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Affordable Men's Style

The Splurge: Ratio Clothing – Custom Made in the USA Shirts

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ratio/clothing dress shirts: $63.38 – $81.75 w/ 25% off first order code DAPPERED

NOTE: Code DAPPERED expired awhile ago (this post ran in 2011), but new ratio customers can use the code FIRSTORDER for 10% off.

Shown:  Blue windowpane – $73.50 w/code, which must be in all caps.  Follow them on Facebook for more savings.

J. Crew says this about their $75 dress shirts, which now come in standard neck and sleeve sizing: “…a truly impeccable fit…it’s pretty much as close to custom as it gets.”

Horse feathers.  Poppycock.  Poppy feathers and Horse we’ll-leave-it-at-that.  Ratio clothing has shattered J. Crew’s claim.  Instead of relying on just two measurements, ratio uses five.  All of which are measurements you know off the top of your head.  When it comes to the neck & sleeves measurements, they offer sizing down to unheard levels of precision.  How precise?  Try to the quarter inch on the neck and half inch on the sleeve.

For many of us that means no more 32/33 sleeves being too short while  33/34 are too long.  And more importantly, no more 15.5 collars cutting off blood flow while 16 collars hang too loose.

Before a lot of you understandably gag at the price, know that we live in a world where an Express 1MX costs $60.  Also know that ratio is doing their best to make it worth your while.  Along with the unusually exact measurements, they give you the ability to pick every option short of the name of the person who’ll make the shirt from scratch.  That shirt making also happens right here in the United States.  Here’s how they try to earn your money:

J. Crew can’t do that.  Alfani RED or Nordstrom can’t even come close.  But again, the normal price of $85 – $110 is asking a lot, so ratio doesn’t stop there.

Say you hate chest pockets.  Or, you prefer two button cuffs.  Maybe you prefer your back pleats centered.  Perhaps you like them at the sides.  All of that is adjustable by clicking through the (somewhat easy to miss) tabs above the sizing area (see right).

Not only has ratio whittled down the sizing to pretty close to exact, they let you pick all the options as well.  All without it being too heavy or invasive of a process.  I didn’t break out the tape measure even once.  Took me 5 minutes to order.  And the end results were pretty on point:
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Nice.  Could come in a little at the sides, but it can get away without tailoring.  The neck is perfect.

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My ratio slim fit was around 20 1/2″ across at it’s widest point.  Not bad.  That’s somewhere between a Calibrate and a Nordstrom Trim fit.  The sleeves were noticeably less bulky than most trim fit dress shirts.  The collar and cuffs are noticeably higher quality, and the same goes for the buttons.  The feel of the material is something.  Comparing it to a tissue thin, scratchy, cotton/poly blend Alfani Red is like comparing a nice bottle of red to a box of Franzia white zin.  Sure they’re both shirts, but that’s where the similarities end.

Ratio’s shirts normally start at $84.50 and top out at $109.  That’s a huge investment, but this is next level shirting that allows you to get a custom fit, choose all the details, and spend less than 5 minutes online doing so.  Shipping is free, and while it took about four weeks to arrive, the shirt was well worth the wait.

Maybe none of us will have a closet full of ratio/clothing shirts, but with that 25% off code and their made in the USA status, they’re certainly going to be a worthwhile splurge for some.

Your turn:  How much is too much for a shirt?  And is ratio’s process worth the extra cost to you?  Leave it all below.  Also, enter to win by sending an email to contests@dappered.com with the subject: ratiogiveaway  Deadline is Thursday 8/4/11 at 11:59 pm ET.  One entry per person please.  Winner will be chosen at random.  Good luck!

UPDATE:  Congrats to Ivan Y. who won the custom shirt from ratio/clothing.  Thanks to all who entered.

Comments

  1. Just won a free shirt from Ratio over on the Effortless Gent a few days ago. Joe, I actually ended up ordering pretty much the same shirt as you, funnily enough. Really couldn’t resist that windowpane pattern. Should be here within a week or two, and I can’t wait. Off-the-rack never fits as well as I hope it will, but custom is usually too pricey. At these prices, however, it’s much more reasonable. Especially when J. Crew asks for $250 for their special edition chambray shirt.

