The James Dean 'Giant' coat, revived

We've all been there: Watching a classic film, drooling over the clothes and wishing we could figure out where to buy them. Classic clothier Bench & Loom is now making that dream come true for one very specific item: The Jett Rink ranch coat worn by James Dean in the 1956 film "Giant."

Last fall, the website invited visitors to vote on which classic clothing item they'd like revived  from the Oscar-winning film co-starring Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor. The Phoenix Project, as it's called, gave visitors three options: A denim jacket worn by a cowboy, a field jacket worn by director George Stevens and the shearling-trimmed ranch coat worn by Dean, which was the overwhelming winner.

"Guys I know don't talk about their clothes that often. When we do, it's when we're watching an old movie and see something cool," said Jared Zaugg, who co-founded Bench & Loom last fall with his wife, Brooke. "We thought there was something to that: Being able to find something on somebody you admire that has style."

To re-create the coat, the Zauggs borrowed a similar coat from a Phoenix Project voter who had saved a jacket from the same defunct manufacturer. They also worked with Japanese designer Atsu Tagaya and the Japanese manufacturer Stevenson Overall Company to make subtle improvements that added to the coat's wearability without detracting from its overall character.

.Instead of the itchy wool collar of the original, the coat is trimmed in alpaca shearling at the neckline. The silhouette was narrowed to make it less boxy, and the sleeves were lined with man-made silk Cupra to make it easier to slide arms in and out. The exterior of the double-breasted coat is twill and features looped button closures, two large front flap pockets and two chest slit pockets.

"Practicality is important. We don't just want to create costume," said Zaugg, adding that it was equally important to work with a reputable, longstanding manufacturer that pays extraordinary attention to detail, like the rest of the heritage jackets, bags, boots and accessories sold through Bench & Loom.

Priced at $648, the Bench & Loom Jett Rink ranch coat is the first custom-made item for Bench & Loom and will be manufactured in a single run of 30. The site started taking non-refundable, $480 deposits for the jacket Friday and will fill orders on a first come, first served basis until Aug. 31. Coats are expected to ship in October.

The Zauggs are mum about the next lost classic they plan to revive through the Phoenix Project, but Zaugg said: "I'm vying for the jacket in 'On the Waterfront' with Brando."

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Photos: James Dean in "Giant"; Bench & Loom's Jett Rink Ranch coat; Marlon Brando in "On the Waterfront." Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures; Bench & Loom; EPA.

London Fog unveils sultry spring 2012 campaign starring Nicole Scherzinger

Right on the heels of news that Nicole Scherzinger has been ousted as judge on Season 2 of "The X Factor" comes the unveiling of her second efforts as the face of London Fog.

Scherzinger, whose appearance in the brand's fall and winter 2011 advertising campaign included shots of her in a black puffer trench coat, appears to have cranked the sultry setting all the way up to 11 for spring 2012 by apearing in a variety of provocative, shoulder- and leg-baring images and behind-the-scenes photos in which she seems to be wearing little more than a trenchie and a pair of lusty librarian eyeglasses.

The now-former "X Factor" judge, former Pussycat Doll and Season 10 winner of "Dancing With the Stars" follows in the footsteps of bold-faced names such as Gisele Bundchen, Eva Longoria (with husband Tony Parker) and "Mad Men" actress Christina Hendricks, all of whom have fronted for the outerwear label that dates to 1923 and is owned by New York City-based Iconix Brand Group.

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Photos: Images and behind-the-scene photos from London Fog's spring 2012 marketing campaign, which was shot in Los Angeles. Credit: London Fog

Your Stylist: Capes and ponchos are fall’s fabulous outerwear

The word "poncho" can conjure up visions of the Old West or of a garbage bag with a circle cut through the top –- a common solution for rainy day recess or unexpected showers during a marathon. 

But for fall, ponchos of the posher variety glided down designer runways looking sleek, elegant and ladylike.    

The poncho and its cousin the cape coat are trickling into stores now. They offer a stylish alternative to the typical fall coat, providing just the right amount of warmth for a 63-degree autumn day in L.A.

The terms cape and poncho may seem interchangeable, but they are two different kinds of outwear. According to the Fairchild Dictionary of Fashion, a cape is sleeveless, cut as a circle or half circle and has slits for the arms. A poncho is shaped like a square or small oblong with a hole in the center to put your head through.

Both have a dramatic, swooping silhouette that makes the wearer look something like a chic superhero. And both could be thrown over something as simple as pajamas and still look great.     

For something more sophisticated, you could go with the '70s-inspired, camel-colored cape as seen on the Lanvin runway or something straight-up preppy, such as a plaid duffle cape with toggle buttons from Fidelity Sportswear.

A solid piece will be more versatile.  Punch it up by layering a long-sleeved striped or printed shirt  underneath.

A patterned cape or poncho, on the other hand, is a statement piece and everything else it is worn with should be solid or subdued.

For a petite frame, be careful it isn't too bulky, and watch the length. If the garment is too long, you’ll look like a little igloo with feet.

The great thing about a poncho or cape is that it can be dressed up or down and it’s a nice departure from the usual outerwear.

