I swear I’m not talking about button-ups under hoodies or cargo shorts. Technology is changing the way we’re able to dress ourselves and I’m not complaining. By now everyone’s heard of Gilt and Hautelook, the flash sale sites that give you a discount on designer wear (check out Modnique, too, if you need another one of these).
What I’m talking about this time is fashion that is delivering a brand new type of product to people using technology to streamline processes that used to require big names, big stores, and big budgets. Let’s start with a favorite and work through a couple examples.
Bonobos (sound of choir singing). Founded as a company that would provide the best fitting chinos a man could buy, using the same manufacturing methods and materials that churned out pairs of wool pants worth hundreds of dollars in the two-figure price range. Not only have they absolutely excelled in this area, now selling these pants in 3 different fits (all adorned with the telltale patterns inside the back pockets), but they’re absolutely killing it with their polos (like this yarn-spun one) and their shirts (take this one, for example) that fit like one you’d find at a boutique, but at ecommerce prices.
Trunk Club. Do you like going shopping? If you don’t, these guys will ship you a trunk of clothes that match the style you’ve helped them define each month. Try them on in the privacy of your own home, sans judgement, and buy only what you want to keep. No parking, no traffic, no shipping costs, AND the feedback you give to a real stylist helps you make sure each box is better than the last.
Indochino. Custom suiting. Just like those SPAM emails you get about Hong Kong Tailors. Unless you feel you are unable to take the measurements required in order to have this done, anyone can make this happen. Grab a buddy if you need to. Once you start wearing custom-made clothing (especially something like a suit, where you often only need a few in your closet at any given time), you will not be able to go back to the loose back fabric, too-low collars, and short arms of off-the-rack. Oh, did I mention they are custom-made for under $1000 dollars? Take a look here.
As far as I’m concerned, the more I can circumvent billion-dollar businesses while putting stylish clothes on my back, the better. Now, if only we can create a Ditto for clothing, I’ll really be on board.
Taylor
taylorworth 