Skip to main content

Cloak & Dapper – A New Kind of General Store

What could be better than a) killer clothes b) great grooming products c) needed provisions d) made in America or e) all of the above? Well that is Cloak & Dapper. Founded in March 2013 by Calvin Cearly, who states “It’s a gentlemen’s general store, for the modern age, for modern man.”

One stop shopping at the general store, was something that made life, less complicated , more curated , and generally, easier. With business partners, Orlando restaurateur and branding wiz, Kaleb Harrell, and NBA forward, Ryan Anderson, of the newly named, New Orleans Pelicans, the bearded trio, have hit on something resonating with men across the U.S.

Related Videos

With product ranging from jeans to Henley’s, beard oil to hand-made soap, and boots to barware, this is a destination for the guy that, not only needs everything, but wants everything, well, the right everything.

Calvin discussed some of this view points with The Manual:

Why Made in USA so key to your brand’s DNA?

There’s a resurgence in American manufacturing. The new Apple G5 tower is made in the USA. In addition to helping feed jobs for our country, there are just so many excellent artisan craftsmen producing stellar, stellar goods that, in addition to being high quality and made with love and passion, they’re a true representation of connecting rugged Americana to the modern, sleek, ergonomic male.

What can you tell us about the Cloak & Dapper guy?

There is a movement, of sorts, of men building their collection, or basically equipping their future selves – the men they aspire to be. They go one piece at a time. This month, the shoes, next paycheck, the jeans, etc. We are their general store resource. We appeal to them. If you’re a guy and don’t think you really identify with that description, Cloak & Dapper hopes to be a resource to educate, inspire and outfit your future self.

So no matter where in the U.S. you live, this new genre of the general store, is just a click away.

How to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day — style tips you need to look your best
Your St. Patrick's Day style guide
style tips for holiday party outfits green and tan

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, kidnapped and brought to the island as an enslaved person at 16. He eventually escaped but returned later and is believed to have brought Christianity with him. One thousand years later, he is still celebrated on St. Patrick's Day, the accepted date of his death, March 17. And how do we celebrate it? By wearing the color green on St. Patrick's Day, of course. Wearing the color symbolizes the patriotism of the entire island.

Now, whether you are Irish or not, you can show your support for the island by donning green on St. Patty's Day. However, that doesn't mean you have to go all out and look like you jumped right off the box of Lucky Charms. Here are a few tips to help you celebrate the patron saint of Ireland without sacrificing looking fantastic.

Read more
Freezing jeans shouldn’t really be a thing — here’s why
Why you should stop putting your jeans in the freezer

Recently, I reached into a friend’s freezer for an ice sphere and came across a pair of neatly folded jeans. This sight took me by surprise not because it was unusual, but because the practice felt so dated. For those that might not have heard of the practice, the idea behind freezing your best jeans is that freezing denim kills bacteria from well-worn jeans without actually having to wash them and affect the fade or overall integrity of the denim.

When did freezing jeans become a thing?
Jeans have been around since 1871. These popular pants were invented by Jacob W. Davis and patented by Davis and Levi Strauss. Though people have anecdotally frozen their denim for years, more as an odor-removing process than anything else, Levi Strauss actually pushed this practice into the mainstream in 2011. In 2014, Levi Strauss' CEO Chip Bergh repeated longstanding advice from the jean company; don't wash your jeans, freeze them instead. Bergh's reminder was more of a conservation effort to get people to freeze their jeans to stretch out the time between washes.

Read more
These 4 men made the Oscars more stylish with the best looks of the night
Here are the best looks from the 2023 Academy Awards
Harry Shum Jr. standing with James Hong wearing an eastern inspired tuxedo

Just like the Super Bowl has the halftime show, anticipated commercials, and other events to add to the event, the Oscars has the red carpet and the after-party. While we look forward to seeing the winners of the year's best in film and listening to their speeches, we first watch them arrive and walk the red carpet to show off some of the year's best looks from the biggest stars and most prominent designers.

From the casual look of Pharrell Williams in his 2019 camo jacket and shorts to the classic, clean-cut looks of stars like Michael Caine and George Clooney, you can find some of the most influential people showcasing the best looks of the year. The 95th Academy Awards were no different. Here are the best looks from the red carpet that made the men the talk of the night.

Read more