Indochino has introduced its first line of apparel since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new Fall/Winter 2020 collection includes limited-edition suits, shirts, blazers, pants and coats. While the linchpin of the collection is a “life-proof” traveler suit, the men’s tailor has decided to expand its assortment of casualwear for more products that fit today’s more casual, stay-at-home lifestyles.
Traditional men’s work wear styles saw a 38 percent decrease in investment year-over-year with the largest drop coming from dress shirts, according to fashion data firm Edited. As companies like Tailored Brands and recently acquired Brooks Brothers fall into bankruptcy with trends moving away from office wear as well as the cancellation and postponement of social events, digital-savvy men’s tailors like Indochino are being tasked with finding new ways to remain relevant.
“This year, plans have changed, events are postponed and many of us are working from home. And so, we’ve expanded our range of custom apparel to help people adapt their wardrobes with even more casual options alongside the latest formal wear,” said Indochino CEO Drew Green.
The made-to-measure apparel company’s new casualwear assortment joins its chinos range with new heavyweight corduroy and soft moleskin fabrics. Available in seasonal colors like red, olive, navy and tobacco, for pants and blazers, or a full suit, the staples are designed to carry shoppers through the cooler months into the winter. Indochino is also launching an array of casual shirts featuring specialty fibers like spandex, wool and Tencel, plus optional soft collar and cuff customizations for increased comfort and style.
As with all Indochino garments, each item in the collection is customizable and made to measure. Custom suits start at $399, blazers from $279 and shirts from $79. Casual pants are priced at $79.
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But while the company has extended its loungewear offering, it’s still staying true to its roots, even as consumer shopping habits shift.
Indochino’s main new offering, the Howell Traveler Suit, is designed to be “as practical for catching the next train as it is for catching up with clients on video calls.” With a combination of water-, stain- and wrinkle-resistant technical wool and a lightweight spandex fabric, the suit promises to provide comfort and flexibility without compromising on style. The “life-proof” suit is available in light gray, charcoal, blue and navy.
The company will also broaden its selection of coats for fall. The new Hatton overcoat range in black, gray and navy is made from ultra-soft twill woven wool, making it lightweight and breathable for warmer climates. The heavier-weight Heartford overcoats are now available in 11 styles with new herringbone options and an eye-catching black-and-white houndstooth plaid.
A wide variety of custom suits and shirts in fall materials, colors and patterns makes up the rest of the Fall/Winter 2020 collection, which incorporates four themes: Casual Class, Luxurious Living, True Blues and Sky High Silvers.
Within the Casual Class theme, which the company describes in the Fall/Winter Look Book as “muted, textured earth tones of country club clothing meet the rich reds and midnight blues of urban wear” in this latest line-up of comfortable moleskins, corduroys, khakis and wools. The Luxurious Living theme is a neutral palette rich in texture that is designed to “form the basis of a sophisticated yet relaxed city look,” featuring camel and grays in chalk stripe, herringbone and houndstooth.
True Blues accentuates cobalts to slick royal blues, with the Look Book pointing out that it has been “rejuvenated from top to bottom.” Whether it’s an understated pattern or a classic solid fabric, these pieces are curated for the modern workplace—yet are designed to be adaptable enough to be worn anywhere. The Sky High Silvers theme is designed for those looking to complete their corner or home office look with a collection of classic grays available in a range of stripes, checks and solids.
The shift in apparel prioritization is not the only step Indochino has taken to adjust its business to the realities of the COVD-19 pandemic. In May, the company added virtual shopping guides to its e-commerce site after closing all 52 of its showrooms.
For a virtual style appointment, a consumer visits Indochino.com and clicks “virtual appointments” to schedule a free, one-on-one video chat with one of the retailer’s style consultants. A shopper answers questions before his appointment, such as if he is looking for a suit for a specific occasion, so the stylist can prepare a personalized appointment. Within a 30-minute window, the employee will guide the shopper on how to measure himself and answer questions as if they were in the showroom.