nowadays, the apellation limited edition is perhaps something to be included in the buyer beware category of acquisition, since many items that fall into this category are in danger of stretching the definition just a tad too far. at the islay whisky festival earlier this year, having now cottoned onto the realisation that the well-heeled single malt aficionado will cheerfully walk out the distillery gate with almost any expression curated in limited fashion, most of the distilleries offer varying degrees and prices of limitedness.
in some cases, that is truly the intent, with bottles being individually numbered in the low hundreds. whether any of these are ever tasted, or immediately find their way onto ebay is probably of less concern. however, at least one of the offerings last may was advertised as limited, yet consisted of several thousand bottles, some of which are proabably still available if you ask nicely. the moniker seems also to have found its way onto the metal badges on car bootlids, a feature that seems directly in contradiction to the knowledge that the majority of vehicles nowadays are produced in millions.
of course, it could be that the colour, finish or level of interior decor of the vehicle constitutes the limited part, while the body and engine are identical to all the siblings lined up in a car park at the container depot, but that is surely where the lines of delineation begin to blur?
though less often marketed as such, there are many items of modern day cycle clothing that would comfortably fit into such a classification. not so much because they differ from other items in the same range, but principally due to their having been produced in less than plentiful numbers. succinctly put, when they run out, they run out; a veritable limited edition.
however, very much in the deliberate category are the marvellous cycle caps currently proffered by shutt velo rapide. their website presently displays three limited edition tweed caps of blue, pale pink and green hue, hand made in leicester from isle of man tweed. the singular item that i currently have as cossetting for my head (always peak down) is a limited edition manx tweed in a rustic shade of tweedy greyish green, an item of headwear that revels in its fabulous tactility. and not only is it described as limited edition, it fulfils that promise by being accompanied with a certificate attesting to the very same; in this case, i have number 16 of 18 made.
though of slightly hardier constitution than the more common or garden cotton variety, it still fits comfortable under a range of different helmets, while owning a distinctly subtle personality allowing it to become a part of the day to day. the three panel design features a contrasting brow liner bordering a breathable and anti-static lining, making it easy to see why you would pay £39 for the privilege of ownership. and as if to underline your undoubted sartorial excellence, the word shutt is embroidered in a contrasting coloured script up front.
many of the less than limited edition caps that feature on the heads of the pros almost immediately inhabit a level of ubiquity, but though i'd advise against carrying that certificate of authenticity everywhere you go, there is always space for the more refined item amongst the pelotonese.
shutt velo rapide limited edition tweed caps
wednesday 4 december 2013
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