As we approach that final stretch of summer, we're here to offer you some fashionable sun-blocking accessories in 3 bold colors and styles. We're talking bucket hats, snapbacks, and baseball hats.
This isn't your ordinary hat; in fact, it's completely up-cycled from body to clasps to buttons and more. We partnered with Topiku, an Indonesian/California-based company to create these amazingly sustainable pieces, and we're damn proud of the work it took to create a hat that is far more sustainable that your average off-the-shelf piece. Check out the visual breakdown below.
Y'all.
It's been 1.5 years since we've had new clothes.
Why? A series of unfortunate events, the largest being covid-19 and the related shut down of manufacturing with that. But at long last, NEW CLOTHES ARE COMING AND WE ARE EXCITED TO SAY THE LEAST.
After deciding on these best-sellers for the next run (+ a new piece, keep reading!) we brought the final colors to a vote, voted for by many of YOU, so thanks for that. Scroll down to read what's new, what's changed, and an expected timeline for arrival!
@bruceandoliveco Spring 2021 pieces and colors 🔥 #ecofashion #organic #fyp #austin #sustainablefashion #spring2021fashion #smallbusiness #croptop #shiftdress #joggers
♬ Hit It - Yung Skrrt
Colors:
What's new?
Colors:
What's new?
Colors:
What's new?
This entire piece! These joggers will be made from a bespoke blend of 100% organic cotton with a brushed french terry organic cotton interior. Size XS to L, these will have a tapered, athletic fit that will be perfect for working from home to on the go!
With COVID-19 still prevalent in our production country (Peru), we are looking at April or May 2020 for the drop. However, that is subject to change :)
Get on our email list (bottom of home page) or follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates. We can't wait!
]]>It's been 1.5 years since we've had new clothes.
Why? A series of unfortunate events, the largest being covid-19 and the related shut down of manufacturing with that. But at long last, NEW CLOTHES ARE COMING AND WE ARE EXCITED TO SAY THE LEAST.
After deciding on these best-sellers for the next run (+ a new piece, keep reading!) we brought the final colors to a vote, voted for by many of YOU, so thanks for that. Scroll down to read what's new, what's changed, and an expected timeline for arrival!
@bruceandoliveco #spring2021fashion #ecofriendly #ecofriendlyproducts #sustainablefashion #fyp #thiscouldbeus #bruceandolive #springfashion #basics #malemodel
♬ Stranger - CHUNNYT
Colors:
What's new?
Colors:
What's new?
Colors:
What's new?
This entire piece! These joggers will be made from a bespoke blend of 100% organic cotton with a brushed french terry organic cotton interior. Size S to XXL, these will have a tapered, athletic fit that will be true to size.
With COVID-19 still prevalent in our production country (Peru), we are looking at April 2020 for the drop. However, that is subject to change :)
Get on our email list (bottom of home page) or follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates. We can't wait!
]]>So have we.
It's funny how the story arc with masks has gone since Spring 2020.
March 2020: "Wait, do we need to wear masks all the time? Every time we go outside?"
April 2020: "What fabric is best? Where can I get face masks?! CVS IS SOLD OUT. SHIT!"
By late Spring, every company who was able to started pivoting to make masks (we did too), because they were getting really hard to find.
It was something we hesitated to do at first (are we taking advantage of a pandemic?!), but truly, on more than one occasion, CVS and Walgreens were out of them. And the disposable ones get gross after a few wears. I got to the point where I was wearing t-shirts awkwardly tied around my face because I couldn't get my hands on a mask.
Pre-covid, I would have looked like a bank robber or a crazy person.
So as a company, we realized it was something we should do because we could do it. I remember seeing social media posts from friends à la toilet paper crisis: "Does anyone know where I can buy a mask? Is anyone locally making them!?"
People needed masks. We had a manufacturer standing by. And we could pay it forward by donating one mask per mask purchased to feel better about selling amidst a pandemic. So I worked on designs, and then we made our first run.
The accessory of the year is not what we expected it to be, but I've learned as an entrepreneur you have to be able to pivot fast, and not sit in sadness, to survive.
It turns out making masks has not only impacted our local community, but also impacted our business and allowed us to survive last year.
As we're on the other side (mostly) of "WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO!?" I wanted to take a second to answer, "where are your masks made?"
