Owner/Writer
Three friends built an old fashioned general store.... online... for men. It's called Cloak & Dapper. The three friends are Calvin Cearley Jr., NBA Nee Orleans Hornets' Ryan Anderson and Orlando restauranteur and brand firm owner Kaleb Harrell.
For those who don't like to choose from 30 pairs of jeans, this shop has done all the leg work for you. They offer essentials each season. Says founder Calvin Cearley, Jr, "We like to say you basically need to own one of everything we have. There's no redundancy at C&D. Each piece stands alone and fills a basic manly need."
I've been looking for a place to fill my basic manly needs.
The website is like a personal shopper. They've done the browsing and present you with what they've found. Buy one of each and come back next season for more. Simple. Easy. Less choices to make.
Since last July, Ceaerley has been doing research, contacting hundreds of designers, American-made men's clothing companies and product makers. They started populating the inventory piece by piece.
The brand is present even in the packaging. Every package is hand wrapped in thick kraft paper, tied up with real thick Jute Twine and accompanied by a handwritten packing slip.
They don't manufacture themselves, but they are looking into it for 2014. They do carry exclusive collaborations with companies. The ones for summer include Ebbets Field Vintage, Walnut Leather Goods and Emgie Libris Handmade Books.
Cloak & Dapper go brick & mortar store sometime after a a pop up store test-run for 2-4 weeks Fall 2013. Cearey says the branding, website and packaging hint at that, "kind of like we're winking at the future."
Here are some products coming to the site in the near future:
Here are some products coming to the site in the near future:
- Handcrafted Leather Toothpick Holders
- Screen printed Cloak & Dapper graphic tshirts
- Khaki Wash Tellason Denim
- Hand stitched Leather Business Card Holders
- Found-Material Pocket Squares and Handkerchiefs (limited run)