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List of 100+ Men’s Clothing Brands

Whether you are looking for a new brand to try out, getting some ideas for style options, or even doing a  bit of research on men’s clothing – the scope of this guide is to be all-encompassing by assembling a table of all the most popular and best clothing brands for men.

Furthermore, if you are looking for advice on how to select clothes for your wardrobe with more confidence, we got you covered.  Immediately following the table below, we share some style tips that will be sure to help.

  • Brand: Simply the consumer marketed name the company goes by.
  • Headquarters: Where the major decisions are made pertaining to style, design, etc.  This does not indicate where the clothes are made.
  • Year Founded: Year the company recognizes as its inception.
  • Offerings: Various popular categories of clothing, accessories, or footwear found on the company site.
BrandHeadquartersYear FoundedOfferingsGenre
ZaraArteixo, Spain1975Clothing, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearGeneral, Trendy, Formal, Casual, Outerwear, Affordable
NikeBeaverton, OR, United States1964Clothing, Active, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearAthletic, Casual, Trendy, Big & Tall
AsosLondon, England2000Clothing, Active, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearGeneral, Trendy, Formal, Casual, Outerwear, Affordable, Big & Tall
AdidasHerzogenaurach, Germany1924Clothing, Active, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearAthletic, Casual, Trendy, Big & Tall
H&MStockholm, Sweden1947Clothing, Active, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearGeneral, Trendy, Formal, Casual, Outerwear, Athletic, Affordable, Big & Tall
GucciFlorence, Italy1921Clothing, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearGeneral, Trendy, Formal, Luxury
LululemonVancouver, BC, Canada1998Clothing, Active, Basics, Accessories, OuterwearAthletic, Casual, Trendy
LL BeanFreeport, ME, United States1912Clothing, Active, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Affordable, Active, Tall
PatagoniaVentura, CA, United States1973Clothing, Active, Basics, Accessories, OuterwearAthletic, Casual, Trendy
GapSan Francisco, CA, United States1969Clothing, Active, Basics, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Affordable, Athletic, Formal, Outerwear
The North FaceAlameda, CA, United States1966Clothing, Active, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Outerwear
J.CrewNew York City, NY, United States1947Clothing, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Trendy, Formal, Outerwear
UggGoleta, CA, United States1978Clothing, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Outerwear
Under ArmourBaltimore, MD, United States1996Clothing, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Affordable, Athletic, Outerwear
VansCosta Mesa, CA, United States1966Clothing, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Affordable, Athletic, Trendy, Outerwear, Streetwear
Ralph LaurenNew York City, NY, United States1967Clothing, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Outerwear, Big & Tall
Levi’sSan Francisco, CA, United States1873Clothing, Basics, Accessories, OuterwearCasual,Trendy, Big & Tall, Outerwear
HermèsParis, France1837Clothing, Accessories, Shoes, OuterwearTrendy, Formal, Outerwear, Designer/Luxury
Michael KorsLondon, England1981Clothing, Basics, Accessories, Shoes, OuterwearTrendy, Athletic, Casual, Formal, Outerwear, Designer
Off-WhiteMilan, Italy2012Clothing, Active, Accessories, Shoes, Basics, OuterwearTrendy, Athletic, Casual, Outerwear, Designer, Streetwear
ColumbiaPortland, OR, United States1938Clothing, Active, Accessories, Shoes, Basics, OuterwearBig & Tall, Outerwear, Athletic, Affordable
BalenciagaParis, France1917Clothing, Accessories, Shoes, OuterwearTrendy, Streetwear, Outerwear, Designer
EverlaneSan Francisco, CA, United States2010Clothing, Basics, Accessories, Active, Outerwear, ShoesCasual, Affordable, Athletic, Trendy, Formal
MadewellNew York City, NY, United States2006Clothing, Accessories, Shoes, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Outerwear
UNIQLOTokyo, Japan1949Clothing, Active, Basics, Accessories, Shoes, OuterwearCasual, Outerwear, Athletic, Affordable
PradaMilan, Italy1913Clothing, Accessories, Outerwear, ShoesTrendy, Formal, Outerwear, Designer/Luxury
PumaHerzogenaurach, Germany1948Clothing, Active, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Affordable, Outerwear, Big & Tall
