One year ago this month, my journey at Catalina Foothills Lifestyle Magazine began. I wrote an article about summer fashion trends from local businesses, and haven’t looked back since. It only made sense to celebrate the occasion by revamping that first article with a twist.
Last year, we talked about womenswear. This year, we’re giving you the scoop on menswear with Ted Greve, owner and menswear buyer for Loop Jean Company.
Greve, alongside his wife Tamara, have been in business (and in love!) for 35 years, opening stores in several states before settling in Tucson 15 years ago.
Focused primarily on high-quality denim, Greve says that the trend cycle in Arizona is unlike any other he’s seen. “We have never experienced a market as seasonal as Arizona,” he said.
No matter the season, Greve says that consumers are always on the hunt for comfort. He’s seeing more stretchy denim materials that are designed for 100% recovery – ensuring your jeans will hold their shape no matter how well-loved they are. Comfort doesn’t just include the fabric, but the fit as well.
Greve says that relaxed-fit jeans with wider legs are really trendy for Tucson because of their added comfort and freedom of movement. Wide-leg jeans might be popular, but bootcut styles have yet to make a resurgence. Greve joked that in the past he couldn’t sell a pair of bootcut jeans without filling the pockets with $20 bills!
Unfortunately (or fortunately, we won’t judge), skinny jeans aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Their trendiness has faded away over time as comfort becomes the customer’s priority, but slim fit jeans with a little more breathing room are on the rise.
Perhaps the most unexpected trend in men’s jeans is the broader introduction of colored denim. Earth tones, gray, and washed-down black jeans produced by Italian brand Teleria Zed is the store’s go-to for this style.
Loop Jean Company isn’t just a denim powerhouse. The store, located in Casas Adobes Plaza, is stocked with tops, shoes, and accessories from high-quality brands. Alongside comfort, Greve says that shoppers are looking for more casual pieces that can transition from day to night.
One of his personal favorite brands is Calder Carmel, which he says makes one of the best shirts he’s worn. What sets this brand apart is that each and every design is a limited edition, with a unique tag to see how many of each design were produced.
Speaking of shirt brands, Robert Graham is paving the way in innovating the basic button-up. Greve says that untucking shirts has become more and more trendy, and the brand responded in kind. This design change might seem small, but shirts from this brand are designed to have a shorter torso length, making the cut of the shirt more flattering when left untucked.
One thing that will never go out of style in Tucson is golf attire. If you’re looking to build your golf wardrobe, stay cool with shirts from Mizzen and Main. The brand uses moisture-wicking fabric that never needs to be ironed and comes in a variety of different fits for maximum comfort. In case you didn’t hear us the first time: you never need to iron these shirts!
Whether it’s the snowbirds or the summer heat, Loop Jean Company has everyone covered. Greve’s years of industry knowledge, combined with close relationships with its vendors, makes the store an exclusive carrier of products you won’t find anywhere else in Tucson. Better yet, the store offers no-cost denim alterations to ensure that every jean fits like your favorite pair.
Tucson might not be known as a city obsessed with fashion, but Loop Jean Company is paving the way to change that.