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Heddels Blowout

Heddels

Clothing history...and more! We dive into one clothing item, from Bucket hats to Huarache sandals, and explore: Why it’s important, where it came from, how it’s made, who’s making them today, how to take care of it, and, the real reason people listen to podcasts, at least three fun facts you can share at parties.

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24 episodes
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Avg 28 min
English

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September 11 · 21 min
Sashiko - Reinforcing Japanese Stitches
Sashiko is the age old Japanese technique of repairing and reinforcing fabric with rows of decorative running stitches. This little piece of reinforcing thread began over a thousand years ago and has been a mainstay of Japanese peasants, martial artists, and even firefighters. So if you’ve ever seen some of those awe-inspiring pics of people who have put dozens of hours into customizing their denim and wondered what that was all about, so spool up as we wind back on the past millennium of sashiko including how you can do it yourself on today’s Blowout.
September 2 · 21 min
The Bell Bottom Tolls for Thee - A History of Flared Jeans
Today we are talking about that oft-derided denim style that was relegated to the disco era. This type of cut can go by many names: bell-bottoms, boot cuts, flares, darts. However you slice it, these inverse-tapered fits usually have a tight fitting top block but are flowing and breezy at the ankle. As bell-bottoms begin to ring again, let’s take a look at some of the backstory behind these flared jeans. Thanks again to our sponsor Meermin and thank you for listening and until next time keep it real and keep it raw.
August 26 · 20 min
Anyone for Tennis? A History of Serving in Style
We are currently in the midst of the US Tennis Open being held at the Arthur Ashe arena in Queens, New York, named after one of the most stylish tennis stars of the 20th century, and believe me, there were a lot of them. It’s also supposedly the end of summer, but it is still 99 degrees where I am in Los Angeles and tennis wear, it’s very nice when it’s hot out! But it wasn’t always that way. So stick around as we dive into tennis shoes, sweatbands, and everything in between on today’s Blowout. Today’s episode featured writing from the article “Serving in Style” by Kadeem Roper on Heddels.com
August 19 · 20 min
What the Shell? All About Shell Cordovan
We spend an awful lot of time and a lot of digital ink discussing the finer qualities of leather and there is arguably no finer cut than shell cordovan. You may have seen it on a pair of loafers, a wallet, or a watch strap and immediately recoiled that it was over double the price of the calfskin or chromexcel equivalent. And there’s still a label stamped on the inside of the thing! Get ready to come out of your shell as we get under the skin of the near mythical shell cordovan on today’s Blowout. Featuring writing from John Bobey’s article “Shell Cordovan - The King of Leathers” Meermin Alden Crown Northampton Loyal Stricklin
August 11 · 25 min
Robin's Egg Blue - The Ancient Appeal of Turquoise
You’ve seen it inlaid in rings, pendants, bolo ties, squash blossom necklaces, conchos, studs, and more. It dots the hands and necks of those devoted to Southwestern Americana aesthetics. But its story reaches far beyond our corner of the world. Though this beautifully teal-hued gemstone often feels synonymous with vintage and heritage-inspired fashion, its history stretches much further. So stick around as we explore this colorful rock and why you may want to rock it on your next cuff, necklace, pin, or ring. Shiprock Santa Fe Four Winds First Arrow's Legend Munqa Join our Discord and email us at blowout@heddels.com. Article features writing by Daniel Rockburn and his article Robin’s Egg Blue – All About Turquoise & Its Relevance In Heritage Fashion.
August 6 · 28 min
Running Shoes - Millennia of Trying to Not Injure Ourselves
Today we’re talking about running! Not away from your problems, but the shoes you’d wear while you’re doing it. We’re putting aside the goodyear welts and chunky vibram soles to discuss the evolution of footwear options designed for that oh so human activity. And whether you’re someone who’s run marathon distances or sucked wind while running The Mile in gym class (trust me, I've been both at different points in my 25 years of running), you will definitely appreciate the advances we have available to us today as we stride towards running shoes.