LacosteTroyes, France1933Clothing, Active, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Outerwear, Athletic, Formal
ReebokBoston, MA, United States1895Clothing, Active, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Affordable, Outerwear
AeropostaleNew York City, NY, United States1987Clothing, Accessories, Outerwear, BasicsCasual, Affordable, Outerwear
CarharttDearborn, MI, United States1889Clothing, Accessories, Outerwear, ShoesCasual, Outerwear, Trendy
Calvin KleinNew York City, NY, United States1968Clothing, Active, Basics, Outerwear, Shoes, AccessoriesCasual, Athletic, Trendy, Outerwear, Designer
GuessLos Angeles, CA, United States1981Clothing, Basics, Outerwear, Accessories, ShoesCasual, Trendy, Formal, Outerwear
VersaceMilan, Italy1978Clothing, Basics, Active, Accessories, Shoes, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Trendy, Outerwear, Designer
TimberlandStratham, NH, United States1952Clothing, Basics, Accessories, Shoes, OuterwearCasual, Trendy, Formal, Outerwear
A Bathing Ape (Bape)Tokyo, Japan1993Clothing, Outerwear, Accessories, ShoesTrendy, Outerwear, Streetwear
BarbourSimonside, South Shields, England1894Clothing, Basics, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Outerwear
TopmanLondon, England1978Clothing, Active, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Affordable, Athletic, Trendy, Formal, Outerwear, Streetwear, Big & Tall
ChampionWinston-Salem, NC, United States1919Clothing, Active, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Trendy, Outerwear, Big & Tall
FendiRome, Italy1925Clothing, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearTrendy, Formal, Outerwear, Streetwear
Charles TyrwhittLondon, England1986Clothing, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Outerwear
Brooks BrothersNew York City, NY, United States1818Clothing, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Big & Tall, Outerwear
Ted BakerLondon, England1988Clothing, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal. Luxury, Outerwear
Tommy HilfigerAmsterdam, Netherlands1985Clothing, Active, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Trendy, Outerwear
ValentinoMilan, Italy1960Clothing, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Trendy, Formal, Outerwear, Designer/Luxury
G-Star RawAmsterdam, Netherlands1989Clothing, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Trendy, Formal, Outerwear, Designer/Luxury
SperryWaltham, MA, United States1935Shoes, AccessoriesCasual, Affordable, Formal
True ReligionManhattan Beach, CA, United States2002Clothing, Basics, Shoes, AccessoriesCasual, Trendy, Streetwear
KITH NYCNew York City, NY, United States2011Clothing, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Trendy, Formal, Designer, Streetwear
Tom FordNew York City, NY, United States2006Clothing, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Trendy, Formal, Outerwear, Designer
DieselMolvena, Italy1978Clothing, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Trendy, Outerwear, Designer, Streetwear
WranglerGreensboro, NC, United States1904Clothing, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Affordable, Outerwear, Big & Tall
American ApparelLos Angeles, CA, United States1989Clothing, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Affordable, Outerwear
Vineyard VinesStamford, CT, United States1998Clothing, Basics, Active, Accessories, Shoes, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Outerwear
AllSaintsLondon, England1994Clothing, Accessories, Outerwear, ShoesCasual, Trendy, Outerwear, Designer, Streetwear
Cole HaanGreenland, NH, United States1928Shoes, Outerwear, AccessoriesOuterwear
Tommy BahamaSeattle, WA, United States1993Clothing, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Outerwear, Big & Tall
NauticaNew York City, NY, United States1983Clothing, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Affordable, Formal, Outerwear, Big & Tall
VolcomCosta Mesa, CA, United States1991Clothing, Active, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Affordable, Athletic, Outerwear, Streetwear
GildanMontreal, Quebec, Canada1984Clothing, Active, Basics, OuterwearCasual, Affordable, Athletic, Outerwear
BonobosNew York City, NY, United States2007Clothing, Active, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Formal
ArmaniMilan, Italy1975Clothing, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Trendy, Formal, Outerwear, Designer/Luxury, Streetwear
