Masculine Clothiers

[WinstonSmith]

In light of some men’s clothing retailers trying to redefine masculinity, I think it’s time we did some virtue signaling of our own.

List out your favorite, unapologetically masculine men’s clothiers. I could use some new items and would like to support them instead.

Go.

[Steven Spaugh]

Tough as an angry beaver. https://www.duluthtrading.com/

[Greg Nichols]

Off the rack? Jos.a.Banks and Combat Gentelman. Custom? I'll keep that close, they serve to shelf spirits during the fittings

[Papa]

Uh, Propper?

[mike135]

I've always wanted to go on a shopping spree at Brooks Brothers. The outlets have pretty good prices.

You reminded me of when I went to the site of a company that makes custom stuff for reasonable prices--you send them the measurements, they make it and send it back to you. I think suits started around $400. But when I started browsing through the options, practically every model was wearing pants that were a couple inches too short--you could practically see sock when they were standing up! I couldn't stop laughing at the idea that somebody would think that was stylish, yet there it was in every picture.

[Shannon Hogan]

Tell me about it. I'm sending the trousers back to this company for just that reason. All other measurements were spot on otherwise. Is this some new fad? These suits leave little room for equipment. Tight like Daniel Craigs' suits in "Spectre". Also after my left biceps tendon heals up I be back to free weights and I'll increase in mass and have to get everything resized if not replaced. Brooks Bros. next suit unless you gentlemen have better suggestions for a clothier.

[Blacked out]

Yes, flood pant length pants are the new thing. I walk the halls of my office and see all the younger guys walking around in super tight pants to the tops of their ankles. And they all wear really strange multi color socks. What happened to the single break???

[IANative]

Not exclusively masculine, as they cater to the man-bun metrosexual, too, but I've always had good luck w/ Men's Wearhouse. I simply tell the tailor that I carry a pistol primarily in the AIWB position and occasionally strong-side, and ask him/her to ensure the drape of the jacket is accommodating of either position. Also, if a vest is involved, that it accommodates AIWB carry of a full-size pistol.

For casual clothing, it's hard to beat Carhartt.

[SEANSTRAIT]

Kuhl. I have multiple pants and several shirts, jackets. Hands down the most comfortable casual clothes I've ever worn, I haven't worn a pair blue jeans in years.

[Greg Nichols]

Yes the new style is to wear tapered slacks that end at the top of the shoe to show off your socks. Socks are the new neck ties.

[Gabriel Suarez]

Most of my day to day attire is Kuhl. Clothes that conceal what your lifestyle is (lifting, disciplined eating, martial lifestyle) do not appeal to me. I want pants that I can move in, but that also hint at my leg training. Same for shirts. Put any shirt on a muscular man and the shirt should not hide it.

For more formal clothing or as some would call...nicer clothing, it takes some effort. Some companies are doing athletic fit now which is good. One shirt company that I found while in Hawaii is Tori Richards. Their athletic cut is that and yet still easy to hide a blaster in appendix. Pants are usually in need of fitting.

Suits all require fitting...off the rack stuff is made for dad bods not spartans.

[Jonathon_Spaf]

Kuhl hiking pants and Under Armor polos are becoming my everyday go to when carrying. For jeans, I usually go for Rock and Republic for style. For outdoor, it is either Carhartt or Wrangler

[patriot3386]

I've purchased a number of shirts over the years from Charles Tyrwhitt and they are hands down the nicest shirts I own (aside from my Duluth Fire Hose work shirts). They bill as a premium men's clothier in the vein of Jermyn Street, London, but I think at least part of it is a marketing schtick. Ignore the soy-boy models in the photos, you can order the shirts to fit, in classic, slim, or extra slim fit. I have no trouble tucking in a slim fit shirt over my SI G19 RMR with an NPE holster. I've never purchased their suits, but they have some great accessories and ties as well. FYI, pockets are usually an extra charge, but they run sales all the time (i.e. 4/$200).

[blackie]

I can't do the skinny jeans look. I first started seeing non-gay dudes doing that out in California. Now it is everywhere. I like baggy cargo pants.

