I test-drove clothes from Taylor Stitch (and not just shirts) and The Tie Bar (including a non-tie). Do they continue to deliver? And how modest-man-friendly are these pieces? Read on!
Purpose-built clothes are the heart of men’s style. Taylor Stitch and The Tie Bar understand this concept. They both offer comprehensive lines but start with a focus on one thing: shirting and ties, respectively. Before I carry on with my review of these two brands, here’s what I mean by “purpose-built.”
I’ve consulted with gents who want to develop personal style but don’t know where to begin (and often don’t love fashion). I ask a set of easy questions that seemingly have nothing to do with clothes: What do you like to do for fun? What sports do you love to play or watch? And do you like your job?
If he answers swimming or fishing, I say, “Have you considered dive watches or fisherman’s sweaters?” If he says he loves tennis, I say, “Cable-knit might be your thing.” Perhaps he’s a banker, but he hates his job. Well, then I say, “Let’s start with some casual, non-suit pieces that don’t remind you of work.”
While Taylor Stitch and the Tie Bar are excellent examples of this practice, do they continue to achieve? I’ve been a fan of The Tie Bar in the past, but will I continue to be with these new pieces I’m trying?
Most importantly, are these clothes conducive to us gents of modest height? Based on my experiences with a few pieces per brand, here’s everything you need to know.
What I Tried and Quick Take
I tried the following items from Taylor Stich:
I also tried the following garments from The Tie Bar:
Overall, I have mostly positive things to say about each brand.
Taylor Stitch offers sturdy, handsome, and functional pieces. Essentials, we call them. I’m particularly impressed with their fantastic fabrics and time-tested constructions. They employ bar-tacking, a classic workwear technique for reinforcing stress points. They also use ring-back buttons for durability and a clean look. This brand has mastered historical best practices in menswear. As far as whether or not shorter gents could shop Taylor Stitch, I say absolutely, especially with their shirts. Plus, their online fit-finder helps you discover the right size for you.
Meanwhile, The Tie Bar also offers tried-and-trues on top of any theme and color under the sun. Going to a tropical-themed party? The Tie Bar will have excellent, high-value options with that aesthetic. You don’t have to settle for a cheap costume tie or spend hundreds of dollars on an accessory you only wear occasionally. And, as I’ve experienced in the past, this round of The Tie Bar pieces proved to be perfectly modest-man-friendly.
My Build
I’m 5’7” and a half (easily 5’8″ and up in shoes) and 130 lbs at my fittest. Still, I’m generally a “skinny” guy. I have a 35” chest and wear XS tops. My waist is a size 28, which means I even have to get XS shirts tailored half the time. I figured knowing this could help you figure out how you might fit into these shirts and outerwear.
Taylor Stitch: About the Brand and Hands-on Reviews
Taylor Stitch was founded in 2008 with a focus on custom shirting. The brand does much more than shirts today. Still, they continue to emphasize purpose, endeavoring to create apparel that can handle wood chopping, boating, or your morning office commute.
I’ve been wearing the Ojai Jacket and the Jack Oxford for over a month now. Here are my thoughts.
The Ojai Jacket
The Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket is a customary chore coat based on the original 19th-century French design. It’s built to fit in a boxy but clean way, which is always a relevant look for chore coats. However, as of the mid-2020s, it’s also very much in style for outerwear in general.
The Ojai Jacket is traditionally utilitarian-looking. The brand makes it from cotton twill reverse-engineered from deadstock military fabric. Three colorways are available, all of which have a strapping, classically workwear aesthetic. The navy is the easiest to dress up or down, while the charcoal certainly has a cool factor.
I chose the military-esque smoked olive variation.
Construction
I can’t say enough good things about the fabric and construction. First of all, everything is double-stitched. Not just key points where fabrics meet — everything. There’s no tearing this jacket apart, at least not without some sharp tool of some sort.