The mask colors/designs were made by me with help from graphic designer Eric Dowdy. The body of the mask is 100% RPET. RPET stands for recycled polyethylene terephthalate, or recycled PET. PET is a strong, durable and recyclable material that is used for soda bottles, water bottles and food jars, while RPET can be made into such products as blankets, insulation, car parts, shoes and more.
While our original intention was to use organic cotton, it just wasn't available where we manufacture (Colombia) at the time, and we've actually come to love this material for this piece. Smooth, lightweight, and more breathable than most other masks that we've tried.
We met our face covering manufacturer, Unionmade, after attending MAGIC Las Vegas in February 2020.
Based in Manizales, Colombia, Unionmade is owned by hip husband and wife team Felipe Molina and Clara Gómeza. Together, they have 30+ years of experience working with brands from all over the world. Their team deep carries deep knowledge and passion for design, branding, development, sourcing, manufacturing and logistics. Unionmade is a full-service branding and manufacturing outlet with their own 20,000 square foot private manufacturing facility, Raw.
We've been so happy with the speed and quality of their work in addition to the transparency in their process. We only work with ethical factories, so we have been delighted to know their workers all earn healthy wages, and work in clean, safe, happy environments! There is no child labor. Their facilities are beautiful and state-of-the-art.
You can see some stats about their 20,000 square foot, ethical factory, RAW, below.
"You've got gold tape on your shirt!"
"Does it come off?"
"Is that your logo?"
"I love this touch!"
All questions and comments we've received. So we're gonna give a little background.
The gold bar was a play off of one of our brand colors (gold), an homage to the underscore of the ampersand in our logo and monogram, and a bold feature displayed on the back top right of each piece.
Personally, I thought it was a way to up-level your basic. Distinguish it as better than average. An eye-catching conversation starter. A way to recognize that you're wearing Bruce & Olive. Something that wouldn't be visible from the front, but would stand our from the back. And that worked!
I've heard SO many times, "I saw someone wearing one of your pieces out!" or "The sun reflected off this gold bar and I knew it was a B&O!" "I love how this stands out"
It was creating a community. A recognizable attribute. A cool thang.
But also, it did create some confusion.
"Is that tape?"
"Does this stay on?"
"Is this on every shirt?"
One guy even fell in love with a Henley, tried it on, and then saw the gold bar and said, "Oh, sorry. Gold isn't in my wardrobe."
And I get it. It was uncommon, unique, and perhaps an odd shape. But again, original, a conversation piece, something to stand out. Just like I want this brand to do.
The Gold bar is made from a stretchable gold foil that was infused with the fabric with heat, also called a heat transfer. It was sourced from China and first brought to our attention at Whitestar Manufacturing in Austin, Texas where we did our first designs and sample production.
Moving forward, we're changing things up a bit and going for a more minimal look. In place of the gold bar, we're going to put a lurex tag, sublimated logo, or embroidered monogram—still in metallic gold—but diversifying the placement and size based on the garment. An example of what a tag might look like below before folded onto the base of a garment, and an embroidered monogram in the hats we will be making!
Starting with the Spring 2021 line, it will morph into something new, but what it stands for—being bold, giving light, fostering community, and that you're anything but average—remains.
Thanks to everyone who embraced it, offered feedback on it, and has been our community for the past 3 years. We look forward to continuing to serve you, and add value and comfort to your lives this year!
Be bold. Give light.
–Killian
Founder
]]>
But seriously, that's always the first thing people notice about our main line of mens and womens clothing every time they've felt it, tried it on, or made a purchase, it's incredibly soft. And I want to tell you why.
Our original line of mens and womens basics are made from a proprietary blend of organic cotton + Tencel, with a select few products containing 6% spandex to help keep shape over time (the Night Out Body Skirt, 2nd Street Tube Top, Barton Springs Shift Dress, and some of the Henleys).
When searching for lightweight, breathable fabrics to be functional, high-quality, and eco-friendly in the fall of 2017, Whitestar Manufacturing, who made our first designs and samples in Austin, presented this unique, new to the market blend from Kendor Textiles.
Once we touched the raw blend we were hooked, but the benefits go way beyond its softness!
Tencel
Originating from China, Australia, Brazil, India and beyond, Tencel is a branded name (owned by its Austrian founder Lenzing AG) for Lyocell, which comes from the wood pulp of Eucalyptus trees. Tencel is made by mixing the wood pulp with N-Methylmorpholine N-oxide (an organic compound), drying it, and then dissolving it to push it through small holes to make a fiber. It has a couple distinct properties that make it particularly special!