July 27 · 15 min
Guayabera Shirts - Beat the Heat like a Guava
Today we’re talking about guayaberas. No, not guavas my Spanish speaking friends, but rather the shirt named after them. Also known as the cigar shirt or the camisa de Yucatan It’s been a staple of Latin American and Caribbean clothing spanning three centuries now and, yeah, it’s really nice to wear when it’s hot outside. So if you could please grin and bear it as we dive into the guayabera. eBay Cubavera Ramon Puig Dos Carolinas Soundman The Real McCoy's Gitman Bros. Email us at blowout@heddels.com!
July 20 · 17 min
The Bandana - Never Leave Home Without One
Today we’re talking bandanas. Not banned books, bandoliers, or watch bands, we’re discussing the classic square of fabric you might find on the forehead of a biker or in the back pocket of someone who just likes leather. It may seem like a simple thing, but this paisley handkerchief has been in the making for nearly three thousand years and has played a significant part in the silk road, the American Revolution, the labor rights movement, and LGBT culture. And I pretty much never leave the house without one! So allow me to bend your ears as we get into the bandana.
July 9 · 22 min
Tis The Seasoning - All About Cast Iron
Today we’re putting down the iron fist. The cast iron one, that is! As you know, raw denim is our first love, and if there’s one item that’s most spiritually attuned to the raw denim lifestyle, it’s not another piece of clothing, it’s a piece of cookware. They both have ancient origins but became more commonplace in the 1800s, they both get better the more you use them, there are practically cults about how you should or shouldn’t clean them, and a well worn example probably has an equal amount of food caked into it.
April 30 · 45 min
Mount Vernon Mills CEO Bill Rogers gives White Oak's Looms a New Life
For the past decade or so, there has been one white whale (or rather a pod of white whales) among raw denim fanatics, whose course has been followed with great interest since they left their home in North Carolina to move to Louisiana and now they have relocated again to Georgia. I am of course referring to the Draper X-3 shuttle looms, the forebearers of American selvedge denim from the late great Cone Mills White Oak plant in Greensboro. I got to speak with Bill Rogers, the president and CEO of their new home at Mount Vernon Mills, where the mills are again operational and expected to ship their first rolls of selvedge denim in just a matter of weeks. We discussed the history of American milling, why it’s still important to make fabric here, and why Mount Vernon has what it takes to keep these looms running well into the future. So keep listening to hear about the next chapter of American selvedge denim.
March 10 · 24 min
On the Lookout for Watch Caps
Welcome to Heddels Blowout. The show where we explore one thing, from watch caps to flip flops, and tell you all about: Why it’s important Where it came from How it’s made Who’s making them today How to take care of it And, the real reason you’re here, your ears were cold because your hat is rolled up and you needed to put on some headphones. That’s right, we’re talking about watch caps today. The knit cap. The skullcap. The beanie. The toque. Whatever the name you choose, tracking down the history of this now-ubiquitous piece of headgear may prove frustrating. Every cold part of the world that needed to keep their ears and head warm while at work and play invented some variant of the watch cap. The history may not be straightforward, but everyone knows the end of this story. This cap becomes one of the most worn and frequently lost accessories in the modern wardrobe. In my younger days, I would lose at least one per season to a dive bar vinyl booth. So warm up and dig into this week’s obsession over the watch cap. If you liked what you’ve been hearing, please let us and other people know with a review Our email address is blowout@heddels.com and we also have our discord running so you can bother me directly if you like! https://discord.gg/GA978xdP
March 2 · 21 min
The Gory Details of GORE-TEX
That’s right, today we’re talking about arguably the most well known name in performance fabrics - GORE-TEX. Most of the time, consumers aren’t aware of the upstream material manufacturers behind the clothes they wear but Gore-Tex is one of the few that’s broken through to wide recognition. You see that black and yellow tag on a parka, pair of boots, or a hat and you know it means business. But what kind of business is that exactly? Gore-Tex purports to be both breathable and waterproof at the same time but how does it do that? Is it successful? And did the company behind it knowingly poison its employees and the surrounding community? Listen on for all those answers and more as we get into all the gory details.
