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Shopping for men’s clothing can be so brutal. Forget the Instagram account “Miserable Men” featuring totally-bored husbands waiting for their wives–it’s WAY worse to be a woman waiting for a man! Because the process takes FOREVER.
First, you have to find someone to help you (not an easy task), then that salesperson rings up the 100-year-old tailor from the back of the store (what is he doing back there??), then he takes measurements at what feels like a glacial pace and THEN you get to the point of deciding between dark blue or navy pants. Riveting! I would honestly rather shave my husband’s chest hair than go to the mall with him. Sorry, hunny.
Or at least that was until we discovered Alton Lane. The store is a complete game-changer for men’s shopping. Not only is the space designed like a total man cave–complete with a whiskey bar and hidden poker table–but the company has also revolutionized the fit process, using 3D Body scanners that take seconds to get the most precise fit on your shirts and custom suites. And the whole process takes minutes. It’s somewhere between 100% bespoke shopping and made-to-measure in that sweet spot where everything fits perfectly but is still totally affordable. Plus, the styling experience is incredible. I’m not kidding when I say that we’re hooked! Here’s how it all goes down:
First step is to visit one of their showrooms if you can (they’re opening even more soon!). We visited the Flagship store in the TriBeCa neighborhood of New York City and were immediately met by a super-knowledge and friendly young stylist named Brody who walked my husband through the process of getting a custom shirt and pair of shoes. For the shoes, anyone can use their online tool, which is sort of like NikeID and offers hundreds of variations on popular men’s dress shoes, boots and loafers. My husband customized a pair of blue suede loafers with a bright red in-sole. I’ve never seen him more excited about something in his life (and that includes our wedding day).
For the shirt fitting, he removed his over shirt and stepped inside the body scanner, which is sort of like an airport scanner, but make it fashion. The machine captured over 300 measurements in seconds and generated a 3D rendering of his body. Brody then walked him through a few additional style and fit questions (would he wear the shirt untucked? did he want a pocket or no pocket? Etc). And yes, I helped myself to a glass of whiskey while waiting. And then the order was placed! Within 2-3 weeks the shirt will ship and my husband goes back in to make sure everything is perfect. If it’s not, no problem because Alton Lane offers complimentary alterations.
It will make you wonder why you ever shopped for mens clothing any other way!
