Stüssy, Splendid Mills, Gilded Age, Oliver Spencer, Stetson
Remember the early nineties? Stüssy does. Its felted wool overcoat recalls the Pacific Northwest in a time when everybody wanted to look like they worked hard for a living, even if that just translated into answering phones at Sub Pop.
Stüssy plaid jacket, $330, available at bloomingdales.com; Splendid Mills waffle polo, $104, available at splendid.com; Gilded Age Gotham straight-leg jeans, $368, available at barneys.com; Oliver Spencer leather Warwick boots, $667, available at odinnewyork.com; Stetson cashmere hat, $99, available at stetson.com

East meets workwear
It would be tough to be more on-trend than The Stronghold, which makes a point of stocking only brands, like Filson and Pendleton, that were founded pre-WWII. Even better: The Venice, California, outfitter lovingly maintains a 111-year-old jeans line that includes these organic Japanese selvage denim trousers (they also happen to be made-to-measure—and you get gratis alterations and repairs for life). Speaking of Japan, The Stronghold has something of a soul mate in that country's Workers label, known for meticulously replicating iconic American garments like this 1904 jacket.
Hickory stripe jeans, $285, available at The Stronghold, 1625 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA, (310) 399-7200; Wabash jacket, about $260, e-workers.net

Schlitz Original Formula
Beer snobs may call it "Schitz," but back in the sixties, Schlitz's Original Formula was a tasty brew. And now, thanks to the research of an award-winning brewmaster from Pabst—yes, Pabst has an award-winning brewmaster—the beer has been returned to its 1960 glory. At the moment the special recipe is only available in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and Florida, but expect wider distribution in '09.
For availability, visit schlitzgusto.com

Chris Stain
Chris Stain comes by his inspiration pretty naturally: "My grandfather worked for Bethlehem Steel, my father worked at a manufacturing plant, and I worked 12- to 16-hour days at a T-shirt factory," he says. The NYC-based artist reflects that experience back on the streets—everywhere from Baltimore to London—with his signature blue-collar stencils. His biggest yet: a 52-by-20-foot mural as part of an upcoming Creative Time show at the Park Avenue Armory.
Democracy in America: Convergence Center, Sept. 21–27, Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Ave., New York, (212) 616-3930, creativetime.org; for prints, visit chrisstain.com

Schott, Adam Kimmel, Club Monaco
When it comes to American outerwear, few names carry more weight than Schott. (They made Brando's motorcycle jacket in The Wild One—not to mention the peacoats worn by the navy during WWII.) This toggled overcoat offers a bold (and by bold, we mean orange) tweak of that storied past. And while the color's more Austrian disco than
On the Waterfront, at least you'll be appropriately dressed at the next dockside rave.
Schott coat, $275, available at schottnyc.com; Adam Kimmel site pants, $875, site suspenders, $225, and site boots, $500, available at bergdorfgoodman.com; Club Monaco black rib turtleneck sweater, $89, clubmonaco.com

Billykirk Leathers
William "Billykirk" Kirkland and Chris Bray spent three years learning the leather trade from an L.A. craftsman before opening their own studio. Then, when they relocated to NYC, the duo tapped Amish leather-workers in Pennsylvania to do most of the work. Yep, it turns out you don't actually need to know how to use a laptop to make a damn nice laptop bag.
No. 207 Padded Laptop Flight Bag, $350, available at billykirk.com

Irish Setter
What began as an offshoot of Red Wing's 1920 "outing boots" collection has grown into the successful stand-alone brand Irish Setter. And unlike lots of outdoor-inspired clothing, this hunting jacket is made with actual hunters in mind—which ought to be fun to tell your companions next time you wear it out to brunch in the East Village.
Irish Setter Crosby Upland jacket, $149, available at The Great Outdoors, (304) 373-0400, greatoutdoorstoreonline.com

Icon: Neal Cassady
Before he was the gin-soaked muse for the Beats' and Merry Pranksters' cross-continental adventures, "Cowboy Neal" Cassady earned an honest living as a brakeman for the Southern Pacific Railroad. (When he wasn't doing time in San Quentin, that is.) And if there's a better model for working-man style, circa Fall 2008, we'd like to see it.

Adam Kimmel engineer boots
Sure, Kimmel's first foray into the boot market was inspired by the Semina art movement and employs the same factory that makes Hermès slip-ons, but we challenge you to find a more rugged pair of shoes for $750.
Adam Kimmel engineer boots, $750, available at bergdorfgoodman.com

J.Crew, Adam Kimmel, Michael Bastian, Red Wing
This Black Watch jacket from J.Crew's Vintage collection is plenty warm enough to hitch cross-country in—especially when worn over one of Adam Kimmel's Beat-inspired flannels. (All you wannabe typists take note: It's better to look like Kerouac than write like him.)
J.Crew black watch plaid jacket, $595, available at jcrew.com; Adam Kimmel flannel shirt, $500, available at bergdorfgoodman.com; Michael Bastian jeans, $490, available at michaelbastiannyc.com; Red Wing boots, $240, available at openingceremony.us