In addition to being one of the most widely grown crops in the world, growing conventional cotton is also one of the most chemical-intensive. These chemicals have tremendous impact on the earth’s air, water, soil, and the health of people in cotton-growing areas. They are among the most toxic chemicals as classified by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Here's how organic cotton is a better more environmentally friendly and sustainably made (and safer for those working with it!):
Our current line of mens and womens basics (not including our face coverings) comes from KenDor Textiles, a world-renounced seller of eco-friendly, sustainably made textiles since 1953. Kendor takes great pride in specializing in environmentally & socially responsible knit and woven textiles and strives to ensure that partner mills adhere to multiple global standards of environmental and social compliance including the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®.
While we anxiously await our Spring 2021 line, you can shop our mens collection, womens collection, and face coverings!
If you find this article interesting and want to hear more about what we're doing, sustainability, new items, discounts more, join our email list!
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Do you like supporting small business in Austin, and getting discounts EVERY time you shop with them? Find yourself losing loyalty cards before even being able to redeem anything?
We've got a solution for you: The Go Local app. And Bruce & Olive is on it!
If you've been in ATX for a while, you probably remember their card carrying program from the 2011-2012 days. Well, they revamped their platform with a slick app that helps you find deals close to you with an interactive in-app map geo-locate discounts on local businesses in Austin.
Go Local rewards you for supporting locally-owned business in Austin EVERY time you shop at one of the over 500 merchants in its app. It's not a punch card where you have to shop 10 times but ultimately lose it in your car after the 9th punch. This is the real deal: discounted shopping with every merchant from the jump once you sign up. There is a list of all the participating businesses on the Go Local app and website: joingolocal.com/directory
The Bruce & Olive Discount
As a Go Local member, you will get 10% off EVERY Bruce & Olive purchase, and $10 off when you spend $30 or more on your birthday.
Some of our favorite local businesses are on Go Local too: ABGB, Lick Ice Cream, Paws on Chicon, Komé, The Great Outdoors, and so many more. Like I was looking for pizza on E Cesar Chavez the other night, opened the app's geo-located discounts, saw Southside Flying Pies offering 10% off and ordered on the spot and walked over to pick up my large pizza (I shared it). Rewards immediately. Amazing. #blessed
Wanna try Go Local for free? Click here to sign up with our discount code "bruce" (or use the QR code below) for a 30-day free trial and support local businesses like Bruce & Olive! Yearly memberships are $20 after that and well worth it if you enjoy supporting your local community and saving money (like we do).
Go get your discounts this weekend!
–Kilian
Bruce & Olive Founder
]]>Attention workplaces, schools, and enthusiasts—face masks aren't going away any time soon, so make them your own! In addition to wholesale orders for Bruce & Olive-branded masks, we are now fulfilling wholesale orders for custom masks. Read below for more details.
Details and requirements:
Sample Customer Masks:
Technical specifications:
Pre-dyed colors immediately available:
Killian here, founder of Bruce & Olive. My parents, Bruce and Olive, couldn’t control their cancers, which ultimately led to them passing away. But, as a society, we can help stop the spread of COVID-19 with the right safety measures. The B&O team has been working hard behind the scenes to figure out how best we could help during this time. With access to manufacturing, making masks seemed like the logical move right now.
After weeks of research and production, we’re excited to announce Bruce & Olive masks are now available for pre-sale on our site! Our masks are not medical-grade, and are not intended to replace measures recommended by the CDC. They do pass the lighter test, however, and serve as stylish options to wear in places where face covering are recommended. More info on our masks can be found on the product page. They will be arriving by Friday, May 15.
My mom, Olive, used to say “charity begins at home." With that in mind, for each mask sold, we will donate another to a member of the Austin community in need. Bruce & Olive is partnering with allgo, a non-profit focused on social justice, cultural arts, and health and wellness for queer people of color, and The Other Ones, a non-profit focused on transitioning Austin’s homeless neighbors into an engaged community through shelter, opportunity, and support. Our tagline “Be bold. Give light.” is subtly placed on every mask as a reminder to not give up hope, and to practice empathy for yourself and others during this time.
