The ongoing Blackbird and Alden footwear series has presented a constant stream of footwear standouts. The latest is based on the Summer Oxford with a slight two-tone tonal contrast brought on by the differing textures brought on by the two sides of the rich brown chamois leather. Available now at Blackbird.

The one glaring inconsistency between all the trends in heritage and workwear has been to a degree its inauthenticity. Many are donning work boots and rugged workwear as they forgo the true purpose of garment’s original design. That’s fine since after all it’s fashion, but if you want to get your hands dirty, Blackbird updated their previously released workshop apron with a new version. As a result of the work of Blackbird designer Billy Bartels, the work apron includes “hand-dyed, heavy, sea-foam green cotton” and scraps of heavy-duty flapped canvas pockets and two chest pockets. The apron is made entirely in Ballard, Washington thanks to the help of third-generation sailmaker George Broom. The Field House Trusty Workshop Apron II is available now at Blackbird.

With an extensive resume of working and supporting American labels, Blackbird’s latest project involves Quoddy on a custom boot just in time for the holiday season. The black nubuck leather features a special tar-like wax which creates a robust finish with a further blacked out treatment on the hardware and stitching. In addition to the shoes, a special set was put together including a 1 pound bag of whole bean Blackbird Coffee by Caffe Vita, a poreclain Bird Boy Tumbler and a recycled Bird Boy notebook by ReBinder. The whole set’s name is derived from an 80s song by the Squeeze and is available through Blackbird at a price of $280 USD.

The ongoing Blackbird and Alden collaborative capsule continues with a new rendition of the popular plaintoe Tugger Work Boat. Having enjoyed several iterations, a medium brown colored calfskin boot is the latest to join the extensive Blackbird x Alden family. Together with a full leather upper is a True Balance last based on Alden’s popular 405 boot, a Goodyear molded rubber outsole and a special “Made expressly for Blackbird” heel pod. Available now via Blackbird with a retal price of $465 USD.

Blackbird and Alden originally came together on a smooth leather interpretation of the Tugger Work Boot originally released at the tail end of last year. An update has been released with an “Earth Reverse” colorway featuring a reversed calf leather material. However the same plain-toe profile is maintained alongside a Goodyear welted outsole. Available now at Blackbird.

Ballard is the off-season home to Alaska’s fish and crab boat fleets, where boats are maintained and repaired just blocks from the Blackbird store. This makes its neighborhood full of colorful salty dog types smoking pipes, drinking beers and telling of their adventure at sea. This industry attracts many woodworkers, sail makers and metal-smiths to our neighborhood and The Field House is where they hang out and stock up on workwear for the season. A while back, Blackbird Designer and all around smart guy Billy Bartels, was listening to some customers talk in the shop and came up with the idea of making tough as nails, functioning work aprons. After months of research and walking in the doors of many a canvas supply, tradesman shop and dry dock office, Billy was able to source salvaged heavy used canvases pulled from back storage areas and scrap piles for his project. After meeting third generation Seattle sailmaker George Broom, he knew who he wanted to construct the final product, a heavy-duty, hand-made apron with various compartment features offered now via the Blackbird online store.

The consistent stream of Alden and BLACKBIRD partnered releases continue with this latest Reversed Chamois Ranger Moc. Inspired by a shoe with origins dating back a hundred years, the moccasin-style shoe was re-done by Alden in the 50′s as they introduced a new welted design. The BLACKBIRD version plays off the Alden classic with a dark waxy brown leather reversed which effectively results in an interesting and complex “rust finish” throughout the break-in process. In addition Waterloc outsoles are more than adequate for wet Northwest conditions. Available now at BLACKBIRD.

With the weather getting significantly better, there is no finer addition to a distinguished gent’s wardrobe than the addition of a perfectly formed white buck. The casual styling of the unlined design by Blackbird make their collaboration with New England’s prestigious footwear maker Alden makes for an instant classic. Ever since Alden was founded in 1884 their company has been a company completely dedicated to the craftsmanship of shoemaking. The use of ivory calf suede and high quality Goodyear natural single welt construction this time around will surely please even the most fastidious red sole aficionado. Available now at BLACKBIRD’s webstore.

Over the last few months, we’ve seen a series of conceptually rich co-branded releases from Seattle’s Blackbird and New England-based shoe-makers Alden. Through the past releases, the models have looked to iconic portions of Seattle’s past as the basis to various footwear designs. The latest comes in the form of the Frank Osgood Series Saddle collection. Two models are based on a historical Seattle personality, Frank Osgood who helped change the face of Seattle’s transportation infrastructure. The shoes are available now in two different versions with a retail price of $400 USD and $520 USD.

Designed by Blackbird in collaboration with Alden of New England, custom bootmakers since 1884, this series of saddle shoes was inspired by Seattle historical figure, Frank Osgood and his horse drawn and electrical streetcars. His contributions helped Seattle become a more modernized city and dramatically changed its street culture, helping Seattle’s working man keep his shoes clean on his daily way through town and making his gal’s Sunday afternoon picnics at Lake Washington as easy as hopping on a trolley.

1884 – Frank Osgood, widely known as the father of Seattle’s public-transportation system, begins operating a horse-drawn trolley on Sept. 23. Passengers pay a nickel for a trip along steel tracks, laid in the mud of Second Avenue.

1887 – Osgood’s horses — known also as “hayburners” — have trouble with Seattle’s hills, so cars pulled by cables beneath the street are introduced. The Lake Washington Cable Railway, linking Leschi and Pioneer Square, is especially popular in the summer, when people ride along Yesler Way or Madison Street for a picnic at the lake.

1889 – Osgood unveils Seattle’s first electric streetcar, despite fears that the line would magnetize pocket watches and shock horses with stray bolts of electricity. On the first run, a car stalls, forcing passengers to push it to the end of the line.

Within days, horse-drawn trolleys are phased out, making Seattle the first West Coast city to offer fully electric streetcar service.

Blackbird and one of America’s perennial footwear favorites Alden collaborate on one of this year’s best work boot interpretation, the Foss Tugger Work Boot. The boot’s inspiration finds itself in Blackbird’s local history and the Foss tugboats. As a child, Blackbird owner Nicole Miller’s experience with the boats came courtesy of her grandfather’s involvement. The black Navy Blucher High Boot style is modeled on the same last as Alden’s famous 405 Indy boot and feature a Goodyear molded rubber outsole. Available now at Blackbird.