brand focus
3 minute read
Why Our Legacy is worth buying pre-owned
Words by Heather June Coombs
Our Legacy never shouts. Their clothes require a certain eye, an appreciation for details that aren’t immediately obvious.
The Case for Our Legacy
Our Legacy is a Swedish outlier. While many Scandinavian brands chase minimalist uniformity, Our Legacy leans into something more subcultural, more lived-in. They’ve built a reputation for clothes that feel simultaneously familiar and off-kilter, a clever blend of classic menswear tropes with a subtle, often unsettling, twist. This approach makes their pieces particularly compelling in the pre-owned market.
An Evolving Aesthetic
Founders Jockum Hallin, Cristopher Nying, and Richardos Klaremo started with graphic tees in 2005. They quickly expanded into full collections, developing a distinctive visual language. Their early work often felt like elevated basics – well-cut shirts, quality denim, knitwear with a collegiate slant. Over time, the collections grew more experimental, incorporating unexpected fabrics, deconstructed elements, and a leaning towards oversized, yet tailored, silhouettes. The brand never shouts. Our Legacy clothing requires a certain eye, an appreciation for details that aren’t immediately obvious. It’s the slightly off-kilter button placement on a shirt, the custom-dyed fabric that changes subtly with wear, or the unexpected texture of a knit. These are clothes designed to be worn, to acquire character, not simply displayed.
Construction and Materials Justify the Cost
New Our Legacy pieces are not cheap. A full-price jacket can run upwards of £600-800, shirts £200-300. This pricing is justified by their commitment to quality construction and often proprietary fabrics. They use Italian and Portuguese mills for a significant portion of their production, with factories often specialising in specific types of garments. Expect robust stitching, considered finishes, and materials that handle real-world use. Think heavy-gauge cottons, substantial wool blends, and leathers that age gracefully. This isn't disposable fashion. The longevity built into each garment means an Our Legacy piece fundamentally holds its value better. You’re buying something made to last, which is precisely what you want when spending on pre-owned.
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The Archive Line and The Hunt for Past Seasons
A crucial aspect of Our Legacy’s pre-owned appeal lies in its "Archive" line. This ongoing project directly reissues past season favourites, sometimes with minor tweaks to fabric or fit. It’s a tacit acknowledgement from the brand itself that their older work holds significant merit and demand. This also fuels the hunt for original seasonal drops. Unlike brands that rely on hyped collaborations, Our Legacy's appeal is rooted in its design language. Collectors specifically seek out garments from particular seasons, sometimes for a unique fabric choice, a specific collar detail, or a silhouette that hasn’t been replicated since. Pieces from their "Splash" collection or earlier "Great Many" offerings, for example, command solid prices. Certain outerwear or knitwear from 5-7 years ago can be particularly sought after. It’s a testament to designs that transcend fleeting trends.
The Pre-owned Advantage
Buying Our Legacy pre-owned offers several clear advantages. First, the price point becomes more accessible. You can acquire a well-made, distinctively designed piece for a fraction of its original retail. Second, the clothes often look better with some wear. The fabrics soften, the colours deepen. They gain a patina that can’t be replicated out of the box. Finally, it’s about discovering pieces you missed. The seasonal nature of fashion means even dedicated followers can't buy everything. The pre-owned market becomes a treasure trove for those signature jackets, obscure prints, or specific fabric compositions that caught your eye years ago but sold out before you had a chance. It’s not just a compromise; it’s an opportunity to acquire garments with genuine character and lasting appeal. Our Legacy represents a counterpoint to the relentless churn of fashion. Their clothes are an investment in considered design and lasting quality. They are often better the second, or even third, time around.
