@mikemonnette One of my biggest personal fumbles was returning a waxed canvas jacket from rogue territory because it was too boxy but in hindsight it just needed time to break in. There are also certain types of clothes I won’t buy from certain brands because I can tell they’re just brushing them like crazy to make them soft, and that the clothes won’t last. Sometimes we get returns on @abbreviatedapparel products because they’re “too stiff”, and I can’t really push back because the customer is always right, but I wish people knew that was a sign of quality and to give it some time. #menswear #buckmason #classicstyle #timelessstyle #style #militarystyle #fashion #mensfashion #mensclothes #mensstyle #clothes ♬ Make It Better (Instrumental) - Anderson .Paak
Here’s something most people don’t talk about—and it’s a little counterintuitive: Higher-quality clothes often need more time to break in than cheaper ones.
We get this concept when it comes to jeans, especially with the popularity of raw denim. Breaking them in over time is part of the appeal. But the same principle applies to other garments, too. It’s why a jacket that looks boxy and stiff on a model can drape a lot better after a few wears.
Mass Market vs. Quality Garments
What’s interesting is how mass-market brands cater to less discerning customers by breaking down their fabrics before they even hit the shelves. Through extensive washing, combing, and even sanding processes, they make fabrics feel softer and more pliable right away.
Here’s the catch: Those extra processes shorten the lifespan of the garment. Ironically, it costs them extra money to pre-break-in the fabrics, but they know that something soft and “broken-in” is more likely to sell.
I’ve even noticed this with certain types of clothes that I avoid buying from mainstream brands because I can tell they’ve been brushed and softened to death. They might feel great off the rack, but they won’t last.
The Long Game of Break-In
If you’re trying on a high-quality piece and it feels a bit stiff or boxy, don’t dismiss it right away. The more you wear it, the better it will drape and the more it will shape to your body. It’s just the nature of durable, well-made fabrics.
One of my biggest personal fumbles? Returning a waxed canvas jacket from Rogue Territory because it felt too boxy. In hindsight, it just needed time to break in. Lesson learned.
The Same Thing Happens at Abbreviated
Sometimes we get returns on Abbreviated products because they’re “too stiff.” And while I can’t really push back—because the customer is always right—I wish more people understood that stiffness is often a sign of quality. Give it time, wear it in, and it’ll mold to your shape and drape better than you imagined.
So if you’re on the fence about a piece because it feels a bit rigid out of the box, I’d encourage you to take the leap. You might be surprised at how well it transforms with wear.
Have you experienced this with a garment that started out stiff but broke in beautifully over time? Let me know—I’m always curious to hear other people’s stories.