Last month, the OTC crew loaded up and decamped to the wonderful island of Nantucket. Apart from being the advertizing byword of preppy lifestyle brands, it is also place rich in history and the default vacation destination for generations of New Englanders. Nantucket is a laid back home to several thousand year-round residents and temporary…
In part one of this essay, we discussed some of the changes that have begun to redefine the concept of brand loyalty. While consumers may still be loyal to a given brand, the way in which they interact with that brand is much more fragmented, delineated, and nuanced It’s still an ongoing shift of course,…
A few days before OTC decamped to the island of Nantucket, bastion of East Coast laid back preppy, we were thrilled to receive John Varvatos’ newest collaboration with Swiss watch maker Ernst Benz. Into the carry-on and off we went for a week on a famous, tiny island in the Atlantic ocean. The Ernst Benz by…
What comes to mind when you hear, “Hart Schaffner Marx?” Perhaps you think of your dad’s two-button lawyerly-looking gray suit? You know, the one with the center-vent jacket, pleated trousers and conservative, boxy profile. Well made, yes; but certainly not anything to which you aspired. The same often holds true for memories of that other…
Brand allegiance is a funny thing. When it works well the customer identifies with the brand in a deep, meaningful, and personal way. When it doesn’t work – most likely when the brand lets a customer down in some way – the old loyalty can be almost impossible to truly win back. While women are…
Can you really make a better tee shirt? When you are American Giant, the answer is “yes.” The San Fransisco-based company recently introduced a line of tee shirts, adding to their collection of solid, straightforward American sportswear. And, staying true to the brand’s classic-is-best philosophy, they are not so much different as they are better. …
As the weather warms up, sweaters and khakis give way to polos and shorts. The look above brings together three of OTC’s favorite warm weather brands: Southern Tide, True Wind, and Kiel James Patrick. Each of these brands captures a particular aspect of summer – sailing across the open water, lounging with friends over a…
We here at OTC wish to offer up a big, sincere “Thank You,” to everyone who voted and supported our nomination! OTC’s founder and editor-in-chief, Chris Hogan, made it to the winner’s circle and was crowned “Dandiest at the Derby” by Brooks Brothers’ fans! Thanks are also due to our photographer par excellence, Mr. Steven…
Mark your menswear calendar for this Saturday, April 28. Confirmed Stock is hosting it’s debut pop-up retail event at the 2640 Space in Baltimore, Maryland’s Charles Village neighborhood. OTC is proud to support and promote this outstanding event, conceived, created, and brought to life by Charm City locals. Chock full of creative and innovative menswear…
When Bayard Winthrop founded American Giant, which makes perhaps the best sweatshirt we have laid eyes and hands on, he had a very specific mission. As the former CEO of Chrome bags and with a handful of other start-ups under his belt, ranging from real estate to high-tech, he knew how to drive down cost,…
