99 Problems but a Stitch Ain’t One

Dear Arc’teryx,

Stop making bizarre-looking, futuristic concept clothing and start using your fine tailoring and technology to save us Washington, DC professionals from the weather—just like you do for mountain climbers and the armed forces alike.

Right now you’re following down the path of Nau—the ill-fated eco-brand started by well-intentioned Patagonia refugees. A great concept poorly executed. They too created drab, lifeless clothing (and still do, I believe). I’m sure the aesthetic aspects of your Veilance designs are suitable to someone, but I think it’s diluting your brand and not staying true to your mission. As my friend Pete Hult says: “Sure, they get a designer’s creative juices flowing and remove traditional design barriers, but they are not grounded in usability.” And what is Arc’teryx about if it’s not about usability?

You obviously do an exceptional job with technical wear. I personally own your Alpha SV jacket, Alpha SV gloves, Beta AR pants and Bird Cap. So I know what you’re capable of. The Alpha SV jacket is better tailored than my Burberry suits. Each of your technical products is an exceptional piece of equipment—which I, like many of your core customers, push to the limits of design and functionality.

Why then can’t you help me out when I’m not climbing mountains? Instead of high-concept, how about real-life. The extremes of Washington, DC weather offer day-to-day challenges to one’s wardrobe that Arc’teryx would understand better than Zenga or Tom Ford. Let’s get practical.

As a “humid subtropical climate zone,” the summer brings piping heat with average daily relative humidity of about 66%—standard business wear doesn’t cut it. In a wool suit I’m toast. Sure, I can supplement my business attire with linens, cottons and seersucker, but that only goes so far. And then in the winter, howling winds cut right through you. That same humidity makes walking through frosty air akin to plunging into an ice bath. Tweed can only get you so far, especially when moving back and forth from street to boardroom, cab to bar.

As a point of reference, prior to air conditioning, Washington, DC was actually considered a hardship posting by the British Foreign Office. It’s diplomats received hazard pay for living here. As noted in a current British expat guide: “Summer remains ferociously hot and humid outdoors, and icy cold in the ubiquitous air-conditioned indoors.” In the old days, the British at least allowed their diplomats to dress down in these conditions, in an outfit consisting of shorts, knee-high socks and lighter threads over all. How my colleagues and I envy the idea at times.

Enter Arc’teryx.

Arc’teryx has fabrics and technology that would make standard work clothes more bearable to wear in the summer months—lighter, wicking, breathable. Same goes for the winter. I don't necessarily need a thick coat most times, but a little wind-stopper in my suit jacket would go a long way. To have a durable, well-constructed ensemble that looked and felt to the touch like a fine suit, yet accommodated realistic climatic conditions and fashion trends would truly be something to behold.

The only company I see out there doing anything like this is Rapha, which makes exquisitely designed clothing—partnering with Paul Smith for some pieces. However, Rapha serves its niche cycling market. I see opportunity on a broader scale—a creative, technical approach to business attire beginning with the fabric that complements Arc’teryx’s brand attributes and extends it’s brand identity among those who could be in its non-core sportswear user group, as well as in decision-maker positions for its specialty products.

This is Washington, DC. We got 99 problems. Don’t let a stitch be one.