We know that there are always a few nerves when it comes to online shopping. It’s hard to be sure of fit, fabrics, and quality when you can’t physically try an item on. If you’re not in the Edmonton area or you prefer shopping from the comfort of your own home, we want to make sure that you’re confident when you order something online from The Helm.
We’re always available to help you make decisions when shopping online, but we wanted to highlight a few brands you can typically buy worry-free online. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but we chose to feature these ones because the fits are consistent and true to size, so you don’t have to guess at how it might look on.
We’ve gone into a bit of detail about the fabrics, quality, and sizing details here too, so you know just what you’re buying.
1. Alex Mill T-Shirts and Sweaters
If basics are on your to-buy list (and even if they’re not), Alex Mill will always be a good bet. Their motto is “Nobody needs new clothes right now. But everyone needs the right clothes.” And that’s what they make, focusing on quality and good design.
Alex Mill isn’t flashy. It’s almost utilitarian, it won’t go out of style, and it’ll always fit just the way you want it to. They work with socially and environmentally conscious partners and factories to produce custom weaves and knits not found anywhere else.
Their t-shirts, polos, and sweatshirts all fit true to size, and their casual pants tend to have a looser, forgiving fit. Plus, the price point for this kind of quality and care can’t be beat.
2. Luigi Bianchi Mantova Sport Jackets
If you’re taking the leap into buying tailored clothing online, Luigi Bianchi Mantova is as safe a bet as you can get. Their jackets fit true to size, and because of the soft shoulder and relaxed construction, they’re a lot more forgiving for those that often have little fit issues. The armholes aren’t too tight, the chest is clean, and the jacket and sleeve length fits most.
You can also be sure of quality with Luigi Bianchi. Their fabrics are made in the best mills in the world, like Vitale Barberis Canonico, Loro Piana, and Reda, and are laser-cut in their factory in Mantova, Italy. Each piece is assembled by hand by expert craftspeople who have a passion for tailoring that runs as deep as the brand’s 100+ year history.
3. Portuguese Flannel Shirts
When it comes to casual shirts, Portuguese Flannel is a no-brainer for us. Quality, sustainability, fit, and style are all top of mind for this brand. These shirts have become a store favourite and they fly off the shelves each season.
The brothers behind Portuguese Flannel (Antonio and Manuel Magalhães) come from generations of textile makers, and they take as much pride in the fabrics they produce as their father and grandfather before them. They have access to textile archives that go back to 1935, which they draw on when producing each season’s collection.
More than just flannel shirts (which they do excellently), they also create excellent summer-weight items in linen, silk, and viscose. They maintain a commitment to sustainability, using all organic, recyclable, and biodegradable fabrics, and their entire packaging process is plastic-free.
These shirts fit true to size and are meant to have a slightly relaxed silhouette, but they look great when sized up as well.
4. Frame Denim
Frame is a brand that was literally built off of creating the perfect pair of jeans, so you know you’re in good hands. They often land themselves on various fashion lists for being the best men’s jeans.
Their L’Homme Slim and L’Homme Skinny jeans both have stretch to them, making them ultra-soft and comfortable to wear. They’ve got very few embellishments and they keep the stitching simple, so they're clean and versatile.
Both styles have a mid-rise waist and a slight taper. L’Homme Skinny is the slimmer of the two fits with a 13” leg opening and a 32.5” inseam. The L’Homme Slim jeans are a little more relaxed with a 14” opening and a 33” inseam.
5. Stenstroms Dress Shirts and Sport Shirts
You can never have enough dress shirts, but quality is critical. Stenstroms shirts are world-renowned for their meticulous craftsmanship, attention to detail, and longevity. Each shirt goes through over 60 production steps, many of which are by hand.
Most of our Stenstroms shirts are in their Slimline cut with a spread collar, which creates a contemporary, tailored silhouette that isn’t too trim.
These shirts are sized by neck circumference in centimetres, so it’s easy to find your size by just doing one quick measurement. Loosely wrap a soft measuring tape around your neck, putting one finger underneath to give some breathing room. The number in cm will be your shirt size.
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Still not sure? Questions about another brand? Want to see more photos or an item? We’d love to help you out, so reach out and we’ll walk you through any of your uncertainties.
If something just doesn’t quite fit the way you hoped it would, we accept returns on online orders up to 30 days after you receive it. You can mail it back to us or return it in store if you’re in the area.
