Imagine ordering custom made clothes online that fits you perfectly without the help of a tailor.
Well, there’s an app for that. An app that according to MTailor is scientifically proven to be 20% more accurate than a professional tailor. That’s a big claim. Are they just blowing smoke or is their app really that good?
Read on to find out.
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A BIT ABOUT MTAILOR
MTailor was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in San Francisco. They offer custom clothing—specifically shirts, jeans and suits. The clothes are designed in San Fran while their tailors are based in China and Bangladesh.
You may recall seeing MTailor on Shark Tank a few years ago. The founder came off as arrogant, but he managed to get two offers from both Daymond John and Robert Herjavec. He ended up declining both Sharks.
Today, MTailor is one of the many made-to-measure custom shirt companies out there. But they’re different in that they have a unique measurement process. There’s no tailor or even tape measure required. Pretty cool, right? I’m sure you’re wondering how that’s possible. And the bigger question is, how well do the shirts fit?
Well, let’s find out.
MTAILOR MEASUREMENT PROCESS
MTailor is confident in their app’s algorithm, so much so that they guarantee a perfect fit and proudly advertise that it’s scientifically proven to be 20% more accurate than a professional tailor. That’s saying a lot and so I wanted to put them to the test.
The MTailor app takes your measurements through a short video recording of you spinning around, 360 with your arms up. Behind the scenes, the video is then converted into a 3D model of your body and the algorithm works its magic to design your tailor made garment. Easy peasy.
Their measuring process is the easiest way to get fitted for a custom shirt that I’ve ever experienced. I simply downloaded the MTailor app from the app store, followed a few simple instructions and within a few minutes had my full body measurements uploaded to my account and was ready to order my custom made shirt.
SHIRT CUSTOMIZATION OPTIONS
You can order your custom clothes through their app or online. The interface is simple and easy to follow along. They have solid, stripe, check patterns and non-iron shirts. There’s a nice selection to choose from.
You have 5 collar options to choose from, each with a brief description.
There are 3 of the most common cuff options from a rounded cuff, a two-button angled cuff and the more formal French cuff.
For length, you get the option of longer or shorter tails for a tucked or untucked look. Tucked being more formal and untucked more casual of course.
In addition to the above customization options, you also have the option for a pocket, button color, and choice of a contrasting white collar or cuff.
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SHIRT DETAILS
Since a denim shirt is inherently more casual, I opted for a shirt meant to be worn untucked with a casual button-down collar.
- Shirt Fabric: Medium Blue Denim (100% coton)
- Collar: Button Down
- Cuff: One Button Round
- Length: Untucked
- Button Color: White
- Watch: Left Wrist
- Pocket: None
FIT CHECK
I actually went through two rounds because the first iteration wasn’t perfect. I’m not sure if the algorithm simply got it wrong or it was human error, but the first shirt I received was a good 2.5″ too long which was clearly meant to be tucked in. And the shirt was flaring out towards the bottom a little too much for my taste. Other than that though, it fit quite well.
I do have nothing, but positive things to say about the customer support and communication. I emailed them with my concerns and was told to send a few pictures. They came back with recommended changes and all I had to do was wait for the remake.
The second shirt fit much better. It’s not too loose and not too tight and allows for me to move freely without feeling restricted.
Oh, and excuse the wrinkles. Next time I’ll be sure to iron the shirt before I take pictures.
SHOULDER SEAM
This one is often overlooked by new fashion enthusiasts. The shoulder seam should land right where your shoulder bone is. With a simple touch you can feel if it’s fitting properly. If it extends too far down, then the shoulders are too big and vice versa.
BOTTOM HEM
A straight bottom hem is indicative of a more casual shirt meant to be worn untucked. If you take a look at the first shirt I received, the bottom hem is quite rounded which means it’s meant to be worn tucked in.
SLEEVE LENGTH
This is one of those problem areas for many men, especially gents on the short end of the spectrum 5’8″ and under and those on the taller side, 6’+. The proper sleeve length will hit right around the wrist bone. As for the shirt cuff, there should be enough room for you to remove the shirt without having to unbutton the cuff.
