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All posts by Robert Smart Menswear

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Smarts Of York in the news for their 50th Anniversary

The first year of trading at ‘Man at Ease’, 19 New Street, was the most enjoyable and satisfying of my business life. Having people crossing the threshold, myself being friendly, also patient to ensure they return for a second purchase was the aim. To build the stock as well as relationships, both most important.

Towards the latter part of the second year, 23 Lendal (opposite G.P.O) became vacant. The tall, slim, glass-fronted unit (as today) caught my imagination for a younger trendier trade naming “Easy Guy”, on the way to becoming a multiple.

In the early seventies, I opened two further shops in Low Petergate; Squire at 43, and the first under my own name at 67. This street was secondary then, but great future potential with the route from the Minister to the Shambles. By the mid-decade the penny dropped! Why keep leasing with renewals and reviews every year? Be your own landlord, buy a freehold. Yes, good fortune prevailed with the purchase of 61/63 Low Petergate, although any refurbishment was on hold.

During the early sixties, the council removed number 59 Low Petergate because it was structurally unsafe. They then created a small amenity area with paving, bench and grass, down Grape Lane, becoming ‘Buskers Corner’. The idea to bring back number 59 started to formulate, followed by an approach to the planning department on a design to tempt the council into selling the land. The wrap-round building would mirror that on the corner of Stonegate and Low Petergate. All was accepted by central government with permission then being given for the sale of the council-owned land.

The cost of a rounded corner that rose four storeys was not commercially sound, but right for the council, Low Petergate and York. The amount of money for building, interior fittings and stock was a high figure, but a number of manufacturers and suppliers assisted in many ways. In August 1982 the doors opened on another chapter, whilst earlier the doors closed on ‘Easy Guy’, ‘Man at Ease’ and ‘Squire’. The original smaller Robert Smart unit (at 67) lost its formal side, gaining a country feel which exists today as ‘Smart Country’ (now at 65).

In the nineties, named brand designers were back in a big way, so a decision was made to give number 59 its own identity; Mannix. This was to become a younger, more forward-thinking, fashionable division to the business, which continued until 2014, when it was realigned to Robert Smart Menswear (61/63).

That’s the bricks and mortar of the business over fifty years. The next issue highlights the next generation of the Smart Family. Also, some of the staff members who gave much support over the years in contributing to the success of our independent menswear business.

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Holland Esquire

Holland Esquire at Robert Smart Menswear in York, one of the uk’s finest tailoring companies. renowned tailor Nick Holland started the company in 2001 and  pays the finest attention to detail on every aspect of the design from the fit to the exquisite detail and styling to the selection of the finest fabrics available across the world.

Many of the fabrics thatHolland Esquire use are specifically designed and are unique to Holland Esquire.Holland Esquire jackets are all of a slim fitting block however they offer alternative fits for different body shapes and looks. AllHolland Esquire products are made in very limited numbers meaning exclusivity in design but does mean that limited numbers and sizes are available in all stock.

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Bugatti, News, Robert Smart, Robert Smart

Bugatti

Bugatti at Robert Smart Menswear in York

Bugatti shirts, umbrellas, leather goods, underwear, belts, socks, shoes, leather jackets, hats, cell phone bags, bedding and home textiles.The accessories and licensed products complete the Bugatti outfits and products from the Bed & Bath round out the Bugatti world.

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Brax

Brax trousers autumn/winger 2016 range available at Robert Smart Menswear in York.  Robert Smart of York stocks a range of Brax clothing. Colours, light and breeziness are theme of Brax’s spring/summer 2013 collection at Robert Smart in York. Reserved or boasting colour flash – the jackets in the Brax Outdoor collection at Robert Smart in York are crafted to live up to any demand. The must-haves of the extensive colour spectrum include faded hues such as stone, brass, orange and olive, as well as the new summer highlight red. The colours new blue and aqua are also new to the palette, just like the key summer 2013 colour: yellow, in shades ranging to mustard. Non-colours – light khaki, taupe and beige – add a calm counterpoint. READ MORE

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Barbour International Triumph

Barbour International Triumph at Robert Smart Menswear in York – genuine and original, this is a collection for biker aficionados. With a simple colour palette of black and grey, the collection features washed and distressed wax jackets with a lived-in authentic look. Knits are chunky and rugged and premium tees are washed and bleached.