 And seriously, on one my lazier days, I threw my blue and black plaid cape over sweatpants and a black fitted sweater and shoved on some flat brown leather motorcycle boots and no one knew the difference…at least that’s what I told myself.

--Melissa Magsaysay

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Photos: Top left: A look from Lanvin FW2011 - Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com, top right: A look from Zero Maria Cornejo FW2011 - Monica Feudi / Feudiguaineri.com

Left: DKNY two-tone wool cape, $495, at www.netaporter/netaporter

Right: Stella McCartney wool and cashmere blend cape, $1,395, at www.netaporter.com/netaporter

Middle left: Fidelity Sportswear plaid duffle cape, $268, at www.stevenalan.com/Steven Alan

Middle right: H&M coat, $199, at H&M stores/H&M

 

Free City, Burton collaboration hits the slopes in December

Vermont-based apparel and hardgoods maker Burton Snowboards and homegrown hippy-luxe label Free City have collaborated on a handful of cold-weather outerwear pieces due to hit stores -- and slopes -- this winter.

The collection melds Burton's mad-for-the-mountain aesthetic with Free City's Malibu mellowness on a puffer jacket ($349.95), puffer vest ($249.95) and snow pants ($249.95) offered in a range of muted blues, greens and grays, emblazoned with an assortment of Free City's bold "Partridge Family"-style graphics.

The gear will be sold through Burton's flagship stores (including the 8175 Melrose Ave. locally), the Free City Supershop at 1139 North Highland Ave. and a handful of international boutiques starting in December.

-- Adam Tschorn

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Photos: The outerwear collaboration between Burton and Free City, which includes a puffer vest, left, $249.95, and snowpants, $249.95, hits stores in December. Credit: Free City Workshop

The 'caperon,' a cape-apron hybrid for the superhero of the grill [Updated]

Just in time for grilling season, the folks at San Francisco-based online clothier Betabrand have introduced a star-spangled garment that combines the kitchen efficiency of the apron and the kitsch factor of the superhero cape.

Dubbed the "caperon," its made of 100% cotton, has adjustable straps, an extra-wide front pocket, a utensil holder and a utility loop, retails for $50 and sells exclusively online (like the rest of Betabrand's wares), practically a steal when you realize it'll also be a good starting point for not one but two future Halloween costumes (Las Vegas-era Elvis one year and Evel Knievel the next).

But, as much as I love Betabrand's mash-ups of fun and fashion, I think the crew missed a great opportunity with the caperon by not offering it in a fabrication a little more flame-resistant than cotton -- like Dupont's Nomex, for example.

After all, anyone who's seen "The Incredibles" can tell you that it's the type of wardrobe choice fraught with dangerous possibilities. Which is precisely why the the superheroes' costume designer Edna Mode repeatedly insisted: "No capes!"

Still, if you're going to play with fire, I can't think of a more heroically patriotic way to blaze the trail.

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Photo: At left, Betabrand's ($50) cape-apron hybrid in action; at right, a sketch of the star-spangled grill garb. Credit: Jason Van Horn* / Betabrand

[*Updated 6/8/11 11:29 AM: An earlier version of this post incorrectly credited the wrong photographer.]

Raincoats that will keep you dry and looking good

 
The rain that’s been pelting Los Angeles for days probably won't let up till the middle of this week. Until then, I can recommend stylish weatherproof coats to keep you dry while you run to your car, duck under awnings or skid through the mall doing last-minute holiday shopping.

It wouldn’t occur to most people living in sunny Southern California to have a raincoat, much less a cute  one, because, really, how often do we have the opportunity to use it? While it doesn’t rain here much, it’s good to have one in the closet for weeks like this.

A classic tan trench is the best rainy-day look. And while Burberry makes a great one, the price tag can be a little steep considering you’ll only bring the coat out several times a year. This tan jacket by Gallery ($98) does the trick and gives that same preppy “Love Story” vibe to whatever you wear underneath.

For a bold statement, try this Leopard print slicker by Weatherproof ($128), which would look great with black leggings and boots, a camel-colored sweater and gold jewelry. Who says rain has to put a damper on looking chic? This gray Tahari raincoat with a ruffled front and high funnel collar also delivers high on style. It’s not overwhelming, and the ruffle detail makes it dressy ($64.97).

The most dramatic choice I’ve found is this amazing black, belted jacket from Improvd ($378). The slick and shiny nylon almost has a "Bladerunner" appeal to it. And the oversized collar and rounded hem are interesting details for a waterproof garment.

And for some reason, raincoats are cutest on kids. They always come in some cartoon theme or look borderline-costume. I love these two from Western Chief Kids. The Hello Kitty Froggy ($39.95) is a new spin on the classic pink and white cat, and the Bat Man jacket ($44.95) is just too much, cape and all. These are sure to have kids praying for more rain.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photos (top): Tahari jacket, left, at Nordstrom Rack. Credit: Tahari. Weatherproof jacket at www.nordstrom.com. Credit: Nordstrom.com

Photos (middle): Improvd coat at Nordstrom. Credit: Nordstrom. Gallery trench coat at www.nordstrom.com/Gallery. Credit: Nordstrom.com

Photos (bottom): Western Chief Kids raincoats, left and right, both at www.nordstrom.com. Credit: Western Chief Kids