Rodd & Gunn

Rodd & Gunn has built its reputation on quality craftsmanship, premium materials and timeless smart-casual design, and its jackets are the pieces shoppers most often call worth the investment. The appeal is durable, understated style that transitions easily between casual and dressier settings rather than chasing trends. For a versatile outer layer meant to last, it is a name buyers return to.

The price reflects premium fibers and fabrics paired with careful construction and a heritage-driven design philosophy. As a New Zealand lifestyle brand, it leans on quality materials and garments meant to live with you for years rather than fast-fashion turnover. You are paying for longevity and finish, which is the brand's whole positioning.

Rodd & Gunn is a New Zealand-based premium maker of clothing, footwear and accessories, founded in 1946 by Jim Jarvis. The New Zealand identity is central to its image, informing both its smart-casual aesthetic and its marketing. That Kiwi heritage is a big part of what sets it apart from other menswear labels.

The label was founded in 1946 in New Zealand by Jim Jarvis. By 1995 it had been acquired by the Australian firm Action Downunder, which is the ownership behind its later international expansion. So while the brand's roots and identity remain firmly Kiwi, its corporate home moved across the Tasman decades ago.

Yes. Rodd & Gunn outfitted the New Zealand national team competing at the 2012 London Summer Olympics. Dressing a national team is a strong signal of the brand's standing at home and a memorable moment in its history. It is the kind of credential that reinforces its premium, distinctly New Zealand image.

The brand has expanded well beyond its home market. As of December it operated over 240 retail stores worldwide, including in New Zealand, Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, plus outlet locations and stockists in Canada, Ireland and France. In 2024 it also leased space for its third New York City store, on 5th Avenue.

It is, and quite ambitiously. In 2024 the company began a five-year expansion plan to open 40 new stores in the United Kingdom, signaling serious international growth. The following year it also expanded its cross-border online payment capabilities with the arrival of Airwallex to New Zealand. The brand is clearly investing in reaching more global shoppers.

Rodd & Gunn occupies the smart-casual men's space, with jackets, knitwear, shirts and accessories that lean relaxed but refined. The look is understated and built to last, drawing on the brand's New Zealand lifestyle identity rather than loud branding. It suits a wardrobe that needs to move between weekend and workplace without feeling formal.

It tends to be, precisely because the styling is timeless rather than trend-driven, so it suits a wide range of tastes and ages. Jackets and knitwear are the safest entry points given the brand's reputation for those categories. The New Zealand heritage also gives a gift a bit of a story behind it.

Because the brand uses premium natural fibers, gentle care pays off: follow the garment labels, fold knitwear rather than hanging it, and air pieces between wears instead of over-washing. Quality wool and leather reward a light touch and proper storage. Looked after well, these are pieces meant to stay in your wardrobe for years.