SHIRT LENGTH
Okay, so this is definitely the most problematic area for men. Most guys are wearing shirts that are meant to be tucked in, untucked and it’s not a good look…at all. There’s even a brand that you’ve probably heard of called UNTUCKit that remedies this very problem by selling shirts meant to be worn untucked, for a premium of course. A good landing spot for the shirt is to cover about half of your seat and hit at around mid-fly in the front.
THE BOTTOM LINE
I’m not sure what’s behind their technology, but it works. 20% more accurate than a professional tailor? I’m not big on numbers, but I’ve had better experience with MTailor’s app than I’ve had with “professional” tailors, so that’s saying something.
I’d say that MTailor is a great entry level made-to-measure option, perfect for the guy who doesn’t know his measurements nor cares to get measured.
PROS:
- Free remakes
- Quality customer service
- Free shipping and returns
- Simple measurement process
- Quick shipping (week and a half)
- Wide variety of colors & patterns
- Affordable price point of $69-$89
CONS:
- Cheap, plastic buttons
- Fabric quality feels so-so
- Cheap shipping bag (no box)
Think you’re ready for MTailor? Simply use “GENTWITHINMT” at checkout to get $20 off your first custom order.
If you’re interested, here is my comprehensive review of MTailor jeans.
A note: The shirt in this review was complimentary. These are all my thoughts and opinions based on my experience. Gentleman Within holds all control over editorial content.
IF YOU HAVE USED MTAILOR, WHAT WERE THE RESULTS?
Let’s continue the discussion over in the Gentlemen Within Private Facebook Community.
Looking forward to seeing you in there.
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I buy shorts where I like the look and feel, I then take them to my tailor to have them fitted. In some cases cheaper and in most cases better. No app needed.
That’s good. Do whatever works for you. MTailor simply provides an alternative for men who’d rather not visit a tailor or measure themselves. Cheers! -K
That’s good. Do whatever works for you. MTailor simply provides an alternative for men who’d rather not visit a tailor or measure themselves. Cheers! -K
If the shirt had any issues such as were encountered here, what’s the process for getting a replacement? Do they remake it before you send the first one back, and cover shipping costs? Would the additional costs be borne by the company?
Why the hell would your shirt be complimentary, did you warn them you were going to do a well known blog on the shirt? If you did your review is worthless. It’s like a KNOWN food critic going to a restaurant. Why didn’t you just pay for it lie everyone else? Useless crappy review.
Thanks for the comment John. Why would I need to warn them in advance? They provided credit for one dress shirt and I tried out their service, documented my experience from beginning to end and shared it on my blog where I’ve done countless reviews already. They have no control over editorial content. All thoughts and opinions are my own. What’s the big deal about receiving product anyway? You’re entitled to your opinion and if you think it’s a useless crappy review, that’s fine. I just don’t get why you’re so mad about it.
ps. mine isn’t the only review, there are countless other men’s style bloggers who have reviewed MTailor with a complimentary shirt.
John Peters is correct – receiving products/services for reviews is the same as being paid for reviews. Which obviously leads to bias in reviews. Which leads to distrust in the reviewer, etc, etc. Your reply that “everyone does it” doesn’t lead to more trust. Glad you were transparent in revealing the potential bias. But wish you’d just pay for products anonymously and review them without (even subconscious) influence. I bet if you ran the math you’d find that reviewers who were provided, essentially, compensation rate the products significantly higher, on average, than unpaid reviewers. I notice on Amazon that the “verified purchaser” reviews skew lower than the anonymous reviews from people who didn’t even purchase the product (obviously reviews done by the vendors and their friends). And the reviews that admit, “I received the product for free for my review” skew higher than the ones that don’t.
In summary, I don’t understand (or believe) you when you say “what’s the big deal [about being compensated for my reviews].” On the other hand, I don’t understand why John Peters sounded so rude about it. Fact are simply facts. Fact is you received a free product. A dozen psych studies PROVE that will influence your feelings about the product and the provider, whether you like it or not.
