Monday, August 17, 2009

Nerds of Denim


Forget for a moment that beer, bikes and brats have long defined the city of ( ok, the beer lets not forget so fast) Milwaukee and consider a few facets that are still readily visible on the radar screen.
For instance; scads of Craftman-style bungalows, a bevy of Frank Lloyd Wright representations and a bar on every corner. But what my not be so clear to the eye to even the denizens of their own city are two guys who own their own corner on denim. They call themselves Denim Nerds on the blog for their store Detour but they're just being very humble. I know this cuz they're friends of mine. I also know how meticulous they are when it comes to doing their homework for brands they may potentially carry down the road. At the risk of sounding like a used car salesman, these guys know their denim. Turn a pair inside out and they'll explain to you all about the selvedge, the weave or even a cool little story behind the pocket bags. With a slightly more worldly or let me say more studied online customer, their reach has become global in length as they are now one in a handful of a dialed-in, go-to for denim carrying such brands as: APC, Kicking Mule Workshop, Current/Elliot, Rag and Bone, Nudie and a personal favorite in GitmanVintage (not denim). A heritage shirt company dating back to 1978 with lottsa cool flannels, tattersalls, tartans and checks.

And don't forget that Milwaukee is also home to the National Bowling Headquarters, Gene Wilder as well as Howie Epstein's home town, Flipville Records, Cream City Music (think a whole lotta Gretsch) and the Mars Cheese Castle.

photo from gitmanvintage.com ( please don't tell)

2 comments:

  1. /Users/wendy/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/2009/Roll 42/DSCN0018.JPG

    Hope you can open that. Ehlenbach's Cheese Chalet.

    Guess the Truman's / Smith-Taylor couples should make a sojourn to Spring Hill, WI for a tour of Wright's Taliesin. Just a thought.

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  2. That would be cool. And we'll provide the red and white gingham tablecloth on the grass and a picnic basket containing a platter with a thoughtful display of sausage,crackers and lots and lots of cheese.

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