Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Scottish Heritage at Strathberry

Scotland is having quite a revival as of late with Brooks Brothers promoting their dapper Highland Heritage Collection and many a menswear designer looking for tartans from the Hebrides. And don’t get us started on the Whisky boom. So it’s the perfect timing for two Scots to launch a premium accessories line for the lad and lass alike.

Set in the foothills of Peebleshire, the Strathberry of Scotland mill is a dream come true for co-founder Clare Robertson. Previously, when Clare worked for larger corporations she witnessed the making of tweed in factories in China which were as large as some of the Scottish towns she knew so well. She found this heartbreaking and decided to partner with Guy Hundleby to open Strathberry of Scotland in July of 2013.

Recommended Videos

As Guy explained to us, “Scotland has an outstanding reputation in areas including film, art, music, sports and tourism, however it currently has no standout luxury accessories brands.” This reminds us of the fact that Scotland has been on the ‘made locally’ train for, well, forever. They have the best woolen mills, leather suppliers and craftsmen. At Strathberry, there are about 12 hours of work involved in each bag, and the equestrian bridle leather is ‘edge finished’ by hand –  a six stage process in itself.

Strathberry has also developed its’ own unique blend of yarns made from silk and linen fibers resulting in a tweed that is lighter weight and great for year round use. And the cloth in the menswear collection has a Teflon finish making it more durable and showerproof, since Scotland is rather rainy.

The collection is well rounded and includes everything from  card holders made with bridle leather to serious golf bags in Silver Birch or Portmore tweed. While the leather pieces are exceptional (especially those music cases), when we buy Scottish, we want the full shebang and the tartan pieces such as the briefcase, iPad case and wash bag have us itching for a bagpipe and Lagavulin.

If you are in Edinburgh, swing by Strathberry’s flagship store in the old town at number 81 Grassmarket before you hit those stellar pubs. 

Topics
Cator Sparks
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…
Bulova’s new Snorkel watches bring the vibrant world of marine life to your wrist
This Bulova collection will remind you of the ocean
Bulova Snorkel collection

Bulova welcomed the new year with a new line of timepieces, the Bulova Snorkel Collection, which draws inspiration from sharks, turtles, and marine life. This new collection complements other aquatic timepieces that were launched in the past, extending Bulova’s catalog.

“It is meant to create an extremely price-competitive sport watch, utilizing innovative materials while also celebrating what makse us passionate about the oceans, the seas, and marine life, a universe which is both mysterious, vibrant, and exciting and inspiring—all values we seek to embody in Bulova,” said Jeffrey Cohen, CEO of Citizen Watch America.

Read more
New Balance goes a silent bold look for the Lunar New Year
New Balance releases Lunar New Year collection
models wearing new balance lunar new year

Although the start of the Lunar New Year typically calls for vivid designs, New Balance is setting itself apart with subdued sneakers that are still bold for them. With decadent hues and minimalist touches, the latest New Balance sneakers celebrate the ‘Year of the Snake’ with a sleek design far from what you would expect from the athletic company. Although we’ve seen variations of New Balance in their previous collaborations, these stand-alone sneakers are a fresh and modern take that’ll easily become your favorite throughout the year. Available in three different editions, the New Balance Lunar New Year collection has an option for every type of fan. The brand has also released clothing options that match your footwear perfectly and complete your Lunar New Year look.
New Balance’s Lunar New Year releases

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, New Balance has taken to their 740, 1906R, and 1000 designs for a thematic upgrade that’s sleek and bold. While New Balance doesn’t tend to stray much from its array of colorways, these designs infuse interesting patterns and accents worthy of the festivities. In their 740 design, the brand uses a segmented midsole, streamlined silhouette, and an open knit mesh upper that mimics snakeskin. Using two-tone color mesh and angular overlays, this redesign is an elevated way of celebrating the ‘Year of the Snake.’ The 1906R follows a similar path, using open-holed mesh and synthetic overlays in a rich grey tone. This sneaker also comes equipped with a sturdy Ndurance outsole and shock-absorbing N-ergy. 

Read more
nonnative remixes ASICS’s Y2K trail boot with style
nonnative, ASICS release new boot
nonnative boot among dirt

With many brands joining forces for exciting collaborations, it’s no secret that many look into the archives for a design to revive. Following last year’s collaborative design, nonnative and ASICS have again reached into the brand’s retro designs to create an innovative look that fuses modern and classic. Joining the trend of retro designs, this new release is about a rugged yet sleek hiking boot that won’t go out of style. While different than what you may expect from ASICS, this release is a statement moment that will look great on the trails. Whether you wear them for an urban stroll or a quiet nature hike, this collaborative design is a multiuse silhouette that works for any closet. 
ASICS × nonnative “GEL-YETITOKYO HI GTX”

Inspired by ASICS’ Gel-Yeti boot released in 2000, both brands have gone rugged for their newest partnership that’s all about timeless style and practicality. Crafted with brown suede and equipped with GORE-TEX, this boot has a sophisticated look with the protection needed to face nature. The added toggled lacing system adds prominence to the silhouette, with a high visual impact in the front of the boot. Subtle branding can be found on the front shin section of the upper for an earthy and minimalist look. Adding to the practicality, this boot also comes with a rugged traction pattern for advanced grip. This mid-rise boot is ready for any surface, even if you use it to complete your outfit. Available for $260 via ASICS’ and nonnative web stores, this boot is perfect for thrill seekers looking to add stability and style to their wardrobe.

Read more