Blog
INDIGO INSPIRATION WITH KATO' AND GANT August 09 2016
This just in: Vintage print inspired indigo shirts from a couple of Service's favorite brands, KATO' by Hiroshi Kato and GANT.
The KATO' items are made with Japanese fabric and are 100% cotton. They come in a slim fit.
The GANT items are 100% cotton with indigo dyed yarns. They come in a slim "hugger" fit.
KATO' Slim French Seam Aloha Chambray w/ detail - light indigo
KATO' Slim French Seam Japanese Chambray Flower w/ detail - faded indigo
KATO' Slim French Seam Dot-Flower Chambray w/ detail - light indigo
GANT Japanese Floral Oxford, Slim Fit, w/ detail indigo
GANT Geometric Print Oxford, Slim Fit, w/ detail - light indigo
Shop above GANT and KATO' by Hiroshi Kato items in store now.
NEW TEE ARRIVALS: ALTRU August 05 2016
New clever graphic tees from Made in USA brand, ALTRU, have arrived!
Since 2002, founder Jonny Hughes and his design team at ALTRU, have been striving to create instant classics in their product, gathering inspiration from vintage designs, their frequent travels, and in collaboration with other artists and cultural institutions like LIFE Magazine and Polaroid, to name a few.
The result is a laid-back men's style that is unmistakably Californian; the home base of the brand.
All the tees are enzyme prewashed for super soft hand feel and reduced shrinkage.
"Water You" Tee, marina blue, 100% cotton
Solvem Probler Tee, heather grey, tri-blend jersey
Shadenfreude Tee, sand, 100% cotton
Shop ALTRU tees in store now!
SPOTLIGHT ON MOLLUSK August 02 2016
John McCambridge at the shop
Artist and surfer John McCambridge and artist Johanna St. Clair opened Mollusk in 2005, with some help from their artist and surfer friends, in the then sleepy area of Ocean Beach in San Francisco. They started by selling t-shirts and hand shaped surfboards and eventually grew into a full apparel and surfboard operation. They eventually opened retail spaces in Venice and Silver Lake and continue to make it a priority to produce their goods in the USA, which we love.
Johanna St. Clair and Nina
On any given day they have events at their shop from art installations/openings to slide shows to music performances because John believes that it's important to have a communal environment, much like the surf shops that he grew up going to. Joanna creates a lot of the graphics that you find on their tees and Nina, their 9 year old daughter, can sometimes be found folding shirts at their Ocean location for $10 an hr. It's a family affair and a community space as much as it is a retail space, and keeping things fun is a big part of Mollusk's success as a brand.
Check out the new arrivals that we have in store now including the tees and chinos pictured below.
Flying Fish tee
Oaxaca tee
Olde Whale tee
Olde Whale tee - detail
Hemp Pocket tee - light indigo
Hemp Pocket tee - light indigo detail
Hemp Pocket tee - trinity green
Striped Pocket tee - forest green
Chinos - dull khaki / graphite
Check out some more of Johanna St. Clair's art here.
Shop above Mollusk items in our store now!
MOLLUSK "LURKER TEE" LIMITED RUN July 19 2016
At Service Menswear we love it when artists collaborate with our favorite brands.
The "Lurker Tee", with art by artist Nathaniel Russell, was designed especially for Mollusk and like all of Mollusk's items, it's Made in the USA. This special heather grey edition is available only at Mollusk and Service Menswear.
Lurker Tee, heather grey
Lurker Tee detail
Check out more of Nathaniel Russell's work here.
Shop for above limited Mollusk tee in store now!
INTRODUCING: CAPTAIN FIN July 08 2016
Service is proud to introduce California-based Captain Fin, a surfboard fin manufacturing brand humbly started in lifelong surfer's Mitch Abshere's garage in 2006. They are known for being one of the first companies to put artwork on high-performance surfboard fins and very quickly gained a good reputation in the surf industry.
Abshere opened a retail shop in 2009 that sold vintage clothing as well as their own fins and quickly branched out to making apparel inspired by vintage beachwear and always featuring Captain Fin's trademark anchor image. Their company slogan is simply "Back to the Beach."
Captain Fin is now a global fan favorite and even sponsors a surf team including surfers Alex Knost and Dane Reynolds amongst others.
