Everyone knows Dickies for their background in workwear and therefore the simplicity, toughness and reliability of their gear, which is why they have been adopted by skaters as a brand of choice. However for this very reason the clothes can be seen as plain and perhaps...boring.

With the help of edgy San Fransisco label Rebel8 they've produced a range to show this doesn't have to be the case. Rebel8 was founded by renowned tattoo artist and designer Mike Giant, whose sharp and detailed images have a retro but also gothic feel to them. Using some of Dickies most tried and tested garments as a canvas Rebel8 have added some brilliant details and striking graphics.

Starting with the tees: this first one is called Get some and as you can see doesn't mess about with getting it's message across. Old school bubble lettering and pen styles plastered all over it. Wicked.

One trick used by Rebel8 is to use old fashioned imagery to produce something that looks fresh. That's what you get with this Union tee and it works I reckon...

 

This shirt is a good example of the detailing Rebel8 has used to liven up a classic Dickies item. The workshirt has always been a popular piece and the subtle embroidery works really nicely on it:

The same sort of Rebel8 graphics have been used on this Buxton Jacket. The white on black embroidery around the collar are a sound edition:

Finally here's the Rebel8 version of the Dickies work pants. Loads of wicked details on these. The entire inside of the trousers are covered in the same graphics as the 'Get Some' tee and with the bottom of them turned up you get a little glimpse. Ver cool touch...

 

We've just got ourselves a load of fresh gear from that sharp-enough-to-cut-your-throat Los Angeles label Crooks and Castles. There's a load of wicked new tees and well as some fine hoodys, shirts and jackets.

Crooks and Castles in their own words: "started in 2002 to bring a different element into the streetwear realm." They've certainly managed that with their clean cut, smart collections and bold recognizable graphics. They've always taken influence from those at the edge of decent society: the pimps, theives and gangster. People lacking in moral fibre but often dripping in style.

Their infamous Medusa head has become one of the most renowned streetwear icons and has had yet another revamping for this first tee, the Leopard Medusa. With a wicked colourway on each version (we've got White, Burgandy, Royal Blue and Black) and a leopard skin pattern on the snakes these new Medusas are as mean as her forebears...

 

This 'CNC' tee draws heavily on the crimanal influence's that are so common in Crooks and Castles graphics. The gun, scales and castle sum up this ethos with the chain ring (another graphic associated with Crooks and Castles) showing the strength needed to survive this type of lifestyle...that's what I reckons anyway. Looks sick whatever the hell it means...
 

Their is a trend in streetwear at the moment to rework old fashioned crests and coats of arms to represent whichever label it's promoting. Rebel8 have done it recently with their 'Union' tee as part of the Dickies collaboration and Diamond Supply Co used very old fashioned graphics on their University tee and crewnecks. It works really well in comtemporary streetwear design and Crooks and Castles have produced this 'Gun Club Crest' in the same vein. Maybe it's the military look of it suggests loyalty and strength...maybe. Instantly classic anyway...

The varsity letterman jacket has been a streetwear regular for a long time and versions have been produced by most brands but it doesn't always work and is often overdone. Crooks and Castles have definitely got it right though with this 'Benicio TY CC' jacket. The two C's are in a sharp old english font but not too bold and the 'Crooks and Castles' embroidery near the front hem is very subtle. The stripes of red, white and dark green contrast nicely with the grey. This jacket is a piece of class...   

 

The shirt's that have come with this Crooks and Castles drop are wicked. Well tailored with quality light weight cotton and full of nice little touches. This 'Foul' plaid shirt is a good example of this with FOUL printed across the top of the back and 'The Foul and The Flagrant' embroidered onto the front chest.
 

Plaid shirts along with baggy khaki trousers and 'Chuck' Converse All Stars have long been the uniform of west coast gangsters and this is clearly Crooks and Castles inspiration for their shirts. This is their 'Trouble' shirt:

This 'Grid' shirt is a more subtle pattern and has the Gun Club Crest from the above tee embroidered onto the right sleeve. Smarter and less street perhaps but still dope...

 

That's your lot. Check out our Crooks and Castles section for more gear...

 

As the weather starts to go down the pan and it starts to get stupidly cold it's always good to have a selection of warm comfy gear to wrap yourself up in. We've just recieved a load of LRG gear that fits this purpose perfectly. There's a fine selection of hoodys, jackets and flannel shirt that will keep you toasty till it starts to warm up again.

The LRG Core Collection can always be relied apon for comfortable, high quality, simple wears and they haven't let us down this time. Last year the Grass Roots Zip Up Hoody was a best seller so unsurprisingly they've brought it back this year. The embroidered logo on the front has been reworked but aside from that this the same reliable Grass Roots Hoody with the same quality material and subtle branding throughout...

The Letterman jacket has been done by plenty of streetwear brands now but this 'First String' Track jacket is a different take on it with a definite LRG twist. The man riding the giraffe is a common graphic throughout this seasons collection and is on the front and back of this piece along with logo buttons and zip pulls. Nice and thick material to keep that heat in...

 

The giraffe features in a a more subtle way on this 'Fast Learner' Jacket. With it's simple design and single tone material with plaid lining this has got a Mod feel to it like Fred Perry and the like..

Another good use of the giraffe graphic is on this LRG Schooling fools zip up hoody which we also have in maroon. With the stripes around the left sleeve this hoody has the same college look as the above jacket and has all the usual details you expect with a genuine LRG garment...

 

This 'Funcrusher' hoody with it's tri-colour design and big logo patch on the back has a different feel entirely. More reminiscent of contemporary designs by big sports wear brands. Alot more going on with this piece...

This Core Collection hoody speaks for itself really. The kind of gear that made LRG's name in streewear...

This next one is definite made for the cold outdoors. With extra thick lining and deep pockets to keep your mitts warm this Sawdust Flannel vest is for adventuring, weather that's an adventure up a mountain or down the shops...

And now for the shirts: Like the 'Sawdust' vest this first on was definitely influenced by the stereotype of the tough outdoorsy lumberjack type male. A woodsman...which is probably why it's called the 'Woodwork' shirt. I like the differing direction of the pattern on the shoulders:

This 'Slow Ride' shirt on the otherhand has a much more urban feel to it. More LA than Montana...

I really like the intricate plaid pattern on this 'Weekend Warrior' shirt. I think it's got that smart Mod look like the 'Fast Learner' jacket...

That's all folks. Check out our LRG section for more fresh gear...