  2. This is impressive, but I’m not sure if I can swing that kind of coin.  Something to keep in mind for the future.

    Question for you Joe, how does one balance ordering these types of shirts & a consistent workout program?  Seems to me you’d end up pushing yourself outside your older measurements as you continue to work out.

  3. I’ve only found one brand of off-the rack that fits me, so semicustom is the way to go for real fit. I don’t get to wear dress shirts a lot, and I’d rather have few really nice ones than a lot of poor fitting ones.

    Right now I have one from Blank Label, and I’m pretty impressed. The fit wasn’t perfect first time out (probably my measurements), but they offer one free adjustment. The prices are good and so is the selection. I haven’t tried the pricier Proper Cloth yet, but they have a wider selection of fabric.

    Just as a note, I have to wonder how Ratio pulls this off. Domestic labor isn’t cheap, but their prices are on par with the overseas companies. Hmm.

  4. Still cheaper than getting a true custom made shirt. Sounds like a nice compromise between letting a tailor go to town from scratch and buying something off the shelf with just neck/sleeve measurements. Considering picking up 1 or 2.

  5. I’ve been needing a white OCBD, this may be the one I go with.  I can’t find anything with a good fit, no logo, and isn’t “distressed”.  I like the option for no back pleats also being a pretty slim guy.

  6. Spending money on a custom shirt is actually more cost effective for guys like me than buying a shirt from Macy’s and taking it to a tailor to be fitted, as I’m tall and skinny and nothing fits off the rack. If it’s less than $100 for a custom shirt it’s well worth it. The four week wait from Ratio is a bit long though. 

  7. L.A. – I’m a tall and skinny guy to, so I can relate. It’s one of the main reasons I started the company! Regarding the lead time – we’re working on getting faster and I’m sure we will as we grow. 

  8. Lance – Our oxfords are not pre-distressed in any way. They come a little stiff, so you can break them in yourself, almost like a pair of selvage denim. Based on your preferences, I think you’d like our oxfords. 

  10. OK. Took the plunge and placed my order. I’ve been looking for a good white oxford for a while. I’m pretty excited about it.

  11. Did a walk-through of the site and decided to Like them on Facebook.  I do this to keep them in mind for a present someday.  I’ll definitely watch for sales or specials.  Poor actor on a budget can’t always afford to splurge on stuff like this.  However, I love the idea.  Kind of brilliant, really.  I look forward to more colors and designs!

  12. End results, look great Joe.

    I think I’m most impressed with the slimmed down sleeves. Was that a special request? I don’t see any measurements options for that aspect of the shirt.

    Ratio looks a very promising company, and I tip my hat to them for using domestic labor. Hopefully they continue to grow and expand their product line.

  13. You can get a completely MTM shirt for 1/3rd of Ratio’s price from moderntailor. And their turnaround from order to a package on your doorstep is like 10 days.

    American labor aside, I couldn’t justify the extra cash for a shirt that only uses a few measurements, has less options, and takes longer to produce.

  14. I’m already spending only about 10 bucks less for my dress shirts, and with my strange sizes this is definitely something I might take a look at. 

  16. I’m not the type to bulk way up, and over 10 years of working out, haven’t swayed out of my 160 – 175 pound range.  Now, the weight has certainly changed over the last decade (good vs. bad), but I don’t have the genes for quick bulk.  And that’s not really my goals either.  I lift three days a week, but one of those days is nothing but legs.  The other three days of workouts are cardio with some stretching/core work.  So while some fits/brands have gotten a little too snug over the years, a shirt like this will have enough room in it for a guy like me where I don’t think that’ll become a problem.  Unless you’re a serious body builder that’s putting on mass then cutting fat all the time, or, you’re going through a big body transformation like major weight loss… I don’t think it’ll be that big of an issue.

  17. Hmm, I’d be intrigued to see how these fit. I am tall, slim, but strangely proportioned (6’4, 210lbs, some pudding in the middle, narrow shoulders, long arms, big chest).

    I’ve dabbled with some M2M with varying success – had trouble with BiasedCut and Alexander West (former OK now, waiting on remake from latter), surprising success with ModaSuite (tho their collars/material could be better), and ambivalence to Indochino (ok fit, crap quality) and Maxwell’s (ditto).

    Strangely, my best fitting shirt is still a 16/36 off the rack from Harry Rosen that was darted then shrunk significantly….