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Peregrine

Peregrine clothing now available at Robert Smart Menswear in York is a family business that has been manufacturing wool knitwear in England since 1901. One hundred years on and Peregrine is one of the few UK manufacturers remaining. Mixing classic British styling with fresh and exciting designs it creates vintage jumpers and traditional English clothing for all generations. Peregrine uses only 100% Merino Wool and all garments are made in England.

Peregrine is the brand name of J G Glover & Co Ltd, an original UK manufacturer from Leicester with over 200 years’ experience in producing quality, crafted knitwear in England.

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New ranges of D1 Milano watches

New ranges of watches at Robert Smart Menswear York from D1 Milano

What started as a marketing thesis quickly made its way as one of the fastest growing brands in the luxury industry. D1 Milano is pronounced The One and it is a luxury fashion accessory brand born in Milan during the 2013 Edition of Milano Fashion Week.

Born from the bond of friendship and hard work, D1 Milano was the result of a Marketing Thesis for Bocconi University made by Dario Spallone who currently heads the company with long time friends Alessandro Pedersoli and Mattia Bodini who joined forces with Alessia, Dario’s sister, to revolutionize the World of Watches.

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Christmas 2016

Robert Smart Menswear and Smart Country wish all our customers a wonderful Christmas and new year. Don’t forget to pop in and view our ranges to buy the perfect gifts for your loved ones, our range of accessories and clothes would make wonderful presents!!

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News

Osvaldo Trucchi shirts are available at Robert Smart Menswear in York.

Osvaldo Trucchi shirts are available at Robert Smart Menswear in York.

The Florentine designer Osvaldo Trucchi began his history in the fashion world in the early 1980’ies working in the best-known fashion stores in Florence in that period, Oliver and Gerard, after his graduation at the School of Arts. In those years Florence was a very bright place for new fashion ideas and this surroundings gave Osvaldo the opportunity to really begin his fashion career: the Oliver store launched his own label and Osvaldo was the designer of this men total look who obtained immediately success in the Italian fashion scene of that moment.

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Elliot Rhodes belts and buckles now at Robert Smart Menswear

Bespoke and innovative, Elliot Rhodes  create beautiful luxury leather belts and buckles in a wide variety of colours, textures and styles to suit all tastes and are available in Robert Smart Menswear York. Over the last nine years, Elliot Rhodes has become the go-to belt and buckle making brand, renowned for a wide variety of handmade designs. All their belts are designed in the UK and made exclusively to their exacting specifications. Unique to their offer is the interchangeable system which gives their customers the freedom to choose a belt strap of their desired width, colour and finish and match with one or more buckles to reflect their personal style.

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Digel suits now at Robert Smart Menswear

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Digel, a new mainline German suit/jacket company, is an international fashion label with an innovative vision and a creative spirit. Our high standards of service and sustainability govern our actions – day in, day out.
Digel’s target group is individualists with a sense of quality for whom confidence of style and affordable contemporary clothing for every occasion are essential.

Digel’s range of suits and jackets are now available at Robert Smart Menswear in York.

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Robert Smart Opening Times

09.00 am to 5.30 pm - Monday to Saturday

11.00 am to 4.30 pm - Sunday

10.00 am to 5.00 pm - Bank Holidays

Smart Country Opening Times

09.00 am to 5.30 pm Monday to Saturday

11.00 am to 4.30 pm Sunday

 

10.00 am  to  5.00 pm Bank Holidays

Robert Smart Menswear

59-63 Low Petergate
York
YO1 7HY

Smart Country

65 Low Petergate
York
YO1 7HY

info@robertsmartmenswear.co.uk

T: 01904 652718
F: 01904 636813

Branding and web design Yorkshire by Feel Design

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