Talking Shop with The Grunion Run

What inspired you to open The Grunion Run? The seeds for the line were actually planted 6 years ago when I married my husband, Kevin. We didn't want the guys to be in traditional tuxedos or dark suits but we had a hard time finding affordable options that were stylish and fit our vision. The boys still looked good but we never actually found what we were looking for. It was clear there was a hole in the market. I was somewhat surprised {given all the incredible design developments in the wedding industry} that the menswear segment had not really evolved. I kept hearing that brides were still having a hard time finding non-traditional options. While there are certainly mainstream retailers who have great clothes, one problem with traditional retail is that the stock rotates by season. That really pushed us towards the idea that starting a groomsmen shop focused on a very specific style and that stocked products year round.

Who shops at The Grunion Run? What type of groom? The Grunion Run guy is someone who embraces that rustic, DIY, vintage style that has emerged in the creative communities around the country, and in particular, weddings. These guys are not interested in sticking with traditional looks but rather expressing their personalities through their clothes and accessories. The color palettes and fabrics tend to be more natural and raw. I think these guys tend to have a playful, creative edge to them, and they enjoy crafting a more original style.

How would you describe your clothing? Our designs have been tailored very specifically with our customer in mind. We wanted to offer clothes that were great both for and after weddings —pieces that could become staples in the groom's wardrobe. We really wanted something that would be versatile and look great buttoned, unbuttoned, with tie or without. The measurements of the ties were very important to us too. They had to be modern yet timeless, neither too thick nor too thin. It may seem silly to focus stuff like this, but in menswear it's the small details that really matter! We try to use really high-quality fabrics for all of our products. Our intention is for groomsmen to be able to purchase their wedding outfits for a price point that would be similar to renting a tuxedo. That way, for the money they are spending, they have an outfit to add to their closet as opposed to a tuxedo that they would just return.

What inspires you and gets your design juices flowing? I am really inspired by the huge creative community that is bursting all over the internet. I could spend hours pouring over blogs by the talented artists, photographers, writers, etc who inhabit every corner of our online world! 

 Shop The Grunion Run here.