proper cloth
In today’s world, dressing well goes beyond just putting on clothes—it’s about fit, style, and individuality. Proper Cloth has emerged as a leading player in the realm of custom menswear, especially known for their high-quality dress shirts. But they offer much more than just shirts. This guide will dive deep into everything you need to know about Proper Cloth, from the company’s origin to the experience of buying a custom shirt, and what makes them stand out in the world of men’s fashion.
1. The History of Proper Cloth: How It All Began
Proper Cloth was founded in 2008 by Seph Skerritt, with a vision to offer well-fitted, customizable menswear at an affordable price. The idea came about when Skerritt realized how difficult it was to find dress shirts that fit well off-the-rack, especially for men with body types that didn’t fit the traditional sizing model.
Initially launched as an e-commerce business, Proper Cloth focused on delivering high-quality, made-to-measure shirts directly to consumers. The combination of customization options, innovative technology, and top-tier fabric choices set the company apart early on. They capitalized on the gap between affordable mass-produced clothing and the bespoke tailoring market, offering a middle ground where men could design their shirts while maintaining a reasonable price point.
Over the years, the brand has evolved to offer more than just dress shirts. Today, Proper Cloth offers a range of menswear products, including trousers, outerwear, and accessories, while staying true to their core philosophy of personalization.
The Vision Behind the Brand
At the heart of Proper Cloth’s mission is the belief that every man deserves a shirt that fits perfectly and reflects his personal style. With the rise of e-commerce, Skerritt envisioned a platform where consumers could easily navigate through customization options without the need to step into a traditional brick-and-mortar store. Proper Cloth also aimed to democratize the custom clothing industry, offering made-to-measure clothing at prices far lower than what you’d find at traditional bespoke tailors.
With that goal in mind, the company invested heavily in technology, developing algorithms and systems to ensure the perfect fit for each customer. Their Fit Guarantee ensures that customers can return shirts for adjustments or remakes if they are not completely satisfied with the fit, removing much of the risk from the purchasing decision.
How Proper Cloth Has Evolved
What started as a custom shirt business has expanded into a full-fledged menswear brand. While shirts remain the flagship product, Proper Cloth has diversified its offerings to include outerwear, dress pants, casual wear, and even face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company continues to push boundaries, integrating new technologies, fabrics, and design elements into their products while staying true to the original vision of personalized clothing.
2. The Proper Cloth Experience: From Customization to Delivery
The process of creating a custom shirt at Proper Cloth is surprisingly straightforward, even though it involves a multitude of options for personalization. Whether you’re new to custom clothing or a seasoned veteran, the Proper Cloth website makes it easy to navigate through the options and design a shirt that fits both your body and style preferences.
Step 1: Designing Your Shirt
At the core of Proper Cloth’s service is the shirt customization process. It starts with choosing the fabric. Proper Cloth offers a vast selection of high-quality fabrics, from affordable cotton options to luxurious Egyptian cotton, linen, and performance fabrics. You can filter fabrics by price, color, weave, and even wrinkle resistance.
Once you’ve selected your fabric, the next step is to customize the shirt’s details. Proper Cloth allows you to personalize every aspect of the shirt, from collar styles and cuff types to buttons and monogramming. The options are extensive, ensuring that you can design a shirt that’s uniquely yours.
Step 2: Getting the Perfect Fit
One of the most innovative aspects of Proper Cloth is their fit algorithm. Unlike traditional made-to-measure services that require in-person measurements, Proper Cloth uses an advanced sizing algorithm to determine your ideal fit. You provide basic information like your height, weight, age, and body type, and their system predicts your measurements.
For those who want a more hands-on approach, you can also manually input your measurements, use a reference shirt that already fits well, or opt for their Perfect Fit Guarantee, which allows for remakes and alterations to get the fit just right.
Step 3: The Final Product and Delivery
Once your shirt is designed and measurements are locked in, Proper Cloth begins the production process. Shirts are made-to-order, ensuring that each piece is crafted specifically for you. This usually takes a couple of weeks, but the wait is worth it for the level of quality and customization you receive.
The shirts are delivered in sleek, minimalist packaging, reflecting the brand’s dedication to style and detail. Customers rave about the unboxing experience, which adds an extra layer of satisfaction to the purchase.
