Keeping dry and looking fly with Mizzen+Main

By Rick Stella Published August 29, 2016

mizzen+main — Image used with permission by copyright holder

For entrepreneurs, the inspiration behind beginning a brand or startup typically varies between necessity, desire, or a unique cocktail of both. When Mizzen+Main co-founder and CEO Kevin Lavelle witnessed a congressional staffer soaked to the core in sweat one muggy afternoon in 2006, a necessity was born. Before long, that necessity sparked a desire to produce moisture-wicking and fashionable dress shirts for men.

Nearly three years after the company launched in 2012, Lavelle and the rest of the Mizzen+Main team achieved the very thing they’ve set out to do by bringing innovation to classic menswear. This achievement also led the company to create one of the highest quality, American-made dress shirts available, one capable of remaining comfortable no matter the heat index.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The thing is, it’s hard to perfectly encapsulate the way a Mizzen+Main shirt feels without having tried one on yourself. As soon as you pick one up and try one on it’s hard to imagine ever wearing a different brand of dress shirt. For those who run a little hotter than others, the moisture wicking fabric keeps you cool and helps avoid those dreaded pit stains. The shirt’s four-way stretch design allows it to flex and move no matter what precarious or contorted position you happen to find yourself in on any given day. Perhaps its greatest facet is the shirt’s athletic cut which assures it fits perfectly right out of the box, needing no alterations or adjustments. Not many companies have the ability to tout this crucial feature.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Maybe dress shirts aren’t your thing and you prefer a more casual look; Mizzen+Main’s still got you covered. From Henleys and tees to ball caps and sweaters, the company caters to any style or preference. To top it off, the company provides its same signature athletic fit in all its products, not just its dress shirts.

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For Lavelle, becoming the next great American brand was paramount when he launched the company in 2012. Today, the company has the likes of Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, and various athletes and actors as evidence it’s well on its way to becoming that great brand. Get out in front of the trend now, Mizzen+Main is here to stay.

Rick is a staff writer for The Manual, covering everything from men's fashion and accessories, to the best new brands and…

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