To learn more about allgo and how they are providing resources and relief to queer and minority communities, including grants, check out their website here: https://allgo.org/resources-for-community/
To read more about how The Other Ones are providing relief and new, essential services for the Austin homeless community, including mobile hygiene clinics, check out their website here: http://toofound.org/
Thank you for supporting small business and communities in need. Stay safe, y’all <3
Be bold. Give light.
–Killian
]]>To be honest, this is exactly why Bruce & Olive was started: we were wondering how to pack for a trip to Colombia. We first-hand know how hard it can be to pack for a full week to a new destination without taking a full steam trunk. Here are a few of our favorite spring break destinations and just what to take with you.
Being just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Austin, and with great flight prices popping up all the time, Mexico City has been an underrated destination for too long. As the largest city in North America, the town is a hub for fashion, art, cuisine, history, and anything else you could possibly want to see. And while it’s a great idea to plan a full week there, it’s easy enough to stop in for a quick weekend away, too.
What to pack:
You’re going to want to look good in this fashion-forward city. It’s a great place to try more experimental outfits that you haven’t felt brave enough to sport at home.
Our picks:
The Dominican Republic is one of those tropical paradises with world-class resorts and beautiful beaches. It’s no wonder it’s a popular winter getaway and spring break destination. If white sand, palm trees, and amazing drinks served directly out of coconuts are your jam, you’re probably already there. As a Latin American country, they are also experts at club life, so make sure your flips flops second as dancing shoes.
What to pack:
Bring a range of clothes that can go from beach to dinner to the club, so you’re not doomed to overpacking and can spend less time in your hotel room getting ready and more time partying.
Our picks:
Okay, not all spring break trips are to warm-weather destinations. Aspen is a favorite ski town that has both great downhills and fabulous après-ski options, not to mention shopping and museum hopping. The historic town provides ample opportunity for both indoor and outdoor activities, and being able to add or shed layers on a whim will keep you going. At the same time, Aspen Snowmass is a resort where people like to see and be seen, so looking good is also a top priority.
What to pack:
Why not stand out while staying warm? Feel free to bring that ski suit that makes you feel like a Bond Girl, as well as cozy ugly sweaters and your warmest socks.
Our picks:
No spring break list would be complete without our hometown, Austin. The South by Southwest Conference & Festival (SXSW) has been rocking this town every March since 1987. Packed with technology innovators, free music, and booze-fueled parties, SXSW is a great time, whether you’ve got a VIP wristband or not.
What to pack:
Sometimes it rains during SXSW; sometimes it’s sunny and humid. You’ll want to bring a few options that let you layer while still looking good.
Our picks:
Wherever your spring break or late-winter destination, Bruce & Olive has bold and light options to serve as the base of your wardrobe. Enjoy your vacay responsibly—and don’t overpack!
]]>Yes, the origins of Valentine’s Day are set in coupledom, dating back to the Roman festival of Lupercalia, when that ancient culture celebrated the start of spring and therefore baby-making. But that doesn’t mean we all have to use the holiday as an excuse to express our fecundity. It’s a great opportunity to tell your friends and family how much you care about them. Celebrations like Galentine’s Day have set the stage for this, so it’s easy to take the focus off the noxious “world-of-two” language in the gift cards and bring it back to love as an idea that can be expressed through gifts and thoughtful gestures. You don’t even have to buy or send anything; a simple phone call to a loved one can speak volumes.
Speaking of expressing love, Valentine’s Day is an excellent time to make something instead of buying it. One of the biggest complaints people lodge against the holiday is that it’s more about spending money on chocolate, flowers, and cards than it is about actually expressing anything meaningful. So instead of shelling out cash to giant corporations, grab some water colors and card stock and paint some beautiful imagery to hand out to those friends you love. Or take a minute to learn flower arranging and build your own bouquets. You can even make your own chocolate or pastries to give out to friends or lovers, or simply enjoy on your own.
