5 Everyday Accessories from American Heritage Brands

American menswear has long been defined by clothing — selvedge denim, flannel shirts. In recent years, however, urbanites have begun to express the nuance of heritage style by unearthing the shoe and accessory brands sprinkled throughout history. These include waxed-canvas bags (the original waterproof fabric), sunglasses commissioned by the US Air Force and legendary sneakers “guaranteed to make a kid run faster and jump higher.” Here are those iconic pieces, all rugged, dependable and worth adding to your everyday rotation.

PF Flyers x Gitman Vintage Made in USA Center-Hi

The Center Hi is one of the most iconic sneakers in history. With pedigree dating back to the ’30s and ’40s, the sneaker resurfaced in the ’90s thanks to a famous scene in the film The Sandlot. This limited-edition Made in USA Center Hi combines the expertise of both PF Flyers and Gitman Vintage, another iconic American brand; the shoe comes outfitted with Gitman Vintage’s 100 percent American-made “seed-to-sew” cotton denim. It also features a green embroidered top eyelet, chalk-colored eyelets, nylon green heel tape with zig-zag stitching, pigskin leather lining and a plush leather covered footbed.

Filson Original Briefcase

Founded in 1897, Filson is a legendary manufacturer of rugged clothing and accessories — with a heavy emphasis on its bags. This briefcase features the brand’s signature Rugged Twill, YKK solid brass zippers and bridle-leather handles and straps.

Randolph Engineering P3 Sunglasses

Randolph Engineering got its start in the early ’70s making tooling for the American optical industry. Later, after manufacturing its own sunglasses, they became the primary contractor for the United States Air Force. The P3 frames were cemented in history when photographer Bob Gruen snapped a photo of John Lennon wearing a pair on a New York City rooftop in 1974.

Fisher Space Pen AG7

This five-inch pen, designed by Paul Fisher for the first Apollo missions, is pressurized, meaning it works in zero gravity. Made with solid brass that’s coated in chrome, the pens sold today are identical to those first taken to the moon in 1969.

Buck Knives 110 Folding Hunter

The Folding Hunter knife was originally designed in 1963 by Al Buck, son to Buck Knives founder Hoyt Buck, who sensed a need among his fellow outdoorsmen for an alternative to long fixed-blade knives, which were less portable. It quickly became a popular go-to, and continues to be one of the best-selling knives in the country.

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