OG Anchor 6 Panel Hat, heather grey
Sanders Horizontal Stripe Tee, heather blue
"Straight Up" Horizontal Stripe Golf, natural
Super Chino Shorts, camel
Cam "Oh Yeah" Boardshort, 19", olive - quick dry
Time Warp Boardshort, 19," grey/yellow - quick dry
Shop all Captain Fin at our brick & mortar only.
NEW ARRIVALS: THE POSTER LIST GRAPHIC TEES July 06 2016
The Poster List tees have arrived for Summer! As always, they are Made in the USA, have an extra soft hand-feel, and are inspired by all things that we love, including typography, graphic design, and tacos.
Here they are photographed in their natural habitat.
Taco Tuesday Tee, heather grey
Pool Party Tee, white
Red & Blue Stripe Pocket Tee, white
Blue Triangles Tee, heather grey
Shop The Poster List tees in store now.
WHAT ARE YOU WEARING THIS 4TH? June 28 2016
We rounded up a few of our favorite red, white, and blue items for America's big birthday. Have fun and stay safe celebrating the 4th.
From L. to R. clockwise:
1. ambsn. 18" U.S. Flag Boardshorts. red/white/blue. $58.
2. RVCA. S/S Slim Fit. vintage white. $68.
3. Happy Socks. Dot Stripe. blue/red/white. $12.
4. Havaianas. Flip Flops. red. $18.
5. Service. Have-A-Hank Bandana. MADE IN USA. white. $6.
1. ambsn. "F Yeah" Reverse Image Tee. MADE IN USA. bone. $35.
2. Happy Socks. Filled Optic Boxes Sock. navy/red/white. $12.
3. Deus Ex Machina. Rugby Swim 15" Short. blue fade. $78.
4. Service. Have-A-Hank Bandana. MADE IN USA. red. $6.
5. Havaianas/Style West. Americana Flip Flops. navy/red/white. $25.
1. Havaianas/Style West. Americana Flip Flops. white/navy/red. $25.
2. RVCA. Sure Thing Stripe Golf. vintage white. $45.
3. Happy Socks. Stars & Stripes. blue/red/white. $12.
4. ambsn. "F Yeah Burger" Trucker Hat. navy. $35.
5. Service. Have-A-Hank Bandana. MADE IN USA. navy. $6.
6. Banks. Splice Boardshorts. dirty denim/red. $68.
Shop all above items in store now.
NEW ARRIVALS: JUNGMAVEN June 21 2016
NEW ARRIVALS: AMBSN June 03 2016
Chris Burkard "Aleutian Wave" / Chris Burkard "Alberta" Packable swim short
Service is once again fully stocked with items from California based brand, ambsn.
We're especially excited about the collaboration that ambsn did with self-taught photographer, artist and surfer, Chris Burkard. The collection features a special swim short and tee featuring his awe inspiring, layered landscape photography. The use of natural lighting techniques is prevalent throughout Burkard’s work as well as capturing humanizing moments in both cultural and natural landscapes
View more of Chris Burkard's photography here!
Also, check out the rest of our selection of ambsn's newest tees, button down shirts, hats, and swimwear. Note the novelty prints inspired by Summer and American pride, just in time for July 4th.
"Palmero" Tailored Fit Shirt, bone / "Village" Tailored Fit Shirt, ash grey
"Parrot" Tailored Fit Shirt, coal
"F Yeah" Reverse Image Tee, bone / "Mouthful" Image Tee, coal
"High Desert Wolf" Tee, coal - front and back
18" U.S. Flag Boardshorts, red/white/blue / 18" Parrot Boardshorts, coal
"Burgerworld" Six-Panel Hat With Leather Closure, denim
"Sunny's" Six-Panel Hat With Leather Closure, melon
"Eyes" Six-Panel Hat With Leather Closure, black
"F Yeah Burger" Trucker Hat, navy
Shop for all ambsn items in store now.
INTRODUCING: TCSS May 24 2016
Service Menswear is excited to present a hat, shorts, swim trunks and tees from The Critical Slide Society (TCSS).
Founded in 2009 in a seaside village on the Central Coast of Australia, TCSS was launched by a couple of like minded surfers, Jim Mitchell and Sam Coombes, who, with a good sense of humor and a keen eye for art and design, had the vision of an authentic, creative label as a platform to celebrate an emerging alternative movement within surf culture: one that’s less about the winner’s podium and more about the simple joy of a deeply engaged surfing life.
