Today Jack Carlson, author of the book “Rowing Blazers” and a competitor at the rowing world championships, has unveiled a clothing collection entitled — what else? — Rowing Blazers. The collection consists of blazers, shirts, ties and accessories, all made in the US. Jack’s knowledge of the history of blazers and all the quirks behind them is fascinating.
And this time you’re not going to have to read to get the story, you can just listen.
For a year I’ve been toying with the idea of doing a podcast — after all, I’ve been interviewing people since I was 15 and ran a music fanzine. I also happen to be working on a book and a podcast would be a great compliment to it. And so I took my interview with Jack and used it as a test for the podcast idea. There’s a bit of an echo so we’ll have to smooth that out for next time, but the piece was nicely edited with intro music and everything by Ivy Style reader Jon Rodriguez. (If you have any audio or video editing needs, feel free to email Jon.)
I envision a podcast series called “The Philosophy Of Style” that would examine a wide range of topics related to the nature of style and what you might call the art of living. The idea would be to provide intellectual stimulation and inspiration on how to live a better life and be a better man. I’d like to sett up a Patreon account to gather support for the venture.
So here’s the first test. Let me know what you guys think.
And best of luck to Jack, and thanks for being my guinea pig. Here are some highlights from his Rowing Blazers collection. — CHRISTIAN CHENSVOLD
For someone who has earned the right to wear my school’s rowing blazer, gritted my teeth through agonizing 2K erg tests (even though I never placed in the top 8 to go to HOCR or Henley lol), it kinda irks me that these blazers exist and available to anyone.
Although I admit they do look good and they don’t have any gimmicky or fake crest so that’s definitely a major plus. That being said, Jack is a beast and has earned his stripes and probably is the one guy who is best positioned to do this. Better him than the Winklevoss twins.
On the other hand, I unabashedly dawn regimental and club ties with tiny crests on them as well as tartans that have no connection to my family.
Am I a hypocrite? Perhaps. Jealous? Definitely 🙁
Someone should tell Mr. Carlson that his Castleberry is showing. My lord. “Busted seam” and pre-worn, torn up oxfords for $175? Just stop. This is embarrassing.
I dig the podcast. Looking forward to more.
Bravo to Jack for creating what might be the coolest retail site I’ve ever seen. I’m a sucker for all the Wes Anderson-y world building: clothing photographed next vintage postcards, chopstick wrappers, and other miscellany. It’s a shame so much of it is sold out: the chess king hat and blazer ties are particularly tempting.
@Eric –
“The coolest retail site I’ve ever seen.” Oh no. No, no, no, no…….no.
Where, exactly, would you wear that 2 inch rowing blazer tie?
@VEA
Virtually anywhere. Disclosure: I’m a freelancer working from home, so I never have to dress for a specific work environment.
I’d wear it with an otherwise neutral, conservative outfit: say, blue OCB, stone chinos and a pair of loafers.
@Eric. Got it – totally Wes Anderson-y.
I don’t get the pre-distressed clothing either.
Also, I didn’t catch that initially but the shirts are too expensive. You won’t be able to compete with more established brands that are selling [made in USA] garments at cheaper prices. No way.
It seems Carlson has done to rowing blazers what Stubbs & Wooton have done to smoking slippers. I like it!
My eye is on that green blazer tie.
Love. This. Completely. Great interview – I really appreciate Jack’s knowledge – and I’m loving his take on this classic sporting gear.
Now that I’ve actually listened to the podcast, I guess it addresses everything I blurted out in my first comment re: gimmicks and earned rights.
The prices are still too darn high though.
Very much looking forward to future podcasts. I think there is a lot out there in the Trad world to discuss, particularly the values and actual lifestyle that buttressed the Look.
It’s official, Bruce Boyer will be the next subject of the first official “Philosophy Of Style” podcast.
Shoot me any ideas, books, people you think would be worth talking to and about.
Note that the concept for the podcast is much broader than Tradsville.
Get Roger Stone on the podcast! (seriously)
Christian, did you get Fei Wang (mrslowboy.com) to create your avatar?
Can we have a podcast with FEC debating AEV (VEA)?
GS, brilliant idea. Stone can talk about the Machiavellian application of style. Very philosophical. Sharp eye, young man.
Chewco: yes, Mr. Slowbly finally finished my portrait. I’ll share it later this week.
And I think FEC vs. AEV belongs on Jerry Springer.
Thank you, CC, I wish you the best of luck in securing the so-called prince of darkness for an interview.
Good stuff! Dig the Rudy Vallee-esque audio.
Yes on the podcast. Great concept. You have your stable of experts and historians. Boyer. Press. Davidson. I’d like to hear from them, and have their philosophy recorded for posterity. Then mix in the next generation of stylists, designers, and retailers. Sid Mashburn?
@Christian,
Would love to hear from stylists and designers. Some of the best interviewees include Alan Flusser, Thom Browne, Richard Press, and Joseph Abboud.
Another suggestion I have is to include video or photos as it’s always fun to see what people like Alan Flusser are wearing. A lot of times Mr. Flusser dresses with an “I don’t give a f#?!” attitude. Also, if you do get video or still images, pllleeaaassse upload to YouTube.
Furthermore, I wish you would change the name of your program to something catchy like “Chillin’ with Christian” or “Zen Style.” Let your listeners vote on which name they like.
Best of luck to you.
Best get on the Stone interview soon. It’ll sound even more ‘tin can’ from his jail cell!
The blazers (some of the less loud ones, anyway) look interesting. The rest of the offerings add up to a sort of rummage-sale-at-Fred’s-house look: is this what they call “curated” retail?
As for the podcast, I think it’s great and vote to have Richard in the lineup very soon.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUMoVhtD8Ey/?taken-by=rowingblazers
The Botticelli bosoms ballcap, it’s gonna sell.
I would really enjoy hearing W. David Marx on the podcast. Always appreciate your stories on the Japanese and American ivy-style history.
Podcasts and prep-dress costumes – like a time machine back to 2010.
A little write-up on Jack for Apparel Mag:
http://apparel.edgl.com/news/Man-About-Town–Whatever-Rows-your-Boat109658
Please, when you make a podcast, please put at least a little work into the production so that the audio levels are constant and not so vastly different from speaker to speaker. It is disturbing to listen to an interview where the people making the podcast could not be bothered to at least run the audio through 1960’s technology AGC so that it is comfortable to listen to. For pete’s sake, even el cheapo Panasonic cassette recorders from the 1970’s can be used to finish the audio production.
Podcast? tp;dl (Too Podcast; Didn’t Listen)
As someone who prefers receiving information through the eyes rather than the ears, I just don’t bother with most podcasts and the like. (Having said that, I love Old-Time Radio. Go figure.)
If you ever have a transcript of your podcasts, I’ll be the first to read them.
Love the idea of a podcast. I’d love to hear an extended interview with both Charlie Davidson and Richard Press. As to the FEC/ AEV debate, it would be funny, but Fred would never agree. Intellectually FEC brings a knife to a gunfight.
i know I’m late, but did the podcast happen yet?
Thanks for asking. Equipment was bought and further tested, but the idea is on hold for now. Maybe I’ll try one during the long winter for the heck of it, but I’m not sure I want to go all-in yet.