Something Good
Walking in Scotland. Exploring Sunspel. Exhibiting Constraint.
It was a peaceful time in the countryside, midsummer. I was there in the Scottish Highlands to see Nicholas Brooke for a few days. Nick owns the English brand Sunspel, and we have worked together for more than a decade. Nick and I had spoken about meeting in Scotland for years, and since my family and I were already planning a holiday there, it was the perfect time to make good on our conversations. The morning after I arrived, we looked at the weather and decided to go for a walk. In America, we call it hiking, but the English refer to it simply as “walking,” which somehow feels more correct. Most of our group put on jackets, Wellington boots and woolly sweaters. I wore a pair of technical running shoes, which at least gave the impression of being waterproof (one early step into a wet bog proved otherwise). Most of the group was wearing Sunspel. It seemed to work perfectly for the occasion. It struck me as symbolic of the collection’s versatility. When something can work in London or New York yet also be a good fit for a country walk, it is worth noting.
Sunspel was founded in 1860 and started out making cotton undergarments. It wasn’t until a few decades ago that the collection expanded to represent a complete wardrobe for men and women. The roots are in garments made of soft fabrics worn against the skin. That mission continues to this day with T-shirts and underwear made from the absolute best Sea Island cotton. The brand has outfitted James Bond and, more recently, Brad Pitt in the film F1. Through it all, it still makes T-shirts in its factory in Long Eaton.
Sunspel is tasteful and understated — it cares about quality in a way most companies don’t. It walks a fine line between being commercial and cohesive, without letting either corrupt the other. The root of these positive attributes lies in Nick’s stewardship. Sunspel is a rare brand that is important to both Fashion people and those of us who care about craft. I’ve been around this stuff long enough to know when a brand is good or when it’s all just marketing. Sunspel is one of the good ones.
Everything we do or own now seems so highly specialized that we seem to have lost our appreciation for objects with utility. Of course, we want the perfect coat for one specific event. Or just want a new scarf because it’s cold, and buying something new does brighten your day in a small way. Sunspel is an expression of many positive things simultaneously. It values craft and exhibits constraint. It understands fashion and appeals to a wide swath of very particular people. I see the brand at big department stores like Bon Marche and the best specialty stores like Dick’s in Edinburgh. It feels right on Madison Avenue and on Redchurch Street in East London. These varied points of distribution aren’t overlooked by me. Sunspel sells simple clothing that works for a variety of different situations. It makes clothing that is beloved by my VC friends in San Francisco and my architect friend in New York. It’s also beloved by me for always staying true to itself.
On our walk along the Scottish countryside, Nick and I spoke about the brand and how it is growing with new stores in Paris and California. It felt validating to hear how much people love the Sunspel collection and the brand. It makes me feel good because in a world of hype and fluff, people can still appreciate something truly good.
Some Items from Sunspel that I love and wear.
Fisherman Jumper
Sea Island Cotton Shirt
Lambswool Polo Shirt
Lambswool Polo
Merino Polo
Sea Island Cotton Boxer Shorts
Wool Twin Pocket Jacket
Shetland Knits
