* EVEN COWBOYS GET THE BLUES | VINTAGE PHOTOS OF DUDES IN DENIM

Via The Selvedge Yard 

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Times sure have changed.  Playing “Cowboys & Indians” outside has been replaced with playing “Halo” or “Call of Duty” in a darkened room.  Heck, it’s probably so politically incorrect to even mention “Cowboys & Indians” that someone somewhere is having a tizzy.  The American cowboy is an icon of grit, honor, independence and masculinity.  Hard work, long days, and little pay except for the open sky, a horse to ride, a hot meal and a drink or two to wet your whistle.  Maybe even a dance with a pretty girl if yer’ lucky– and don’t stink to high heaven.

The 1910s – 1930s saw the Wild West American lifestyle move largely from a way of life, to ever-increasing faded memories and mythology.  Our country was getting smaller. Technology and transportation were ushering in a new era of industrialized cities and advanced accessibility.  The real jean-wearin’ cowboy lifestyle of days past were kept alive over the decades largely through the Western fashions worn by the stars of silver screen and music.

These images are some of my favorite captures of the American cowboy at the very end of his reign– many not surprisingly taken by LIFE photography giants like Loomis Dean, and Ralph Crane to name a few. Some, unfortunately, are uncredited.  If you know the pic, give me a shout  so I can give the photographer their due, please.

circa 1934– “Rear view of a man wearing chaps and spurs”  –Photo McCormic Co., Amarillo, Texas.

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Lubbock, TX, 1940– Matador, A Texas Ranch: Seven cowboys sitting along corral fence draped w. their chaps (which they don’t wear while not working), as they wait for brand irons to heat up during cattle roundup at Matador Ranch, the second largest in the state.  –photo by Hansel Mieth

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1960– Cowboys on long cattle-drive from South Dakota to Nebraska.  –photo by Grey Villet

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1960– Cowboys on long cattle-drive from South Dakota to Nebraska.  –photo by Grey Villet

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Cattle Drive In Montana –Photo by Ralph Crane

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1943– Father and son, owners of a 35,000 acre ranch in west Texas.  –photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt

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1960– Clarence Hailey Long, foreman on the JA spread in Texas  –Photo by Leonard McCombe

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TX, 1939–  Matador Ranch chuck wagon pulled by mules sets out across Texas plains behind unseen roundup crew during a cattle drive.  –Hansel Mieth

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I’ll see your Coca Cola– and raise you a tall whiskey.  Help me with the photo credit if you can…

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Shaving at the bar in yer’ chaps with one of them new-fangled electric razors.  Photo credit?
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My kind of office party.  Love this.  Photo credit?
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HH Ranch?  Would love to know the story…
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Love this shot– as a denim nut– this simple, honest image focused on his Levi jeans gives me the chills.

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Life on the range… photo credit?
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CA, 1949– Silhouette of cowboy mounted on horse.  –photo by Allan Grant

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Gatorade?  Coffee was the Cowboy’s Gatorade, son.  Great shot, who’s the photographer?
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Takin’ a load off, chowing some grub in the back of one of them mechanical horses.  Love this shot.

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Imagine lugging a kitchen behind you every day, prepping and making the meals, cleaning, packing…

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Utah, 1947– Man sitting holding his horse’s reins  –Loomis Dean

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Cattle Drive In Montana –Photo by Ralph Crane
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Cattle Drive In Montana –Photo by Ralph Crane

Alone in the Wilderness

VIA A Swans Wing Dyed In Red

Wall Street Journal: Off Duty

A Continuous Lean brings to light a new segment of the Wall Street Journal titled “Off Duty”. In its premiere, the lifestyle section featured an article discussing the potential effect that Americana and heritage brands have had on influencing the runways of high fashion in something called “The L.L. Bean Effect”. REDWING1905 also provides an additional look within the pages with a flow diagram.

master-piece 2010 Fall/Winter Lookbook

Osaka-based brand master-piece have just released the following images from their Fall/Winter collection for 2010. Having specialised in the design and construction of bags since ‘94, it’s no surprise that the Japanese label concentrate on a selection of backpacks and bags. The outdoor nature of the shoot suggests that Master Piece are continuing to create durable bags designed for maximum utility.






Source: ONEEIGHTNINE

Polaroids by Erik Brunetti Zine

FUCT’s Erik Brunetti releases a new zine featuring a series of Polaroids amassed over the early 90′s to the present day. The zine was created in conjunction with HM Press who also worked together on the previous zine, “Same Shit Different Day”. Look for more print projects on the way involving Brunetti and HM Press. The zine is limited to 40 pieces, each individually signed and numbered. To order a zine, send an email to info@fuct.com.
VIA HYPEBEAST

Self Edge 2010 “Zero Half Measures” Lookbook

Renowned denim specialists Self Edge release a new lookbook for 2010, dubbed “Zero Half Measures”. More so than just capturing product, the series of photographs documents the classic American motoring culture of which much of Self Edge’s creations are based upon. Featured within the lookbook are special appearances by the legendary Max Schaaf of 4Q Conditioning, Dave Tanimura of Chili Dog Customs, Chase Elmore of County and Sons Hauling, Inc., and Jason Pierotti of The Rodder’s Journal with photography by Clay Gardner.

Inventory Magazine “Cold Spring” Editorial

Captured by Justin Hollar and styled by Tyler Wray, the latest photographic editorial from Inventory Magazine explores some of the highlights from this season’s apparel. Shot in Cold Spring, New York, the collection of images were taken outdoors, allowing for complex and heavy layering. Focusing on a variety of brands and styles, the piece is composed of a series of black and white photos.