Meanwhile, all the pockets are bar-tacked. This means that the stress points have a dense, reinforcing stitch. This is commonly done on the hem of denim pants, where the fabric wraps around and meets. By doing this with pockets, Taylor Stitch has essentially built a coat that’ll survive trench warfare. Also, the pen slot for the chest pocket is a nice touch. I never felt more cool than when a lady friend needed a pen, and I was able to suavely pull it out of that compartment.
Remember when I said that Taylor Stitch uses outrageously food fabrics? They construct this jacket from eight-oz 100% organic cotton from deadstock military fabric. Taylor Stitch also pre-washes it, so it feels incredibly lived-in. Honestly, it may as well be vintage. There’s already so much character to it, which will continue to develop as you wear it.
I find the ring-back buttons infinitely charming. The front placket buttons are attached with brass pins and rings that you can see on the interior. I’m not sure what the origins of this design are, but I imagine it might be army-related. It’s faster to replace ring-back buttons than sewn-on buttons. All that to say, it gives the jacket a unique, almost antiquey, and stylish look.
Style
Speaking of style, I’ve worn this jacket at every dress code. I mean it—every single one. Yes, I even wore it as a light piece of outerwear for a black-tie benefit. Of course, it would be inappropriate to keep it on during the event. Still, the pairing earned me several compliments as I walked in and when I retrieved the jacket from the coat check on my way out. There’s something about pairing a chore coat with formalwear that gives the same vibe as a soldier attending a dance.
Basically, I’m making the case that this jacket is easy to dress up and down. Taylor Stitch even makes this claim in the product description, and it’s no lie.
Of course, it’s most natural with workwear and workwear-adjacent pieces. You can also wear this jacket with jeans, chinos, t-shirts, button-downs, boots,
Is the Ojai Jacket Modest-Man-Friendly?
Immediately, the answer is yes. However, I’ll preface this by saying I purposely ordered a Medium/40 because I wanted an oversized fit. I’m a minimalist. I already have a chore coat with the standard fit: clean but boxy. I wanted something I could use to create dynamic silhouettes and to layer underneath so I could wear it like a winter coat. The Ojai Jacket does that for me perfectly.
Even more, they offer an S/38 and an XS/36, so if you want a traditional chore coat fit and you’re in the 5’3” to 5’6” realm, it’s available. Just remember that chore coats should have neat lines but aren’t slim.
Finally, I had a friend try it on to further test how true-to-fit this coat is. He’s 6’1”, 170lbs, and typically wears a 40 jacket. It fit perfectly. I’ve no doubt I could wear their S/38 more traditionally. If you’re under 5’5”, you can go for the XS/36.
Taylor Stitch: The Jack Oxford Shirt
The Jack Oxford Shirt is a classic OCBD that comes in several colorways, including olive and striped white.
I went for the washed indigo, which is dress code moderate like the regular indigo and even the smoke variation. Taylor Stitch managed to make it more rugged and substantial than many dressier Oxford button-downs these days. Still, it’s also perfectly at home in the smart casual realm. Here’s what I mean.
Construction
Again, Taylor Stitch uses the best materials on the market. The Jack Oxford is 100% organic cotton. As mentioned in the product description, the indigo yarns will wash and start to exude a sun-faded aesthetic over the years. The brand basically built this shirt to wear in instead of wear out.
The fabric is lived-in soft, ensuring a comfortable first wear that’ll just get more cozy. I also want to mention that traditional cotton uses a lot of pesticides. Taylor Stitch mentions that its organic cotton is certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). The GOTS inspects textile production, starting from the raw materials used to the end product, to ensure a high level of environmental safeguards and standards.
Like the chore coat, this is a truly durable shirt. I pulled hard at every seam. At one point, I even put on rubber gloves, grabbed two ends on each side of a seam, and pulled hard, genuinely attempting to rip it open. Everything is still intact.
This is because of the flat-felled seams and lock-stitched buttonholes.
Flat-felled seams are achieved by folding one edge of the fabric over the other, pressing it flat, and fully closing the raw edges. They’re not only extra durable and fortified but also cleaner-looking. They’re one of the strongest seam finishes in sewing. Because of this, the shirt’s architecture is incredibly sturdy despite its softness.