BurberryLondon, England1856Clothing, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Outerwear, Designer/Luxury, Streetwear
Kenneth ColeNew York City, NY, United States1982Clothing, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Outerwear
FilsonSeattle, WA, United States1897Clothing, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Trendy, Streetwear
Hugo BossMetzingen, Germany1924Clothing, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Designer
Outdoor VoicesAustin, TX, United States2014Clothing, Active, Basics, Accessories Casual, Athletic, Streetwear
LeeGreensboro, NC, United States1889Clothing, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Outerwear, Big & Tall
Alpha IndustriesKnoxville, TN, United States1959Clothing, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Trendy, Outerwear
Club MonacoToronto, ON, Canada1985Clothing, Shoes, OuterwearCasual, Trendy, Formal, Designer/Luxury, Outerwear
ObeyIrvine, CA, United States2001Clothing, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Affordable Trendy, Streetwear
Paul SmithLondon, England1970Clothing, Active, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Trendy, Designer, Outerwear, Streetwear
Proper ClothNew York City, NY, United States2008Clothing, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Outerwear
Rag & BoneNew York City, NY, United States2002Clothing, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Trendy, Formal, Outerwear, Streetwear
RVCACosta Mesa, CA, United States1999Clothing, Active, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Formal, Outerwear
TheoryNew York City, NY, United States1997Clothing, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Outerwear, Designer
BurtonBurlington, VT, United States1977Clothing, Active, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Outerwear, Streetwear
RothcoRonkonkoma, NY, United States1953Clothing, Active, Accessories, Shoes, OuterwearAthletic, Outerwear
prAnaCarlsbad, CA, United States1992Clothing, Active, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Outerwear
SchottNew York City, NY, United States1913Clothing, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Outerwear
Billionaire Boys ClubNew York City, NY, United States2003Clothing, Active, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Trendy, Outerwear, Designer, Streetwear
A.P.C.Paris, France1987Clothing, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Outerwear, Designer
Marine LayerSan Francisco, CA, United States2009Clothing, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Trendy, Outerwear, Streetwear
Reigning ChampVancouver, BC, Canada2007Clothing, Active, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Trendy, Outerwear, Designer, Streetwear
VinceNew York City, NY, United States2002Clothing, Active, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Trendy, Designer
Norse ProjectsCopenhagen, Denmark2004Clothing, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Designer
John VarvatosNew York City, NY, United States1999Clothing, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Outerwear, Designer
Aimé Leon DoreNew York City, NY, United States2014Clothing, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Outerwear, Designer
Commes Des GarconsTokyo, Japan1969Clothing, Shoes, AccessoriesCasual, Trendy, Designer, Streetwear
Taylor StitchSan Francisco, CA, United States2008Clothing, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Outerwear
AG JeansLos Angeles, CA, United States2000Clothing, AccessoriesCasual, Formal, Designer
Peter ManningNew York City, NY, United States2012Clothing, Active, Basics, Accessories, Shoes, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Formal, Shorter Men
Russell AthleticBowling Green, KY, United States1902Clothing, Active, Basics, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Affordable, Athletic, Outerwear
VuoriCarlsbad, CA, United States2015Clothing, Active, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Trendy
Taft ClothingSalt Lake City, UT, United States2015ShoesCasual, Athletic, Formal, Designer
7 For All MankindSanta Monica, CA, United States2000Clothing, Basics, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Outerwear, Designer
Naked & FamousMontreal, Quebec, Canada2008Clothing, OuterwearCasual, Trendy, Outerwear, Designer, Streetwear
Banana RepublicSan Francisco, CA, United States1978Clothing, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Outerwear
Alternative ApparelNorcross, GA, United States1995Clothing, Active, Basics, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Affordable, Athletic, Trendy, Outerwear
