Skip to main content

Rodd & Gunn-American Prep Meets Kiwi Style

Here in the United States, preppy style is abundant-from the campuses of the Ivy League and prep schools, to the most traditional regions across the country. This look is oddly one of menswear’s most conservative trends, (even though pink pants are involved), yet also its most current.

Recommended Videos

Today, Rodd & Gunn enjoys iconic status in its native New Zealand, with a strong and loyal following throughout Europe, Australia and Asia. With more than 80 company-owned retail stores or “Lodges”, the brand is a club all itself. Now being sold in over 150+ stores across the U.S., simply put, Rodd & Gunn represents the very best of New Zealand’s fresh, rugged attitude—gone global.

The brand takes its inspiration from a balanced “work hard/play hard” lifestyle, incorporating its core customers’ love of sports, passion for travel, respect for the environment and desire to be a part of the global community. Rodd & Gunn stays true to its values of quality and authenticity, all while capturing an energetic, casual attitude.

Founded in 1946, the brand takes its name from fishing and hunting/shooting clubs across, not only New Zealand, but across the U.S. and around the world. Rodd & Gunn is most well known for their tailored khaki short that can work from a hike to a date.  They are also the kings of the rugby jersey.   Since rugby is the national sport of New Zealand, it only makes since that they celebrate such an icon piece of clothing. It doesn’t hurt that their Creative Director, John Prikryl, played rugby in college, and continues to play at the club level.

The brand philosophy is to create clothes that draw the best from nature in its purest state. Hence the focus on linens, denims, cottons, wools and leathers that are soft, practical, superbly textured and durable. The result being a clothing and accessory collection that is completely modern, yet firmly grounded in the brand’s traditional core values.

We here at The Manual are fans, so see if so they are available in stores your area, or shop online and let us know if you find them as foxy as we do.

Tom Handley
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Tom Handley is a contributor for TheManual. As a professor of public relations and social media strategy at Parsons The New…
New Balance turns the 1906R into a cold-weather sneaker with Primaloft
New Balance reinforces its sneaker with Primaloft
New Balance 1906R

It’s well known that New Balance sneakers are made with quality craftsmanship and premium materials, but their newest release takes that latter a step further. Beyond just a simple military-inspired design, New Balance's newly announced 1906R touts the integration of Primaloft, a US Army innovation that was developed during the 1980s. Added to keep your feet protected during the harsher climates of the winter season, the New Balance 1906R is the perfect feature for those who seek a more durable option for the season. While Primaloft isn’t new to the footwear or apparel world, the integration into New Balance’s lineup adds immense value to the brand’s already certified durability and comfort. 

New Balance strengthens its sneaker with Primaloft

Read more
Adidas revives the Italia with stunning Made in Italy ostrich leather
Adidas upgrades its premium sneaker with a new leather
adidas italia sneaker

While there is no doubt that Adidas is known for its casual items and athletic gear, the German-founded company has recently become famed for its luxury offerings. Between high-end collaborations and premium materials, Adidas has slowly upgraded its lineup to include more elevated products. One way the athletic brand has elevated its footwear is via the “Made In” collection. Considered the brand’s most premium line, Adidas’ “Made in Italia” is home to many of the sophisticated versions of your favorite silhouettes. Recently, the Three Stripes brand unveiled its latest premium offering – its iconic Italia made with ostrich leather. Contrary to the brand’s previous Italia sneaker, which donned a white and green colorway, the newest revamp sees the sophisticated sneaker decked out in the ultra-premium material in a sleek and neutral colorway. 

Adidas goes ultra-premium with the new Italia sneaker 

Read more
Oris and Bamford launch a limited edition ProPilot Altimeter
The Oris x BWD Mission Control is a bold fusion of tech and style
The Oris Classic Date

In the dynamic world of horological collaborations, brand partnerships have been known to blaze a path that veers more towards the more traditional, but the Oris x Bamford Watch Department ProPilot Altimeter ‘Mission Control’ is a limited edition luxury watch that defies convention. This inspired collaboration, limited to only 250 pieces worldwide, represents the perfect merger of Oris's instrumental innovation and BWD's irreverent, tech-heavy aesthetic. It is a watch that creates an instrument that is as technically superior as it is striking, designed for the collector who reveres both substance and making a sartorial statement.

A fusion of technical excellence and bold aesthetics

Read more