AND “PREMIER COLLECTIONS FOR A HYBRID LIFESTYLE”
OUTDOOR RETAILER MARKET, SLC-UTAH
July 23rd, 2009
Words, most Images- Judith Ecochard
and courtesy of MK
We had been getting a bunch of lively emails from a “Jen Taylor” who toils at MOUNTAIN KHAKIS- a five years old line of pants/shorts made just so for outdoor adventurers in action…and for those just wishing they were.
So when we got to the Mountain Khakis spacious booth handsomely trimmed out in dark woods like that western-ish Shady Lady bar we went to in Jackson Hole awhiles back…and where a “casual conversation” led to the company’s creation…
we looked forward to meeting the woman who knows how to drum up retail and media interest for her employer.
Gosh…we felt like a total wus---as Jen Taylor, mom of three was only a tad sore from PLAYING ON THE Outdoor Retailer Association RUGBY TEAM (vs some Univ. of Utah guys)…the night prior. “Oh yeah, I tackled three 250 lb guys,” she rightfully boasted.
We were so impressed she had her teeth and body parts. WOW. COOL!!!!
And the lady knew her stuff too.
For Spring 2010, MK “departed from our cotton line,” to a user friendly, durable 100% 6.3oz nylon synthetic fiber…with a brushed finish so it feels really soft.
We saw how well the pants (M/W Snake River Pant, Convertible Pant/Short, and Snake River Short) draped, are travel perfect, have UPF +50, mesh pocket bags, riveted metal buttons etc. We were very impressed with the specific trims (pockets galore)….and clearly retailers do too as everyone from mountain types to golf pros seem to wear MKs and its quite a large line.
As we were newbies …what really popped for us were the gender specific particulars. Like deep drill front pockets for guys that lay flat, and extended dual panel zips on the ankles (boot / leg hair friendly) and #5 zip on left cargo pocket for one handed operation, triple stitching, grosgrain waistband with “memory retention,” and the signature angular pocket fro easy access. Plus bar tacks in stress areas, 2 inch belt loops, and zipped hidden front and back pockets---with YKK’s primo zippers.
(Colors- ASH, BIRCH)
Guys (and us) also appreciate how the Snake River short in this collection- hit above the knee not geeky mid thigh (an 11 inch inseam).
Ladies get female flattering silhouettes with a contoured and fixed grosgrain waistband, a 7 inch rise, and a straight leg relaxed opening,
MOUNTAIN KHAKIS sweats other details too. Among things we chatted about…thread weight that is appropriate to the fabric…so it still lays flat after it’s been washed twenty times…and diamond gusseted (for movement), reinforced heel cuffs, etc.
We had a few secs to see some of the Fall ’09 garb that’s available now…including the the Original Mountain Pant made from 10.4oz cotton canvas (Colors-Ranch, Yellowstone, Freestone, Granite)…and cute, cute cute women’s cargo capri –an 8.5 oz cotton twill cropped pants (Willow, Retro Khaki)…fashioned in a style we live in –on and off the trail.
ECO STORY: MKs supports “1% For The Planet” –an “alliance of businesses committed to leveraging their resources to create a healthier planet…and donate at least 1% of their annual net revenues to environmental organizations worldwide.”
Also available---kids lines, accessories & tees, and for colder temps---a Fall ’09- pants in warm cottonwood cord (gals), toasty flannel lined (guys) Original Mountain Pants--- and the latter, sans flannel now available in a hip Granite black.
INFO, STORE LOCATOR, E COMMERCE: MOUNTAIN KHAKIS