Introducing: The Foundation Vest by Dave's New York
Built for those who work hard, by those who work hard.
We're excited to add another piece to the Dave's New York Foundation collection: the Foundation Vest!
Just like our Foundation Pants, this vest is the result of a lot of brainstorming and drawing on our experience with work wear. Made with the same rugged 12-ounce cotton canvas as our Foundation Pants, this vest is tough, durable, and functional. But we also wanted it to look good, feel good, and last - regardless of what you do with it.
We always knew we wanted the same American-made canvas to match our pants, but it was all new design from there. We used a locally-sourced nylon quilted lining, as well as a custom cut rib knit collar. The lining holds in the warmth while not being bulky, making the vest a great piece to wear on top of a hoodie or under another layer. The rib knit collar is meant to hug the back of your neck to keep out the cold, but not be so high up in the front that you feel like it's choking you.
Then we turned our attention to the front of the vest. The zipper is such an important feature. It has to be heavy duty, but not so heavy that it's difficult to zip. The pull tab has to be large enough to grab with gloves, but not so big that it sticks out or flops around. The teeth have to be tough, but not so rough that it feels sharp to the touch. In essence, the zippers took a while to get exactly right. So we decided to use a heavy duty YKK zipper since their zippers are some of the best and can ensure quality.
The front pockets were also a challenge, and while they seem plain and simple, we put several versions on samples. Pockets have to be deep enough to hold things, but not so deep or big that you can't get stuff out. They have to be big enough for your entire hands, but if you make them too big, then it's not a natural movement to put your hands in; the pockets get set too far apart and it's awkward. Also most brands put the same nylon quilted lining in the front pockets, but in the winter the nylon gets cold, so we lined the front pockets with fleece for both comfort and warmth. We used a tighter knit fleece that is durable to stand the test of time.
We also have an inside security pocket that is pretty unique. Designed by our team, it features an angled opening with a square bottom and hook-and-loop closure (think Velcro). The design is ergonomic and makes it easy to get things out of, while the closure helps keep things in. No one wants to drop their phone, keys, or other valuables when they bend over. So we wanted to make sure that this interior pocket passed that test.
We are calling the fit of the vest “Original Fit.” And that means it's a workwear garment and isn't cut too trim. But we did give it enough room to wear with a sweatshirt underneath. We also made it a little longer than some comparable vests out there because a common complaint we hear is how short the vests are in the front. You don't have to size up or down from your regular size, but you can go up a size if you're trying to go for an oversized look. The vest comes in sizes from Small through 3XL.
Lastly, we are partnering with the same people to cut the fabric here in NYC. The Garment District in New York is still the best place to find people incredibly skilled in their craft. Once cut, the vests are sewn by a 3rd generation family business in New Jersey. One of the great things about being a small business is that we get to work with other small businesses to help each other thrive. Building these relationships in manufacturing has been greatly rewarding. This is why we are so proud to say that it is built in the USA.
When we launched our first Foundation Pants late last year, we were very unsure how they would be received. But the positive feedback from you all really gave us the confidence to keep going. We designed the vest to go with the pants, so it's available in Olive, Black and Navy.
We hope you'll check out the vest (and the pants too!) And please let us know what you think. We always strive to make a product that is of good quality, looks great, and lasts.
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