Tommy JohnNew York City, NY, United States2012Clothing, Active, Basics, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Formal, Outerwear
Helmut LangNew York City, NY, United States1986Clothing, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Trendy, Designer, Streetwear
Mott & BowNew York City, NY, United States2013Clothing, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Outerwear, Designer
Southern MarshBaton Rouge, LA, United States2008Clothing, Active, Basics, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Formal, Outerwear
American TallMississauga, ON, Canada2015Clothing, Active, Basics, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Formal, Outerwear, Tall Men
Mizzen+MainDallas, TX, United States2012Clothing, Active, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Formal, Outerwear
Joe’s JeansHollywood, CA, United States2001Clothing, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Trendy, Formal, Designer
Cutter & BuckSeattle, WA, United States1990Clothing, Active, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Formal, Designer, Big & Tall
FahertyNew York City, NY, United States2013Clothing, Active, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Formal, Outerwear
Rodd & GunnAuckland, New Zealand1987Clothing, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Outerwear
Arc’TeryxVancouver, BC, Canada1991Clothing, Active, Basics, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Outerwear
Ministry of SupplyBoston, MA, United States2012Clothing, Active Basics, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Formal, Outerwear, Designer
Robert GrahamNew York City, NY, United States2001Clothing, Active, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Trendy, Outerwear, Designer, Big & Tall
DSTLDLos Angeles, CA, United States2014Clothing, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Outerwear, Designer
RancourtLewiston, ME, United States1964Shoes, AccessoriesCasual, Formal, Designer
2TallAberdeen, Scotland2012Clothing, Active, Shoes, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Formal, Outerwear, Big & Tall
Flag & AnthemNew York City, NY, United States2016Clothing, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal Outerwear
The ArrivalsNew York City, NY, United States2014Clothing, Active, Basics, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Trendy, Designer, Outerwear, Streetwear
Rogue TerritoryLos Angeles, CA, United States2008Clothing, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Outerwear, Designer
Flint & TinderSan Francisco, CA, United States2011Clothing, Active, Basics, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Trendy, Outerwear, Designer
Ermenegildo ZegnaMilan, Italy1910Clothing, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearFormal, Outerwear, Designer/Luxury
Under 510Cedarhurst, NY, United States2017Clothing, Active, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Formal, Outerwear, Shorter Men
Ash and ErieDetroit, MI, United States2015Clothing, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Outerwear, Shorter Men
American EaglePittsburgh, PA, United States1977Clothing, Active, Basics, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Affordable, Athletic, Outerwear
GoodthreadsSeattle, WA, United StatesClothing, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Affordable, Outerwear, Big & Tall
Koloa Surf CompanyLaguna Hills, CA, United States2014Clothing, Active, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Affordable, Athletic, Outerwear, Streetwear
ISAORANew York City, NY, United States2009Clothing, Active, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Trendy, Formal, Outerwear, Designer/Luxury, Streetwear
34 HeritageNew York City, NY, United States2011ClothingCasual, Trendy, Formal, Designer
Maison KitsuneParis, France2002Clothing, Shoes, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Trendy, Formal, Outerwear, Designer/Luxury, Streetwear
Kato’Gardena, CA, United States1999Clothing, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Formal, Outerwear, Designer
RoarkLaguna Beach, CA, United States2009Clothing, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Streetwear
WellenSan Francisco, CA, United States2011Clothing, Active, Basics, Accessories, OuterwearCasual, Athletic, Trendy, Outerwear
Robbie BrownToronto, ON, Canada2016Clothing, OuterwearFormal, Shorter Men
FoehnQuebec, QC, Canada2017Clothing, Active, OuterwearAthletic, Outerwear

