation for her husband to use for political purposes. He returned with an image of canons, flags and George Washington on horseback. This very image was then used as propaganda in the war and when the British were defeated, as a commemorative souvenir. A new design was manufactured upon George Washington’s death. Because of the first lady’s keen fashion statement, the political bandana was born. Since then many historical milestones (world wars, the walk on the moon, the fall of the Berlin Wall, etc.) have had their own commemorative bandanas.

At left, the John Hewson-designed bandana commissioned by Martha Washington during the Revolutionary War, depicting the first president on horseback (image credit: New York Historical Society). At right, a commemorative bandana created upon George Washington’s death in 1799 (image credit: 1812 War & Piecing).

Bandanas also emerged as social identifiers. In the 1970s, the gay community adopted a “hanky code.” The colored bandanas indicated one’s orientation and sexual preferences without drawing unwanted attention from the rest of the world. Continuing bandanas connection to anti-authority, gang members in the 80s also appropriated bandanas as communication tools. This time the colors referenced loyalty to one gang or another: red meant Bloods; blue meant Crips.

A classic paisley bandana pattern.

From the streets of Los Angeles to Hollywood’s glitz and glamour, Madonna isn’t the only pop culture personality that has put the bandana front and center. Other recording artists have showcased the piece either by flaunting or rebelling against its deep-seated roots in the working class. Some have embraced its working class connotations, like Bruce Springsteen, who proudly claimed he was “Born in the USA.” Joan Jett personified rocker chick extreme by wearing a solid neck bandana on her album cover “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Axl Rose’s L.A. bad boy swagger couldn’t have been complete unless he, too, held back his hair with his signature bandana headscarf. Jennifer Lopez, during her Puff Daddy phase, delivered her dual image of ‘Jenny from the Block’ / DIVA with a blinged out bandana neatly knotted behind her ears.

From the coal mines of France and our country’s first ‘first lady’ to today’s cultural icons, the bandana has firmly secured its place as part of America’s fashion history. It continues to be pragmatic and versatile. And to paraphrase Madonna, who inspired my own personal bandana phase, it makes the people come together.

Patriot with Panache	Bandana	The Well-Worn Traveler

Mac Smith is a New York City based fashion writer who has never met a cat, coat or cake he didn’t love. itcantallbedior.blogspot.com twitter: @itcantallbedior

If Mark Twain was correct, then the high school version of me—donned in a mandatory cheap polyester apron, polo shirt and shapeless pants—knew my place. And it wasn’t at the top of the fashion food chain. I was working for a major bagel store (back when bagels were a thing) and the aforementioned outfit not only shielded me from continuous cream cheese assault but also from the world. This was my first foray wearing a uniform and my last. As a young guy with a burgeoning interest in fashion, design and textiles, I made a pact then and there I would never wear a uniform again. And while I’ve kept good on that day’s promise, I’ve opened my eyes to the world of workwear and its intrinsic chic, minimalist style. I’m not alone. The whole world of fashion is smitten with the clean lines and classic functionality of workwear. Some of my favorite designers reference workwear season after season while editors, stylists and bloggers have latched on to the ease and laidback luxury of pieces that were built to move.

A factory worker at the Paragon Rubber Co. plant in Mount Holyoke, Massachusetts. Photograph by Lewis Hine, 1936; image courtesy of the U.S. National Archives.

Not a whole lot has been written about the evolution of workwear. I thought the Internet would be abuzz since workwear has captured the hearts of street style denizens, but I did discover an informative book, Workwear: Work, Fashion, Seduction by Olivier Saillard and Oliviero Toscani (Mode, 2009). This is a comprehensive look at workwear’s impact throughout fashion history, its present prominence and its place as the uniform of the future. In between the impassioned words are striking photos of classic jackets, gloves and even gas masks as well as the fashion editorials and runway collections that have embraced and exaggerated the innate style of these items over the years.

Coal miners in Birmingham, Alabama, 1937. Photograph by Arthur Rothstein; image courtesy of Library of Congress.

Workwear originated in the professions of the earth such as farmers, coal miners, butchers, etc. where the need for a strong and resilient uniform emerged. These pieces had to perform just as hard as those who wore them and were never mistaken for stuffy and showy banker suits and office shirts. Workwear designs were durable and made of unfeigned fabrics like denim, waxed canvas and flannel. These materials were both more versatile and more affordable for the working class and allowed the everyman to get the job done.

