The ratio/clothing email or physical gift card – $1.00 and up
It’ll be here before you know it. So if you’re in need of a few ideas on what to give (or in some cases, what to put on your own list) this year, this is the place to be for the next couple weeks. Our annual 12 days of Dappered covers one item each week-day between now and December 20th. That’ll leave some time for shipping if you’re the last minute type. All will be reasonably affordable. See the growing archive here.
Ratio Clothing’s custom sized and made-in-the-USA shirts are near the top of the list for this website’s favorite discovery of 2011. But they’re not cheap. In this world of $60 Express 1MX and $80 J. Crew shirts, they’re certainly a reasonable price for what you get. But there’s not a lot of us who are going to drop $100 on one shirt for a pal or family member. Good thing Ratio gift cards are available in any denomination so you can get someone half way. Plus they come not just in physical form but a virtual/e-mail deliverable option as well:
And that’s awesome, because you could buy one of these the night before for someone, then call them the next day to give them the lowdown on what ratio is all about.
As for suggestions to suggest once the gift card has been given… the windowpane pinpoint ($98) is versatile, the ogden plaid ($98) with a button down collar is a terrific way to dress up on the weekend, and if he’s more of the relaxed/basic type, get him (half off) the best fitting and feeling oxford cloth he’ll ever wear.
All are made in the USA, and with their only-as-invasive-as-you-want-it-to-be sizing guide, he won’t even have to get out a measuring tape if he doesn’t want to. Half a shirt for Dad? Done. Got a group of friends who will all chip in $10 for a well deserving pal? Easy enough. And you can even wait till the last minute with the email option.
I ordered the mini blue gingham in their ratio slim fit, two button mitred cuffs, no pleat, pocket, or placket, and it is my favorite shirt by far. I e-mailed Eric at Ratio, and he led me through some extra steps, measuring another favorite shirt to tweak the fit further. I plan to order several more shirts from Ratio. If you like them on Facebook, you can also save some $. Great shirts, great service, and American made. What’s not to love?
Love that windowpane pattern but not in my price range :[
Is that dapper code still working?
I get the idea, but I’ve always thought that gift certificates were a lame gift, to give or receive.
I’ve purchased 4 of the Ratio shirts over the last 3 months and I’m really impressed. The very first shirt I ordered was an almost perfect fit and required no tailoring at all. I made some small tweaks for the second order and every shirt since has been spot on. I have shirts in the pinpoint, oxford, poplin plaid and broadcloth fabrics. Each one has unique characteristics, but they are all high quality, well constructed shirts. If you factor in the savings on tailoring these shirts are actually very well priced for the quality. The biggest downside: that 3 week wait can seem like an eternity, but that’s just me watching the water boil I guess.
Also, Eric has dealt with me personally every time I’ve had a question. He’s been great and VERY accomodating.
Yet to order, but really looking forward to it. I have a few Jcrew shirts which are shit, especially for the price. $80 gets you a very thin and easily wrinkled shirt. Favorite shirts right now are Nordstrom. I wear a dress shirt everyday and would pay $100 to get a few standouts
I think this is a little different, as it’s a gift that is inherently personalized/customized. You couldn’t really buy the actual item for them anyway, unless you know of some stealthy way of getting a guy’s measurements without getting the cops called on you.
But you aren’t customizing anything; you’re giving the person a task, in that they have to pick out all the details of the shirt they want, then cough up the rest of the money to complete the purchase.
Giving a gift card isn’t terribly thoughtful beyond the idea that you vaguely know where the person likes to shop. It’s essentially like giving the recipient cash, but they can’t even choose where to spend it.
I’m sorry. I think giving a gift card worth half the item’s value goes beyond “bad, thoughtless gift” and pushes straight into disrespectful.
It is FORCING the recipient to spend their money on something they may not even want. You might as well give them a two-for-one movie coupon. (Except that might actually be better as the recipient is much more likely to want to go to a movie than to need a custom shirt.)
I can’t believe this would be suggested as a gift. Buy them some scotch.
(To be clear, I have no problem with ratio clothing and I wear MTM shirts. I just think this gift idea is incredibly tasteless.)
I guess it depends entirely on if the person you know really wants a custom-made shirt. If they do, you’ve given them the gift of a discount. Personally, I would more imagine a couple siblings going in on a gift certificate for the full shirt for their third sibling, or something.
I too am outraged at this free suggestion I willingly read on my accord Joe! Outraged I say!!!!!
Probably the kind of thing you only should do if you are pretty sure that the person would be interested. Then it would actually be thoughtful.
Just so that the record’s straight: I would be happy if any of you purchased a gift card for me. You may send it directly to…
Somebody hand me a match. I want to light myself on fire.
I have a book of matches, but the strip is worn out and they are pretty frustrating to light on your zipper…
I would think a half-gift card out of the blue would be outrageous, but it does make a luxury item affordable. It is absolutely tasteful if the gift card is for an expensive item the recipient wishes they could afford. I would love a two-hundred dollar gift card for a Saddleback duffel bag.
I’m offended that you’d offer me a match that’s only half useful.
Anyone know where the shirts ship from?
Just curious, why would you spend $100 on a made-to-measure shirt when you can get one tailored to your exact specifications for that?
Full review here: http://dappered.com/2011/08/the-splurge-ratio-clothing-custom-made-in-the-usa-shirts/ They’re made in the USA, collars are measured to the quarter inch on the neck and half inch on the sleeve which is much more precise than standard sizing… the patterns are great and the cloth is top notch.
Don’t get me wrong, they’re not really “affordable” but they’re a favorite splurge for sure.
Re: the 12 Days of Dappered, I took a hint from the whiskey stones but went a slightly different direction. I bought a couple of Glencairn whiskey glasses and a bottle of Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey for my brother.
The Stranahan gets surprisingly good reviews for a “micro distillery” product, has apparently won a bunch of awards, and seemed a little more interesting than trying to guess which expensive import would be the best. Thanks for the inspiration, Dappered.
I don’t think it’s “FORCING” anyone to do anything. Jesus, man, overreact much?
(To be clear, I have a problem with you and your petulant sanctimony. I just think that there is nothing more tasteless than an obvious cry for attention. Did someone wake up on the wrong side of nobody?)
Ratio Clothing makes some amazing shirt. I have the Ogden plaid shirt and a light blue pointpoint English spread collar shirt that fit amazingly. Eric is a great guy and is very hands on with the process.