Out with the (c)OLD! and in with 30% off spring styles 🌷🌷 SHOP SPRING CLEANING
When Jackson Hides founded PRGRSS in 2020, it was with the lofty goal of being the most progressive menswear store in the world. Progressive meaning: conscientious, sustainable, impactful. Not only do they offer an amazing edit of clothing shoes and accessories, but they’re also intentional about partnering with like-minded brands. They get granular when it comes to eco-conscious packaging and shipping. And they share their success through charitable giving to underserved communities. So how much progress has PRGRSS made? Jackson fills us in on the business ethos and all the best trends, below.
What is your favorite part about the neighborhood you're located in?
Although PRGRSS is an online store, I’ve lived in Melbourne all my life and have a great affinity with the city. The studio is based in a suburb called Fitzroy North, which is also where I live. I love a few things about this area, but what stands out most to me is how the neighborhood is constantly abuzz with new happenings. There are heaps of galleries and it feels as though old shop fronts are getting converted into bars or cafes every other week. There’s a real sense of moving forward in this neighborhood—and, without leaning too heavily into the progress play on words, it feels very in sync with what PRGRSS is trying to achieve from a retail perspective.
How do you go about curating designers for the store?
PRGRSS was unashamedly started with the goal of being the most progressive retailer in the world, so the brands that I approach to work with are an extension of that goal. Although I don’t try to be elitist or snobby with our curation, it’s incredibly important that they reflect the values that PRGRSS holds dear.
The paradox of sustainable fashion is something that I’m constantly struggling with. Although the seasonal calendar and order minimums are problematic (especially to small stores like PRGRSS), there is a comfort in knowing that the brands that we work with are doing really cool things to minimize their wastage, whether it be through research and development, sustainably sourced fabrics, biodegradable packaging, or upcycling deadstock fabrics. When you shop, purchasing quality goods from a store like PRGRSS should act as a co-sign to knowing that the people involved give a shit.
What is on your current shop playlist?
Like so many creative endeavours, music is a massive part of the day-to-day life of PRGRSS Store. Every month or so, we’ll put a new mix up on Spotify and that’s the easiest way to see what we’re listening to. It’s incredibly varied and the mixes generally cover everything from deep house, contemporary classical, jazz, 2000s pop, metal, Aussie pop rock, and even Irish ballads and musical showtunes.
I normally make them with the help of my brother, who works in the music industry. They’re definitely mixes you could put on at a dinner party full of strangers and at least one song would appeal to every guest. But there’s no real rhyme or reason, that and we just throw down anything we’ve listened to and enjoyed in the past month.
Menswear Trends You’re Loving
Denim It’s been a long time coming, but the move away from ‘athleisure’ (horrible word) feels as though it’s cathartically signifying the end of lockdowns and permanent WFH. The manufacturing of denim is very resource intensive—so, that’s not to say it’s not without problems—but the one benefit of denim in relation to every other fabric is how it improves with wear. If a pair of good quality selvedge jeans lasts you 20 years, to us that’s a fashion trend well worth embracing.
Earthy Colours Browns, oranges, khakis, and rich creams are all dropping into stores in abundance this season. Paired with a light-washed jean or ecru trouser, it’s a throwback to the effortless ’90s skate style.
Texture for Men this has been around for a minute but it’s still great to see. Menswear silhouettes are still much more limited than womenswear, but texture can add great interest to an outfit without making the wearer uncomfortable.
Vests Again, this isn’t exactly a new trend (PRGRSS has offered at least one vest every season we’ve traded), but to my earlier point, it’s nice to see silhouettes other than t-shirts and shirts getting put forward in menswear. They’re versatile pieces as well. You often see them designed with zips and technical fabrics, but we're especially loving cropped cotton pullover vests.
Shoes I don’t think sneaker culture will ever not be trend driven, but it’s cool to see other footwear styles start to feature more in collectsions these past few seasons. Derbys, brogues, loafers, sandals, and even chunkier hiking shoes are all nice counter points to the sea of Nike and Vans we all inevitably have in our wardrobes.
Your current PRGRSS Store must-haves:
This season, I’d probably go with the following:
PAM Syntactical Structures Dip Dye Top
The print was an exciting collaboration with artist Emma Kohlmann, and it’s genuinely one of the more interesting t-shirts I’ve come across in a while. It’s textural and, much like the artist’s work, encourages closer inspection.
Lemaire 2 Pleat Pants
I picked these pants up at the start of the season and have basically been living in them since. They’re essentially a tailored pant, with dual front pleats, metal buckle side cinches, and a subtle grey microcheck. They’d be completely at home paired with formal shoes and a shirt and tie, but they look just as good dressed down with a hoodie and chunky shoes.
GR10K All Seasons Utility Tee Grey
I have a longstanding affinity for heavy weighted fabrics. To me, they represent longevity and quality—and this tee from GR10K epitomizes those sentiments. The fabric is a heavy-duty 290g/MQ cotton developed in collaboration with a factory in Italy. I really feel that GR10K is tapping into something amazing at the moment, and a piece like this is a great gateway into the ethos of the brand.
Namacheko Arno Vest
This vest hits a sweet spot because it essentially ticks off two of my aforementioned trends in one piece. Inspecting Namacheko knits each season is probably when I most wish that PRGRSS had a physical outpost because they really do need to be seen to be believed. They’re works of art, and the 3D-textured finish on this piece is stunning. It’s manufactured in Belgium from Pima cotton and its length makes it a super versatile piece that can be worn preppily or dressed down.
Our Legacy Drape Tech Trunks
These shorts are so easy and remind me of why I love Our Legacy; they appear simple but are incredibly well executed. They’re produced with an Italian nylon and actually come with a dust bag, making them really handy for travel and to put in your bag on the way home from the beach or the gym (where they’re equally adept).
Lemaire Unisex Croissant Coin Purse Burnt Orange
This coin purse silhouette is based off Lemaire’s wildly popular Croissant Bag and is crafted from the same smooth Nappa leather. The colour is eye-catching and the piece makes a perfect gift. It has the same pragmatism as Comme des Garçons’ ubiquitous wallets, for example, but is much more interesting to pull out at the bar.
