I'm a tall, mostly skinny guy in my 40s with a bit of that dad gut, so finding shirts that feel comfortable and look flattering can be tough. I own button-downs from brands like J. Crew, Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren, and Bonobos, but most needed tailoring after the fact, and even then, they weren't quite perfect. I actually came across Proper Cloth during a ChatGPT conversation about finding clothes that fit my body type.
Well, the robot knew what it was talking about, because my experience with Proper Cloth was excellent! I'd never done the made-to-order thing before and wasn't really sure what I was doing. I started with a basic light blue chambray button-down shirt and made a few small tweaks, like swapping the default single patch pocket for double button-flap pockets to give it more of that workwear vibe I love. I clicked to create a custom size, did their questionnaire, and made a few manual adjustments--like adding a bit more length to accommodate my long torso. Some measurements I knew, but most I didn't, so it felt a bit like rolling the dice. However, I saw that Proper Cloth offers complimentary adjustments if something isn't quite right, so I placed my order and hoped for the best.
The shirt arrived today, and wow! I was honestly blown away by how perfectly it fit, even with some of my manual tweaks being educated guesses. Their sizing algorithm is no joke. The fit was slim through the body and arms but not tight. I had full range of motion in the shoulders, and the high armholes kept it tucked in well even when moving around. The length was perfect--intentional when untucked but still long enough to stay tucked. The chambray fabric has a durable yet soft feel, like it's already been perfectly broken in, and the whole garment just feels quality and comfortable.
This shirt feels special to me because I got to play a role in its design, from the custom pockets to the tailored fit, and that's not something I've experienced before with off-the-rack clothing. The site was easy to use, and even someone with little to no tailoring knowledge like me could navigate it and end up with a stellar result. To top it off, the shirt arrived a couple of weeks earlier than expected!
Speaking of the shipment, this was the most eco-friendly packaging I've ever seen from an online clothing order. The box was cardboard, as was the bag the shirt came in and all the bracing inside. They even included a self-adhesive return label, which I didn't need because they nailed it on the first try. The attention to detail, environmental consciousness, and convenience were super impressive.
I'm stoked to buy another shirt from them and would absolutely encourage others to give them a try! read more