TCSS works with artists, photographers, designers, filmmakers, surfers from across the globe, all of whom share a similar outlook. TCSS unique approach and its detail oriented design, has quickly become recognized for being one of the leading surfwear companies in originality.
Mitchell and Coombes describe the company in their own words: "A slippery little creature. Wrestled from the minds, pencils & sketchbooks of a small few in Australia & the United States, fed on a strict diet of colorful foam mowers, soulful skeg flexers (past & present) and the versatility of the humble surf craft beneath our feet.”
Paradise Bucket hat
Live Fast Tee
Live Fast Tee details
Island Life tee
Island Life Tee details
Mr. Perfect Walkshort
Plain Jane 16" trunks
Transit 16" boardshort
Buy all TCSS items in store now.
MADE IN USA: MOLLUSK NEW ARRIVALS May 17 2016
NEW ARRIVALS: NAKED & FAMOUS SHIRTS May 03 2016
Natural Cotton Linen Check
New for Spring, Service is now stocked with fun novelty prints, plaid and solid color styles of button down shirts from our friends at Naked & Famous. All the shirts come in regular fit which allows for an easy fit in the body and arms. Contrary to the photos, they are only available in short sleeve which you will find to be mostly exclusive to Service Menswear. As always, N & F's shirts are made with 100% Japanese cotton and assembled and sewn in the oldest existing shirt factory in North America, which was founded in Quebec in 1894.
White Chambray Multicolor Neps
White Chambray Multicolor Neps (detail)
Tigers & Waves
Tigers & Waves (detail)
Double Weave Slub Gauze in black
Double Weave Slub Gauze in white
Blocks & Roberts Jacquard
Blocks & Robots (detail)
Shop above Naked & Famous shirts in store only.
NEW SPRING ARRIVAL: CREEP April 05 2016
Bandana Print Shirt
Service is very excited to present new Spring arrivals from CREEP by Hiroshi Awai.
CREEP was founded in Osaka, Japan by Kiyofumi Awai in 1997 and in 2008, Kiyofumi's brother Hiroshi, based in Toronto Canada, joined CREEP as men's creative director and launched CREEP by Hiroshi Awai.
Fatigue Shorts (also available in army green)
Hiroshi's design direction combines innovative Japanese design and fabrics with his passion for the simple beauty of functional American workwear. The Spring collection has a strong utilitarian and military influence and features details like French stitching and all around impeccable construction.
Cabana Stripe Slub Shirt
What can a customer expect from CREEP?
"Comfort and timeless fits are the most important key aspect of our brand. So our fits are not overly slim or loose. My goal is to create garments customers can wear season after season. I hope people consider CREEP as one of the classic men’s lines in the future." -Hiroshi Awai
Shop all CREEP items in store now.
NEW ARRIVALS: OBEY STRIPED KNITS March 30 2016
"Marseille" pocket tee
Obey is a streetwear company started by street artist and illustrator Shepard Fairey, who emerged from the skateboarding scene. He first became known for his "Andre the Giant Has a Posse" sticker campaign while attending RISD in the early 90's.
"Group" pocket tee
"At first I was only thinking about the response from my clique of art school and skateboard friends. The fact that a larger segment of the public would not only notice, but investigate, the unexplained appearance of the stickers was something I had not contemplated. When I started to see reactions and consider the sociological forces at work surrounding the use of public space and the insertion of a very eye-catching but ambiguous image, I began to think there was the potential to create a phenomenon."
"Alliance" pocket tee
In 1994 Fairey started a tee shirt and sticker company as a way to afford the ability to continue pursuing his art and in 2001 the Obey clothing company was officially born. The brand is well known for incorporating politically and socially provocative propaganda into the designs of their often graphic based clothing.
"Wythe" tank top
Shepard Fairey has always been open about controversial social and political topics and often donates and creates artwork in order to promote awareness for a range of social issues and contributes directly to these causes. He is also very passionate about Fair Trade practices and a growing portion of the clothing that Obey produces is Fair Trade certified including many of the striped knits.
"Eighty Nine" striped tee
Fairey became more widely known during the 2008 presidential election for his Barack Obama "Hope" image. Today he is considered one of the best known street artists and his art is in museum and private collections nationwide. Learn more about his art and activism here.
"Country Stripe" pocket tee
Shop all Obey items in our brick and mortar.
NEW ARRIVALS: GLOBE March 25 2016
Shroom Shirt
Spring has officially arrived and so have short sleeve shirts and board shorts from Globe Australia, who just celebrated their 30th anniversary! Check out the Service selection of Globe's newest surf/skate inspired casual and swimwear that feature novelty prints.
