Spring Break with Smathers & Branson

The first few days of spring are packed with anticipation and excitement. Warmer weather and longer days seem to brighten everyone’s mood as afternoon golf rounds and early mornings fishing become a possibility. Here in Washington, DC we are still weeks away from the Cherry Blossom Festival, but it seems like some people have already gotten spring fever. Those lucky few are of course the college kids on Spring Break.

From New Orleans to the Florida Keys, be sure to stop into one of our many retailers in Spring Break destinations. Below are three can’t miss men’s stores in some of our favorite Spring Break spots. If you don’t see your favorite store below, let us know!

New Orleans: Host to one of the most infamous parties in the world, New Orleans is teeming with party seekers, students, and musicians during Mardi Gras. Famous for wild costumes and equally wild behavior, NOLA has earned a reputation as one of the best Spring Break locations. For over 70 years, Perlis has been clothing locals and tourists alike. With a full selection of Smathers and Branson® needlepoint belts and accessories, Perlis is the place to visit if you forgot to pack your favorite outfit or if somehow your shirt was misplaced after a late night on Bourbon Street.

Key West: Anyone who has made the long drive to Key West, FL knows that visiting the southern most point in the US rarely disappoints. With a personality and attitude all its own, Key West is a haven for beach bums and fishermen. Between drinks at the Hog’s Breath Saloon and afternoons exploring the coral reef, take a second to visit our friends at Assortment Inc. A Key West institution, Assortment Inc. has several custom Smathers & Branson® designs geared directly towards the Keys lifestyle.

Sea Island, GA: When spring break comes around all students must make an important decision: you can pack six people into one hotel room with your friends or join your family on their vacation. If you are lucky enough to visit Sea Island, GA, we would highly recommend skipping the trip to Cancun this year. With world class golf courses, tennis, and a five mile continuous beach, Sea Island has earned a reputation as one of the best resorts in the country. Whether you are in the Beach Shop at the Cloisters or the Golf Shop at the Lodge, stop in and take a look at the custom Smathers & Branson® Sea Island products.

Even as we write this, we are jealous of the students on Spring Break! Where are you going this Spring Break?

Going Green

Green. It means different things to different people. To some it is a sign of environmental activism. To others it is a mark of naiveté. And to the rest it represents the chase of the mighty dollar. Wherever you are in the world, there is only one day that green is ubiquitous.

That day, of course, is St. Patrick’s Day. A religious turned secular holiday, St. Patrick’s Day has become a rallying point of revelry for Irish and non-Irish alike. Unlike any other holiday, St. Patrick’s Day encourages whiskey shots immediately after church. This March 17^th, whether you are dyeing the Chicago River green or meeting a group of friends for a parade in Savannah, Ga., avoid getting pinched by sporting a Smathers and Branson clover product.

Before heading out to celebrate, take a second to view our collection of four-leaf clover products. From start to finish, Smathers and Branson has you covered throughout the day: use our coasters to rest your drink; use our flask to sneak a drink; and use our wallet to buy a drink. The one rule to always follow on St. Patrick’s Day is to make sure to hand over your clover key fob to a designated driver!

Our entire line of needlepoint belts and accessories can be viewed at www.smathersandbranson.com, so take a look and maybe you will get lucky!

Coaster Sets from Smathers and Branson

It happens to us all. You have been invited on a trip with a friend or a significant other and you are looking to make a good impression. These getaways, typically to a family beach or mountain house, can be an important step in a relationship. Being the classy person that you are, instincts tell you to bring a gift, but the question is what?? You know that it is the thought that counts, but you would feel a little bit sheepish showing up with the eight dollar bottle of wine that has been in your kitchen for years. Do not worry, Smathers and Branson has got you covered.

Over the past five years, we have made several additions to our line beyond our beloved needlepoint belts. This winter we launched what many have called “the perfect house warming gift”-- needlepoint Coaster Sets. With designs that are meant to represent the places and activities that our customers love the most, these hand stitched coasters will be a great addition to any coffee table. Our coasters’ bold colors and handsome wooden packaging will be a conversation piece for years and hopefully you will get all the credit.

