Category: The Edit

The Uniform: American Made Outerwear

Posted on by TheAmericanEdit

It’s the middle of November and I still don’t need to wear a coat. In Minnesota. Global warming concerns aside, the weather has been pretty amazing and I’m doing my best to make the most of it. But winter is inevitable, and after spending last year freezing in layers upon layers underneath my thin fall jacket, it was time to invest in a real winter coat.

I looked at all of the options… probably too many, as it made narrowing and choosing terribly difficult! Admittedly, many of these options are investment pieces. If you buy a well-made, classic coat, there’s really no reason why it won’t last forever, so I belive that American Made outerwear is worth investing in. (Besides, your coat and boots are really all people see for about 6 months of the year! You can wear the same jeans and white t-shirt underneath every day and no one would notice.) Some of my favorites:

American Made leather jackets
I never feel more like myself (or perhaps, the version of myself that I want to be) than when I’m wearing my leather jacket. If you have a thinner version, try layering it under your winter coat, like a bad-ass blazer.
1. The Arrivals Rainier Leather Moto
2. The Arrivals Moya Waterproof Shearling
3. Veda Grand Leather Jacket
4. ThePerfext Brooklyn Leather Jacket

american made coats

Probably the most important category shown today. I like to these of these as “grown-up” jackets…

1. Nili Lotan Wrap Kimono Coat
2. Veronica Beard Chesterfield Dickey Coat
3. Smythe Pyramid Coat
4. ThePerfext Manhattan Coat

AMerican made outerwear

Because you still want to look pulled together when you are running errands, shopping, etc. and it’s freezing out, and the old North Face puffer just isn’t cutting it anymore.

1. Zero + Maria Cornejo Edi Trench Coat
2. No. 6 Parka Coat
3. The Arrivals Artemis Modular Parka
4. Veronica Beard Granite Parka

american made outerwear

Less critical, but it’s always nice to have a beautiful, fun coat to throw on for a holiday party or when you are dressed up.

1. Laveer Nordic Coat
2. Creatures of Comfort Maureen Coat
3. Cocoon Cashmere Swing Cape
4. Rachel Comey Trail Coat

Woah. That’s a lot of options! What’s your go-to jacket? As for me, I scooped this up (in black) during a 20% off sale at a local shop last month. It hasn’t been cold enough to wear it yet, but that hasn’t stopped me from putting it on inside a few times!

Graphics for The American Edit by REBECCAH ERICKSON

The Edit: American Made Sofas

Posted on by TheAmericanEdit

If you follow me on Instagram, you are probably aware that my husband and I bought a house this past January. A 1909 craftsman, thoughtfully updated and in need of very little work. You are also probably aware of the fact that we moved in with essentially no furniture – our last house was furnished, which led us to donate, give away and sell almost everything we’d accumulated over the years. We’ve been doing our best to embrace that, and to slowly fill our home with thoughtful pieces that fit our needs.

With that said, there were pieces that we considered to be a priority – we purchased these as soon as the closing was scheduled. Our first priority was a sofa – we moved into our house in the middle of the winter and knew that we’d (err… I’d) be spending a lot of evenings bundled up under blankets watching TV and we wanted to be comfortable while doing so! We planned to buy several vintage furniture pieces, so it was even more important to me that anything new be American made.

We spent a lot of time looking at – and testing – sofas that would fit in our long and narrow sitting room and still be comfortable. I’m terribly indecisive and struggled while deciding between the interesting statement options and the simple, classic option. Some of my favorites:

best american made sofas

1. Kalon No. 5 Series
2. DWR Reid Sofa
3. Wilson & Willy’s Stephen Kenn Sofa
4. Room & Board Hess Leather Sofa
5. Modernica Case Study Daybed

Some additional American made sofas: Crate & Barrel, Room & Board, Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams, and West Elm. Here’s a tip – while searching larger retailer sites, entering “North Carolina” or “made in USA” into the search box can help to narrow the selection!

We ultimately went with a classic sectional – it’s slipcovered so we know it can take a beating, and big enough that we can have a friends or family members over to watch movies. It was an investment, but it’s almost a year old and looks brand new; the cost per use on this thing will end up being pennies! I’m sitting on it as I write this post! I love it, but still sometimes wish we’d gone for something bold… which would you pick?

Graphics for The American Edit by REBECCAH ERICKSON

The Uniform: White T-shirts

Posted on by TheAmericanEdit

american_made_t-shirts

This summer, I realized that I was reaching for my white crew neck far more frequently than the gray v-neck I’ve lived in over the last few years. When I looked around, I realized that I was in good company – all of my friends seemed to have made the switch as well.

I have a bit of a problem, and have tried them all… here’s what I look for in a t-shirt:
1. Texture – the fabric has to be soft and thin, but not so thin that it snags on jewelry, random corners, zippers, etc.
2. Opaque – I’m not interested in overly sheer t-shirts. Too much work!
3. Pre-shrunk – while I do hang dry, I’ll eventually miss something, so I look for shirts that won’t shrink too much when they inevitably end up in the dryer.
4. American made (duh).

There will always be a place for a well cut v-neck, but change is good. Some of my favorites, all under $100, because while I can justify spending money on something you can wear every day, I’m also clumsy, and red wine, coffee, and pen marks are the bane of a white tee’s existence.

1. Zady Linen Jersey T-Shirt
2. American Apparel organic Women’s Jersey tee
3. Cotton Citizen Classic Crew
4. Current/Elliott Petit tee
5. Reformation George tee
6. Frame le Boyfriend tee

A few other options: classic, hemp (an interview with the founder coming soon!), cropped and distressed.

Graphics for The American Edit by Rebeccah Erickson

The Edit: American Made Bikes

Posted on by TheAmericanEdit

I’m in need of a new bike for running errands around the neighborhood and, for once, I have no idea what I’m looking for.

I want an American made bike (obviously) and I’m so short that I usually need the smallest female option. I want it to be white, black, or silver – my last bike had pink on it (because it was the smallest female option, they only offered a black and pink colorway… so frustrating) and I think that’s why I never rode it. (I donated it before we moved and when I was in the midst of my Marie Kondo “Does it bring you joy” spree…).

Other than that, I have no idea what I need… a single speed? a 3 speed? What is worth customizing? What is the safest? There are so many options… and I’m lost.

But these are pretty… gotta start somewhere, right?!

american made bike handsome cycles

Handsome Cycles She Devil

american made bikes heritage cycle

Heritage Cycles The Jane

american made bikes shinola

Shinola Detroit Arrow

Any other American made bike brands that I’m missing? What do you look for in a bike? Also… any American made bike helmets? I can’t seem to find any, but that will be my next purchase once I find a bike!