3. What Sets Proper Cloth Apart?
In a crowded market of custom menswear brands, Proper Cloth has managed to carve out a unique niche. Their success can be attributed to several key factors that make them stand out from the competition.
Unmatched Customization Options
One of the defining features of Proper Cloth is the sheer number of customization options they offer. From fabrics to buttons, cuffs to collars, and everything in between, the level of personalization is unparalleled. This allows customers to design shirts that not only fit their bodies but also reflect their unique styles.
Additionally, Proper Cloth’s website is user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy to experiment with different combinations. Unlike some competitors that may overwhelm you with choices, Proper Cloth’s design process is streamlined, ensuring that you can create your perfect shirt without getting lost in the details.
Technology-Driven Fitting Process
Proper Cloth’s proprietary fit algorithm is one of the most innovative aspects of the brand. This system eliminates the need for in-person fittings, making the custom shirt process more accessible to men everywhere. The algorithm uses a mix of your basic body information and the brand’s extensive data on sizing to create a personalized fit.
Moreover, the Perfect Fit Guarantee ensures that if your first shirt doesn’t fit as expected, you can send it back for alterations or a complete remake. This level of commitment to customer satisfaction is rare and builds trust between the brand and its customers.
High-Quality Materials
Proper Cloth is known for sourcing some of the finest fabrics in the world. From classic cotton dress shirts to more unique options like linen and performance blends, the brand offers a wide variety of materials that cater to different tastes and needs. Each fabric is carefully chosen for its quality, durability, and comfort, ensuring that your custom shirt not only fits well but also feels great to wear.
Commitment to Sustainability
In recent years, Proper Cloth has made significant strides toward sustainability. They offer eco-friendly fabrics, such as recycled cotton, and focus on reducing waste by producing only made-to-order items. This approach not only minimizes excess inventory but also aligns with the growing consumer demand for sustainable fashion practices.
4. Exploring Proper Cloth’s Expanded Collection
While Proper Cloth is best known for their custom dress shirts, they’ve expanded their collection to offer a range of menswear products that maintain the brand’s commitment to quality and personalization.
Outerwear
Proper Cloth’s outerwear collection is designed with the same attention to detail and customization options as their shirts. Customers can choose from a range of jackets, coats, and blazers, each with the ability to tweak fit and details. Their outerwear is made from premium materials like wool and cashmere, ensuring that you stay stylish and warm during the colder months.
The brand offers a variety of styles, from casual bomber jackets to more formal blazers, catering to different tastes and occasions. Just like their shirts, Proper Cloth’s outerwear is designed with a focus on fit and comfort, ensuring that you look and feel your best.
Trousers and Casual Wear
In addition to outerwear, Proper Cloth offers a selection of trousers and casual wear. Their chinos and dress pants are crafted with the same level of precision as their shirts, with customization options that allow you to get the perfect fit. Whether you need something formal for the office or casual for a weekend outing, Proper Cloth’s trousers are versatile and stylish.
Their casual wear collection includes polos, sweaters, and knitwear, providing a range of options for men who want to maintain a polished look even in more relaxed settings. Just like their dress shirts, these pieces are made from high-quality materials and designed to last.
Accessories
Proper Cloth also offers a range of accessories, including ties, belts, and even masks. Each accessory is crafted with the same dedication to quality and design, making them the perfect complement to your custom shirts and other wardrobe pieces.
5. How to Style Proper Cloth Products
One of the great things about Proper Cloth is the versatility of their products. Whether you’re dressing for a formal event or looking for something casual, their clothing can easily be styled for any occasion.
Formal Styling
For formal events, a custom Proper Cloth dress shirt paired with tailored trousers and a blazer is a winning combination. Opt for classic fabrics like Egyptian cotton in neutral colors like white or light blue for a timeless look. Add a silk tie and polished leather shoes to complete the outfit.
Business Casual
For the office, Proper Cloth’s collection of chinos and casual shirts provides the perfect balance between professional and relaxed. Pair a light blue button-down shirt with khaki chinos and loafers for a smart-casual look. You can also layer a sweater over the shirt for added warmth and style during the colder months.