Vacay Shirt
Stafford Palm Tree Shirt
Old Brick Poolshort
Slice Poolshort
Shop the new Globe items in-store. Happy Spring!
DAY X NIGHT FOR SXSW March 16 2016
SXSW is upon us once again and Service is stocked with all your day to night looks and everything in between. Here are some of our picks for you as you navigate your way across town eating tacos, drinking beers, taking in our beautiful city, and seeing all your favorite bands.
INTRODUCING: BANKS March 05 2016
Laneway boardshort
Banks is a global men's brand based in the USA, Japan and Australia created by surf industry veterans Tim Cochran, Masahiro Shibahara, and former professional surfer Brad Gerlach.
Splice boardshort
The three owners grew up surfing and wanted to create a brand that was understated, less focused on branding, and more focused on quality and sustainability. Banks is openly passionate about decreasing their carbon footprint and they do this by using recycled polyester for their labels, organic cotton, and PVC & phthalate free inks.
Loom tee
Banks focuses on the guys who grew up surfing, much like themselves, but are influenced by other passions like photography, music, architecture, and travel; guys that want a premium product, are conscious about the environment and are seeking an authentic brand that will mature with them.
Laneway boardshort
Simply put, their mission is to merge style and understated functionality with a sustainable approach to design and development.
Shorts now available in store and online, tee available in store only.
RVCA X MATT LEINES February 26 2016
Lion beach towel
Matt Leines is a Brooklyn based artist that grew up in New Jersey and studied illustration at RISD. His influences range from suburban American culture to primitive and non-western art, myths to masks, He-Man cartoons, and the WWF. Leines creates a surreal, obsessive, highly detailed world inhabited by men and beasts and everything in between, chronicling their conflict and culture.
Tiger t-shirt front and back
"If I stumble upon something, I try to draw it in my sketchbook as quick as possible. I like to look at a lot of different paintings from different cultures where you have to infer what is going on. If there is something I come across, an image, a composition, an idea, I just draw it--and I'll use the word bastardized--until the initial influence has disappeared and it exists only in my world."
All over jacquard pattern socks
Lion patch tank top
For the Matt Leines/RVCA collaboration featured in the above items, the focus is on the stylized lightening bolt and the tiger "mask", which are recurring images/characters throughout his work. Leines work has steadily been shown all around the world since 2002, namely at Deitch Projects in NYC, Roberts and Tilton in LA, in Athens, Greece and Tokyo, Japan.
Shop for the tee, tank and socks in our brick and mortar store or the online store. The beach towel is exclusive to in store.
Check out more of his Matt Leines' work here!
NEW ARRIVALS: ambsn February 20 2016
ambsn is a company based in San Clemente, CA. The company was founded by two brothers, Dustin and Dylan Odbert, in 2002. What had originally started as a fundraiser for a friend in need has now become a California inspired menswear brand.
ambsn focuses on colorful, lightweight, tailored clothing for a beach inspired lifestyle. In short, they put a new spin on beloved classics: New Wave Nostalgia.
“We try to keep it a full California beach vibe,” Odbert said. “Everything is always really fun, more tailored toward the fashion and play sides of surf. We have a pretty wide demographic we sell to.”
woven shirt detail:
"It is a childhood memory that reminds you of everything right in the world. ambsn lives life without the pressure of reality. Clever and curious and ready for the world."
Shop all ambsn looks seen above in store and online.
New Arrival: VANS X YUSUKE HANAI February 14 2016
"The Authentic SF" Yusuke Hanai Classic White
"My name is Yusuke Hanai. Illustrator from Japan. I started surfing when I was in high school. I surfed at my local reef break. And I will keep surfing from that point on for the rest of my life."
"The Authentic SF" Classic White top view
Much to his conservative parent's chagrin, Yusuke Hanai followed his dream of becoming an artist by saving up money bartending before attending art school in San Francisco. He continued to surf while in SF and was influenced by the people and counter culture there. His art is now known worldwide and it all came from continuing to pursue his passions.
"I liked doodling ever since I was a kid...I like people, especially weird people. Weird people are interesting and such great characters. And there are so many of those types of people in surfing. Of course I love surfing so sometimes I like to draw surfers."