Selling in sets of four at $75, these needlepoint coasters are a great gift without breaking the bank. If you are feeling really ambitious you can have them monogrammed, but be sure to give us 4-6 weeks to have them stitched!

You can see our entire line of needlepoint coaster sets online at www.smathersandbranson.com! Not seeing a design that you would like? Post a comment and let us know what patterns we should add this spring!

Southern Swing

As the leaves change color and the long evenings of summer give way to the long shadows of fall, it is clear that college football is upon us. Now four weeks into tailgates, victories and rivalries, Smathers and Branson wanted to take a moment to let you know where you can stock up on your favorite team’s gear. In recent history, the South has been the epicenter of college football, so here are a few great stores to stop by on your way to the game.


Clemson, South Carolina plays host to one of loudest and most feared college stadiums in the country. When en route to Death Valley, take a quick detour to M.H. Frank to stock up on all the purple and orange gear you could ever need. The Clemson faithful have M.H. Frank to thank for earning the reputation as some of the most dapper college fans in the country.


It is good to be the champs and this year The Locker Room, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama has been riding last years national championship with huge inventories of ‘Bama apparel. The Locker Room has created some great custom Smathers and Branson ‘Bama products that can only be found in their Tuscaloosa store.


One of the first stores to support our collegiate program, Britton’s Clothing in Columbia, South Carolina is the place for all things Gamecocks. Whether you are looking for a Gamecock flask to keep the wheels greased at the game or a needlepoint wallet to hold your ticket, do not forget to stop by Britton’s on your way to the stadium.


Finally, whether you are a Peyton or an Eli fan – Smathers and Branson has got you covered. It is rumored that several members of “Football’s first family” have been spotted wearing our needlepoint belts at their alma mater. At Ole Miss, show your R*bel pride and stop by Hinton and Hinton in Oxford, Mississippi or check out the checker board and power T gear at M.S. McClellan in Knoxville, Tennessee.


Those are just a few of the great stores that have supported our collegiate line this season. Don’t see you favorite team mentioned? Drop us a line at info@smathersandbranson.com and we’ll connect you with one of the other great stores that carries our collegiate gear! We now offer products for over 60 Colleges and Universities and some new schools just hit the web!

Thank You From S&B

Last month Smathers and Branson lost a dear friend with the passing of Gilles Bridier, the proprietor of Murray’s Toggery on Nantucket. Gilles was one of the very first store owners to take a chance on Smathers and Branson. Over the past 6 years, we were fortunate to work with him and develop a friendship along the way.

Known for his thick French accent and jokester demeanor, Gilles continually kept us on our toes. Fresh out of college, we were only 22 years old when we took a trip out to Nantucket to show Gilles our inaugural line. Meeting the head of such an iconic store, our nerves showed as we butchered the pronunciation of Gilles’ name in every possible way. To our embarrassment, a Murray’s employee corrected us after we had been calling him “Gels,” “Jillies,” and “Giles” during the entire 30 minute meeting. Undeterred by our amateur French accents, Gilles was willing to give us a shot. We left Nantucket with a 20 belt order and no clue how the relationship would develop.

Just one week into carrying our line, Gilles called us seemingly upset and concerned. He told us, “The belts have not sold. The customers don’t like the designs. Should I send them back?” Our hearts dropped and there was what seemed like a minute of awkward silence until we heard his famous laugh on the other end of the phone. The belts had in fact sold. They had sold out. Once Gilles stopped laughing, he went on to place the largest order we had received at that time. It was the perfect introduction to both Gilles’ sense of humor and Murray’s monster orders.

