Boss Hunting style content of late has been sporadic, to say the very least. Neither myself, nor the wider team is particularly inspired by any fashion brand at the moment โ aside from Aime Leon Dore โ but Iโm not just not prepared to spend the money, or the postage to get it here.
COVID has compounded an ever-pressing casualisation of our wardrobes but also shifted our spending, prioritising our home environments over our personal appearance. People just seem to care less about โimageโ coming out of lockdown and I think thatโs a good thing โ a great thing if it eradicates the menswear influencer for good.
Regardless of how casual the workplace gets, quality tailoring will never cease to be timeless, we just need to look at new ways to work it into our day to day wardrobe, and a made-to-measure shirt in a textural fabric or with a mao collar, for example, is the perfect place to start.
In a desperate attempt to do just that โ and revive my dwindling interest in menswear โ I decided to take part in the recent โArchive Saleโ from Drakeโs. Even the brand I thought I couldnโt fall out of love with, left me discouraged after failing to fulfil my whole order.
While Drakeโs deprived me of the โNavy Waxed Cotton Belted Winter Stable Jacketโ they did send out a button-down oxford and donning it for the first time reconfirmed a revolutionary realisation โ an off-the-rack shirt will never come close to anything made-to-measure.
I have, or at some point have had, cotton and linen button-down oxfords from the likes of Country Road and J.Crew in my wardrobe, and while they serve their purpose well with sleeves rolled up, I often question my decision not to spend twice the money and have something made for me, especially when it comes to wearing my sleeves down.
I recently bit the bullet and opted for two casual tailored shirts from the team at Oscar Hunt, one button-down in linen and one in denim โ both destined for boozy lunches, not boardrooms. Even despite adding an extra inch or two to my gut over Xmas, the fit of each, compared to anything I own from any brand, is so better suited to my body, I simply had to pen this article.
Fellows, stop wasting your money on expensive, brand name, off-the-rack shirting, be it formal or casual. For $115 less than Drakeโs, $140 once you add shipping, Oscar Hunt will fit and make a shirt for you, then go to the ends of the earth to ensure itโs a perfect fit. Nothing about custom-tailored or made-to-measure is left to chance, unlike unboxing something with arms too long, collar too tight, and chest unbecoming.
At their starting price of $199, youโre almost a whole shirt ahead at Oscar Hunt and I can guarantee you, youโll be a whole level of confidence ahead, knowing that youโre putting your best foot forwards in the most flattering garment you own.
Make it your mission in 2021 to support an Australian tailor and order yourself a made-to-measure shirt, I promise you wonโt look back.
While youโre at it, read our 5 summer suiting tips from Trunk Tailors Founder Jack Liang.
