Here at Off The Cuff, we are always happy to promote a great brand that most people have never heard about. With that, please meet Dunning Sportswear.
Apparently designer Ralph Dunning is a fan of OTC. A Toronto native and lifelong athlete, Ralph Dunning draws inspiration from his passions for sport, music, fashion and modern city and surf cultures. An IRONMAN competitor, marathoner and endurance cyclist, Dunning first entered the clothing market in the 1990s with his Rip n’ Hammer line of premium technical clothing for triathletes and cyclists.
Dunning has also designed apparel collections for some of the world’s leading sports brands, including Saucony, GT Cycles and Cervelo. So when he decided to develop a clothing line for everyday casual wear, he opted to go for a straightforward classic look.
But this preppy inspired brand is built for function. Rendered in a proprietary cotton/Coolmax blend, his clothes are both comfortable and quite sharp. Dunning Sportswear contacted OTC because they felt that our readers would appreciate an unbiased review of this “cool” brand.
Dunning’s clothes may look a bit like what you already wear, but the construction and overall brand quality are some of the best I’ve come across in a long time. But what really makes the shirts and shorts I tested stand out from the crowd is the Coolmax blended cotton fabrics.
If I did not know they were made from performance material, I never would have even guessed it. The fabric’s wicking quality kept me cool and comfortable on some darn hot and humid days.
The flat front khaki shorts are now my favorite, be it sweating in the garden or heading off to the store to pick up the latest issue of Monocle. In fact, I’m wearing them right now. After nearly a month of continuous use and abuse they look great and have stood up to all manner of maltreatment.
The gingham sport shirts are winners too. Also cotton/Coolmax blends, these “Performance Woven” button down shirts were designed in classic patterns and an array of traditional preppy colors. Actually, they are the perfect casual dress shirts for me because of the well tailored cut and light, wrinkle-free, moisture-wicking fabric.
Their classically styled polo shirts are well built and have a nice dressy feel that can easily handle the tennis court or a day out sailing.
Overall, Dunning Sportswear is a great brand that blends a classic New England functionality with hi-tech athletic materials. And you’d never know – which is what I like the best.
So what’s the problem? It’s still kind of hard to come by. Sold through country club pro shops and a limited number of retailers, the web is still your best shot. Visit Dunning’s online store to learn more.