Inspired by an infantry boot from the late 19th century, this boot is a collaboration between Dutch denim heavyweight Tenue de Nîmes and Grenson, one of the UK’s finest shoe makers.  The Dutch shop has had its share of upper tier collaborations, including pairs of jeans with Tellason and Raleigh Denim and an Anderson and Anderson Fisherman Knit. This pair of boots shows not only the Dutch boutique’s curatorial savy, but excellence in execution. These high top boots are made of Expresso Cyclone leather and British Millerain canvas. The toe cap and heel feature the dark brown leather patches, which pair well with the dark indigo-colored upper. The inner portion is lined with leather, and the outsole features branding by both collaborators. A model that is sure to improve with age, these boots are made to last. What won’t last long, however, is the chance to grab these hand made gems from the Tenue de Nîmes store, as they are very limited and only available there.

Stone Island is one of our favorite brands, and for reasons that should be visible quickly to anyone who routinely checks out this site. The Italian brand spearheaded by Carlo Rivetti is a brand that pays homage to the past while simultaneously improving upon it. In a must-watch video that features a tour of their factory and archives, Rivetti gives the viewer a sense of the meticulous craftsmanship which goes into the garments he oversees the production of. One thing immediately evident in the video is the emphasis on color. Unlike many brands which select pre-dyed fabrics, Stone Island does all of their color dying in house with recipies scrawled onto index cards.

The colors shown here in the Spring/Summer Lookbook reflect that attention to nuance in color as the offerings pop with bright greens, yellows, and blues. A full selection of offerings from denim to khakis to lightweight outerwear to cable knit sweaters seems to boast the brand’s flexibility and range. As you scroll through the pages and notice the variety of garments, keep in mind that every cut and sheen is pristinely anticipated and executed. The Stone Island collection for S/S 2011 does not disappoint.

British label YMC (You Must Create) has just released their Spring/Summer 2011 lookbook. Founded in 1995 by Fraser Moss and Jimmy Collins, the line endeavors to provide men and women with smart, wearable and modern designs, while not bowing to trends. Instead, the collections are meant to evolve from season to season. A warm color palette of khaki, orange, and mustard yellow, 1970’s-inspired patterns, and nautical motifs are where the brand is headed this season. Tees with stripes of various widths, collared cardigans, and an excellent rugby-striped polo shirt are great interpretations of fisherman styles, while floral printed shirts, navy shorts, and rolled khakis add a youthful spin. A standout is the toggle coat with the loops made of extra long twisted rope that give this standard style a graphic appeal. But maybe leave the socks and sandals to your grandfather.

Proof that some things just get more beautiful with age, Levi’s has released a reproduction of a vintage pair of 501s with quite a back story. After being sewn in the Amoskeag Mill in Manchester, NH, these jeans were shipped via railroad to San Francisco, where, almost 100 years later, they were found in a barn in northern California. The Levi Strauss and Co. Archives bought them for $15,000 and used that original pair to fashion these reproductions, with all their natural wear and tear. This style of 501 was produced between 1890-1901, and features one back pocket (with tattered hole), a buckle and buttons for suspenders. Having been hung on a nail outdoors, the jeans have a spectacular bleached and weathered patina from years of exposure. The 1890 XX 501 Barnyard is being produced as a hand-numbered limited edition of only 501 pairs, available at Tenue de Nîmes.

A.P.C. has been referred to as the “French Gap”, known for innovative denim and their way of taking street trends and turning them into something timeless (and much higher quality). “Basic” footwear is the theme for Spring 2011, and with that they’ve dreamed up this combination of a tennis shoe and desert boot. This mid-top sneaker is made of a rich caramel-colored suede and fully lined in leather, but also features a white rubber sole of a tennis shoe. Details like subtle top-stitching and the rich texture make for a classic A.P.C. item: wearable, comfortable, but noteworthy. The A.P.C. Tennis Shoe Caramel is available here.

Based in hip East London and inspired by British textiles and country style, D.S. Dundee has released a Spring/Summer 2011 lookbook that combines traditional tailored garments with an unexpected surfer aesthetic. This is done through pants and shorts with casual rolled cuffs, simple v-neck knits, and pops of color juxtaposed with neutral glen plaid and pinstripes, vests, and blazers. A fitted pin-striped vest and pants, rolled up to reveal two-tone saddle shoes and a navy blazer with peach pants are relaxed takes on preppy staples, while teal cargo shorts and an orange jacket add color on the casual end of the spectrum. A pair of pants with 4 panels of color, one on the front and back of each leg, sound made for a court jester, but made with sun-washed colors of blue, gray, yellow and white, and styled with a plain white tee, they are a playful but not loud statement.