Meanwhile, the lock-stitched buttonholes feature an extra stitch at the beginning and end of the hole. Without getting too technical, it “locks” the buttonhole and prevents it from unraveling. It’s the equivalent of wrapping duct tape around a rope knot (minus the extra bulk).
Clearly, Taylor Stitch knows exactly where all of a shirt’s natural stress points are.
Finally, this Oxford features higher armholes, which I very much appreciate. They add to the custom-feeling fit, prevent bunching, and make it easier to move in. I’ve literally played flag football in this shirt.
Style
The Jack Oxford is distinct but timeless. Its soft materials lend themselves to a vintage, classic, or even preppy style. However, the strong architecture balances this, offering a rugged edge. As such, it’s a uniquely versatile shirt.
You can channel the vintage vibe by pairing it with dark, slim, cuffed jeans and some Chucks. In this case, keep it untucked. Relatedly, the shirt length is perfect — not too long, not too short. This allows you to wear it tucked or untucked.
Or, bring out the brawnier side of the shirt for a full workwear or even a Western look.
Imagine this shirt with cargo pants, Timberlands, and a puffer vest for the winter. It also pairs naturally with blue jeans, a leather belt, and, heck, why not, a cowboy hat. If you’re literally on a ranch, why not wear a bolo tie?
I’ve worn it with khakis and loafers, a cardigan, a sweater vest, and even a blazer. In fact, it’s so well-structured that I’ve even worn it as light outerwear. On a warm but windy day, I’ve placed it over a knit polo.
Basically, anyone can wear this shirt regardless of their personal style. And that’s hard to come by.
Is the Jack Oxford Modest-Man-Friendly?
This is an easy yes for me. The Jack Oxford is 100% modest-man-friendly. While I enjoy oversized outerwear (when it comes to workwear, at least), I prefer extra slim button-downs.
I ordered the XS. Based on how cleanly the XS fits me, I’m confident I could wear a size Small in a more classically slim way. That being the case, I recommend the XS if you hover around 5’3” and 5’4” and the S if you’re closer to my height. Or, if you like an early-aughts level of slim on your shirts, go for the XS like I did.
The Tie Bar: About the Brand and Hands-on Reviews
The Tie Bar was founded in 2004 in the Chicago area. It was originally an e-retailer for men’s neckties. The goal was to provide high-value yet premium men’s style, and by going directly to the consumer, they’ve been on a steady rise.
Today, they’re my first go-to when I have a special event for which I need a new accessory. I absolutely love their collaboration with Camp Wandawega.
And as I mentioned last time I reviewed pieces from The Tie Bar, I’m a fan. However, I won’t let that get in the way of honestly critiquing these three pieces.
The Tie Bar: The Textured Jersey Polo
The Textured Jersey Polo that The Tie Bar offers is a fine example of the ribbed, crocheted polo shirt. It’s pretty textbook — no contrast collars, no varied weaves. Still, in my opinion, it hits all of the right notes.
It’s well-made, cinched at all the hems, and drapes elegantly but not in a stuffy way.
It comes in three colorways. There’s a neutral, versatile grey variation and an expressive yet understated basil green. I chose the French rose version, a salmon hue that is surprisingly good year-round.
Construction
As mentioned, the shirt features a standard design and construction—but to a high standard. It’s built with 100% mercerized cotton, which means that the fibers are treated to increase the tension. This also increases the tensile strength and ensures minimal shrinkage.
I pulled on the vertical lines where you can see the weaves overlapping, allowing me to see the negative space between threads. Then, the second I let go, everything popped back into place. That’s some top-notch tensile strength right there. I have no doubt this shirt can handle being pulled or stretched to a high degree before breaking.
Unlike the Taylor Stitch pieces, though, The Tie Bar isn’t workwear. As such, I didn’t subject this shirt to the intense rubber-glove pull tests I subject denim and cotton canvas outerwear to.
The cotton feels soft to the touch. I can wear this with a tank top underneath or without anything underneath at all. Overall, it’s a comfortable shirt. It’s so soft, you can probably sleep in it.