I'm in Maine, so I like L.L. Bean stuff. The store in Freeport is open 24 hours a day., 365 days a year.
https://www.backpacker.com/news-and-events/24-hours-of-l-l-bean



Linda Bean is pro Trump, if you care about that kind of stuff.

https://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/trump-thanks-l-l-bean-linda-bean-233529

[mike135]

Tell me about it. I'm sending the trousers back to this company for just that reason. All other measurements were spot on otherwise. Is this some new fad? These suits leave little room for equipment. Tight like Daniel Craigs' suits in "Spectre". Also after my left biceps tendon heals up I be back to free weights and I'll increase in mass and have to get everything resized if not replaced. Brooks Bros. next suit unless you gentlemen have better suggestions for a clothier.

Here, have a laugh (and then maybe cry a little):

https://www.indochino.com/collection/spring-2018

56091

56092

56093

Etc.

[Vlad the Impaler]

In light of some men’s clothing retailers trying to redefine masculinity, I think it’s time we did some virtue signaling of our own.

List out your favorite, unapologetically masculine men’s clothiers. I could use some new items and would like to support them instead.

Go.

Jos A Bank is great if they have a good tailor on site. Your local men's clothing store tends to be more old school and doesn't have all this "skinny" stuff that looks like you are trying to squeeze into your little brother's suit. The local stores will also have a more longtime staff.

[jesmith]

Maybe it's just because I am in Texas and we still have some of the cowboy lifestyle still around. Most tailors in this area will ask you to wear your boots and pistol to the fitting.

[Vigilant]

Kuhl, Arcteryx, TAD Gear, and Prometheus Design Werx for combat casual.

[Trench]

Duluth Trading

Carhart

Columbia

Still looking for someone who makes a desirable suit.

And still looking for a pair of nice, ankle hight boots that look casual, but but not martial, and yet you can fight in them.

[Greg Nichols]

And still looking for a pair of nice, ankle hight boots that look casual, but but not martial, and yet you can fight in them.

I wear these quite a bit and Gabe has a similar pair:

https://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Shoes/Mens-Rockport-High-Trend-Toloni-Boot-Dark-Brown-Leather/11946251/product.html

[Ragsbo]

Most of my daily wear comes from Rural King. Carhart carpenter jeans and pocket t-shirts. Add a flannel shirt or a hoodie sweat jacket in the winter. The only suit I own came from JC Pennys, a couple of sports coats from Kohls. We don't do fancy.

[Shannon Hogan]

mike135 posted:
Here, have a laugh (and then maybe cry a little): Laugh yes, cry? No way. That's for sissy boys. I'll get the company to fix it or get my money back. I have a 44-45 chest and a 34 waist. Everything else fitted. I could maybe get a Walther PPK in a soft shoulder rig but nothing larger a la 007. AIWB is barely doable. The crotch is a bit tight but that's because of what I got issued with my body! :thumbsup: I expect incoming on that one.

[LawDog]

I haven't tried them yet, but a like-minded friend recently recommended Bluffworks (https://shop.bluffworks.com) pants.

[WinstonSmith]

I meant formal or semi-formal. No interest in things like Carhart.

Some good suggestions, keep them coming.

[Herbert West]

Business suits: Brioni and E.Zegna.... always fit well, coupled with battistoni shirts ..a hard combo to beat.

[MichaelJames]

I think a lot of it really depends where you live.
In Alaska I generally wear Carhart (it's like Alaskan camouflage) because...well...I may have to tromp through the snow and I detest Levis.
For pants like L.L. Bean or Kuhl.
For jackets, I have an Aero Highwayman that feels indestructible, and easily hides my pistol.
As far as suits and dress clothes go, I usually have mine made custom when I'm in the Middle East, but if I buy stateside, Brooks Brothers.
Side note: I spent the last month in Europe and I have never seen so many men (often big, strapping Slavs) in skinny jeans showing off their socks. WTF is happening?

[randyho]

Good stuff above. I'd add Mountain Khaki's, Vertx, and Royal Robbins into the mix.

[Papa]

Side note: I spent the last month in Europe and I have never seen so many men (often big, strapping Slavs) in skinny jeans showing off their socks. WTF is happening?

Shrinkage.

[seeker_two]

Duluth Trading

Carhart

Columbia

Still looking for someone who makes a desirable suit.

