It's not that hard to remember a world where dress shirts and dress clothing for men of all shapes and sizes were just too uncomfortable, too stuffy, and too hard to wear. Mizzen+Main, a performance menswear brand, set out to change that for guys everywhere a decade ago — and now they're a leader in comfortable work clothes for men.
The brand sprang to life after founder Kevin Lavelle spotted what he called a "sweat-drenched D.C. staffer running into a meeting," and thus, the company's focus on performance fabrics merged with classic silhouettes began to take shape. Today, the company sells online direct to consumers, featuring an array of four fabric styles in short-sleeve, casual, and long-sleeve options, both made for dressy occasions and laidback pursuits alike.
To try a Mizzen+Main shirt is to immediately feel a blend of performance-minded comfort, stretch, and moisture-wicking potential. Especially in the high heat of summer in a fast-paced city like New York (or anywhere one needs to put forth a sense of savvy style on the go, no matter what), these shirts have proven a lifesaver for us as men's style writers and editors.
We tested a handful of the brand's best-selling styles and included our thoughts below. In short, you'll
Mizzen+Main Ellis Oxford
The Mizzen+Main Ellis line reinvents the Oxford shirt with a Japanese knit fabric for a super-modern fit and feel.
Rethink what you thought you knew about the Oxford shirt, because Mizzen+Main takes thick-knit Oxford fabric and lightens it up in a major way, giving the versatile silhouette plenty of added comfort. This shirt pairs seamlessly with a soft-shouldered blazer and five-pocket pants for effortless dressing that's ready for the office and post-work cocktails. Helpfully, you can also select whether you want a length made to be tucked or untucked. I opted to tuck mine in for classic style with a jacket on top.
Mizzen+Main Navy Halyard Dress Shirt
The Mizzen+Main Halyard line might just be the lightest option offered by the brand, featuring an incredibly breathable soft knit in a crisp dress shirt silhouette, particularly in solid colors like a deep navy.
Recall what we said about the age of dress shirts proving too stuffy or uncomfortable? Well, at least in my experience, the Halyard Shirt proved the complete opposite. There's a super-stretchy feel to the ultra-lightweight fabric, yet the shirt holds its shape and style after repeat wear, and the crisp Navy color of this option made it easy to wear solo or in a slightly rugged fashion on a surprisingly brisk late spring day. The hidden buttons at the neck give this shirt shape and structure, while it comes in two flattering fits, all the while retaining supreme moisture-wicking capability on hotter days.
Mizzen+Main Leeward Short-Sleeve Shirt
The Leeward silhouette is the style that arguably put Mizzen+Main on the map, with a dizzying array of colors and patterns available in both long and short-sleeve designs for year-round wear. The smooth woven fabric makes this shirt ideal for everyday wear at the office, while its short-sleeve variations are a polished option for summer barbecues aplenty.
There's a reason Mizzen+Main's Leeward lineup is so popular: It packs in modern style — from 9-to-5 and beyond — with extremely modern fabric, a super-soft, smooth, and lightweight woven fabric blend. The company bills this option as ideal for everyday wear, and it's hard to argue with the results. This shirt is easygoing and moisture-wicking while retaining the classic good looks of a more traditional short-sleeve shirt, and its options in a long-sleeve silhouette and solid colors are utterly perfect for the office, at least in my experience.
Mizzen+Main Helmsman 5-Pocket Pants
The Upton Chinos are designed with an advanced Warp knit material, which allows them to stretch while remaining durable for repeated wear and washes.
Mizzen+Main is one of my personal favorite brands for men's workwear because it takes the hassle out of getting dressed in every way imaginable. The Upton Chinos, in particular, are an excellent piece to add to your wardrobe if you want a simplified experience getting dressed daily.
Thanks to its Warp knit material, the chinos are very easy to steam or iron out of the packaging. And once they're wrinkle-free, they hold up extremely well to the wrinkles you'd get from wearing them. The material is super stretchy, yet durable. Unlike other thin, stretchy performance pants I've worn, these feel like they can withstand any kind of physical activity.
The fit is perfect for dressing up (as seen on Mizzen+Main's models) or dressing a bit more casual like me. I paired it with a Mizzen+Main short-sleeved dress shirt and a pair of sneakers.
Even if you're not pairing the chinos with other Mizzen+Main pieces, they're so easy to style with other brands in your closet — you won't have to spend hours of your time contemplating outfits for work.
The bottom line: Is Mizzen+Main worth it?
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected].
