Review: Public Rec, 2 piece fit
It’s time for a performance (clothing) review, and Public Rec has volunteered to go first.
Comfort, fit and fabric are all details that I try to address when looking for clothes. Sometimes one will outweigh the other depending on the type of clothing I’m going for. And purpose and occasion also need to be addressed at the same time.
A tailored wool suit for formal occasions, synthetic gym shorts when you head to the gym or some Nike X Off Whites just to show people that the leaking tap in your bathroom isn’t the only drip you’ve got going on.
With their range, Public Rec is trying to combine comfortable clothes that fit well with performance fabric. These could be worn every day for some people, or for those times when you need to look presentable but your day is going to be far from sedentary.
The Specs
Workday Pant
| Colour | Dark Olive |
| Fit | Slim (33×30) |
| Fabric | 90% Polyester, 10% spandex |
| Price | $164AUD |
| Made | Indonesia |
| Features | Super stretchy Quick drying Hidden back zipper pocket |
Yes, these workday pants are stretchy as fuck, it’s made of spandex, they should be stretchy. The fabric is also a quick drying performance material. The back zipper pocket is a welcome addition, especially if you’re worried about items falling out of your pocket while being active. When you put them on you can immediately tell how comfortable they’ll be as they stretch with your body.
I do have a few gripes though, from afar they look presentable and passable as smart casual pants, but as you get closer they do have a synthetic look about them, not ultra-shiny-polyseter looking, but definitely synthetic. And this is further confirmed once you feel the fabric it doesn’t feel natural at all. Adding to this, the material isn’t thin per se, but because of the fit around my thighs, items in my pockets are definitely noticeable.
Lastly, logos; I appreciate the subtle details like the embossed logo and company name on some of the buttons. However, the rubber ‘P’ on the back of the pants is where I’d draw the line, even if it is on the subtle side, I’m not a fan of it as it feels more like advertising than branding.
Go-To-Polo
| Colour | Heather Silver Spoon |
| Fit | M |
| Fabric | 69% Pima cotton, 23% TENCEL® and 8% spandex |
| Price | $104AUD |
| Made | Peru |
| Features | Stretchy Wrinkle-resistant Moisture-wicking Quick Drying |
The go-to-polo is really comfortable, the material feels really soft and smooth. The fabric isn’t see-through-thin, but it just feels light when you pick it up. This combination of softness and lightness, along with the inbuilt stretch and quick drying properties of the material are definitely all positives. If your day-to-day is more on the active side, this would definitely be a great polo to consider.
Wearing the polo on hot and humid days, sweat wasn’t a problem and it didn’t feel like a stuffy polo shirt at all. The fit is great too. It’s not too boxy, but it’s forgiving for guys with a little more around their belly.
Like the pants, the small details are appreciated: the contrast colour on the placket, the logo on the buttons and interior of the shirt are subtle and go unnoticed. The stitching on the cuffs and hem of the shirt look well done. But on the back of the shirt, towards the hem, another small ‘P’ logo appears. Again not a huge deal, just not my preference.
Is it Affordable?
I guess so, it really all depends on you. As with most clothes the occasion and purpose will dictate whether or not you would benefit from the features of this pants and polo combo.
If you’re more on the active side but can’t get away with athleisure at work, or prefer to be more dressed up in your off time, performance/tech-wear from Public Rec should be high on your list.
Personally, I can see the polo getting a lot of wears, it’s light and feels heaps comfortable. But with the pants, I’d rather sacrifice some of stretchiness for a better fabric feel. But in saying that, this could be the perfect pair of pants to travel in. They still look great and would be very comfortable on long haul flights.
There’s a time and place for clothes made by Public Rec, for some it will be always, for me it’s just sometimes. But when I need them, I’ll be happy I have them.
Disclaimer: This isn’t a paid promotion, but the clothes were provided by Public Rec for review. Some links in this review are affiliate links that help to keep this site running at no cost to you.