Fair enough, that’s human nature. While that may be true…for me, whether I receive free product or not, I do my best in producing unbiased, honest reviews. Always been that way. Also, not every review is the result of free product. I have myriad of reviews on my website done with my own hard earned money.
While there may be a bias when product is given in exchange for reviews, I disagree that it’s the same as getting paid by a brand. When getting paid, the brand has specific guidelines and things they want for you to mention (in contract) while still being honest of course.
Either way, when I receive product for reviews — I ensure that it’s unfiltered and 100% what I think, and my experience with the product or brand — the good and the bad, potential bias beyond my control included. I even tell the brand this and they (for the most part) understand that. I have to be true and honest with my audience. I’m not trying to deceive anyone. I’m simply putting out in-depth content that hopefully can help inform people before making a purchasing decision.
I also think it’s apparent when a reviewer is simply pumping up a product or brand. It’s my hope that through my reviews that I can educate and inform users to the best of my ability based on my experience with said brand whether I was gifted product or not. Thank you for the comment.
I personally could care less about biases. I’d say a majority of what you read online is biased. I think this was a great review and included pros and cons that seemed to be verified in the photos. Keep up the great work.
So true. Everyone has their biases no matter what. Appreciate your kind feedback and comment. Cheers!
A key point of John Peters is being missed. The shirt made for a reviewer may not be the same as a shirt being purchased anonymously.
“It’s like a KNOWN food critic going to a restaurant.”
While that may be true, the shirt I received wasn’t extraordinary materials by any means.
I stated in the review that the quality of the shirt is so-so. And so that leads me to believe that my shirt went through the exact same process as any other order. You think they’d send a much better quality shirt if they wanted to give me, a KNOWN style blogger, any sort of special treatment.
“As for the shirt cuff, there should be enough room for you to remove the shirt without having to unbutton the cuff.”
This is incorrect. The cuff should fit snugly, though not tightly around the wrist. If you can remove the shirt without unbuttoning the cuff, the cuff is too big. Plus it makes it look like you’re wearing your big brother’s shirt. Having a cuff with too big a circumference is especially a problem if you’re wearing the shirt under a suit jacket. The cuff should be snug enough to the wrist to move freely within the sleeve of a jacket without getting hung up on the jacket’s lining. That said, they’re your shirts, wear them however you like.
Here are a few references:
https://propercloth.com/reference/tight-dress-shirt-cuffs-fit/
https://www.permanentstyle.com/2009/03/sleeve-length-yes-but-tightness-also.html
https://www.businessinsider.com/how-a-mens-dress-shirt-should-fit-2014-5
Thanks for the references. Thing is, as with all matters of style, they’re rules and guidelines. Technically no one is correct. More importantly it depends on what works for you.
I disagree with “If you can remove the shirt without unbuttoning the cuff, the cuff is too big”. Part of it depends on the size of your hands. If you have huge hands, sure it will be impossible to remove your shirt without unbuttoning, however if your hands aren’t huge relative to your wrist size (like mine) you can remove the shirt without unbuttoning. Some of my shirts cuffs fit more snugly and some more loosely, but even the ones that can be removed without me unbuttoning still have a clean and streamlined aesthetic and look nothing like I’m wearing big brother’s shirt.
I do agree that a more snug fit (not tight) is optimal as it makes for a cleaner look. Thanks for the comment.
I’ve placed an order, (4shirts) and the first attempt had to be remade twice, but I felt compelled to write this review because their customer service was impeccable. They told me to keep the shirts no charge, twice (a total of 5 shirts at this point btw $90 ea) made new ones, contacted me when I got them in, not me contacting them. They were very proactive, and communicative. The corrected shirts I received, are perfect. And with future orders, my size is already set exact now.
So, it seems the measuring platform they have isn’t exact yet, but they go way above, and beyond to ensure your product is perfect, and will keep adjusting at their own expense until it is perfect for you. I’m very happy with the final products, and also with how dedicated they are to you being happy with their clothing, and company.
I will definitely be using them for future orders.
I hope this review is helpful to someone.
Good stuff. I’m glad to hear that. Yes, they will work with you till the fit is right, which is always appreciated.