Checks Downtown is one of the most exciting things to happen to New Zealand menswear in years, and you do not have to take our word for it: international press like Gear Patrol have run features on the Auckland label plotting its big break. Wally is an authorised Checks Downtown stockist, one of only two listed on the brand's own stockists page. Here is what you need to know.
The Checks story
Checks Downtown was started in Auckland in 2017 by Jordan Gibson. In the brand's own words, it is "a New Zealand clothing label with a global outlook", sitting "between street fashion, luxurious fabrication and tailored design" with "a playful, eclectic and not-to-be-taken too seriously attitude". That mix is exactly what it feels like on the rack: streetwear shapes cut with proper tailoring instincts, in fabrics chosen by someone who cares.
The pieces to know
The Hakama silhouette is the signature: wide, pleated, drawing on the traditional Japanese trouser, and so central to the brand that Checks gives the Hakama family its own collection. We carry the Hakama Pleated Pants, the wool versions, and the Hakama Shorts. Beyond that, the Dptmnt tees, hoodies and caps carry the brand's graphic side, and the Lark sweatshorts and sweatpants have quietly become some of our most consistent sellers.
Sizing and fit
Checks publishes per-garment measurement charts in centimetres, with tops running XS to XL and pants XS to XXL. The cuts are generous by design, especially the Hakama shapes, so check the chest and waist measurements against a garment you own rather than guessing. If you are in Auckland, this is a brand worth trying on: the silhouettes are distinctive and the right size makes them.
Where to buy Checks Downtown
Checks runs its own flagship in Newmarket, and Wally is an authorised stockist on the North Shore side of the bridge. We stock the Hakama pants and shorts, Wind Pants, Puddle Jeans, Dptmnt range, Lark sweats and shirting.
Shop the full Checks Downtown range online with free NZ delivery on orders over $80, or try the fits in person at 53 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna. Full-price items can be returned within 30 days in original condition.