TOGETHER LOVES: Barkers Suiting re-engineered

Barkers have re-engineered their core suit offering, purposely designing it from the inside out to bring you the best in tailoring…

Woven from pure New Zealand ZQ merino wool that perfectly regulates your body’s temperature, they have also added stretch shoulder panels, bringing added wear-ability.

What suiting styles can you recommend for weddings and events happening in the next 6 months?

Our new New Zealand ZQ suiting Collection is made with the highest quality traceable yarn. This suiting can be versatile so dressed up for formal occasions and for work. They are classic, transcend time and perfect for any occasion. Leading into summer Linen blends or relaxed cotton suiting allows for a perfect summer weights to enjoy the outdoor celebration.

If someone wants to incorporate colour into their wedding day ensemble how can they do this?

Accessories, socks, ties are the best ways to incorporate colour on your wedding day and our selection of New Zealand Made Parisian products made with Liberty of London cotton fabrics or Italian silks are perfect vehicles for this. Just remember to keep it elegant and match the bridal party, it is not only what your suit looks like on the day, but also in the photos in 5 years’ time which matter.

Andy – Buying Manager and Mike – Senior Buyer at Barkers Menswear

Can you tell us a bit about the Barker’s suiting service? What can a future groom and his groomsmen expect when they come to see you?

The suiting service is tailored to the wedding party. Give yourself a enough time so to relax and enjoy the experience. If you’ve already chosen one – bring the shirt you are wearing under the suit, belt and shoes (or choose from Barkers wide range in store. We like to invite the party to enjoy the experience, look over fabrics, take time to try on options to give a comparison and create a sense of discovery. Let us know what the occasion is for, a bit about your lifestyle, and your personality. Having trust in the tailor is paramount. Our tailors are specialist in making you look good, bring a sense of fun and open to the experience.

Where do you find inspiration for your suiting collections?

New Zealand is connected yet isolated from the rest of the world. We wanted to take the best of British and Italian tailoring, tech elements of Japanese, and bring it into a New Zealand environment for the New Zealand man. Relaxed, elegant, comfortable and made for the New Zealand bloke is important for us. It was also important to me that this be accessible and everything from the fibres to the end product has our ethos. The ZQ Merino is our building block, and our look towards the breakdown of casual and work attire. Softer construction, items which can be worn as separates, it is about versatility for the customers wardrobe especially in an environment where we are buying more selective and better with an eye on its environmental foot print.

Can you tell us a little more about your ZQ Merino and why it’s properties work so well for suiting?

As a brand built on the highest quality New Zealand natural fibres, we remain passionately committed to the sustainability and treatment of our environment. A good suit starts at the farm, you need amazing raw materials. New Zealand ZQ Merino is ethical, sustainable, and traceable to source. We believe in knowing where your suit is from, and this also comes down to the fibre, ZQ Wool is the world’s leading standard of ethical Merino- only growers who meet strict standards of animal welfare, environmental sustainability, fibre quality, traceability, and social responsibility. It is simply the finest Merino. Merino is naturally thermoregulating, making it warm in winter and cool in summer, it is wrinkle resistant, odour resistant and has a natural elasticity and softness which creates a beautiful lustre on the suiting. We have added stretch panels on the inner shoulder lining for ease of movement, to make this the best, most comfortable suit you will own.

What is your personal favourite suit this season and what would you pair with it?

Our new perennial classic Mayfair suit – it is made with ethical and tracible New Zealand ZQ Merino, can be work for occasions, work, or dressed with merino knit and tees for a more casual approach.

Andy – Buying Manager and Mike – Senior Buyer at Barkers Menswear

View their collection here, and Instagram here.