Bespoke Post
$45 per month
In our search for the best monthly subscription service for men we have been particularly interested in Bespoke Post. It’s significantly more expensive than the other similar services, but it also promises to offer much higher quality items, spanning a broader range of interests (to learn more about Bespoke Post, check out that original review we did). Given all that, after last month’s review, I was especially curious to see how this month’s box would turn out.
Last time, I complained that I didn’t seem to see that Bespoke Post was updating their box choices very often, and you were thus only able to choose from a small selection of boxes that had been around for a while. I must say, though, that I was totally mistaken about this. At the start of this month, they did indeed update their site with a whole slew of new box options, spanning their usual wide gamut from clothing, to food, to travel, and more. Since the beginning of the month, they’ve even updated their box selections again offering a few new ones as well. So, I fully take back my hesitation in this area from last month’s review. I await seeing what they’ll be offering next month!
Bespoke Post selected their new “Lounge” box for me. (It looks like it is already no longer available as a monthly box, but is available for regular purchase?) The box’s tagline is “An off-duty uniform you can be proud of” (and it looks like Bespoke Post started proofreading their cards this month as well — no typos this time!) It includes what looked to be a grey sweatshirt and black pajama/lounge pants, both from a company (I had never heard of) called Bread & Boxers (cute, right?). Because Bespoke Post knows my size from their sign-up questionnaire, they knew to ship me a S in both the sweatshirt and pants. So, how were they?
Long Sleeve Marled Yarn Crew: I was surprised with this “sweatshirt” on two levels. The first was just how thin it is. It’s unlike any material I have ever felt. It’s soft, slightly stretchy, and practically weightless. I am still unsure if this is genius and quality, or the opposite. There is no cotton in this thing. It’s 97% polyester and 3% elastane. However, what I can say is that the second thing that surprised me about this item is just how freakin’ comfortable it is. It’s lightweight, as mentioned, and soft, somewhat cozy, and just all around a joy to wear. Plus, it fits very well too. Nothing is too tight, nor too baggy. It’s the perfect lazy Sunday afternoon crewneck. I have yet to decide if it’s too casual or pajama-like to wear out as a regular sweatshirt, but I might cave and do it anyway just because it’s so comfortable. Perhaps if this is thrown on over a button up shirt, as crazy as that sounds, it would actually work quite well.
Sueded Jersey Lounge Pant: These are definitely super casual. They are 100% cotton and fit exactly the way that lounge pants should. Bespoke Post claimed they fit perfectly, and it’s true. They are slim at the top, with the slightest taper towards the bottom, meaning that they allow full range of motion and are flowy without being baggy and making you look 20 pounds heavier than you are. They really nailed the fit on these. They are a super comfortable slub knit as well, and while I am not a huge pajama pants guy (these definitely should not be worn out of the house other than to grab the paper), I still look forward to wearing these on a lazy afternoon every once in a while.
In short, I am a big fan of both items in this box. I’m not totally sure of their quality, or how long they will really hold up after a bunch of wash cycles (no drying!), but for now, I have nothing but good things to say. Bespoke Post, to their credit, does not really make a big deal about the prices of the items in their boxes. They don’t shove in your face just how wonderful of a deal they are providing you with which, considering the dubious nature of some of these sorts of “values,” I really appreciate. Still, both the items in the Lounge box look to retail for a bit under $40 each, so paying $45 for the two of them definitely puts you out ahead.
The jury is still out on Bespoke Post’s whole store situation, also, from which you can buy things on the regular, or add to your monthly box to get them to ship for free. I’m not sure exactly what the long term goal for Bespoke Post is, but I have a sense they would like to be a mini retailer of sorts for lesser known brands just given how many emails they have sent me pushing their store. Personally, I have never ordered anything from this store, nor added anything to my box from it, and am not sure that I will. But it’s there if you’d like.
Finally, I am still unsure of exactly how I feel about Bespoke Post and where it fits into the larger subscription box service spectrum. They definitely offer something unique and quality, but I’m unsure if the sorts of items they provide are really something that most guys would want to be subscribed to on a monthly basis, especially given its high cost. Still, Bespoke Post does a great job overall, and there looks to be little to complain about. They do indeed deliver unique items at a good price, and are definitely catering to a higher end, more interested market than some of the other monthly box services. We’ll have to test them for just a bit longer before I can really make a definitive call though, so check back next month to hear more!