February 24 · 23 min
Tariffied Denim and Boots
That’s right, today is a little bit different. I’m not here to talk about an item but a concept, tariffs! The big T-word that has been taking up so much airtime over the last year as the returning American president has made it a cornerstone of his new administration and it’s probably having an impact on how you get your sweet fix of denim and leather. I kinda didn’t want to do this one, but we just got a ruling that these tariffs are indeed illegal by our completely legitimate supreme court and in response, Trump announced that they’re staying and the global rate just got bumped up to ten and then fifteen percent, which will affect the cost of pretty much everything. So strap in as we walk through the history and future implications of slapping a tax on everything that comes into the country, then removing it, then putting it back on, then removing it, etc. etc. and how it’s drastically affecting the retailers and makers of your favorite brands.
February 3 · 19 min
Cardigans Again and Again
Most of us can’t even hear the word “cardigan” without picturing Mr. Rogers coming home to exchange his suit jacket and dress shoes for one of his zip-up cardigans and a pair of sneakers. Most authors that write histories of this favorite casual sweater act stunned that Mr. Rogers favorite item of clothing was invented by the military. But for those of us better-versed in menswear history, it’s no surprise that the cardigan was a military invention, because… well, most pieces of men’s clothing wouldn’t exist today if not for their military application. The far more interesting angle in the cardigan story is not that the unassuming sweater gained fame for its role in one of the most disastrous cavalry charges of all time, but its position in women’s fashion. It was Coco Chanel who, was probably a Nazi collaborator, but it’s pretty clear she helped bring the cardigan to the masses and it was women who made cardigans cool. Brands mentioned: Inverallan Knitters (also at Clutch Cafe) Dehen 1920 Beams Plus Drakes J.Press If you liked what you’ve been hearing, please let us and other people know with a review Our email address is blowout@heddels.com and we also have our discord running so you can bother me directly if you like! https://discord.gg/GA978xdP Today’s episode featured writing from Albert Muzquiz in “From Cavalry to Coco Chanel: The Cardigan Unbuttoned” on Heddels.com and the production talents of Sean Thornton
January 16 · 19 min
Why the USAF Brought Back the A-2 Bomber Jacket
When you imagine an Air Force pilot, the first image that probably comes to mind is the dashing World War II-era captain in impossibly high-waisted khakis and a brown leather bomber jacket. But you might be surprised to learn then that the first time the U.S. Air Force issued a leather jacket was in 1987. So this is a technicality I’m exploiting, but the U.S. Air Force didn’t exist as a separate branch of the military until 1947. Before then, it was a part of the U.S. Army Air Corps and then U.S. Army Air Forces, which issued its last leather jacket in 1943. But the legacy of this jacket just wouldn’t die so the Air Force brought back a retro piece of equipment over 40 years later due to a combination of Hollywood, one dedicated collector, and deregulation of the airlines, which we’re going to get into in today’s Blowout. Brands mentioned: Cockpit USA Good Wear Leather Buzz Rickson's The Real McCoy's If you liked what you’ve been hearing, please let us and other people know. Our email address is blowout@heddels.com and we are also getting our discord fired up again so you can bother me directly if you like. Join our Discord server here: https://discord.gg/KHA5qvKb Today’s episode featured writing from “⁠Why the Air Force Brought Back the A-2 Leather Jacket” by me on Heddels.com and the production talents of Sean Thornton with the theme musical talents of Andrew Ryan. Thank you to our season sponsor, Meermin.