And still looking for a pair of nice, ankle hight boots that look casual, but but not martial, and yet you can fight in them.Good choices all!

I have these boots. They've worked well for me so far....

Dunham Men's Graham-Dun Chelsea Boot, Black-11.5 4E US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SNV5576/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_aJ6YBb2WR9WB3

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

[Marco Innocenti]

My everyday clothing (sigh... another meaning for “EDC.”)

Jeans, usually Prana Axiom jeans or Diamond Gussett. I like the gussetted crotch on both. The Prana’s fit well and are a bit “dressier.” Not skinny at all, but not too loose. Both have a high enough waist for me to carry my gear and plain enough pockets. After a few washes, the Diamond Gussett’s are like indestructible, super-comfy pajamas. I wore an old pair of Diamond Gussetts for all 3 days of the amazing FoF class in Prescott last week. They still look good enough to wear out to a casual dinner. If I have to go a little dressier, it’s usually a pair of LL Bean dress Chinos with some kind of “fancy” untucked button front shirt.

Shirts are almost always some kind of collared button-front, worn untucked for concealment over my AIWB, Gang Unit, spare mag, etc. I like Tommy Bahama, Nat Nast, Cubavera, LLBean, Territory Ahead, and similars that still have sizes to fit actual men; in vertical stripes and darker solids, etc. More “middle-aged rocker/musician” than “Aloha.” For real casual/chores/or training, I like the Dickies or Carhartt work button downs.

Cooler weather casual is usually a chamois or flannel button down. (LL Bean, Northern Expedition, Pendleton, etc.) Also really like the old Carhartt 1/4 zip pullover sweatshirts or the EoTac version. (Both long discountinued, unfortunately.). A cheap hoodie is also great for yard word or a long hike.

In the shirts, I’m an XXL to get the fit I like in the upper body. My dry-cleaner is really good at shortening and adding side vents to my shirts as needed. I also have him stitch down the folded-over fabric than runs down behind the buttons/button-holes, as the bottoms of these folds seem to exist only to catch you muzzle when you draw quickly.

Footwear during summer is sneakers like the old Adidas Stan Smiths or Converse All-Stars. Occasionally Sperry topsiders. No sandals/flip-flops, unless I’m heading to the pool. Fall/Winter it’s my Blundstone “dress” boots or Lowa Renegades. Pretty much only wear shoes I can walk miles and move quickly in.

When I was working as a D.A. Inspector, we had to wear suits/ties every day. “Casual Friday” was slacks/sport coat. I got my suits from the “Suit Man” in NYC, and had them tailored locally. “Suit Man” supplies NYPD, most of the Feds in NYC and DC, and most of the various private suit/tie Protective Details in the region. Inexpensive, decent fabric, simple dark colors. And they just have a bit more room and reinforcement in the shoulders and arm holes, and extra stitching in the crotch and belt loops. Sport coats were on-sales from JC Penney and such. I didn’t spend a ton of money on my “work dress clothes”, because we tended to end up in some of the worst parts of the City doing the Job, long shifts on the City Protective Detail, etc. (I lost a couple suits and a few ties in fights with some pretty nasty street people...) I did do French cuffs and nice ties, and I had a few nice Harris Tweeds, in homage to a certain “Dirty” Inspector whose film character worked in the same building I did. Dress shoes were the Rockport “dressport shoes, and some Ecco waterproof dress chukka boots.

Since I retired, I avoid the suit and tie like the plague. Only time is as an honorific for funerals and weddings.


And since I live and my kids go to school in the area where I worked most of my LE career, my goal is to never be made by any of my old “clientele.” I never wear 5.11 or other tactical clothing, and never anything with visible Firearms/Tactical brands or logos. With my long “retirement hair” and my style of clothing, most people think I’m an older Northern California musician living on his royalties from some one-hit wonder from the ‘80’s who still gets to the gym.

Which works for me. \m/

[UNO]

Whatever's on sale at a big box store that fits, for daily wear. For specialized wear, the best I can find. For me, that's Wiggy's cold weather gear. I don't really care about fashion or "how something makes me look" clothing-wise. It keeps me comfortable and makes me legally acceptable to be in public, or it doesn't.