If you’re not much of an artist, baker, or creator, Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to flex your economic muscles with someone local who is. Instead of shelling out for a boring Hallmark card or that Whitman’s Sampler chocolate box that 3 million other people will be handing over to their significant others, take a minute to find a unique gift in your own neighborhood. It’s also a great time to support ideas that you love by buying from businesses who support them, too. Austin is chock full of small businesses driven by diverse individuals who care about the environment, inclusivity, equal rights, or just high quality goods (ahem, that’s us! Hi!). You can even treat yourself if you don’t feel like sharing. Why not buy yourself a hot new outfit for the upcoming change in weather? We have a few ideas…
One of the worst parts of Valentine’s Day is the rush to reserve a table for two at a swanky restaurant where you can spend way too much on a relatively negative experience. But there are a ton of events that don’t require a reservation and aren’t necessarily focused on couples, too. We love the Frida Friday ATX Gaylentine’s Celebration, Valentine’s Day Muay Thai for Singles at Black Widow MMA, or The Austin Poetry Brothel for creative event ideas that can serve as a place to meet someone new or attend with someone you like. You can, of course, spend the entire weekend at home with Netflix if you’d like, but with the plethora of events available to celebrate or bash the weekend, it’s a great excuse to enjoy a fun activity you might not normally go to.
Whatever your take on Valentine’s Day or romance in general, this year doesn’t have to be crummy. When all else fails, remember: self-love is the greatest love of all.
]]>Bruce & Olive was created to find the intersection between form and function where fashion was concerned. We wanted to stay cool, layer up, and look good doing it, all with the same essential pieces while fulfilling our need to be eco-friendly. Here’s how Bruce & Olive clothes are different from everything else in your closet.
The first thing we knew we needed when we set out to design Bruce & Olive’s line of clothing was something we could wear in the Austin heat, from SXSW in March to ACL Fest in October. We also wanted something we could layer in during the few cold days that pop up in our wet winter season.
This meant we needed to address temperature regulation, odor control, and sweat-wicking capabilities, all while maintaining a level of comfort for our sensitive skins. We wanted something lightweight but durable, too. We designed a fabric that contains a proprietary blend of TENCEL® and organic cotton that hits each of these marks in a number of ways.
The fabric in our clothes is naturally breathable, so your sweat dries and your skin gets a breeze. At the same time, the material is capable of absorbing 50 percent more moisture than cotton alone. This high moisture absorption rate also makes Bruce & Olive pieces anti-bacterial. And because they’re made of 100 percent natural fibers, bacteria and odor don’t get trapped in them, even over years of wear.
The fibers in the blend also contain water, giving them a high heat capacity. This means that a Bruce & Olive top or dress can help you regulate your temperature when you start to sweat. The end-result is a fabric that not only feels great to the touch, but keeps feeling better on your skin than other cotton or polyester blends do in humid heat. The bottom line is that our shirts won’t stick to your back, no matter how hot the Texas summer gets.
As city-dwellers, we know the high price of good closet space. We like to minimize the number of pieces we have to keep to maintain a solid wardrobe. The capsule wardrobe is a philosophy we absolutely live by. So we designed Bruce & Olive pieces in classic basics to serve as the staples of any fashionable person’s closet. At the same time, the cuts and colors are bold and modern, making those staples anything but “basic.”
Each of our pieces can stand on its own or be part of a bigger layering endeavor. Because of their simplicity, they can also go from day to night without batting an eye, even during the summer. Whether it’s a cool morning brunch or a hot patio soiree, Bruce & Olive clothing lets you live your life without being uncomfortable or feeling like you need to change every 20 minutes.
Like all good Millennials, we care a lot about the environment and want to minimize our effect on it. All of our clothes are made out of natural and sustainable fibers, and most are fully biodegradable. We use low-toxicity solvents in our manufacturing and recycle them to be used again, which helps us keep our production sustainable.
Our manufacturer is proud of their ability to specialize in knit and woven textiles that are both environmentally and socially responsible. That’s why they ensure that their partner mills adhere to many global standards for environmental and social compliance, including the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®, which tests for harmful substances in clothing components.
But beyond our production, our clothes also offer you the chance to make a more sustainable lifestyle. Because of their sweat-wicking and odor-controlling properties, you don’t have to wash the pieces as often as you would other items of clothing. This also means you don’t have to stock up on three week’s-worth of white tee shirts just to stay dry for a few days. And they last longer than fast fashion pieces, so you’re not going to throw them away after a season.
Perhaps the biggest difference between Bruce & Olive and other clothing brands you may interact with is our attention to detail. We take our clothes personally, mostly because we wear them, too. We designed everything to fit our lifestyle and the lifestyle of our friends. That means we pay attention to every detail, from how the clothes are made to how they feel when we wear them. We also treat our customers the way we would want to be treated.