Gilles’ big personality was complimented by his innate business sense. He was the first person to encourage us to make custom products, which have been hugely successful at Murray’s and eventually in other stores. Moreover, store owners from across the country would look to Gilles and the lines that he carried for advice and inspiration. Working with Murray’s has provided great exposure and we will forever be indebted to Gilles for taking a chance on us. Gilles’ legacy lives on at Murray’s and with his sons and their company, Castaway Clothing.

Gilles, from the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for believing in us when we were doubting ourselves, for always making us laugh, and for being one of the most fair and honest people we have had the privilege of working with. You have taught us a lot and you will certainly be missed here at SB!

Peter & Austin

Summer in New England

What a great time of year!—golf season is upon us, boats are about to go back into the water, and Fourth of July BBQ plans are being sprinkled into casual conversation. At Smathers and Branson ®, we are working hard to make sure that you’ve got some great accessories for your spring/summer season. Our new line has already hit your local retailers and will be up on the web soon!

As mercury levels rise, many of New England’s stores are preparing for the heightened foot traffic that comes with seasonal visitors, sunburns, and smiling faces. Whether you are lucky enough to visit Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Newport, or Maine, be sure to stop in and say hi to our friends along the way.

Murray’s Toggery on Nantucket is an institution. Founded in 1945 by the same family that runs it today, Murray’s has been clothing Nantucket locals and tourists alike for over 60 years. Not only did this store create the Nantucket Reds for which they’re famous, it also makes a habit of employing college students during the summer months to maintain a great balance between tradition and new blood. If you happen into Murray’s this summer, be sure to check out to check out their extensive selection of Castaway Clothing, founded by two of Philip Murray’s grandsons.

Just a short ferry ride from Nantucket is Martha’s Vineyard, where up and coming clothier North River Outfitters is quickly making a name for itself. With locations in Boston and Edgartown, NRO carries the entire line of Smathers and Branson needlepoint belts, needlepoint wallets, and needlepoint flasks. They also carry customized Smathers and Branson Vineyard and Boston belts that can only be found at NRO!

In Newport, Rhode Island, be sure to swing by Island Outfitters and pick up a belt fit for a day on the water! Newport has long been considered the top sailing destination on the East Coast, and Island Outfitters carries Smathers & Branson® products that would look great on any boat crew. When you’re back on dry land, the Island Outfitters Newport store on Thames Street is only a short walk from one of Smathers and Branson’s favorite deck bars – the Black Pearl.

Should you end up in the coastal town of Camden, Maine this summer, don’t miss the Smathers and Branson® selection at the Admiral’s Buttons. Whether you are in town for an August wedding or a 4^th of July reunion, the staff at AB will have everything you need to make sure you are looking good.

Didn’t see your favorite store posted here? Have any suggestions to where we should be selling this summer? Want to see Smathers and Branson® products in your local pro shop? Let us know! There are too many great stores in New England to mention them all and we want your feedback! As always, be safe this season and remember anything else is just a waist.

Monograms: Turn a Gift into an Heirloom

The concept of putting a monogram on something has been around for millennia. Greek and Roman rulers used monograms as a royal signature marking their coins, Victorian era aristocrats used monograms to flaunt their status, and throughout time, artists have used monograms to sign their work. Monograms have certainly stood the test of time and seem to be more popular than ever as they are showing up on everything from iphone cases to needlepoint belts.

At Smathers and Branson®, monograms have grown in popularity each year of our business. Since 2005, we have offered a monogram option on our needlepoint belts, but we now offer monograms on our needlepoint wallets, needlepoint flasks, and needlepoint key fobs.

Whether you are looking to protect your prized item by adding initials, commemorate a wedding date, celebrate a graduation year, or you just want to customize your favorite Smathers and Branson® design, we have the monogram for you! This subtle and timeless form of customization will never go out of style, and with our three different monogram options, you are sure to find something for everyone.

With father’s day, mother’s day and graduation just around the corner, remember that our monogrammed products are a great way to give a gift that is truly one of a kind!

Smathers and Branson® monogrammed products take up to 6 weeks to be produced and can be purchased at www.smathersandbranson.com.