Rarely does it feel like I am writing about timely current events, but this time it’s different. This is BIG. Ivy trad legends Mercer & Sons shirtmakers renown for “Distinctive full roll of our unlined 3 7/16″ button down…”, full shirts, and very old school ways of doing business is changing.
Don’t worry they haven’t changed their collar, baggy is better fit, or most of their old school ways. What they have changed is their website. What used to require a phone call or several emails (I believe you could also fax) can now be accomplished online. That’s right they have made the leap to ecommerce.
I feel like a fraud for saying it. Even after having been in the space for 15 years or so I still haven’t tried a Mercer shirt. Even though I’ve always been a big fan (Mercer Says). Now that they have made the purchase process a little easier and little more impulsive that may just change. This is post is a good reminder for us trads stuck in the past that sometimes change can be good. Lastly their shirts aren’t cheap, but first timers can get 1 OCBD for $168.75 instead of $225 (see here).
About 20 years ago a bought 2 seersucker shirts from them. Still wear’em. Great shirts. These days I roll with Proper Cloth.
Mercer shirts are the absolute best. The quality is second to none, and the Mercers are a pleasure to do business with. We should support small businesses like Mercer. I’m ordering more today. Cheers.
Mercer has that “drug dealer” sales method….the first one is on sale. I’m very very interested. I’ve longed for one of these. I can’t believe they’ve sold out to this internet e-commerce fad. Sad, really.
They definitely know what they are doing! My wild guess is that customers that enjoy making phone calls and sending emails is starting to taper off and they need to start thinking about bringing in younger customers. I get it tho. I have a love/hate relationship with the internet.
I was thinking of ordering a shirt from them a while ago, but I think they’re just cut too baggy for my physique. Trust me, I like my baggy traditional full cut shirts, but they’re cut a few inches on each side wider than I would consider my maximum bagginess. I’m still rocking Proper Cloth for now, which I would reccommend, only downside is I don’t feel as great supporting them over an American company.