Fall Must-Haves

It's September...have you started making your fall fashion "must-have" shopping list? After hours and hours of flipping through the monster issues of Vogue, Bazaar, the latest J.Crew fall catalog and scrolling through blog after blog, I have a small list of a few "would-love-to-have's." The list goes something like, a new white button down, a pair of gray knee-high boots, a soft cashmere crewneck sweater, turquoise patent leather pumps, a striped scarf to accessorize all my vintage coats and possibly a few funky "just-for-Saturday" sweaters.

So, a few years ago while strolling though Brooklyn I came across a great little store called Ohio Knitting Mills, funny...this store was the showroom to what was once a sweater factory located right here in Cleveland. Founded by Harry Stone in 1928, the Ohio Knitting Mills grew to become one of the country’s largest knitwear producers. It was at the center of Clevelands thriving garment industry producing knitwear for iconic department stores from Sears to Saks. After World War II, the Mill plucked samples of each style they produced and put them into storage.



Five decades later, the archive had grown into a vast collection of design artifacts, representing mainstream fashion from the classic 40’s, fab 50’s, swinging 60’s, and funky 70’s. The little store had opened this time capsule to sell the collection of perfectly preserved fashions and I had stumbled upon it. Over the last few years the knits were taken online so that everyone worldwide can own a piece of Cleveland history.

If I was to indulge myself this fall I would buy the Natural Wave Jacket made with 100% wool, the 3/4 sleeves and half-dome plastic buttons are delightful. AND the MMMM Scarf Sewn from an early 1970's knit fabric is super fun as well.

Take a peak and let me know if anything gets added to you "list." ...www.ohioknittingmills.com