As you may have noticed with much of my content, I’ve got a heavy interest in men’s lifestyle clothing brands that offer me the ability to both move in a dynamic environment and be lethal if the situation warrants.
Mobility equals survivability; a phrase coined by Pat McNamara. You need to be able to move with the clothing you have on, whether that’s having to carry loved ones to safety over distance or sprinting with them, going toe to toe with someone and then breaking contact to run. The point is there are many reasons for mobility and lethality in the clothing you wear day-to-day.
I’ve found a few companies that put out some quality clothing that gives you the ability to do the above and look stylish at the same time. After all, looking cool matters. Let’s start at the top and work our way down. The caveat to the following options is that I work in a business casual work environment, so that is what these choices are based on.
Shirts (Casual, Polo and Button-Down)
To date, I have not been able to find any polo shirts or button-down shirts at my local department stores, that offer a true athletic fit, look great and don’t shrink after the first or second washing. After a decent amount of searching online, I found the company State and Liberty. State and Liberty shirts offer a true athletic fit with a ridiculous amount of stretch.
By providing more room in the upper body with an extremely tailored waist, our dress shirts cater to those with a v-shape body type. Darts in the back of the dress shirt pull in the excess fabric creating a fit that rewards those men that take care of their bodies. The days of ripping through your elbows and back seam are over. Our shirts have a ridiculous amount of stretch allowing you to wear a nice tailored fit without sacrificing comfort. Our dress shirts are moisture-wicking and extremely lightweight. We stole all the properties of your favorite workout shirt and created a professional-looking dress shirt. – State and Liberty
Even though they have a true athletic fit, their sizing is spot on. I typically wear a size large and that is what I ordered; it’s a perfect fit and very comfortable. They have a higher price point than your local department store, but you’re getting a superior product that is going to last you a long time. I’ve personally invested my own money in all their shirts that I own.
Getting the Killer Looks of John Wick with a Custom Suit
If you’re looking for a sport jacket/blazer that gives you the mobility needed to address physical threats, then I suggest you take a look at Grayman & Company. They make one killer suit. I had the privilege of purchasing and getting fitted for a Grayman blazer while in Vegas a few years back while attending a private party. They are considered to be a higher-end bespoke tactical suit due to their capabilities. But I have to say the price I paid and the wait was worth it. I personally opted for the action shoulders, cut resistant sleeves, and RFID blocking chest pockets. It’s definitely a blazer that John Wick would wear.
Attending the private party and being invited to a private room for a custom fitting was done in true John Wick style. The party was appropriately named The Oasis for Villains and was hosted at the 2810 private gated resort house. One of the perks of the party was a free knife sharpening service. You come to the party, drop your knife off to be sharpened, grab a drink, and get fitted for a custom suit. When done, pick up your razor-sharp blade, grab another drink, and continue mingling with the other villains. All we were missing were the gold coins for entrance into the private party.
Pants and Jeans
For both pants and jeans, hands down it’s the 5.11 Defender Flex line. I’ve worked out in these and run in them with no issues. The design offers you excellent mobility and concealment of your EDC gear.
The Defender-Flex pant has been developed for 5.11® end users who are looking for low-vis tactical without sacrificing performance at the firing range or comfort for everyday wear, and is crafted with a Cavalry Twill cotton/polyester blend, with just enough elastane for stretch. – 5.11 Tactical
You have the option of a standard cut or slim cut. I have found that their slim-fit works best for me. Think of it as more of an athletic cut with some stretch. I don’t like baggy pants, so the slim fit the bill for me. And just to clarify, the slim are NOT “skinny” pants or jeans.
Footwear and socks
5.11 Tactical Mission Ready Oxfords – Built for those that need a business casual/dress shoe capable of moving in a dynamic environment. The comfort level of these shoes is outstanding. There is no break-in period with these shoes either, so you can hit the ground running with them. I would even go as far as to say you could actually run in these without any discomfort if the situation presented itself. Whether you’re in the executive protection industry or just want a reliable comfortable pair of shoes for your daily commute into work, I’d take a hard look at the Mission Ready Oxford shoes by 5.11 Tactical. They won’t disappoint.
Darn Tough Socks – Not only is quality footwear a must, but you need to couple that with quality socks to go the distance. I’ve been through several different brands of socks, and settled on the Darn Tough Socks, both for when wearing my boots and when running. Darn Tough are superior to others in many ways and are worth the price you’re going to pay. Get yourself a few pairs of their boot socks and a few pairs of their quarter height for wearing with shoes and you’re good to go. With their Unconditionally Guaranteed for Life warranty, you’re never gonna need any other socks. I’ve taken advantage of the warranty and they live up to their word.
Honorable Mentions
If you’re a watch guy like myself, you’ll want a quality timepiece that is rugged, dependable, and looks bad-ass. For that, I recommend NFW Watches. Wearing a watch makes a statement, and the statement you want to make when you enter a room is a bold one. I own and wear the NFW Valor timepiece on a regular basis and can attest to its ruggedness and sleekness. NFW is a smaller American owned and operated business with a great reputation and mission statement.
Not really related to clothing, but I felt needed to be mentioned is Johnny Slicks. If you’re a man and either maintain a beard or shave every day you need to take a hard look at Johnny Slicks. He offers a line of masculine beard wash, beard oil and pomade for your hair. I use his products daily and can attest to the quality. Once you are dressed up and ready to conquer the world, you’ll want to be sure your hygiene is squared away. After all, looking cool matters.
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