Broke and Bespoke

Review: Solosso MTM Shirting

I’ve reviewed a number of online made-to-measure (MTM) shirting companies now, and their rapid proliferation in all corners of the menswearnet requires that newer not-yet-fully-established companies offer something that helps them stand out from the rest of the crowd.

Solosso does just that, and on two fronts no less. Solosso is the only green-oriented and eco-friendly MTM shirt manufacturer that I’ve come across. According to the website, Solosso is a “transparent, environmentally friendly, and socially responsible” company that produces its shirting in an environmentally sustainable way that also seeks to improve the life of all company stakeholders. If that means ensuring their workers are paid living wages, then I’m all for it.

Solosso is also, I was told, moving into the realm of offering bespoke type attention to detail on their custom shirts. Like many other online MTM shirting companies, Solosso runs you through a battery of customization options on their website. I was happy enough with the options available to me, but after I submitted my order I was contacted by Solosso and told that the slim fit cut I’d chosen came with back darts, and they were checking in to make sure that’d be ok with me. They also asked if I wanted to have the collar and cuffs unlined.

I did indeed want them unlined, but had not known that was an option. I also did not want back darts, so was glad they’d contacted me. I asked if this was special treatment I was being given since I’d been asked to review their shirt, and I was told that they’re moving towards a model of customization that will give customers the option to submit requests for detailing that aren’t listed on the website, and that it was not customer service that went above and beyond what a regular paying customer would receive. This is a big plus in my book, and enough I’d think to make you consider Solosso over some of the other online MTM companies out there. Especially so if there are details you like (like unlined collars and cuffs) that aren’t standard options from other retailers, and if sustainability is a concern of yours.

The quality of the shirt I received is on par with the best of the other MTM shirting companies I’ve tried. The stitching is straight, strong, and true. The cotton fabric soft and of high quality. The genuine mother of pearl buttons are a nice touch (though not a deal breaker in my book), and the metal collar stays that come with each shirt are a plus (though I can’t remember the last time I used collar stays…). The packaging was by far the finest of any MTM shirt I’ve ever received. The  red wax seal with Solosso’s logo on it was a fine surprise, and the cardboard box the shirt came in was clearly made of recycled materials, but also very tasteful in its spartan design.

Solosso’s shirts start at $89, and that price includes worldwide shipping. They’re competitively priced with other online MTM shirting companies, and practice an ethics and offer some options that I think could make happy customers out of many.

Club Tie.

Review: Ed Et Al. ‘Outram’ Captoe Balmoral

I’ve written about Ed Et Al. shoes before, and have really sung their praises for offering well-crafted hand lasted Goodyear welted full grain leather shoes at an affordable price point. Yes, I said hand lasted. You also didn’t hear wrong about the full grain leathers. Think Meermin prices, but with a more Hungarian aesthetic, and fully hand lasted.

Edwin Neo, the cobbler behind Ed Et Al., did after all train in Budapest under the watchful eye of Marcell Mrsan who owns Koronya Boots and Shoes, a well-respected bespoke Hungarian shoe and bootmaker.

I was given the opportunity to test drive some shoes from Ed Et Al.’s Third Collection from 2012 (they are now on a Fourth Collection, which looks amazing). The shoes from the Third Collection are generally more aggressively styled and dressier than their previous collections (the Fourth Collection appears to be following this same design trajectory). The burnished toe box is quite pleasing aesthetically, and the brogueing is perfectly executed throughout. Think aesthetics more in line with St. Crispin, or Gaziano & Girling, like beautiful fiddleback waists, elongated toe boxes, and Cuban heels.

I was able to take these shoes for a spin awhile back when I went to a gala event for work, and I received many positive comments on my footwear throughout the night. More importantly, I was on my feet a lot all evening, and even walked a considerable amount around town after the event. My feet felt like they were swathed in pillows the whole time.

If you’re looking for some reasonably priced dress shoes that are hand lasted and Goodyear welted, and made using high quality full grain leathers, then definitely give Singaporean shoemaker Ed Et Al. a try. They’ll run you about the same price as a pair of Allen Edmonds OTR, but have a touch more flair in my opinion. And for those ballers out there who want to put more skin in the game, Edwin Neo also does full bespoke shoes which are fully hand welted.