On our recent fabric and garment sourcing trip abroad, Phil and I took some time to reflect on the year past, and the feedback we’ve received from all of you. We were reminded by what a few fantastic customers told us - Take a vacation, you’ve earned it. We’re happy to report we did, and in style.

You’ll also be happy to know that we’ve taken your product, website and operations feedback to heart as well, and we’ll be sharing improvements and things-to-expect-from-us very soon.

We also thought of a simple way to thank all of you for your support, and I’m happy to introduce it today: Thank You Thursdays

Every Thursday at Noon EST, starting today, we’ll gift a lucky customer on our Facebook page with a little H&C happiness. We’ll post what the gift is, and all you have to do is “like” it, comment on it, or share it. Nothing else required. Free stuff, basically, because we like you.

So check back on Facebook in a few hours, and good luck!

– Hugh & Crye

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Jesse A. from Albuquerque, NM sends us these beautiful pictures from his wedding on the banks of the Rio Grande. Jesse, like most grooms that wear Hugh & Crye for their wedding, chose Brummell’s Preferred. Love the look he put together for himself – pin-dot grey tie in what looks to be a light wool fabric, suspenders (ahem, braces), cuff links, and a textured (herringbone?) pocket square that doubles as a handkerchief. All swag.

Of course, his wife looks beautiful too! As she grew up in Hawaii, Jesse was blessed by his father-in-law with a maile lei.

Congratulations to you and your wife, Jesse! Thank you for choosing us for your wedding, we really are grateful.

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Ilona from Elk Creek, VA sends us this awesome picture of her Brother and Dad wearing Hugh & Crye.  Her Brother, on the left, is wearing BSD, and her father on the right, is wearing Gordon Gekko.

Looking good fellas! And lucky you to have Ilona in your lives!

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Al B. (from Mclean, Virginia) packed a few H&C shirts for his recent vacation to Paris and Rome. Here he is wearing Hagen outside the Louvre.

Thanks for sharing Al!

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Anne Marie from Washington, DC proves everyone wrong, rocking Hagen in Short/Skinny.

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Larry from Philadelphia, PA, wearing the Barack shirt. Awesome fit, and the tall collar looks great!

We’re pretty much sold out on the Barack shirt, but we’re bringing it back. Being that it is election year and all, you know.

#itsgoingtobealongyear

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We’re catching up with all of the fun customer stories sent to us, or witnessed first hand, and this has to be one of the most… unique.

Customer walks in with a Brooks Brothers shirt he completely tore through. As you can tell, this guy works a bit on his LATS.

Glad to hook him up in a Renegade Groomsman shirt.

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Andy from Alexandria, VA sends us this picture of himself, wearing the Trafalgar shirt. There’s no way around it: he looks great for his age, and we’re glad to have him wearing a shirt that actually fits, and not a parachute that billows in the wind.

Thanks, Andy! You wear it well.

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It’s January, and surely colder now than when this picture was taken. But we’re glad to share Ryan from Washington, DC wearing the Babe blue oxford cloth button-down contrast collar shirt, here with his beautiful wife. Thanks for sharing, Ryan, and love the knit tie!

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BRING ON 2012.

Last night I went to a Capitals game with a friend/mentor of mine. We had amazing seats and whiskeys in hand. Recognizing this unique opportunity, I sought his advice (quite selfishly) on all things Hugh & Crye. Like all great mentors, he left me feeling great about our progress to date, and gave me a kick in the butt for what we have yet to do.

He said something that I’ll never forget: “I see a lot of businesses and ideas come across my desk. And I’m a very picky guy as a consumer. I love your shirts. And I’m not alone. You’re on to something great.”

Later in the evening (still drinking), in perhaps a whiskey-induced bout of Tourettes, I blurted out “I feel so lucky that so many amazing people give a shit about us.”

Pardon my language, but let me explain.

If you’ve started a company, you know that it becomes an extension of you. Actually, it consumes you. You’re grinding hard, because there is so much to do and so little time in the day. Days and nights blur together, and what’s a weekend anyway? You obsess over the product, you pour over the numbers, you build and build and build.

And then you take step back, and ask yourself…. Why?

• Why bootstrap a business from nothing in the most difficult economic time in many generations?
• Why choose an industry (retail *cough*) that is fraught with inefficiency and a financial model that can often spit in the face of rationality?
• And why choose a product category (the men’s shirt *cough cough*) that is perceived as a commodity?

Answer: because people like you care.

This year we were hit by what is now obvious: you’re not just buying shirts. You’re supporting us. You’re giving us a shot and spreading the word. You’re offering your feedback and advice.You’re sharing your story, and helping build the story that is Hugh & Crye. THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU.

Extra-super-special thanks to our extended team that helped Phil and I tirelessly this year: Bryan Mahoney, Jeff Mindell, Jenna Irish, Melissa Beazer, Jordan Berman, Andrew Lam, Jeoffrey Pucci, TC Kastanek, Patrick Boateng, Ruben Musca, Akshay Gandhi, Matthew Shor, Chris Svetlik, James Majewski, and Courtney Baker. I apologize if I’ve missed anyone.

2011 was an amazing year for us, and I can tell you that 2012 will truly be our breakout year. In less than a week, Phil and I head abroad on a sourcing trip of sorts. We’ll be sharing our journey with you. We hope you do the same. Truly, if there is anything we can do to help you, no matter what is, I hope you get in touch.

Thank you so much. And Happy New Year!

My best,

Pranav Vora
Founder + CEO
Hugh & Crye

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