Blog — Black Bear Brand

Posts in Style

The Sweatshirt: How an Itchy Wool Jersey Became an American Icon

Born in 1926 to replace an itchy wool jersey, the sweatshirt became one of the most versatile garments ever made. Its history — and what heavyweight terry really means.

Culture, Fabric, fabric guide, Fabric Guide, Heritage, StyleJosh SirlinJuly 4, 2026history of the sweatshirt, sweatshirt origin, hoodie history, heavyweight terry, crewneck sweatshirt, made in usa sweats, black bear brandComment

Tattoos, American Culture, and Fashion: Ink as Identity

Tattoos and American workwear grew up in the same places, worn by the same people — permanent marks of a life lived on purpose. From Sailor Jerry to the runway, and why ink and heritage clothing speak the same language.

Culture, Heritage, StyleJosh SirlinJuly 4, 2026tattoo history american culture, sailor jerry, american traditional tattoos, flash tattoo history, tattoos and fashion, old school tattoos, americana, black bear brandComment

Summer Style, Done Right: How to Dress for the Heat

Summer is the hardest season to dress well. Here is how I think about it: the right fabrics, fewer better pieces, and the Black Bear Brand summer.

StyleJosh SirlinJune 29, 2026summer style, summer fashion, mens summer outfits, summer wardrobe, how to dress for summer, summer fashion tips, Black Bear BrandComment

the washed corduroy short: a little surf history, and why cord belongs in summer

Everyone files corduroy under fall. They have it backwards. The corduroy short has deep surf roots, and ours is washed soft and made in Japan.

Style, Craft, corduroyJosh SirlinJune 28, 2026corduroy shorts, washed corduroy shorts, corduroy short history, surf style, summer shorts, mens corduroy shorts, Black Bear Brand, mens corduroy, made in Japan corduroyComment