Picture this: It's the early nineteenth century, and men are looking for base layer that’s actually comfortable. Enter the Henley, a collarless number with a placket of buttons down the front. This small tweak provided a breath of fresh air (literally) from the undershirts that men were previously accustomed to. Want to know how it came to be a staple of menswear and a BMC crowd-favourite? Sounds like it’s time for a little history lesson. So… here it is. The history of the Henley.

They say it’s all about the company you keep, which is why we’re stoked when the opportunity arises for us to partner with likeminded brands and businesses. We recently caught up with Simon, co-founder and director of Huski, one of the many epic brands you’ll find on the Barkers shelves, to talk business and life. We’re all about balance here.

If you ask us, there’s never been a better time to clear out your closet. Our Wool Take Back Programme is your chance at a 'see you later' rather than a final goodbye to your unwanted knitwear. You’ll be playing your part in keeping it from ending up in landfill, an absolute win for circulatory. Plus, the whole process is happening right here in New Zealand.

Earlier this month we were lucky enough to spend some time with Aidan Bartlett, friend of Barkers and CEO of Designer Wardrobe. Catching up at their office over on the sunny North Shore, we settled in to hear his take on being a CEO of a start-up, how he’s finding being back at work after a summer that never really showed up, and what exciting plans the team at DW have on the horizon.

One of our favourite natural textiles, high-quality wool is warm, breathable and soft to the touch. We mainly use it for knitwear and suiting. Due to the more delicate nature of its fibre and the construction of knitted items, woollens require particular care be taken when washing and drying. Make sure you’re especially gentle with garments made from merino and cashmere wool. Woollen suits should always be dry-cleaned.

Wash Sparingly

Wool is a natural fibre

Earlier this month we checked in with local legend and friend of the business, Paddy Gower. Hitting up our Ponsonby store so that the man, the myth, the legend himself could fill in the gaps of his “back to work” kit, we caught up with PG to hear all about life in the fast lane that is journalism.

Earlier this month we stopped by the Triumph and Disaster store to check in with their founder Dion Nash, a local legend and friend to Barkers. Knowing that one man’s 9-5 is completely different to another’s – we were excited to hear about what a day in the life of Dion holds, as well as getting a little more well-acquainted so that we can introduce you to the man behind your favourite grooming products.

For 50 years Barkers has served New Zealand men, evolving together with each passing decade as tastes changed and palates evolved. And with any occasion, it's worth taking time to reflect on the continuous hard work and commitment we've collectively made.