Parker & Pine

With August already upon us it’s been a pretty chill summer we hope yours was filled with festivals galore, Baseball games, day drinking on patios, & cottage relaxation! This summer we launched our SS15 Collection we’ve stepped up our fabric game from tencel, into bamboo that will keep you cool during the long summer days & warm during the bonfire nights. 

Here are some of the benefits of our Bamboo collection:

Temperature regulating (cooler during summer and warmer during winter)

Longer inseam to prevent chafing (9” vs 6” tencel boxer briefs)

Moisture absorbent & wicking

UV protection and anti bacterial

Slimmer Waistband

Anti-rising (extra binding at the bottom)

This collection also comes in an array of colours ranging from coral red to seafoam green! 

Happy Shopping 

I'm Dave Ritter and I play keys in The Strumbellas. If I'm not touring or beating the crap out of my tambourine, I'm probably working on my English PhD at the University of Toronto. I like being what a friend once called "an executive-sized gentleman", especially when I'm on stage dancing and jumping and generally doing things big guys aren't supposed to do. I'm pretty sure I could beat the rest of my band members in a fight but don't tell them I said that. 

We are super excited to have David as a Parker & Pine Brand Ambassador he embodies everything we stand for as a brand. Not only is he killing it on tour with his band the Strumbella’s, David is also a very gifted writer. We’ll be featuring some of his written work on the blog in the next coming weeks. Stay tuned! 

Aaron is an example to a lot of men out there who are pursuing the things they love, while also making a name for themselves in their respective careers. How we came to know Aaron was through the power of social media, we’ve heard of his music & has played alongside big heavyweights in the electronica music scene with Toronto’s own elaquent & Shlomo. We’re looking forward to what Aaron will be posting this week!

With Spring transitioning into Summer, new changes are abound! We’ve taken a break from our #MOTM and have teamed up with some influential guys to showcase their lifestyles and how they wear their Parker & Pine for a week. We introduce our first Brand Ambassador Aaron Fisher also known as No Sir E When he’s not making the crowd swoon over his hypnotic sound waves at night he’s a credit analyst by day. 

‘My name is Aaron, I'm from Delaware, and if I'm not somewhere chomping on a donut then I'm usually in a dive bar making electronic noises as NO SIR E. I'm best described as LLL: large, lax, and laughable. I am a former improv comedian/former pizza delivery guy. I am also 6'8" tall. Fun fact: about 10 years ago Cal Ripken made a joke about how tall I was and it's taken me 10 years to finally think of a comeback for that.’

Our Man of the Month April is Stubbs Edge

Stubbs is 34, lives in South Wales UK and is one half of online shop www.charityshoprealness.com which focus on a shared passion of thrift. He runs the menswear section by putting outfits together from his finds, pairing them with new and. vintage pieces together to create an array of unique looks. His style is inspired by characters from the prohibition era. His personal style icon is Gregory Porter whom to Stubb’s proves that big men can be super stylish and sexy.

Stubbs exemplifies the Parker & Pine man, to read more about this month’s #MOTM check out his interview below! 

1. How would you describe your style?

My style is definitely evolving, as I get older, I've become much smarter. I would describe my taste as very eclectic, I like to think what I wear sums up who I am as a person. In a sentence: punk rock, artist, bird watcher and explorer.

2. Do you let the trends influence your personal style choices?

No not at all, I am interested in fashion and trends, but I don't think they influence what I choose to buy or wear in the slightest.

3. What is your favourite item of clothing & why?

I have this pair of boots I found in a charity shop in The Mumbles, which is a very special place to me anyway. They are like Chelsea boots come work boots come brogues. They were £5, I loved them so much I wore them until the soles wore through and even paid to have them resoled.

4. Is there a particular item of clothing that you cannot find in your size that you wish would be available?

I am a very unusual size, my waist is over 10 inches bigger than my leg length, so buying trousers is ridiculous they just don't make trousers to fit me properly. This really restricts where I can buy trousers, and jeans is just a no really. I also find boxers here just don't fit me, I'm at about the biggest you can get in chain store sizes and they just don't fit.

5. If you could have dinner with any famous person (dead or alive) who would you choose? and why?

Johnny Cash, there is no other choice. I could sit and listen to him talk and tell stories, while we enjoy a nice dinner and then some good sipping whiskey. He came from very little, he never forgot where he came from, he became very famous, whilst still remaining true, he also changed and evolved to stay current; Whilst overcoming many personal and professional obstacles. For me he is the a true idol and inspiration.

6. What would be your dream job?

I have a passion for wildlife and the outdoors. I want to work in conservation education, teaching young people about nature in the hope of conserving it for future generations.

7. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Gandhi once said "Be the change you wish to see in the world" it has recently become my mantra. If you want there to be less litter, go out and pick up litter. (It's all getting a bit miss worldy now)

That or the lyrics:

"Stand your ground and don't back down, that's the only way to win, and if life throws a punch son, you gotta take it on the chin."

By my dear friend William Elliott Whitmore.

To see more of Stubb’s style check out the links below: 

charityshoprealness.com 

Instagram: @stubbybear

Dove has been known to hit their audience right in the heart when it comes to their campaigns that leave you with all the feels.  Dove recently released their #ChooseBeautiful campaign which features two doors that various women can walk through. One of which has the word “average” over it, the other ‘beautiful’. The commercial begins with women all beautiful in their own right walking through the average door, along with their explanations to why they walked through those doors. As it progresses more women walk through the beautiful doors. It is a simple message, with a huge impact. Living in western society, we have become accustomed to a set ideal of what is beautiful through physical attributes.

This was released right after Lane Bryant launched their #ImNoAngel which takes a light hearted dig to Victoria Secret’s Angel campaigns, using the black and white vignette, and voice overs from the models was reminiscent of Victoria Secret signature commercials.

We are in the midst of a cultural shift, where all bodies are becoming celebrated. The message loud and clear to stop worrying about ‘society standards’ are and to start loving yourself. It took a long while to get the conversation going. With that said the conversation solely focusing on women’s fashion. One of the challenges we face as a plus size men’s fashion company is that plus size men’s fashion often times get overlooked, the conversation has started but it is quiet. As a brand we aim to bring fashion and functionality to big men. The word plus size shouldn’t just stick to one type of imagery. Just like women, men come in various sizes and forms and our goal is to bring this to light starting with covering the basics. 

So let’s start talking, tell us what you think about these campaigns, we’d love to hear from you!

DX3 Canada 2015 - The Digital Marketing Advertising Retail Conference

Last week we had the pleasure of attending the two day DX3 Canada conference at the Metro Convention Centre. The atmosphere was bustling with good energy, everyone & anyone that works within the digital marketing industry was there and ready to network. As a startup company networking is a crucial aspect of the business, to meet and interact not only your peers but with potential clients. There were numerous seminars that happened throughout the days featuring speakers that were leaders in their digital marketing, and retail niches from Airbnb, Reddit, Shazam, MEC, to zipcar! Topics ranging from ‘how digital is changing major purchase decisions’ to ‘how to innovate retail’  Overall this event was great, not only did we take in a great deal of new found digital knowledge but this conference offered a face to face connection with those who forefront our favourite online forums.