Style
Besides leveling up tensile strength, mercerizing cotton also allows it to take dye better. This shirt’s warm peach hue is exquisite. It isn’t overly bright or loud, though. I’d call it subtle but vivid. Even more, the mercerized treatment neutralizes and rinses the yarn, which enhances its luster. There’s a very subtle sheen to it, which makes it look so much more expensive than it actually is.
All that to say, this shirt exudes quality.
The pinkish hue isn’t for everyone, but I think any guy can pull this off in the spring. I know that a crocheted pink polo might be too preppy or too dandy for some. However, there’s also something very mid-century, very Mad Men about it. Pair it with brown pants and
The biggest surprise of all? This shirt is a year-rounder. The knit aesthetic is akin to a sweater, so if you layer over it, you can wear it during the winter. I actually received this shirt in the winter, so I often wore it with workwear outerwear or even a cardigan.
Finally, I love the almost pearlized buttons. This is a small detail, but it matches the borderline romantic aesthetic of the shirt’s pink hue.
Is the Textured Jersey Polo Modest-Man-Friendly?
Yes, most short men can wear this polo. I have the XS, and it fits me perfectly. I think it would also fit a gent around 5’5 “.
If you’re shorter than that, I’d say you can wear this shirt with some finessing. Most of the sleeves on off-the-rack polos are way too big for me. Still, I like cinching, folding, and rolling them, James Dean style. While I don’t have to do that with this polo, it’s an option if you’re under 5’5”.
The Textured Jersey French Rose Polo is still more modest-man-friendly than the ones from 99% of brands.
The Tie Bar: The Van Buren Geo Navy and the Barberis Wool Magnifico Forest Green Tie
And, of course, I couldn’t do a review of The Tie Bar without trying out some ties. I went for two completely different builds and styles.
Immediately, I’ll just say that both are fantastic. They’re hand-made, sturdy, and clearly high-quality. The only thing that would keep anyone from considering these ties is personal style, which is totally subjective.
The Van Buren Geo Navy Tie is a modern three-inch wide silk accessory. Meanwhile, the Barberis Wool Magnifico Forest Green Tie is a wool and cashmere blend in a thin width. The former is more professional, the latter more academic.
Both are luxurious but unstuffy but in completely diverse ways.
The Van Buren Geo Navy Tie
The geo patterns on this tie are classy but modern. It’s eye-catching enough to bring some character to a standard suit but not unprofessional. Trust me. I work in the most conservative office on the Upper East Side. My boss had no issue with me wearing this tie to work, and I got a lot of compliments.
This tie is fun enough for a cocktail dress code and grown-up enough for formal occasions. Truly, it pairs nicely with any color suit.
And since this is The Tie Bar, the 100% handmade woven silk is beautifully lustrous and soft.
The Barberis Wool Magnifico Forest Green Tie
Its construction and silhouette make the Barberis Magnifico Forest Green Tie unique from other wool ties. The added cashmere makes the surface non-itchy and provides a level of softness. Moreover, the 2.5-inch width combines a ‘60s aesthetic with the more trad ‘50s look of the plaid wool.
There are several ways to wear this. Pair it with vintage sporty pieces like cricket sweaters and Keds for a preppy look. Or go full academic and wear it with a wool suit.
Or you can channel the English countryside and wear it with a Norfolk jacket and flat cap. As always, The Tie Bar managed to take a classic and make it more universal.
Conclusion: Still No Doubts About Taylor Stitch and The Tie Bar
Overall, Taylor Stitch and The Tie Bar continue to deliver. More unique to our audience here at TMM, they continue to cater just fine to shorter guys.
Taylor Stitch does a good job of responsibly sourcing quality materials. This sometimes means that products are limited and can sell out. So keep that in mind.
In a lot of ways, because of their accessible looks and prices, these brands have introduced non-fashion guys to quality. They’re a lot of men’s first experiences with good clothes — newbies certainly aren’t walking into Brioni out of nowhere.
I recommend Taylor Stitch and The Tie Bar to gents in all stages of their style journey.
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