Pendletons?

[Fifty150]

I have wool shirts from several different companies. Bemidji Woolen Mills, Johnson Woolen Mills, Woolrich, Pendleton, Eddie Bauer, Filson, Orvis, et cetera. My police uniform shirts are also made of wool. But by far, my favorites are from Pendleton.

As a kid, my dad taught us it was better to invest in quality wardrobe items. Whatever he spent money on had to work (keep us warm) and last. We also tended to buy local. So if you could get it from the sewing factory, at a discount, then that's what we wore. At one point, San Francisco was full of sewing factories, with many of them doing contract manufacturing. We used to be able to buy brand name fashion in Chinatown, right out of the sweat shop. Our leather jackets came from Golden Bear Sportswear. Jeans were always Levi Strauss. And Pendleton had a retail outlet down town.

Since I'm not that old, my "vintage" Pendletons don't fit me anymore. Now my lucky nephews are wearing my old collecxtion of slim fitting shirts with square bottom hems (like The Beach Boys had on their album cover). But I have to admit, the modern Pendleton stuff is still pretty good (even if assembled in Mexico and China). Some of the shirts now have hoods, quilted linings, fleece linings, zippers, and hand warmer pockets. I've often though about buying just their woolen fabric by the yard, and having custom shirts made by Al's Attire in North Beach.

 

[Fifty150]

The newest Pendleton I bought:

Four pockets, polar fleece lining, and a hood.

 

[Fifty150]

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I just bought one of those at Pendleton's Washougal, Washington Mill Store. $33. Herringbone pattern with a stripe. Pretty good price since the retail price for a shirt is about $104. My friends call it "The Kramer Jacket". My dad says it looks like something that the old timers in Chinatown wear.

 

[Dapper Dave]

I love my Pendletons I have at least 15 of them. They are good for the winter and fall months. The 1940s and 1950s patterns are the best. I like the long pointed collars.