I am sometimes too quick with my commentary, preferring to lob in a word grenade before thinking about the consequences. Such was the case when I made a bold claim that there is nothing blokey about arts and crafts, and thus, no male equivalent for Etsy. Indeed, I had resisted the temptation to redirect people to Aussie Disposals, so thought that I was going to be unchallenged by my claim. How wrong I was.
I was posed a singular problem: actually spend some time on Etsy (which I admit I hadn’t done prior to my assertion) and tell you dear readers about the blokiest stores contained therein. And so I found myself trawling through page after page of poorly knitted beanies, hempsocks, “quirky” screen-printed tees, and hand turned nut bowls. After some not inconsiderable exploration, I found something resembling blokiness.
Xoelle has an interesting array of bowties, which some of you may abhor, but that are really quite nice. They are ‘repurposed’ from vintage and used materials, and come in a range of colourful plaids, ginghams and polka dots. Indeed, it takes a particularly gentlemanly gent to pull off the bow tie, both in wearing one, and in paying US$36 for the privilege. Don't get confused, I approve of these.
Again, something arguably not blokey, but suitable for the modern stylish male, is Galstudio’s collection of cycling caps. With some notable exceptions, these caps are made from sensible linen/cottonblend fabrics, in herringbone or cord. My favourite is the houndstooth, ‘MajorTom’ cap. At $27US, they’re pretty reasonable, too.
Abigail Adams is selling a comfy looking pea-hoodie, realised in sweatshirt fleece rather than wool. They come in black or grey, and run to US$86. Better as a man to purchase the “all new peahoodie”as the previous incarnation appears to button right over left, which you’ll be aware is how ladies garments are made.
Lastly, and I would stress definitely not leastly, is the Portland General Store. This clever seller has produced men’s grooming products that even the blokiest, steak-eating, beer swilling man would approve of. In styles such as tabac, whiskey and tweed, I’m keen to try some oftheir shaving jelly and aftershave splashes. Priced very keenly, for US$22 you can get a vintage cigar box from the seller’s collection packed with samples.
So, did I successfully complete the challenge? I think not. Mainly because most of the items I have selected would probably be better categorised as ‘dandy’. True, I spent all my time looking at clothing and grooming products, because I have zero interest many of the other categories (glass,woodworking, paper goods, I’m looking at you), so didn’t find blokey things that might exist on Etsy (I’m thinking coyote jawbone knives for some reason?).
The result is that I’m both admitting defeat and claiming victory: I’ve been defeated by the challenge to find blokeystores on Etsy, but this has proven my initial claim that they don’t exist. And if you find any conflict of interest in this, well then, you’re too smart for your own good. or you'll get a blog on TheVine.