Scotch & Soda

So here's the thing about Scotch & Soda-it's one of those brands that kind of sneaks up on you. Founded in 1985 in Amsterdam, it started as just a menswear label, but over the past 40 years it's morphed into this full-blown lifestyle brand that's basically everywhere. And I mean everywhere. The brand is sold in 8,000 stores and 250 branded stores, which is pretty wild when you think about it.

What makes Scotch & Soda interesting is that Amsterdam vibe they've managed to bottle up and sell. The brand celebrates the city's free-spirited character, championing individuality, authenticity and self-expression in every design. For 40 years, they've been mixing classic and contemporary styles, bold colours, rich textures and unexpected details. It's not trying to be minimalist Scandi or over-the-top Italian-it's got its own lane.

The collections are surprisingly comprehensive. They offer women's, men's, and kids' clothing, shoes, and accessories. In January 2020, the company launched sunglasses and eye glasses ranges for men and women, and announced the launch of its third perfume, Island Water. So yeah, they're not just doing basics-they're building out a whole universe of stuff you can wear and use.

But let's talk about the elephant in the room. Scotch & Soda filed for bankruptcy in the Netherlands on March 20, 2023. That sounds dramatic, but here's the twist: brand management firm Bluestar Alliance completed the acquisition of the company on May 11, 2023. Bluestar also owns brands like Bebe and Hurley, so they know retail. And honestly? The brand seems to be having a bit of a renaissance. In 2023, Joe Jonas became the brand's first ambassador and was appointed to lead in designing a new collection capsule to be launched in Fall 2024.

The aesthetic is what you'd call "elevated casual." Think well-cut chinos, interesting prints, denim that actually fits properly, and outerwear with those little details that make you look twice. It's the kind of stuff that works for brunch or a casual Friday at the office-versatile without being boring. And the price point sits in that sweet spot where it feels like a treat but won't completely wreck your budget.

One thing that's cool is their commitment to sustainability. For the Summer 2021 season, 41% of all styles across all lines met their standard of 20% use of responsible material by item, with the aim to increase this so that 70% of styles would be made by early 2024. Whether they hit that target or not, at least they're thinking about it.

If you're shopping Scotch & Soda, you're basically buying into that Amsterdam ethos-a little bit rebellious, a little bit refined, and definitely not taking itself too seriously. It's fashion that feels like it has a personality, which in a sea of sameness, counts for something.