Kendall and Desmond Brooks, who opened Shopboy tailors on Walker in 2017, have a new family project: Acres Baselayers, elevated, wearable knits inspired by the long johns and union suits of the past.

It started when the young family — their son, Dries, is 2 and a half — were visiting Kendall’s sister in Norway in the dead of winter.

“There were so many options for baby clothes in merino wool but it was hard to find that for babies when we got back to the US,” Kendall said. “So we did some research and ran the idea past our business partner, who said, ‘I love this baby thing, but how about base layers for adults?'” A big adventurer in all seasons, he wanted something in natural fibers, and merino is ideal: odor resistant, temperature regulating, moisture wicking and you can put in the machine.

That started a process of testing mills around the globe. Kendall and Desmond settled on a manufacturer from Peru to make a baby onesie, men’s and women’s long johns and a union suit for babies and adults. (That’s Desmond modeling the cream, everything also comes in brown and charcoal.)

“We worked with the Peruvians to create a knit that is 100 percent natural fibers, extremely soft and buttery, and still functional as a base layer,” Kendall said. “Though it’s a functional product, it is also knitwear that looks elevated and can be worn on its own. Until you try it, you really don’t understand — this will change your winter.”

The new company — this is their first season — is selling direct to consumer and is also in a couple stores here and in Colorado. And they *may* consider another product — they are experimenting with a cashmere/cotton blend — but only if they find a real niche.

“For us, it’s always been for us about organic growth and authentic growth,” Kendall said. “There’s so much out there already, so we want to be really proud of the products and know we are offering something niche and of value.”