Build a classy new look with Burlingtons Menswear's winter sale

If there’s one thing Graham Wright knows, it’s menswear. He’s spent 90% of his working life in the field, first as a buyer for David Jones and then as national sales manager for Seattle-based sportswear company Cutter & Buck. That’s how he began wholesaling to Burlingtons Menswear, which has been a fixture at 53 The Parade for almost forty years. So when Wright decided to move back to Adelaide in 2000, he bought the business and put his skills to good use. 

Since then he has gradually modernised the offering and now specialises in high quality European brands. “Retail has changed a lot over the years and there are not many independent menswear businesses like mine left,” he says, adding with pride, “I'm the only stockist in Adelaide for some of these brands.” 

Because he maintains a strong network of wholesale contacts across the globe, the selection at Burlingtons is constantly evolving and covers everything from formalwear to jeans, with a broad selection of shirts, jackets, sport coats, ties, belts, boots and socks – “just about everything except underwear.” 

The styles he carries cover a similarly broad spectrum, with timeless classics from German label Bugatti, modern garments that pop with colour from Dutch brands R2 and A Fish Named Fred and a broad selection of Spanish, Italian and even Brazilian offerings. And for anything he can’t find elsewhere, there’s also a Burlingtons label that Wright designs himself. 

It’s why he finds himself serving new customers every day – “they come in because they know they’ll find something they've never seen before.” And with a winter sale featuring up to 50% off a range of sport coats, suits and knitwear, now is the perfect time to pop in for a new winter look. Here are Wright’s top tips when updating your wardrobe. 

Look The Part

When it comes to selecting the right outfit, Wright says the most important thing is being clear about where you plan to wear it. “When customers come in, the first thing I do is find out why they are buying an outfit - is it for the office, do they have a big function coming up or are they going overseas for a business trip? That’s more important than what’s in fashion this month, and it means I can make sure it fits that purpose.” 

Quality Shows

“I don't give customers a big spiel on what to do with the clothes after they buy them because a good quality garment should be easy to look after, you just need to follow the instructions on the label,” says Wright. If you’re buying knitwear, he suggests looking for 100% merino wool because the natural fibres will help garments to keep their shape and avoid pilling, and no matter what style of suit you wear, you should always hang it up when you’re not wearing it so that it holds its shape. 

Express Yourself

One of the things that sets Burlingtons apart is the personalised service that Wright offers. “Some customers will spend an hour and a half shopping in here, which means I don’t just know what size they are, I can see what kind of person they are. Your outfit tells a story about who you are and even men who dress conservatively can express their personality with their choice of buttons, a pocket hanky or a quirky lining.”