The Buck Stops Here- The Mason Way

Hi!

I figured that the best place to find a beginning to all this would be Buck Mason- a place where I was able to find my first beginning in the fashion world. If you didn't know, which would make sense since you don't know me well yet, I began working at THE Buck Mason (!). When I mention "Buck Mason" to friends and colleagues who don't work with me, I am often get responses like "oh that's cool" or "what's Buck Mason?" Here is what I have learned and why you should make this brand your lifestyle too.

Since I had a 5 day onboarding process about everything the brand has to offer, sell, and the places its going, I just knew that this would be the absolute best place to share my new knowledge of styling through basics and neutrals to the importance of well-made and cared for clothing (and also nerd out about Buck Mason cause duh).

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Part 1: The Brand and Where it Began

Buck Mason Knitting Mills and some creators behind the craft

Buck Mason began in a 350-square-foot garage in California by a woman and man named Sasha Koehn and Erik Allen Ford. While it may have started as just mens wear with one type of jean and a tee (the women collection recently added in 2021), there was always the idea

A side note: Everything about this brand and the people that I have already had the pleasure to work with have been nothing but the most kind and sincere group in retail I have ever encountered. It really does feel like walking into a family full of laid back yet passionate individuals that want to give customers the best experience they could possibly have. This process of joining the team has created some amazing new challenges for me within my personal knowledge of fashion and styling and also how best to communicate with people that can also be exemplary to the brand.

to create timeless and "quality crafted" pieces that were made to last. As the brand evolved and expanded, the goal was to always create mindfully with a touch of nostalgia for the past.

“Our aim is for our clothing to outlive us. Not just in that it lasts a lifetime but that it will stand the test of time. We’ve dedicated ourselves to crafting garments that are not only impeccably constructed but also timeless in their design. (Buck Mason)

At the heart of everything about Buck Mason is "unclouded California ethos of quality, restraint, and integrity" (Buck Mason). By offering fashion that is less complicated, it gives everyone more liberty to have fun and be curious about styling.

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Part 2: All Things Clothes and Creation

All clothing styles are made with the "golden age" of time in mind, meaning that beautiful clothing transitions from the 1940s-70s (I'm partial to everything from the 60s-70s, including music, which also helped me become so drawn to this company haha).

Knitting Mills

Knitting Mills

Every t-shirt you select at any Buck Mason store is crafted with the utmost love and dedication. Buck Mason operates its own original 50s-60s knitting mill in Pennsylvania. The fabric used for these shirts is of the highest quality, sourced from farmers in Texas, Georgia, and California, and produced on original machines that create the most authentic and premium garment possible in a t-shirt. That being said, they are designed to endure and be loved. It's truly remarkable that while white tees are available everywhere, not all are made with the same care that Buck Mason invests—from the mills they source to the meticulous crafting of each shirt. This isn’t fast fashion; it’s intentional, enduring design meant to be worn, lived in, and make you feel like the best version of yourself.

Knitting Machine at the PA Mill

Feel Good Look Good

There’s something truly magical about witnessing individuals embark on their journey of self-discovery through fashion. Each time I have the pleasure of working with someone to refine or build their personal style, I am continually amazed by how they uncover a newfound love for items they never thought they would gravitate towards. My heart bursts with joy as I show the wonderful pieces we have in store for the season, and it fills me with pride (and even my own confidence) to see them embrace new pieces with such enthusiasm.

While it’s wonderful to have them choose items from BM, the best part is watching them explore and identify what pieces do and do not resonate with them. That's nothing short of EXTRAORDINARY! It’s a transformative experience to witness someone, who may have walked in unsure of their preferences, confidently select a pair of pants, a button-down shirt, and maybe some loafers for fun—like finding the perfect key that unlocks the door to their unique style. People come in everyday wanting to find their style and what they look best in. In my (perhaps slightly biased) opinion, BM is the ideal place to begin this journey and the easiest place to go upward in a fashion expedition. The exhilaration of finding something new is liberating, and it has the power to elevate an outfit tenfold. Together, we are not just curating looks; we are creating confidence and a new love for clothes one stylish choice at a time.

Buck Mason in my hometown, where I fell in love with the brand and had so many amazing experiences. This stylish spot, known for its new coffee shop, is my favorite location by far :p

Part 3: Where to Begin

First, take wherever you are now in your fashion knowledge and lock in. Then, dive into your closet and pull out those favorite pieces that you can't resist. Whether you choose to style them in various ways or wear them as they are (because they’re already the best purchases you've ever made), these will always be your base items. Next, gather your most basic essentials- think white tees, neutral tanks, and your favorite jeans- and have them all on display like your in the Met Gallery. Great! At this point, you can go one of two ways:

1.) Pause and consider why you just turned your closet into a chaotic fashion exploration, and reflect on what this adventure means for you

OR

2.) Enjoy the mess and embrace your inner stylist and start mixing and matching. The more unexpected the combination, the more likely you are to discover something that showcases your unique style and curated collection of clothes.

I'm going to include some of my favorite BM that that are my current base items (and yes they can change constantly! There is no rule book)

Check out @fashionablyabroad to see some outfits!

Don't expect this journey to be linear in any way. I can confidently admit that I once wore plaid pink, yellow, and white Bermuda shorts, a headband stretched to fill the entire top of head just the way I liked, and whatever shirt looked best at the time. I can also say that in third grade, I could be seen sporting unbrushed hair that reached my waist with a blue and green feather hanging on for dear life. This journey is far from perfect and looks different for everyone- each person is following their own path. It's time to begin a new chapter of fashion and styling and enjoy the ride.

Love,

Sophie