The Levi’s Two Horse Logo was first branded onto the leather patch of the 501® jeans in 1886. The purpose of the graphic was to tout the strength of Levi’s pants. Image credit: Levi’s Facebook page.

Workwear is instinctively part of the American cultural anthropology. Big names in the field come from the USA including: Carhartt, established in 1889 in Dearborn, Michigan; Levi’s, originally created in San Francisco in 1853; and Red Wing shoes, named for the town in Minnesota where it was founded in 1905. At first workwear was purely agricultural in nature. During and following the Industrial Revolution and urbanization, people left the fields for the factories and railroads and workwear evolved to offer protection, breathability and comfort to these journeymen.

Alongside Levi’s and Carhartt to name a few, Red Wing shoes is a brand whose status as a long-standing, storied American company has cemented it as an important force in contemporary workwear fashion. Image credit: Clément.

Over time, these brands have seamlessly melded into modern, mainstream fashion, where they are more popular than ever. Workwear has experienced a surprising resurgence with young artists and urban dwellers who are attracted to the minimalist designs. Mainstream consumers have re-discovered workwear as the pendulum swings back toward quality construction over disposable, fast fashion. “Made in America” is also a major selling point. New artisans have crafted a niche in workwear and styles influenced by classic uniforms. Brands such as Joshu+Vela and J.L. Lawson & Co have firm roots in workwear but with forward vision and design. The Hudson Made Worker’s Apron also offers utility, relevance and practicality in the face of any job.

The Hudson Made Worker’s Apron, with its heavy-duty canvas and buckskin leather straps, is well suited for any manner of work—be it in an artist studio, a carpentry worskhop, or a kitchen.

Yet workwear has romanced high fashion as well. The techniques and craftsmanship have leapt from the fields and factories to the runway. And like many things in high fashion, Chanel is to blame. Coco Chanel famously chose comfort over constriction bringing chambrays and wide leg pants, styles associated with working hands, to the upper echelon post-World War I. In 1939, Chanel’s main competitor, Elsa Schiaparelli, also embraced workwear with a stylized overall. Designed in heavy midnight blue wool and proudly showcasing an exposed zipper that divided the overalls along the whole of the garment, Schiaparelli called it the Tenue d’Abri (translation: shelter suit). Schiaparelli cheekily stated that this was her suggestion for women looking for a rugged yet elegant one-piece to rapidly don before taking refuge in an air strike cellar during World War II. Mid-century saw denim, sweats and undershirts become de rigeur with Hollywood embracing the looks of the working class.

In the 1980s high end designers like Ralph Lauren started romanticizing the American worker and the iconography associated like trains, industrial equipment and farms. Lauren’s love affair with workear continued with his Spring 2012 menswear collection— a modern interpretation of Americana featuring rugged coated canvas, leather, cable knits and denim pieces. Rei Kawakubo, creative director of Comme des Garcons, has also shown many collections devoted to the work aesthetic, including the nouveau interpretation of railroad and chain gang stripes for Fall 2013.

The Spring/Summer 2012 collection for RRL was heavily influenced by workwear. Image source: Aspects of Cool.

But no designer truly fell in love with the construction and legacy of workwear like Yohji Yamamoto. Workwear: Work, Fashion, Seduction describes his introduction to the genre through the photographs of August Sanders who captured farmers and workers in their everyday garb. Yamamoto instantly was enamored with the patina on the workers garments and how the history of their experiences shined through their uniforms. It’s not just their form and structure, but the way time leaves its indelible mark on the pieces. In his spring 2003 collection, Yamamoto showed a series of six overalls, each increasing with grandeur and routine. This was a love letter to the rudimentary clothing that has taken over his thoughts. According to Style.com, Yamamoto’s fall 2013 collection features a series of “stripped-down black looks that were actually far from simple—complex, technical cutting prevailed in this workwear-inflected section, as it did throughout.”

Where is workwear headed next? The possibilities are as endless as the allure. A new generation steeped in urban and skate culture has appropriated workwear as its own, identifying with its social origins and blank canvas for interpretation. And really that’s always been the appeal: workwear reimagined in a way that is both modern and also pays homage to its utilitarian roots. I just hope it doesn’t involve bagels with cream cheese.

Discover these workwear-inspired products at Hudson Made:

Bourbon Worker’s Apron	Worker’s Soap	Canvas & Leather Dopp Kit

Mac Smith is a New York City based fashion writer who has never met a cat, coat or cake he didn’t love.