They grow up so fast: Tanner Fletcher is ready to expand in a big way. Since designers Tanner Richie and Fletcher Kasell launched their label in 2020, they have steadily built up a cult following for their whimsical suits adorned with lace and ribbons and bowed tops, finding a distinct customer base who will flock to them for a quirkier approach to event dressing. But for fall they finally felt ready to venture into more casual pieces, too. “We’re from the Midwest, so we wanted to launch a new category called ‘Cabin Wear,’” said Richie. “We’re trying to build [clothes for] a full lifestyle.”
The new offering—consider it an edited capsule collection within their main brand—revolves around adding their signature kitschy flair to everyday pieces. The mainline assortment can veer to the formal, so the designers wanted to introduce more wearable pieces that come at a more accessible price point. Cozy knitwear was a big focus: Striped sweaters came in sherbet-hued pinks, blues, and creams. Crewnecks and corduroy shirts were adorned with prints of white swans or ducks, inspired by the animals they grew up seeing around the Midwest. “Our dads wee really into hunting and fishing,” said Kasell. “But of course, we had to make it a little gay.”
Sometimes when emerging labels grow too fast too quickly, it ends up being a cautionary tale, but Tanner Fletcher’s expansion was succinctly on-brand: Every dressed-down piece still felt wholeheartedly them, right down to the techy athleisure pants—adorned with lace trim—and chiffon plaid dresses, ruched and puff-shouldered to be a little less lumberjack, and more sweet. “We’re trying to build our dresses,” said Kasell. They also introduced saucy pieces like a faux fur-trimmed mini skirt suit, their version of veering into sexy territory. “We have a lot of different customers, so we’re trying to offer something for everyone,” said Richie.
Their more fanciful evening assortment, meanwhile, hit all the Tanner Fletcher must-haves. Never ones to shy away from a ballgown, the duo created a full-skirted, black silk-organza gown with panels of white charmeuse. They had big, frilly polka-dotted blouses, and white dress shirts with a hit of punk ruffling along the collar, which in a menswear context felt especially fun. There was a level of construction and refinement to their pieces that felt more polished this season—like they’ve finally had the time and resources to create, versus rushing to the finish line. Their velvet corseted gown, with swirled lace appliqués crescendoing at the bust, felt luxurious to the touch.
Zany tailoring has always been a strongpoint for the pair, and that shined through again for fall, like the brown two-piece suit adorned with vintage brooches of various canards. (Scoured from eBay, no less.) It was those special little touches that, despite the growth trajectory, still made the collection feel special and personal. “Our vision is really starting to unfold, which is exciting,” said Richie.
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