Stantt, the made-to-order men’s shirting startup that uses an algorithm to help guys find the right size, has a new investment partner in Randa, the world’s largest provider of accessories for men.
Neither firm disclosed the amount of the investment.
Matt Hornbuckle, Stantt co-founder and co-CEO, described the partnership as a symbiotic relationship. Randa was looking to “expands its digital expertise and footprint in the digital space” while Stantt stands to gain from the accessories firm’s prowess in product and distribution.
Though Stantt got its start online, it’s since forged strong wholesale relationships with partners like Nordstrom and Rothman’s. The men’s wear category overall has been a bright spot in post-recession fashion retail, with new players from Untuckit to Alton Lane offering more focused fits, styles and customization than the mass-market wares available from big-box players.
Randa has been looking for entry into the apparel side of men’s market. Last year it tried and failed to acquire Perry Ellis in a hostile takeover, prompting former CEO and chairman George Feldenkreis to take the men’s fashion firm private in a $437-million deal.
Men’s wear might be outperforming fashion retail overall but challenges remain, Hornbuckle noted. Across the e-commerce landscape, it’s more difficult than ever to connect with consumers, he continued, as the digital space becomes increasingly expensive, competitors multiply by the day and a single click on platforms like Facebook costs more than it used to.
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“That’s why we spend on wholesale,” Hornbuckle said, “because that’s where the consumer is.”
Stantt produces its shirts in Honduras with materials sourced from mills around the world. Customers can personalize their shirts from 150 fabrics, four collar styles and two cuff options, using just three measurements—chest, waist and sleeve—to fit their size. They also have the option to be measured in person at a Stantt showroom or at one of its retail partners. The brand’s target customer is the urban-dwelling 30something interested in dressing well and looking sharp—but who doesn’t have a lot of time to spend shopping for himself.
Since launching with the basic button down, Stantt has added polos and T-shirts on the casual side while incorporating performance elements into dress shirts and offering formal-occasion tuxedo shirting. Prices range from $58 to $225.
Men’s shirts are a “great starting point” to perfect before potentially expanding into new categories, according to Hornbuckle, who said Stantt has considered naturally adjacent accessories categories, like cufflinks and collar pins, that would make the brand a “one-stop shop.”
For now, the focus remains on providing the best shirts, and most importantly, the best fits. “The vision would be to offer that throughout the full wardrobe,” Hornbuckle explained. “Whether that’s just men’s, or men’s and women’s, only time will tell.”