Demystifying Men’s Clothing Brands

Trying to find a new brand to buy clothes from can be really difficult – especially when you are uncertain where to go in the first place.

When researching for this article, we wanted to nicely bucket clothing brands into particular styles, ages, prices, etc.  However, the cold hard truth is that you cannot do this, here’s why:

Take Levi’s for instance – if you visit the men’s department on their site, you see the following:

Younger men in super casual and borderline comfort clothing.

I would take a guess that most of these men are in their late teens or early 20s.

But here’s the kicker:

As you are keenly aware, Levi’s isn’t just for young men.  In fact, according to the research firm YouGov, Levi’s is most popular with Millenials AND Boomers (source) with the Boomers also being the most loyal…but as you see above, that’s not the demographic that Levi’s is targeting here.

The takeaway:

As tempting as it may be, you just simply can’t categorize most clothing brands into strict demographics – it is important to realize this.

Now many will think – Well, how do I find a clothing brand that’s right for me?

…and that’s completely fair…

…and honestly, I don’t have an exact answer for you…

…but I can share with you a few helpful tips that can help you navigate men’s fashion a bit easier and with more confidence.  

1. Shop Clothing Brands Based on Specialty

When considering all the different fashion brands, it is best to try and think of them not as a one-stop-shop for all of your wardrobe, but as specialty brands.

The reason is that their products for what they are known for are often well researched, stylish, and constructed better.

For example, while Nike sells polos, rain apparel, sunglasses, etc. their specialty lies particularly well in both footwear and sports clothing.  Their products in these lines are often well-reviewed among men.

As another example, Polo Ralph Lauren is primarily known for their polo shirts rather than their underwear or belts.  So if you want a new polo shirt, put them at the top of your consideration list over a brand like Nike.

Make sense?

Now if you are uncertain about what the brand specializes in, a good tip that works well is to either check out our table above or simply head to the retailer website and look at their navigational menu.

Carrying on with the examples from above, if we check out Nike, we see the following on their site when hovering over ‘Men’ in the menu:

Generally speaking, whatever is in the top left corner is always the most important and relevant offering for the company.

So we can confidently determine that Nike wants us to shop their New Releases and Shoes rather than their Nike FlyEase, Lacross, Hats, Vests, and Headbands (located bottom right).

You can also see this in action on the Polo Ralph Lauren site as well:

You can see just at a glance, that they are also pushing their New Arrivals (top left), and are least interested in pushing Sale items (bottom right).

If you were just learning what Ralph Lauren is as a brand, you can probably infer a few things about polo shirts as it’s mentioned several times (highlighted).  Furthermore, you can see in the clothing column, Polo Shirts are listed first (and it’s non-alphabetical).

In the end, the point that we want to stress here is that you shouldn’t get too tied up in brand loyalty.  Just because your favorite clothing brand makes a particular piece of clothing or accessory – doesn’t mean it will always be the best as there are likely better alternatives out there.

2. Clothes for All Scenarios

Us men often prefer multi-use products that can fill multiple voids.  Unfortunately, this utilitarian mindset can be a major barrier when clothes shopping.

Rather than trying to buy a button down that is worn for both the workplace and casual weekend wear – try to loosely put together outfits for specific scenarios.

When taking this approach, you will always know that certain clothes are intended for casual or semi-formal use.  Ultimately, it makes the decision process easier when expanding your wardrobe along with deciding what to wear for the day – truly a win-win.

3. Age Is Only A Number

As we touched on earlier, just because a brand only uses models of a certain demographic shouldn’t disqualify them from your consideration.

Instead, you should aim to get clothes that fit well and create a cohesive style.  Certain genres include casual, smart casual, technical, activewear, semi-formal, and formal.

Mix matching between styles, such as vintage clothing with formal wear, can create a jarring look that simply doesn’t work.

If uncertain about style, as it is highly subjective, check out a few popular forums that we shared below for looks that you can steal for your own wardrobe.

