Curve Gear Review: A Clothing Brand with Industrial Roots Designed Specifically for SA Men

Spending time at a mall in South Africa reveals a glaringly obvious gap in the market for men. There’s simply a lack of good quality, stylish clothes for adult men at reasonable prices. While most clothing stores catering to men focus on teens and young university-aged adults, the young professional guy is left jostling for boring scraps in the same old corners of bigger franchise stores.

Fortunately, one local company is doing something about it. Launched just three years ago, Curve Gear was born from industrial roots. The clothing brand’s namesake is a nod to its mother company, a leading original equipment manufacturer of heavy-duty slurry pumps, namely the ‘Curve’ range of slurry pumps. What started as a brand extension project, took off rapidly with Curve Gear expanding to seven retail outlets in South Africa.

With a range of clothing, footwear and accessories, the brand is sure to become a popular choice for South African men looking for high-quality, durable, versatile clothing. In-store and online you’ll find everything from rugged workwear to stylish casual wear, as well as footwear (including safety boots) and accessories.

The proudly South African brand’s commitment to quality and local manufacturing is guaranteed to resonate with South African customers. Curve Gear manufactures a significant portion of its clothing in South Africa, and the majority of its lifestyle boots are 100% South African-made. The result is a brand that can compete on the global stage, in terms of quality and price.

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Curve Gear is a head-to-toe apparel brand that places a big focus on comfort, durability, and practicality, combined with a distinctly South African aesthetic. Browsing the store, it’s quickly apparent that this gear was created for South African men who want clothing that fits their bodies, suits their style, and can stand up to the demands of their lives.

“Curve Gear is tailored for South African men who value practicality, functionality, comfort, and elevated everyday wear. The brand caters to those who embrace an engineering mindset in their daily lives, seeking solutions that enhance their comfort and the value they add to this world,” says Curve Gear CEO, Jaco Buitendag. “These men may lead dynamic lifestyles, from spending all day on-site getting their hands dirty to enjoying outdoor adventures with friends and family on the weekends. Curve Gear understands the diverse needs of South African men, offering versatile clothing that seamlessly transitions from professional settings to casual outings. Whether it’s staying safe on the job site or looking sharp at a weekend braai, Curve Gear aims to empower men to tackle any situation with confidence and style.”

Buitendag expands on how Curve Gear came about; “It all started when we gifted safety boots to our top Pump and Abrasions clients worldwide. The overwhelmingly positive feedback we received highlighted that our boots were not only technically robust but also comfortable and visually appealing. This revealed a significant demand for safety boots in South Africa. As our closest colleagues, friends, suppliers, and family began wearing our boots daily, their valuable feedback enabled us to test and refine our products further. As our range expanded, we actively sought public input to make minor adjustments, ensuring our boots met diverse aesthetic preferences and safety requirements. As they say; the rest is history.”

With 7 stores across South Africa, including Canal Walk, Tygervalley, Eastgate and Clearwater Mall, consumers can easily get their hands on the brand. Failing that, you can also shop online at CurveGear.com.

Shopping at Curve Gear

I visited the newly-opened Tygervalley Mall store and was incredibly impressed with the experience. Like many men in South Africa, I’ve become disillusioned with the shopping experience. Something as simple as shopping for a new T-shirt has become a chore, and I’m done wading through the hideous fast fashion, ill-fitting and poor-quality options available only to go home empty-handed.

Shopping at Curve Gear was an absolute breeze and pleasure. The store’s staff are helpful and knowledgable on the products and sizing and can help you find anything you need in a flash. They’re on hand to give style advice when you need it and are also great at letting you explore on your own, popping up when they see you need some input. They’ve nailed the delicate balance of being attentive and helpful, but not too in your face while you shop.

Of course, what makes Curve Gear truly excellent is the sheer number of options available to men. No matter your style, you’ll find something to suit your needs. From preppy chinos and collared shirts; to laid-back joggers and T-shirts; to casual jeans and golf shirts — it’s all here. Not to mention the range of jerseys, jackets, sweaters, and hoodies!

The footwear range is just as extensive with vellies, formal shoes, sneakers, everyday fashion boots, and Curve’s acclaimed safety boots available. You can also veer into the accessories categories and round off your look with a selection of belts, hats, socks, wallets, and backpacks. The accessories in store are the ideal options for Father’s Day or birthday gifts for the man who has everything.

Jeremy was so impressed with the selection at Curve Gear and eventually settled on a pair of Texco Joggers and three T-shirts, taking advantage of the “buy 3, pay for 2 on all tops” promotion that was running in-store. We’ll be popping back soon to stock up on a few sweaters and jerseys for the winter season.

Shop the full Curve Gear range online now and see what all the fuss is about. Don’t forget to follow Curve Gear on Facebook and Instagram for style tips, promotions, and more.