Ecko: a New Twist on Men's Wear

It’s been a long time since I have taken any notice of menswear but, I had occasion to go with my daughter to the Men's Department of Macy's so she could buy a gift for a friend. She picked out a hoodie, designed by Marc Ecko that was really beautiful, and proceeded to tell me that his clothing line is the latest and hottest thing on the market today. And I can see why.

As I browsed through his clothing line, I couldn’t help thinking back over the years of menswear that just couldn’t seem to get to the heart of a man. Knit leisure suits that sagged, stretched, and hit every unflattering bit of fat that graced their bodies. Ties that went from wide enough to cover their chests to so thin you could hardly see them. And colors that were so drab they were dead most of the time. No life in them at all.

While women were going from the glamour styles of the 30’s and 40’s to the granny styles of the 80’s and 90’s, men were going from one disastrous style right into another with all of them looking just as dead as the last. I often thought that the designers of menswear must have hated men because they designed such awful styles. And the men had to buy them or be called “out of date,” or “old fashioned.” The only other alternative was to go naked. Not a good one!

Enter, Marc Ecko. Born in Lakewood, New Jersey in 1972, Ecko started selling t-shirts in the mid 1980s, and founded his clothing brand eckÅ in 1993. Marc Ecko Enterprises has grown to include many separate eckÅ unltd. apparel and accessories lines, the contemporary Marc Ecko Cut & Sew collection, G-Unit Clothing Company, Zoo York, Avirex Sportswear, Complex magazine, and Marc Ecko Entertainment, and a full service production company, with a focus on interactive entertainment.

Ecko's graphic motif designs give a new meaning to the word “Man.” His graphic skull and spider designs are daring and graphic enough to appeal to the younger set, while his embroidered blazers and top-of-the-line watches appeal to the 20-30’s set. College kids love the vests, and I think every age group likes the hoodies and jackets. Ecko's men’s line also includes sneakers, polo shirts, jeans, shorts, and shirts, and there is also a clothing line for women.

It’s a new age, guys, with new designers and new styles. Take advantage of them. Develop your own styles, your own special ambiance, and feel a whole new confidence and power that goes with it.