This Is Cambridge – spots, stripes ‘n’ all things nice

Some years ago, when writing about casquettes (as you do…) I came across This Is Cambridge. They appeared to be a small company who were hand making cotton cycling caps, to order.

I liked this.

I like small companies, because they often make quirky creative stuff. I like hand made things because where’s the romance in mass production? And I liked the fact that they just made one thing well.

I got in touch with them, and they were also lovely people.

Full house.

But cosy as all this was, This Is Cambridge started to visibly grow (and why not?). They branched out into socks, jerseys, and other bits and bobs, and their ‘look’ really appeared – stripy socks; and then spotty socks; and then stripy and spotty socks; and then racy jerseys; and some more caps; and then a cyclo-cross range…

It probably wasn’t as easy as I’m making it sound.

My point is that, from a customer perspective, they grew gradually, with a plan.

This Is Cambridge kit looks exactly like This Is Cambridge kit. Each development moves things on, but there’s a thread. If I worked in fashion I’d use a proper fashion-y word to describe this, but I don’t.

So I won’t.

But you get the idea.

Spots, stripes, and big colours might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but that’s how it’s supposed to be. That’s what style is. This Is Cambridge kit is a variation on a distinct theme, but it’s their theme. Not someone else’s.

If it were everyone’s cup of tea, it probably wouldn’t be mine.

And the next development is a collaboration with helmet-makers-to-the-stars, Kask.

Recently launched is the TICCC edition Kask Protone helmet and the rather natty Grimpeur kit; a smart, technical, racy jersey, a nice looking ‘lid’ to compliment it, and socks and arm warmers too.

Check out the website for more info, and have a dabble at the competition to win.

Oh…and they’re still lovely people too!