4. Don’t Overspend

Popular brands will pay an enormous amount of money to be at the top of your mind when it comes to purchasing decisions – don’t fall into this trap.

Just because a brand like Nike is world renown for its athletic shoes, doesn’t mean they are the best for you.  Try shopping around at other footwear retailers to find the right shoe for your feet.

Furthermore, quality and price don’t always correlate – especially when buying clothes from a big fashion house.  A $680 button down shirt from Gucci is not going to be significantly more durable or better than a $15 button down from H&M.

Brands and logos are superficial – so don’t get lured into this if you like to shop based on value or quality.

5. Don’t Turn To the Magazines

Popular men’s magazines appear to do a poor job in dressing the modern man (in my humble opinion). With aggressive cuts and bold styles, most clothes seen in these pages would put a lot of guys out of their comfort zone.  

While it is important to have confidence when buying and wearing clothes, you are better off turning to places that isn’t just models with a team of photoshop experts backing them up.

Over the years, I find that fashion chatter on popular forums to be the most helpful and trusted to determine ‘what’s in’ and what fashionable guys like to wear. 

Some that come to mind are the following:

Of course, these are all social forums – so if you have questions, or want to get advice on a particular look – don’t be shy!  Jump in and share your style to get ideas on what you could do differently or some constructive feedback.

6. Body Shape & Clothing

Companies are investing millions of dollars to try and find better fitting clothes for you (source) – and there are several reasons for this:

First, returns.

Around 30 to 40% of all online clothing and footwear purchases are returned (source).  That equates to about $400 billion worth of inventory – that’s insane!

Secondly, your body is really unique (hence the returns).  

This makes it often difficult to find the right fit.  It’s important to know that clothing brands rely on averages when it comes to certain areas (i.e. stomach or thigh circumference).

While they try to offset these averages with various cuts such as tailored, slim, athletic, etc. – it’s obviously not a perfect system.

The takeaway:

It’s okay to return – in fact, it’s almost expected to return nearly half of the clothes you buy.  Just because you like the brand or paid a lot of money doesn’t change the fact that the clothes don’t fit well.  

Prioritize fit over the brand name – always.  

7. Strive for a Toned Body

Beyond all the health benefits from an active lifestyle, working out can help to make more clothing brands fit better.  When not carrying a significant amount of weight in one area of your body (the midsection for most men), you can expect more shirts to fit better.

This is because clothes can drape easier and not account for as many curves. This is an effective way to help broaden the clothing brands you can pick from.

Of course, the opposite is also true.  Men that are muscular can have trouble finding clothes that fit well.

Here’s a few interesting discussions of how men reacted to weight change in relation to clothes that are worth a look:

At the end of the day – you win some and lose some – but a healthy and active lifestyle will always be a net win for your clothes shopping, but more importantly, for yourself.

8. Tailoring Is A Thing

Rarely does a piece of clothing you buy fits your body perfectly.  

Whether you are buying denim jeans, a button down, etc. there are usually some alterations that can be made to allow for a better fit.

You can find often find tailors at your local dry cleaner or just by searching for alterations in your area.

Depending on the article of clothing getting tailored, the price can range from a few bucks upwards to $20 – it largely depends on where you live, what needs to be tailored, and the amount of work involved.

What is really cool about tailoring is that you will begin to shop for clothes differently.  Rather by brand or size (to an extent), you can shop by fabric texture or design as you know that your tailor can get a specific piece of clothing to look perfect on your body.

In the end, it’s a cool and easy way to upgrade your wardrobe through better fitting outfits.

Wrapping it all Up

Try not to stress when buying clothes.  There are a ton of men’s clothing brands out there and many with very easy return policies.  You are already doing a great job doing your research by coming here – now go out and experiment and have fun!

Photo of author

Adam Williams

As the lead editor of Tools of Men, Adam is an expert in all things men's grooming and style. When you don't find him reading up on the latest style trends, he likes to go jogging, attempt to distinguish the differences between IPAs, and play sports with his kids.