Retail happenings: Buck Mason delivers summer's 'ultimate T-shirt,' Gucci keeps guys on-trend with customizable sneakers

By Kavita Daswani

June 8, 2017 12:10 PM PT

Gentlemen, these are for you. Check out the ultimate summer T-shirt, several manly-man accessories, personalized luxury sneakers and luggage that does everything but pack itself.

The summer tee for L.A.

Last month, hometown brand Buck Mason launched what co-founders Sasha Koehn and Erik Allen Schnakenberg describe as “the ultimate T-shirt for summers in Los Angeles.” The 4-year-old brand, which has stores in Venice and Silver Lake, is known for its clean, streamlined aesthetic, and the label has transferred that sensibility to its new Costa tee. The $42 crew-neck shirt is made from ultra-light Supima cotton, known for its softness and breathability.

“We wanted to create something that could be worn to work or to do errands and easily go under a jacket for evening,” Koehn said. In the first week that the Costa tee launched in mid-May, it became a top seller in Buck Mason’s expansive collection of jeans, shirts, jackets and sweats.

“The reaction has been surprisingly incredible,” said Schnakenberg, adding that the most popular colors have been Pacific blue and black. The shirt, which also comes in white and gray, can be purchased at Buck Mason stores and buckmason.com.

Giving papa a brand new bag

The original idea behind new men’s accessory brand Sherpapa Supply Co. was to fashion modern, sophisticated bags that were an alternative to flowery nylon sacks in which dads toted around baby gear.

However, non-dads have taken to the bags as well, said Zach McDuffie, who co-founded the Laguna Beach-based line with actor Matthew Morrison. “Women have such an appreciation for bags,” he said. “We wanted to design a line that would be stylish for men — for anything they do.”

The multi-purpose bags (ideal for carrying around work or travel items, tools or gym clothes) feature bridle leather handles and solid brass hardware, and they are made from waxed or heavy-duty canvas.

McDuffie said the idea for the line, which also includes T-shirts, hats and bandannas, came about after he and his wife had their daughter 2 ½ years ago, and he was seeking sleeker options to the traditional diaper bag. The bags retail from $175 to $259 and are available at gilt.com and sherpapa.com.

Gucci keeps guys on-trend

Customizable fashion is on-trend, and Gucci could be considered a true standout in the fray with its new Ace Patch sneakers, launched last month. The luxe leather sneaker, also available in a high-top version, allows for appliques to be attached and detached, creating dozens of new styles, including several that are seriously blinged-out.

Gucciphiles can choose from crystal panthers, a UFO or signature Gucci tiger head, to name a few. (The shoe style and patches are available for men and women.) The sneakers are priced between $695 and $1,100, and the patches from $220 to $350; available at gucci.com.

High-tech luggage pops up at the Grove

When “smart luggage” brand Raden launched its pale pink version, some 2,500 people were on the wait list for it, and not all of them were women.

“We’re seeing men buying non-traditional colors, taking more risks with their products,” said Josh Udashkin, chief executive of the 15-month-old brand. “I realized there was a market for alternative colors when I saw straight-laced banker types wearing bold, flashy headphones instead of the regular white earphones.”

The New York brand is having its first Los Angeles pop-up until June 28 at the Grove, coinciding with its debut and more permanent offering at the center’s Nordstrom store. (Look for Raden’s rainbow-themed pop-up installation to celebrate Pride Month. Also Raden and Caruso, developer of the Grove, will donate 20% of proceeds from the pop-up shop to L.A.-based Outfest, an organization dedicated to telling LGBTQ stories on-screen.)

Raden’s pop-up will offer the brand’s full range of 13 colors, including new red and purple selections, for its carry-on and check-in luggage, which can recharge devices and, through an app, weigh themselves. Despite the fascination with the brights and pastels, Udashkin said that the most popular colors remain black and navy matte. The carry-on is $295, while the check-in suitcase is $395. Selections are also available at raden.com.