Where does Shaka Smart shop?
Shelby Mertens
Spectrum Editor
Ever wondered where men’s basketball head coach Shaka Smart gets his threads?
Through a Freedom of Information Act request, The CT obtained the head coach’s contract and receipts for his clothing purchases in 2011.
Smart’s contract of employment with VCU gives him a $10,000 clothing allowance each year. The clause allows him to purchase clothes and submit his receipts to VCU Athletics for reimbursement up to the set allowance.
Smart seems to have one favorite store in Richmond: Beecroft & Bull.
Located in the West End, Beecroft & Bull is a high-end men’s clothing store that carries a variety of classic menswear with an Italian twist, according to store manager Tom Tatum. The retailer also has stores in Charlottesville and Virginia Beach.
Photo by Chris Conway
Tatum said Smart has shopped at Beecroft & Bull for the last three years. Smart usually comes in once or twice a year, Tatums said: once in September, before the basketball season begins, and then again in the spring.
Beecroft & Bull offers a variety of high-end brands, and Tatum said Smart tends to go for Italian brands such as Canali and Isaia.
In a purchase made in April 2011, Smart bought a tuxedo, a bib-front tuxedo shirt, a cummerbund, a silver and mother of pearl stud set and a basic black bow tie. His total reached $3,000.
Tatum describes Smart’s style as “simply metropolitan.”
“I think we do a good job of dressing him in a more metropolitan look, giving him a bigger city approach to his wardrobe, especially for Virginia,” Tatum said.
“He’d fit right into New York or Chicago in my opinion,” Tatum added.
When it comes to shoes, Tatum said Smart prefers slip-ons to lace-ups. Tatum said Smart usually buys Santoni slip-ons, which are handmade in Italy.
With ties, Tatum said Smart likes to mix old and new styles, but said he definitely goes for the Italian luxury brands for high-quality neckwear.
“He’s really open with tie taste. I think he likes a bit of oldness with his neckwear, but he’ll do bold and then he’ll wear something more traditional,” Tatum said. “I don’t think he’s one-dimensional.”
Smart could not be reached for comment on his tie or shoe preferences by press time.
