Skip to main content

Shop Class: Context in Madison, Wisconsin

One thing we pride ourselves on at this site is our constant search for all of the good and great around the country, not just in the big cities of NYC and LA. One store that blew our minds is Context based in Madison, Wisconsin.

Founded in 2005  by two friends, Ryan Huber and Sam Parker,  who have a mutual love of heavy metal and good looking American made clothes, the store started out  focusing on denim. As Ryan explained, “We are right in the middle of the country and there haven’t been any stores around us specializing in hard to find raw denim. We knew there was a customer for it here because if you live in his area you will drive to find something you want.”Wisely, they decided to open online in 2007 when the menswear online world was just getting going. 

Recommended Videos

Through the years, Context has evolved into a full men’s lifestyle shop and is getting noticed around the globe for creating and stocking goods produced in historic American manufacturing plants. They have had a loyal following of guys from 28-35 as well as some 50+. “One client is 71 and a great customer,”Huber told us. But it isn’t just the older clients who are spending, “What blows our minds is how many guys call up and tell us what size Chuck Taylor they wear so we can relate it to a pair of Alden’s. That is a big step up from a $30 pair of sneakers.” 

One of their specialties is leather products. They are all hand made by artisans in the First Settlement District of Madison, Wisconsin using leather from some of the world’s oldest tanneries. There is a core collection of wallets, belts, card cases and briefcases as well as special items such as the shell cordovan wallet. If you didn’t know, cordovan is horse hide and there has been a serious shortage recently (since fewer and fewer people are eating horse meat!). Regardless, this biker wallet will last a lifetime and look better and better with age. 

Image used with permission by copyright holder

A collab that is sending sparks through the menswear market is the new CXL 113 jacket which Context created with Schott and Horween Tannery.  It’s an ode to the 1928 Perfecto jacket designed by Irving Schott. The natural Chromexel horsehide is hand made at Schott in Union, New Jersey and will last for eons. 

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Look out for some new projects with Alden rolling out later this year. 

If you aren’t near Madison, peruse the newly launched website that is easy to use and has great interface on all platforms. The boys pride themselves on excellent photography and offering as much information on each product as possible. 

Carrying lines such as Faherty, Gitman Vintage, Shinola, Strong Suit and Barton Perreira, Context is giving Cheese heads a serious makeover. 

Cator Sparks
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…
Patek Philippe reintroduces a discontinued watch — the Patek Philippe’s Ref. 5711
A new Patek Philippe's Ref. 5711 with a Maori pattern—something that's never been featured on the series before
Patek Philippe Ref. 5711

Founded in 1994, the Children Action foundation improves the lives of children through various projects funded by auction event proceeds. As a result, Patek Phillippe participates in the Children Action Gala every year by offering a high-quality watch to the foundation.

In 2024, the luxury watch brand reproduced Patek Philippe's Ref. 5711, which will be put up for auction on November 25th. Since its launch, the demand for this watch has always been high.

Read more
Kloudy merch sees the collaboration of cultural pioneers
Find the intersection of culture and fashion
Kloudy close up shirts

Music is the connective tissue that spreads through society like veins in the body, carrying the melody to far-separated parts of the world and bringing them together through storytelling and movement. The culture of music has been strong as long as man has been able to commune together around a fire. It has influenced culture in every way imaginable, and the music world is no different. Whether it is the denim jacket of the hair bands in the 80s or the Beatles and Rolling Stones reinventing the style of Chelsea boots, music and fashion are intricately linked to one another. The Keinemusik x Highsnobiety collaboration marks another link between the two that embodies the culture and connectivity we all crave.
Collaboration with culture at the center

CEO David Fischer, in 2009, Highsnobiety endeavors to be the intersection of fashion, style, art, design, and music. Collaborations with big brands like Levi's, Nike, Merrill, Carhartt, and more bring them to the closets of every man across the globe. Their newest collaboration with one of the biggest German music labels will do nothing but continue the trend.

Read more
PacSun returns to Sin City for F1
The Las Vegas collection returns with a limited edition jacket
PacSun Formula 1next to a car

Last year, the incredibly popular race syndicate Formula 1 debuted in Las Vegas. Seemingly reworking the entirety of the Vegas Strip, it created and ran an exhilarating race that saw Max Verstappen take the win and finish just under 90 minutes, with Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez coming in behind him only seconds away. While the race was the draw, countless brands showed up to provide race fans with various souvenirs. PacSun is returning this season, but the PacSun F1 Las Vegas Collection isn't only great clothing; a limited edition garment accompanies it.

“After such a strong reception last year, we’re excited to bring Pacsun’s F1 collection back to Las Vegas,” said Richard Cox, Chief Merchandising Officer at Pacsun. “As anticipation grows ahead of the second year of this fantastic Grand Prix, we cannot wait to offer fans more race-inspired apparel to connect them to the action.”
Featuring a legendary limited edition

Read more