Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Fashion & Style

The Proof is in the Pants

By

We have certainly noticed a new trend of technical fabric being used in the tailored world. The result is super comfortable clothes that are stain resistant, breathable and pretty much indestructible. Men, commence celebration!

We spoke to one of the more buzz worthy companies (who we had to continue delaying posting because they kept selling out), Proof.

Recommended Videos

Ten months old and founded by Omar Rada who worked in the corporate world for five years until he went to a trade show in Utah called Outdoor Retailer and noticed many outdoor brands attempting to create tailored pieces but not quite hitting the mark. He teamed up with Schoeller who is the top of the mountain for technical fabrics, and  launched a pair of shorts that sold over 200 pairs. “We weren’t expecting that at all. People responded really well and we decided to launch a full line,” he told us.

The end of the year they launched another eight products and the company continues to thrive. “For 2013 we are revising some of the key pieces. We are taking our time to do intense R&D for each product,” Omar explained to us.

We spoke to him about competition, best sellers and designing for the ladies.

How are you different from brands like Outlier and Now?

We will all contribute to a rising tide. Outlier and others are all making fantastic products so the more the better. The biggest challenge is how to communicate this new branding to people who don’t know. You can go to REI and buy pants that do all this but you will look like you are climbing a mountain.

Where is everything made?

Everything is made in the garment district in New York City. Luckily that area is slowly growing again due to the whole ‘Made in America’ movement and young designers establishing studios there.

Are you targeting women now?

Well, it is pretty underserved in this niche so we dipped our toe in the water with some women’s pants. Another reason was that my fiancé got miffed I wasn’t making anything for her!

What are the best sellers?

Spellman shorts and pants for sure. We are going to work with a great Japanese company on some amazing tech fabrics too. The crew and Henleys are doing really well since they are breathable, odor resistant and very comfortable.

Tell us more about your fabrics.

For our core fabric we use a high-performance Schoeller Dryskin blend.  This makes our pants highly breathable, qucik drying and durable. Using 10% elastane, the Spelmans offer substantial freedom of movement and comfort. We also decided to use a NanoSphere® treatment on the core fabric to make the pants highly water + dirt repellant (coffee, red wine and water slide right off the fabric).

Proof Waterproof Shot
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Cator Sparks
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…
Reebok and Aries reunite for their boldest release yet
Reebok, Aries release new shoe
person wearing one black sneaker

After their successful launch earlier this year, sports brand Reebok and London-based label Aries are reuniting for an even bolder release for the end of the year. For this release, both brands are taking on the Instapump Fury 94 silhouette, giving it a bolder and more modern look. This drop will include two unisex colorways that play into the sneaker’s futuristic yet street-style design. While this isn’t the first time Reebok has used the Instapump Fury 94 in collaboration, the street-style-inspired details and design give it a unique feel. While it might not be the slimmest or most subtle sneaker on the market, everything about this collaborative sneaker exudes style and innovation. For those not afraid to push the boundaries with their sneaker collection, this sneaker is the perfect way to close out the year. 
Reebok x Aries Instapump Fury 94 collection

 

Read more
Orlebar Brown celebrates a half century of style with James Bond collection
Get curated looks inspired by Bond and his villains
Orlebar Brown Bond black zip

There is no more stylish fictional character than James Bond. From the moment we first laid eyes on Sean Connery in the early sixties until the last time we witnessed the spectacle of Daniel Craig portray the iconic superspy, we have all emulated his looks and do our best to put our own twists on the icon. You can look to Sean Connery's run on the character and pull the swimsuit coverup from Goldfinger. You can reinvent the safari look like Roger Moore did when he picked up the Walther PPK. Or you can go regal and dignified with the suits and formal wear like Pierce Brosnan did. There are numerous ways to look like James Bond, but Orelbar Brown is covering the resort wear side to make it even easier. The Orlebar Brown 007 Collection launched this month to celebrate over a century of style with everyone's favorite spy.
50 years of The Man with the Golden Gun and 60 with Goldfinger

No Orelbar Brown James Bond lookbook would be complete without picking up the recreation of the iconic Goldfinger cover-up. The blue onesie is still one of Bond's most classic looks, and thanks to the return of vintage style, it is more relevant today than it has been in decades. You can also pick up swimwear inspired by Connery's glen plaid suit, Scaramanga's sweat suit, the tiger stripe swim set, and a safari shirt that screams resort casual. There is something for everyone in this collection that primarily takes its inspiration from Goldfinger (arguably Sean Connery's best turn as Bond) and The Man with the Golden Gun (arguably Roger Moore's best turn as 007).
Orelbar Brown 007 Collection

Read more
New Balance, Aimé Leon Dore celebrates five years of style with a new sneaker
New Balance, Aimé Leon Dore release new shoe
pair of new balance sneakers

The partnership between New Balance and Aimé Leon Dore is nothing short of a love match. After five years of stylish collaborations, the pair have again finished the year with another sneaker release. When these two brands work together the result will be trendy, exclusive, and practical. Although the pairing has only been around for half a decade, the brands have successfully released sneaker after sneaker that encapsulates both brands perfectly. New Balance and Aimé Leon Dore are returning to one of their very first partnerships for what might be their last collaboration of the year. Reviving the very first shoe of their collaboration, both brands have updated the silhouette to showcase just how far the East Coast-based brands have come. 
Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 997

Returning to the Made in the USA 997, Aimé Leon Dore and New Balance are remixing their original collaborative sneaker for a more colorful design. Using mixed materials, multi-colored silhouettes, suede overlays, and mesh underlays the sneaker boasts a more refined yet fun look than its predecessor. The ENCAP midsole and rubber outsole complete the design giving the sneaker a premium look from the inside out. Along with the multi-colored sneaker, the pair have released numerous clothing items that pair perfectly with the footwear. Donning colors like olive green, red, yellow, and blue, this sneaker is anything but subtle or minimalist. Available via Aimé Leon Dore’s web store, the sneaker retails for $220. While the collaboration between Aimé Leon Dore and New Balance doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon, their newest sneaker drop is the perfect culmination of five years of style and iconic silhouettes.

Read more