"Mens Hanelei" flip flop
The Authentic SF canvas shoe and the Mens Hanelei flip flop are the result of the collaboration between Vans and Hanai. They showcase the Japanese artist's modern mid-century details and illustration while maintaining the classic Vans form. Fun fact: the left and right foot on both the shoes and flip flops feature different illustrations.
You can now find both styles in our brick and mortar store. Click on any photo above to view/purchase in our online store.
"Think about what people want you to do. Think about what you can do to make people happy. Then find out what you want to do." -Yusuke Hanai
FATHER'S DAY ESSENTIALS, PT. 2 June 16 2015
This Father's Day, give dad a hand with his Summer wardrobe. Vans sneakers, Levi's, cotton shorts, a plaid button down shirt, and vintage inspired graphic t-shirts make perfect dad day gifts. We also have a nice selection of classic swim trunks, which you can check out in our Swim Shop online. Everything shown here is available in-store & online, excluding Levi's, which are currently only available in-store. If you see a pair of Levi's you like, give us a call in the shop.
Clockwise from top left:
1. Hartford Striped Pocket Tee in Navy, 2. Vans Era Gumsole in Blue Nights, 3. Barbour John Plaid Volley Swim Trunks in Blue, 4. Levi's 513 in True Chino, 5. RVCA Short Sleeve Pox Shirt in Black, 6. Levi's Standard Western in White, 7. RVCA Recession Collection Dayshift Shorts in Red Earth, 8. Atru Apparel New York Times Stack Tee in Navy, 9. Kato French Seam Japanese Plaid Shirt in Moss Green, 10. Vans Aldrich C&L in Khaki Native.
NEW ARRIVALS FROM GLOBE AUSTRALIA May 28 2015
Short sleeve shirts, slim fit shorts, swim trunks, printed bucket hats, and the eponymous Goodstock Chino have landed at Service for summer from Globe Australia.
From the brand themselves, a brief history of Globe:
"Peter and Stephen Hill founded Hardcore in 1984 and rapidly expanded it to become on the world's largest skateboard distribution companies. At the time, the Hills were professional skateboarders who were dissatisfied with the quality of skate and snow products available in Australia, so they went into business to import the best from the US.
Through constant film productions, promotions, tours, contests, video and magazine advertising, Hardcore became the driving force behind the skateboarding explosion during the mid 80's in Australia.
In 1994, along with brother and current Globe CEO Matt Hill the Globe brand is created. After 10 years of design, production, and distribution with Hardcore, it was time to create a global brand, first with shoes for skaters and surfers, and then with apparel and hardgoods for the broader boardsports market.
Fast forward to today and the same crew of skaters, surfers and snowboarders that started the business back in the 80's has grown to a global network of counter culture artisans that are united by board sports, street fashion, media, and design and film."
Check out the latest arrivals now available in-store and online, at Service.
MEMORIAL DAY ROUNDUP May 20 2015
The time of year has come when Service has stocked swim trunks, tees, tanks, caps, shorts, and flip flops in preparation for the unofficial start of Summer: Memorial Day Weekend! Whatever your plans may be, we hope you find yourself somewhere relaxing with cold beers and lot's of sunshine. We currently have 43 different trunks in stock from Mollusk, Vans, Quiksilver, Sundek, Globe, Deus, RVCA, Penguin, and AMBSN. Stop by Service to get ready for the fun weekend.
Above, Vans Authentic Gumsole Sneaks in Frost ($50), Assorted Have-A-Hank Bandanas (3 for $15), Vans Sloat Decksider Swim Shorts in Lagoon ($52), Super Classic Havana Materica ($208), Reigning Champ Ringspun Jersey Tee in Heather Grey ($48).
Havaianas Top Flip Flops in Lake Green ($18), Vans Ziegler III Tee ($28), Quiksilver Original Arch 18" Checker Boardshorts in Black ($88), Mollusk Whale Patch Hat in Navy ($36).
Deus Ex Machina Tugu Scales Boardshort in Red White Marine ($78), Vans Authentic Gumsole Sneaks in Frost ($50), Lifetime Collective Mt. Pleasant Chambray Shirt in Light Denim ($78), Steven Alan Putnam Sunglasses in Dark Tort ($165).
Vans Aldrich Canvas Mesh in Estate Blue ($55), RVCA Weekend Chino Shorts in Pavement ($48), Nixon Timeteller P in Matte Navy ($62), Vans Desmond Tank in Indigo Stripe ($42).