  18. Ryan – depending on how much “pudding” we’re talking, our classic fit may be a good option. It’s still a slimmer fit than most non “slim” shirts, but gives you a little more room in the waist and chest. 

  19. Ryan – depending on how much “pudding” we’re talking, our classic fit may be a good option. It’s still a slimmer fit than most non “slim” shirts, but gives you a little more room in the waist and chest. 

  20. Joe G. – Thanks for the kind words! As Joe mentioned, the slim sleeves are just a standard part of our “Ratio Slim Fit.” It definitely gives the shirt a more tailored appearance and, unless you are a Mr. Universe, will probably work for you. Also, we will be rolling out some new options for fall, so keep an eye on us. 

  21. Joe (and Eric), how’s the collar? Looking at the photos I assume you’re sporting Wurkin Stiffs. How is it without these or with a tie?

  22. Collar and cuffs are terrific.  Shots of me in the shirt, yes, I’m wearing wurkin’ stiffs.  That’s the semi spread option.  Pic at the bottom of the post just has their standard collar stays in it.  No help from magnets on that one.

  23. And I’m not just sayin’ that because Eric has been responding to questions here either.  Scout’s honor, it’s my new favorite shirt.

  24. Consider adding your workout details to your measurements page, and making the measurements page easily accessible.  

  25. Consider adding your workout details to your measurements page, and making the measurements page easily accessible.  

  26. Consider adding your workout details to your measurements page, and making the measurements page easily accessible.  

  27. For the amount of precision you can get with companies like Ratio, the cost is probably well worth it.

    However, I have a constantly changing body (have lost weight and am planning on losing more). A shirt from Ratio would probably last me six months before it was a parachute. Le sigh.

  31. Ratio clothing,
     I’m 5’8″ 214lbs 10% bodyfat. A Calvin Klein slim fit dress shirt sized 18 32/33 fit perfect on the neck and sleeves. At the waist though was like a circus tent. All of my t-shirts are x-large slim fit with Hurly premium fitting perfectly. What fit would you recommend? Arms are 19″ and waist is 34″. Don’t want to be popping out of the shirt but dont want it looking like I’m wearing a potato sack lol.

  32. This looks pretty awesome. I’m going to take a look at the site, I love custom clothing.

  33. Can you send us an email at customerservice [at] ratioclothing [dot] com? I think we can find something that will work for you, but probably need to ask a few more questions first. 

  34. I’m in love with the whole idea of made to measure clothing. Sure it’s often a little pricey, BUt you never have to sacrifice on anything: Fit, Style, or Fabric. It’s a way to literally make “Your Own Style”  

  35. i get excited to do something like order a custom shirt but then stumble across an OTR shirt at Target of all places, on clearance for $9.99, that happens to fit near perfect, and I can’t help but stock up and bid farewell to my dreams of custom shirtery.

  36. I just placed my first custom shirt order with Ratio. I do think that having video tutorials on sizing would be helpful. Watching specific measuring details provided by the shop would make me feel a bit more confident that I’m providing the correct information. 

    Will update when shirt arrives.

  37. Mykl – Thank you for the suggestion. Video tutorials are definitely on our roadmap. In the meantime, we’re available to help via email or phone if you have any additional questions. Thanks for the order!

  38. I’ve got a birthday coming up this month and I think I just found a present for myself.  As to the moderntailor comment, I’ve never used them and seems like they have a good operation, but I like the customer service angle that Ratio is doing.  Their return policy of “we only ask that you work with us to make you happy” is amazing (THAT is what’s earning my business).  

    @RatioClothing:disqus: I’m not sure of the fit that I’d like and could really use some help.  If I were to send a few pics of me wearing shirts I own (that I both like and dislike), would you guys be able to recommend a fit?

  39. Sammy – I just saw this comment over here, but I believe we took care of you via email. If not, just send us an email at customerservice [at] ratioclothing [dot] com and we’ll take care of you. 

  40. Moderntailor’s site is ASS. I poked around it for like, four minutes, and it was just like :howaboutno:.

  41. Seems like it would be worth it, but part of the justification for me is how they hold up in the long run.

  42. J.Crew , Brooks Brothers and Polo Ralph Lauren all are best brand of custom shirts.Custom tailored clothing always looks great, you have the freedom of choosing fabric, design and colors by the custom your own shirts..