SGEndorses: Tucker Blair

In May of 2007, Taylor M. Llewellyn dreamt about being on Cape Cod with a beer instead of behind the desk with a coffee, so he started lifestyle brand Tucker Blair, Classically Casual in Washington, D.C.

Hailing from Orinda, California - just outside San Francisco - Taylor went to Colgate University and, after putting time in for corporate America, began to vet a number of alternative business plans before deciding on Tucker Blair. While on a month long trip to Asia he figured out the way to turn his vision into reality - manufacture belts and headbands abroad and sell them on them online at an affordable price.

“This [business model] allows us to sell our products at essentially wholesale prices to our customers,” says Taylor. “We felt like an $80 needlepoint belt was a lot more fun than the alternative and we’re sticking to this model across all of our products.”

Made of 100% wool yarn, full-grain leather buckles and belt linings, the Tucker Blair team designs all of its products in-house. “The designs are inspired collectively by my memories and things that I love, as well as the memories and activities enjoyed by friends and family,” says Taylor. ”The patterns reflect a lot of my favorite activities, but I’d be lying if I said I did all of them!”

Today, Tucker Blair is more than belts and bands. The line has expanded to include key fobs, the increasling popular flip flops, and branded accessories like croakies and tees - most of which can be monogramed to boot! As for what the future holds, Taylor will soon add collars for your lab, belt’s for your children and “other really exciting stuff that we’re not disclosing yet,” he told me.

You can find the goods at www.tuckerblair.com and follow his blog at tuckerblair.wordpress.com.

Image Credits: Tucker Blair