Bonobos

The New York Enterprise Report, written by business experts for small and mid-size business in the New York City area, recently took an interest in Bonobos—specifically our hiring practices and why we’re called “ninjas.” (The association has always seemed natural to me—cleverness + efficiency + awesomeness = ninjas.) Turns out, the moniker is not just fun, but also somewhat strategic. Read more here!

Who are the most stylish gents in the world? What was so sartorially great about the Mongol Empire? What did Brian Spaly wear in eighth grade? LA2Day.com wanted to know, and his answers may surprise (and will certainly entertain) you.

Click here to read the interview!

I just read this recent article from the New York Times, and it was like hearing a favorite piece of music for the first time in a long while—instantly familiar but thrilling nonetheless.

In a nutshell, the chimmel suit is dead. Join me in a dance on its grave?

While double-digit declines have hit much of the retail sector, one of the few pieces of good news is one of the most surprising. In a reversal of every recession in the last 100 years, figures show that men have not cut back on buying clothes as much as women have. They’re not buying power suits—they’re replacing them.

“I have guys coming in here saying, ‘I don’t want to look like a banker anymore,’ ” said Eric Goldstein, an owner of Jean Shop, a premium denim store in the meatpacking district. He is now dispensing advice on how to look like a “creative professional.”

As the stringencies surrounding “business attire” relax, gents have the opportunity the infuse their workaday wares with a little more personality and flair. Flair does not necessarily mean flashy, attention-grabbing designs (just as “impressive” does not necessarily mean “expensive” or “trendy”); it means letting your clothes represent more of you, less of… well, what you’re “supposed” to wear. Gingham shirts, finely knit sweaters, a colorful yet tasteful silk belt—these are all fair game to wear and still be taken seriously (admired even) as a professional.

Yesterday I rode the subway to our weekly dodgeball match (which we DOMINATED, by the way). I sat across from a septuagenarian in a trimly tailored three-piece navy suit. He wore it comfortably—legs crossed—with simple loafers and a gray fedora. Matching, bright rose bow tie and pocket square belied a playfulness. The glint of a gold pocket watch chain deferred to the practices of the past. By modern professional standards (even conservative ones) he was dressed primly, but I could tell he felt confident and comfortable.

Meaning he was dressed to perfection.

Scott Burdette has been one of our top guys for a long time now (just click through our blog comments if you’re incredulous!). He tells everyone about our brand and embodies the joie de vivre that we like to think defines our brand.

Congrats on finishing your first year of med school, Scott! And thanks for sending us this awesome note today after receiving your Angels. (A free pair of pants to anyone who can get us trouser-shaped stationery!) I don’t know what your fifteenth pair should be, Scott, but maybe some readers out in the Bonoboverse would like to weigh in.

All the best–

The Bonobos Team

*for all blood relatives of the designer under the age of five.

Maybe one day it’ll be a priceless piece of Americana… but for now it’s just adorable.

Some of our most legendary trousers were named by our customers (remember the Destros?), so once again we’re looking for your help. Our Super Soakers are the definitive summertime trouser in lightweight, seersucker-esque shirting twill. Its blue, white, and faint red pinstripes suggests jovialty and the out-of-doors.

So we’re making a version in green, with a razor-thin pinstripe in dotted navy. Submit the winning name as a comment on this blog post, and the pants are yours. (N.B. All comments are moderated; don’t worry, your entry will appear in a few minutes!) As always, be clever, and be yourself. Bring your “A” game, since you may only enter once. Submitting a name and accompanying description is not necessary, but will be looked upon favorably by the judges.

One last thing: Don’t deny yourself; if you win the contest but have already bought these dreamy greens, we’ll send you a different pair of trousers on the house. Have at it!

We received this great note from J.P.D. after he picked up a pair of Brothers Grinn. But the best part about the email was its subject line… which was an expletive.

Sometimes trouser exuberance is rated R, and we’re okay with that.

To J.P.D. and all the other boot cut enthusiasts out there: Don’t worry. Even though we’re adding new straight leg styles to our line (most recently and awesomely the G7, Tiger Sharks, and Black Mambas), the boot cut is still legit, and will always have a place at Bonobos. I’ve said it before and it bears repeating: you can have our boot cut when you pry it off our cold, dead calves.

Last night, the entire Bonobos team trekked up to the Great White Way to see a rock concert–I mean, Broadway show. Rock of Ages, nominated for five Tony Awards and starring former American Idol contestant Constantine Maroulis, unfolds thusly: some bourgeois bad guys try to gentrify Hollywood’s Sunset Strip sometime in the mid- to late 1980s, running athwart the course of totally righteous true love, and so everybody ROCKS THE HELL OUT for two hours to the most defibrillating rock hits of the 80s.

Follow?

Rock of Ages is a hilarious, high-energy axe-shredder of the first order turning it up to 11 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. But it’s also a feel-good love story that you can enjoy with friends (they sell cold Coors in the aisles) or on a date.

BONUS: One of the stars of the show, James Carpinello, loves Bonobos. We hooked him up with a pair of Garden Fray, and if anybody can pull ‘em off, that dude can!

Bonobos is making swimsuits and we’re pretty fired up about it! We’ve had our eyes on this category for a long time—we have trouble finding affordable swimsuits that fit well, look great, and last a long time. There are a few fantastic swimsuit companies out there, but they tend to charge over $200 a pair. We figured we could make something similar, maybe even better, with our own signature prints, for less than half the price, at the same quality.

We did it!

So this season we’re bringing you a bunch of solid and print swimsuits that are sure to become a staple of your summer and holiday resort wear. All of our suits feature premium fabrics with soft, durable mesh inner liners, two front pockets, and a rear pocket with an easy open and close loop. They’ll be available in sizes S, M, L, and XL.

We think every guy should have 4-5 swimsuits. A few prints and a few solids. Here’s why: it’s great to have options when it comes time to slam together your weekend wardrobe at 11:45 on Thursday night. You might not have any of the right shirts to match your prints and then you’ll be glad you have a pair of navy or red or black trunks. Sometimes your favorite shirts are pretty wacky and exotic themselves and call for a more conservative or simple look. Sometimes you want to go a little more conservatively: company events, playing tennis at a resort—solid swim trunks are incredibly versatile, especially on trips away from home.

That said, it’s a firm Bonobos policy to wear prints whenever possible. And wear them well. They look great with solid color v-neck tees and polos. It’s not tricky to get a good swim print outfit right. Here are the rules—pick a solid color shirt to match one of the colors in the print—and pick a solid color pair of sandals/boat shoes to match a different color in the print. Presto—you are good to go. But you should have more than one printed swimsuit—variety is the spice of life and it’s good to have a few different color themes covered (black/red/gold, blue/green/pink, brown/yellow/orange, for example).

I’ve been a Bonobos fan from the get-go. As a teacher and coach, it has been a mission to find pants that can withstand the day-to-day classroom and behind-the-bench use and abuse. A nice fit and timely appearance are a huge plus. Most previous pants have come and gone but the BWBs are on point. My wife didn’t recognize my gluteus maximus. With attention to style I hadn’t known, Bonobos has helped shape the new look of high school teachers in Saline, Michigan. Nothing starts a conversation better than the patterned pockets.

Bonobos’ business philosophy is brilliant in its simplicity—quality cut and sewn pants, sharp customer service, and word of mouth. Doing what we Band of Brothers do, giving back is inherent. It is nice to see Bonobos do the same. To whom much is given, much is expected.

The pant revolution has hit my closet. I’ll be doing my part to see that it hits more.

Thanks,

DD