Confused my threads for a minute 
Posting JR Smith as evidence that Joe Everyman should adopt a style is like posting Bubba Watson as evidence that you should adopt a swing move.
I thought I was somewhere else!
Collar tucked in gang checking in here.
And also, a note on H&B pricing compared to previous years. The first 3-4 years we worked with them they kept their pricing low, to the point where they were probably underpricing themselves in relation to competitors those last couple years. We saw a slight increase last year, and then this year it’s up from $90/97 to $105-110 on the polos, and then a little more scattershot based upon the piece of outerwear we’re talking. The quality of the Ward sweater has gotten to the point where it’s better than a nice cashmere from Elgins or another Scottish firm, and at half the price. That one’s bit a bit of a journey the last couple years as they switched factories, switched to Italian wool, etc. but I think now they’ve perfected it. I still wear some of the H&B stuff I’ve got from the first and second drops we did with them, it’s that good, and the current iteration of the Ward sweater is probably the most lasting/durable piece in the closet at this point. Anyway, just know we’re sensitive to the price increases, as are Alex and John, and they’ve made it a point to tuck in under Greyson and Millar (both of which have polos mostly priced in green grass shops at $110-125 this year) despite their quality and fit being (in my opinion) far superior. Trying to get a sense of where the increases came from I asked them, and as expected they said it’s a variety of factors from factory costs rising, materials costs rising, we’re doing more prints with them (which are more expensive + competition for volume on those machines at the best cut and sew spots in Korea is intense), and then the biggest element is shipping, with most of this stuff coming in via air to get it here on time and the boat costs up 2-3x over the last 18-24 months. Anyway, we’re sensitive on the price we charge and getting over that $100 barrier is tough, but relatively speaking I feel confident in saying you’re getting about the same inflation-adjusted price as what you were paying 3-4 years ago for a better piece of clothing. And then we’re working hard to continue bringing in our base-priced custom stuff (which our cost is up about 60-70% on) + some mid-priced stuff with Levelwear and Rhoback. Interesting times!
Also, we’ll have the Rhoback hoodies in the store later this month (ordered a lot) and then the second round of H&B (more of the sweatshirts/outerwear + all of the quarter-snap Sullivan pullovers, and a few custom pieces) likely dropping in mid-October. Lastly, @ChickPhilA and I took a day trip up to Rye to see H&B a few weeks ago to see the full line for Spring '23 and a sneak peek of Fall '23 and even Spring '24. They’re playing chess. Stay tuned for the H&B hoodie that’s coming this spring.
Appreciate the continued support in the shop. And keep lobbing feedback at us in here - I promise you we listen intently and factor it into our sourcing decisions in a big way.
It’s a dry heat!
Since you asked. My wishlist:
- Coffee mug (preferably St. Rappeo)
- Lightweight hoodie made out of performance material. (Like the long sleeve polos)
- Strapped Baltimore t-shirt with the logo larger and in the middle. (basically the women’s shirt in a men’s version)
- Bucket hat that is more of the “beach” style like Billabong, Quicksilver, etc. make.
Gotta say, I appreciate having the cost all spelled out. As bad as I want to support the shop and with as many great reviews I’ve heard about H&B, I’d love to splurge for some polos, I’m just not in a spot to do so. Seeing the transparency and all the hard work on the backend shows that the cost is worth it, while also realizing you all are very conscious of the price.
I love H&B, but I’m afraid I’m going to be buying a lot fewer of their crewnecks and quarter-zips since they appear to have made a permanent switch from spandex to elastane in those garments over the past year or so. It makes a big difference for the sleeve and bottom hem cuffs. Doubt this would have come up in conversations with them, but would be curious to hear about it if it did.
Would love to see more low/mid tier priced vest options. The NLU vest or Levelwear All-weather in different colorways would be primo.
@Tron talking chokepoints with a manufacturer must be a dream come true
To be able to get H&B stuff with the Nest discount still makes it the best option out there. Appreciate the hard work and transparency @Tron
Just reached out to Alex and he said they changed the wording from “Spandex” to “Elastane” due to the feminine connotations of the former. Actual yarns are for the most part the same we’ve been using, and in any case where we’ve updated the specific elastane yarn type it’s actually been more expensive, better yarn…definitely not trying to cut corners or save cost.
On Rhoback, not sure what our size run looks like with them but can let @ChickPhilA chime in. We’ve got big order quantities with them coming in!
On the Levelwear All-Weather front, I’d love to be able to offer more color options but they simply don’t offer much variety (and sometimes the off-beat colors they offer aren’t anything we’re going to sell a big number of). And their inventory has been tough this year. Here’s what they’ve currently got (and there will inevitably be 4 people who want us to do the purple):
to be clear, I will still be buying a bunch of H&B stuff and this was mostly said in jest. I appreciate the transparency and rundown @Tron
Appreciate the transparency.
Only thing new I’d like to see are fitted flex fit hats. Me and adjustable hats do not get along and I know a lot of others here feel the same.
I have no legit complaints about anything and love the new selections in the pro shop.
I have two (well now three) posts asking for them… Also a pom beanie along the lines of this one from Brora
or this
Man, that grape looks so good. Matt Fitzpatrick is definitely in on that.