Ready to feel the Bruce & Olive difference yourself? Check out our women’s and men’s original pieces (we highly recommend mixing and matching between the two!) and start building the bold and light wardrobe you’ve always needed.
]]>As a young company, you learn so much so fast—especially that nothing great is done alone. Besides realizing the importance of delegation, and that as a small team we simply can’t do everything, we have loved including friends new and old as collaborators to take Bruce & Olive from concept to reality. That’s actually our favorite part: working hand in hand with the talented Austin community (and our community coast to coast!).
Since its 2017 ideation to public launch on July 7, 2019, Bruce & Olive has been lifted up by friends, family, and fans around the world. We’re thankful for this: unwavering support and the opportunity to pursue a dream. Isn’t that the definition of #blessed? We think so.
We have so much planned for 2020, but first, we want to thank the enormous cast and crew of people that got us to this inflection point. If you’re looking for anything from makeup to video production, website creation to models, look below for a wealth of talented individuals.
Shoutout to the following homies!
Website:
Josh Currie, after building and selling his own digital Agency, Josh has continued to drive creative as Executive Producer for The Charles NYC. When he wasn't doing one of a million things, he found time to create a beautiful site to help us say hello to the world. We're forever grateful for Josh!
Legal:
Chris Crawford: Insanely quick, expert knowledge, and lots of personality. If you're looking for the man in all legal things in fundraising and startup land, his firm, Gunderson Dettmer, should be your first stop.
Photography:
Havana, Cuba
Austin, Texas
Styling
Claudia Tetreault-Percy: the brainchild behind CTP Studio, an online virtual studio that groups creative work from multi-faceted artists in a community space while encouraging thoughtful sharing and collaboration, Claudia acted as the stylist behind our launch video (see desktop version of bruceandolive.com). When she wasn’t diving into this full-force, she styled our studio shoots, and even helped us prep before and during events and pop-ups!
Weston Ave Styling: the power of social media! Sierra reached out to us in the fall looking to collaborate, and collaborate we did. Feeling so thankful, because she created our first co-branded look book for fall and winter that you can find on our IGTV!
Leia Messina: the stylist behind our co-branded shoot at Native Hostel with Billy Reid, House of St Clair, and Dylan Wylde, those badass looks came from her creative mind.
Hair & Makeup:
Lo Shabino: Austin’s resident shag expert and razor cutting specialist. Is she a bad b? Yes, we think so. Lo has built an enormous following in Austin for her unmistakable precision, deep knowledge of hair textures, non-toxic products, and true dedication to transforming the way her clients think and feel about themselves—starting with their hair. We have been so lucky to have her in our corner from the start, especially after full days of work! You can find her at Roar Salon.
Tiffany Hunter: Is she the queen of Austin? Mmmmm, yes. Tiffany has been around the block and the globe from touring as a celebrity hair stylist and never meeting a head of hair she couldn’t tame. We have been lucky to welcome her as both a stylist behind our launch video AND as a model in our studio shoot for the full site. You can find her at CLVT. Oh and by the way, she just launched a new full-service business (hair, makeup, styling) with co-founder Trish Mock. Check them out here: https://www.damnglam.cool/
Makeup:
ArtiRose Hernandez: you took a chance on us early in 2019 for an all-day video shoot, and your incredible attitude, amazing skills (shoutout to those Fenty products) left us BEAMING with joy and pride in our brand imagery. She killed it on the makeup for our full-site shoot too. If you’re looking for a makeup artist who will keep you cracking up, ArtiRose is your girl <3
Video Production:
Design:
Copy:
Kat Cox: a collaborator on finalizing our brand story and the creative director of this blog! She is a freelance writer and marketer leader (and she has a killer voice, too).
SEO
Preston Conroy: Thank you for the power hour of SEO knowledge that brought us out of the dark ages. You da man! Hit him up if you need quick, impactful SEO help ya’ll.
Location, Location, Location:
Native Hostel: one of our favorite spots in Austin and the name behind the Native Henley, we can’t thank our friends at Native Hostel enough for letting us host a critical photo shoot at your venue and do two pop ups over 12 hours in one day. You’re the best, and we can’t wait to come back and hang again. #fans
Craft Apartment Locating—besides being our great friends, thank you for lending your space on multiple occasions, particularly for a critical feedback session and event in the summer of 2018. We’ve loved the opportunity to host pop ups and events in the heart of east Austin chez vous!
