SPONSORED: A SPORT COAT TO RING THE REGISTER!
Every so often, a menswear item comes along that breaks the mold. MR’s vote for ‘Iconic Item 2024’ is Brit & Blue’s Signature Jacket, a versatile blend of luxury and work ethic that’s flying out of stores that feature it. Here, we chat with Brit & Blue founder Eric Adams for some insights.
How did you come to create this iconic sport coat?
About 10 years ago, my wife and I opened a Kentucky-based studio focused on made-to-measure clothing. As part of this, I was often traveling the region with tape measure in hand, meeting with clients, many of whom own blue collar companies. A number of these individuals lamented that they needed some kind of jacket that could take them from work site reviews to board meetings. So I started working on this elusive hybrid, modeling it on British hacking jackets but using duck cloth fabric trimmed with suede. It turned out better than I expected; I often wore it myself to test others’ reactions to it. Customers would say “I don’t know exactly what that is you’re wearing but I want one…” We now make the Signature Jacket in many colors and trims, both off-the-rack and custom, and for both men and women. We also offer a custom swatch box to retailers experienced in design and fitting.
Are men’s stores selling the women’s coats?
Absolutely. A few of our men’s retailers have come to realize that the women who accompany men into their shops fall in love with Brit & Blue, too!
Are there plans to expand the collection?
While I love the idea of doing just one item extremely well, I realize that to grow, we need to offer more product types. So we’re exploring that now, sticking with our made-in-America sourcing (a storied clothing factory in Rochester, an esteemed shirtmaker in Tennessee), which retailers say they want. The challenge is that to afford made-in-America factories, we currently can’t offer our retail partners more than keystone markup.
Why is that a challenge?
Most stores are used to getting high initial markups from large international brands. But isn’t it better to support American industriousness and craft and get a 50 percent margin on a product that sells vs. a theoretical 65 percent margin on a product that languishes on the rack and ends up on sale at a 30 percent margin?
As it’s been said, you can take dollars, not percentages, to the bank. Do you have a final message for retailers?
Yes. Although finely tailored American-made duck cloth sport coats might seem the antithesis of the soft, unstructured Italian styles now everywhere, that’s exactly why you should offer them. For their distinctive style, comfort, value, and a definite dose of casual cool, I hope retailers give Brit & Blue a try.
Raves & Reviews
Todd Howell, Coffmans, Greenville, SC: “This is the working man’s blue blazer, versatile but with an aesthetic that says I’m not here just to look good. You either get it or you don’t but for those who do, no other coat conjures up such conversation. It’s in the simplicity and details that makes this coat come to life. Like a baseball glove as you break it in, the real beauty and patina start to take shape and tell the story.”
William King, William King Clothiers, Bristol, TN: If someone asked us to name the coolest and tastiest coat in the haberdashery, we would quickly say, “Brit & Blue.” The color, the canvas, the pick stitching, the hacking pockets, the ticket pocket, the buttons, and the fit are all spot on. To us, this is the perfect coat to wear with your favorite jeans. The Brit & Blue duck cloth sport coat gets as many compliments as anything in our store.”
Chip Ervin, Grady Ervin & Co, Charleston SC: “I’ve been carrying the Brit & Blue duck cloth sport coat for about two years now. The fabric is ‘like butter,’ improving with wear as it takes on the imprints of the wearer. I’m convinced that it’s the best duck cloth jacket in the world, sophisticated and classically styled with side vents and amazing details (microsuede trim on pockets, elbow patches, throat latch). We’re currently showcasing the army green version matched with blue jeans, a Sid Mashburn western-inspired chambray shirt and leather penny loafers. To me, the jacket is more English than Western, but it crosses over nicely, working as well with grey flannel trousers and a dress shirt.
Our best-selling color is the caramel, followed by army green and navy. A versatile sport coat, it sells to a surprisingly broad customer base. We’re just introducing made-to-measure for women, but our success thus far has been hanging stock. We reorder every month.
As for Eric Adams, we’ve been communicating regularly for several years and I truly appreciate his great eye, tremendous taste level and attention to detail. Another huge asset is his close relationship with the esteemed Rochester factory that for decades produced Hickey Freeman tailored clothing, worn by numerous U.S. presidents. You don’t get much better than that!
Jay Burgin, Culwell & Son, Dallas, TX: I received my first shipment of these jackets in September. I was skeptical at first about a duck cloth sport coat because I assumed it would be heavy and board-like. I tried it only because Eric sent me a sample and I couldn’t get over how soft and high-quality this duck cloth was. Right out of the box, it was an immediate wow: a truly unique garment with charisma and pizzazz. I then tried it on and was completely sold: the fit is amazing! And once it breaks in, it takes on the crease of your elbow, the shape of your shoulder. It becomes your go-to sport coat: totally versatile, working with everything.
Of course, a successful brand is as much about the creator as the garment. Eric is a wonderful guy: professional, knowledgeable, so nice, with an impeccable taste level and a notable quest for perfection. Add to this Brit & Blue’s exceptional made-in-America craftsmanship and it’s a homerun!
John Martynec, EVP Manufacturing, Rochester Tailored Clothing, Rochester, NY: Eric and I have been working on this signature sport coat since the pandemic. We went through several incarnations to lighten up the 7-ounce duck cloth fabric until we finally hit it perfectly. Now it’s a matter of retailers helping their customers appreciate the value of made-in-America, particularly from this storied Rochester factory.
I’ve been working at this factory since 1980, beginning with a college co-op program while studying at RIT. After many years of crafting Hickey Freeman and Samuelsohn tailored clothing, we now do private label for several great retailers, as well as collaborations with name designers. For me, working with a small start-up business like Brit & Blue enhances the DNA of our brand.
For Brit & Blue, we craft a half-canvas garment requiring a good six hours of labor, 180 different steps for an off-the-rack jacket, 20 percent more for made-to-measure. The MTM option is obviously a more personalized process, with numerous style options, sleeve, waist, shoulder and collar choices. Eric signs every garment and is totally in tune with his retail accounts. He and I talk almost daily, discussing work in progress and new ideas. Bottom line, his signature duck cloth sport coat is a uniquely versatile tailored garment that makes a great fashion statement for guys of any age and attitude.
For more information, email eric@britandblue.com or check out britandblue.com.