OAK+FORT showcases a sweet harmony of style and comfort to cater to the needs of the fashion-forward, everyday man.
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There is an ongoing myth in this industry that fashion does not equate with function. For years, sartorial enthusiasts have been relegated to the restrictions and limitations of a nonexistent law ruling that one need be uncomfortable in order to look good. We, and the folks over at OAK +FORT, would like to put that rumor to rest. In fact, comfort is the very foundation that the Edmonton-born brand sits upon. The fledgling company, with its Gastown (Vancouver) and Whyte Avenue (Edmonton) locations, uses comfort and style as mantras in its overall brand philosophy. “When men are comfortable in their attire, it radiates confidence, and when you showcase confidence, people feed off that energy,” says Amaly Narong, OAK+FORT’s brand representative. We couldn’t agree more. As men, comfort is a factor that we place on a pedestal high above others in order to get through the day. With a design aesthetic comparable to that of Alexander Wang or perhaps a very laissez-faire, distant cousin of Calvin Klein, OAK+FORT’s offerings speak large volumes about the brand, itself. Chic minimalism, classic lines, and trendless pieces are the remaining pillars that help to lift the company above others. However, these values and principles are ones that also extend past the brand’s physical offerings in order to create a vision, like any proper lifestyle brand. Waltzing into their Whyte Avenue location, one cannot help but notice that the minimalistic qualities found in the company’s apparel are also present throughout the entire store – evidence of a brand that knows exactly what it’s doing and who it caters to.