Creative:
Jet: thank you for lending your creative feedback to our brand (he designed the new signature gold bar, coming soon!), and for collaborating with us on our largest event this fall with an original Bruce & Olive inspired oil painting, it is breathtaking.
Max Bonnard: This French DJ hit the Austin scene in 2018 and graced us with his unique style and taste for house last fall at our largest event.
Andrei Matei: This Austin based DJ has been on the ATX scene for a minute y’all. Drei, thank you for lending your time and talents in being our DJ for multiple events!
Models:
Thank you to all our friends new and old that have lended your time as models.
We can’t WAIT for everything we have planned for 2020, so stay tuned. If you’ve been thinking of starting a creative project, however big or small, here are a couple tips:
In the meantime, take care of yourselves and each other.
Be bold, give light.
–The Bruce & Olive Team
PS—Interested in working with Bruce & Olive? Send us a note: hello@bruceandolive.com
]]>For anyone who’s traveling into town for ACL Festival in October, or for Californians or New Yorkers who are experiencing your first full fall season in the city after a move here from the coasts, here are our tips for dressing for fall in Austin.
One thing about Austin in all seasons: we love our air conditioning. A second thing about Austin in all seasons: we love our outdoor venues. You can go from walking down Rainey Street at 101 degrees straight into the most frigid bar you’ll ever encounter, only to find yourself hopping to a patio that’s only slightly cooler than the asphalt thanks to shade and some intelligently placed misters 30 minutes later. The sweat on your face will freeze into icicles and melt any number of times throughout the trip, even at night, so your best option is to wear layers. We recommend minimal layers especially, which will allow the sweat from your stint at the picnic tables at Banger’s Sausage House to dry faster but also cover your shoulders when you move into the arctic blast that is Icenhauer’s indoor area. Our picks:
The Bruce & Olive Native Henley, which can go on over a tee shirt or tank top to add a lightweight layer, and be tied stylishly around the waist when not in use.
The Bruce & Olive 2nd Street Tank Top, which can be worn under a pearl-snap button-down, moto jacket, or any number of hot top layers.
Your dad’s denim jacket from the 80s, which will give your look a vintage feel.
Austin is far from a prudish town, and thanks to the abundance of warm weather, everyone loves to show a little skin. Beyond being a delight to behold, freeing more skin to the air allows for more evaporative cooling to take place when you’re out and about living your active life. It’s not uncommon to see women in bathing suit tops or sports bras throughout the summer, and there’s no reason to stop the trend in September or October, when we’re still hitting Barton Springs on the regular. And if done properly, you can take the look from the Azul Rooftop Pool at the Westin straight through to your cocktails at Midnight Cowboy. We recommend:
The Bruce & Olive Lady Bird Crop Top, which goes with everything from high-waisted denim shorts to a pencil skirt and heels.
The Bruce & Olive Eastsider Muscle Tee, whose exaggerated arm holes can show off your ribcage or give a glimpse of your favorite decorative bra.
An old band tee shirt you’ve taken the scissors to for thrilling cut-outs, matched with our Night Out Body Skirt, which has a slit to show just a little more of your leg.
Fall is boot weather in Austin, just like it is in any other self-respecting American town. But we do boots differently hear. You may see die-hard cowgirls wearing their best dress boots to the honky tonk on a sweaty evening in September, and those shin-covering fashion staples do make sense when you’re wandering out in an outdoor field like you might at Jester King Brewery or a show outside at Stubb’s BBQ. But unless you’re really trying to protect yourself from rattlesnakes, full cowboy boots are just going to add to your heat index. Instead, short boots are the way to go. The Chelsea boot is a classic, but feel free to get creative. Cropped cowboy boots come in all sorts of shapes, from a below-the-ankle bootie to a statement-making ankle boot. We recommend pairing these boots with:
The Bruce & Olive Barton Springs Shift Dress, which shows enough leg to give your boots the room they need to show off their true character.
Your ripped Levi 501s and the Soco Panel Tee, whose simple colors will let the rest of your outfit speak for itself.
Whatever your style, dressing for fall in Austin is a fabulous time to throw on new layers and textures, even if it’s not exactly sweater weather (just wait until after Halloween!). Want more style inspo? Follow us on Instagram—and tag us with your fave fall looks!
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