Nov 3, 2025 · 1 hr
We Made the World's Strongest Denim Sneaker with Crown Northampton's Chris Woodford
It’s been a long time since our last collaborative product, but we’re back with a bang. We’ve joined forces with Crown Northampton to launch the Grand Union Wholecut Sneaker, a denim & leather sneaker built to last for years and earn unique fades along the way. But there is much more to this Union than denim and leather – there’s a laundry list of world-class materials, shoemaking expertise, and Northamptonshire heritage in each pair. We visited Crown Northampton to finalize the design and the Grand Union Wholecut turn from a concept into what is arguably the world’s strongest denim sneaker. Hear from David and James as well as fifth generation shoemaker and head of Crown Northampton Chris Woodford about how we brought this unique sneaker to the finish line and how you can fade out a pair yourself! Link to buy: https://crownnorthampton.com/en-us/collections/grand-union-sneaker
S3 · E5
Sep 29, 2025 · 20 min
Loafers - Lazing in Leather Since 1920
Today we’re talking about loafers. Those do-nothing idlers who just sit around all day and the leisurely leather shoe that’s come to be named after them. Yes, the penny, the tassel, even the horsebit. These footwear icons might seem like timeless classics, but they are the result of a relatively recent cross-cultural exchange of mutually beneficial cultural appropriation. So slide in, slip on, and get ready for a relaxing ride along Loafer Lane. Brands mentioned: Aurlands Meermin Rancourt Alden Grant Stone So this is the end piece of our loaf on loafers and the end piece of this first experimental season. Thank you for listening and learning along with me. If you liked what you’ve been hearing, please let us and other people know. Our email address is blowout@heddels.com and we are also getting our discord fired up again so you can bother me directly if you like. Today’s episode featured writing from “The Lowdown on Loafers - From American to Norway and Back Again” by Albert Muzquiz on Heddels.com and the production talents of Sean Thornton with the theme musical talents of Andrew Ryan.
S3 · E4
Sep 20, 2025 · 26 min
Raw Denim - Back to the Indigo Well
That’s right, this is a denim episode! Longtime listeners will remember our 13-part, 7-hour audio epic about the history of denim where we covered 500 years of history of our favorite fabric. Relax, we’re not doing that again. That was a graduate level seminar, instead, this is denim 101 and by the end of it you should have all the tools and info needed to make an informed purchase and join the wonderful fraternity of people who talk about their jeans way too much. If you only know whispers of the discomfort associated with raw denim, the supposed high cost, or even about people putting their jeans in the freezer or wearing them to the beach, then this is for you. Brands mentioned: Levi’s Left Field Hiroshi Kato Tilden Today’s episode featured writing from “The Essential Raw Denim Breakdown” by yours truly on Heddels.com and the producing talents of Sean Thornton and theme music by Andrew Ryan. If you have any questions, comments, feedback or suggestions for other topics, email us at blowout@heddels.com.
S3 · E3
Sep 12, 2025 · 21 min
Polarized Sunglasses - Women Love Them, Fish Fear Them
Today we’re talking polarization. I’m not talking about the bears, Santa Claus, or the state of global politics. Rather something a bit more anodyne, and seasonally appropriate, cool shades! You may have heard of the many benefits of polarized sunglasses, how they reduce glare, let you see through the surface of water, or make it easier to drive. But why? How? Where to find? There isn’t that much technical information for consumers explaining how they work or the very different quality of materials they can be made from. But listen on and you’ll soon be an expert on all things polarized! Serengeti Shinzo Tamura American Optical Randolph Engineering If you have any questions, comments, concerns, want to suggest a topic or pump your favorite sunglasses, drop us a line at blowout@heddels.com Today’s episode featured writing from “Polarized Sunglasses - How do they Work” by yours truly, “Randolph Engineering — History, Philosophy, and Iconic Products” by Albert Muzquiz, and “American Optical – History, Philosophy, and Iconic Products” by John Bobey all on Heddels.com and the production talents of Sean Thornton with theme music by Andrew Ryan.
S3 · E2
Sep 5, 2025 · 22 min
Graphic Tees - Fashion Gets Explicit
They say all clothing is a type of language. Even refusing to participate in the conversation is a way to say something. Whether you’re in a top hat and tails or Canadian tuxedo or naked, it’s all saying something about you and how you chose to present yourself. But some clothes speak a little louder than others. Today we’re talking about arguably the loudest and most explicit of them all. That’s right, it’s graphic tee time, the shirt that literally spells out its message for you right across your chest for anyone who cares to read it. They may feel like the most ubiquitous item in the world, and that’s because they are with an estimated 8 billion of them produced every year, but they’ve been around for less than a hundred years. Brands mentioned: BARNS Buzz Rickson The Real McCoy’s Human Made If you have any questions, comments or concerns or any topics you’d like to hear covered, please let us know at blowout@heddels.com Today’s episode featured writing from Brad Lanphear’s 2023 Heddels article “History & Evolution of the Graphic Tee”, the production talents of Sean Thornton, and theme music by Andrew Ryan.

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