This blog is going to be dedicated to classic menswear and quality garments in general, but before we can delve into that, let me answer the question of why.
Why i think we all should spend more on items that are of higher quality instead of buying items that we throw away after just a couple of uses. So here are some Reasons why you might want to save up on your next purchase:
•Thin-slicing Very similar to first impression, it is the quick judgement people make about you when they first meet you and has deep evolutionary roots. For example it takes on average 3 seconds for someone to decide whether to do business with you or not or 3/10th of a second to choose whether they trust you according to a study by Princeton University So it is always a good idea to put your best foot forward.
•Comfort There is a common misconception that classic menswear is uncomfortable, but the reason why people think that is because they have only tried items that are made from low-quality synthetic fibers using cost-cutting measures( which we will get to in the future). Items made to fit your body are by far superior and more comfortable that anything that is comes off the Rack and in addition, the person making the garment, be it the Tailor or the Shoemaker, can adjust for asymmetries that most people have such as sloped shoulders or a leg that is slightly longer. A service that you will not get on ready to wear items.
•Ethical and Ecological Concerns Contrary to what i used to think, i have come to realize there are 45 million slaves around the world today and many are utilized as a form of cheap labor to manufacture items that we use on a daily basis. Many more work in factories where the working conditions are inhumane and very similar to slavery. According to the Wall Street Journal, women wear a clothing article seven times before tossing it and with the growing population in mind, it is going to take a toll on the planet.
•Cultural The ability to provide clothing and jobs is a fundamental part of a functioning society and companies such as OriginUSA and Grimfrost -while not exactly part of classic sphere of menswear- are taking on the challenge to bring manufacturing back to America and Sweden respectively. And in the case of the Swedes, what they make is highly relevant to their history.
•Slow-down Buying a bespoke item, be it a suit or a simple pair of trousers requires you to have to wait and there is no way of rushing it. In an environment where everything is very fast, i think we can all benefit from slowing down a little bit.
In the next article, i will go over basic items that i think every man should have in his closet.
Yours Truly
Farid Mahnad