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Finding formal clothing for guys can be difficult. It’s often boxy and very uncomfortable. State & Liberty flipped the game upside down with their take on athletic-fitting dress clothes. They took all of your favorite elements of comfortable gym clothing and turned it into clothing that you can wear to the office, weddings, date nights, and more.

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State and Liberty Video Review

Here’s my comprehensive video review if you’d prefer to hear me talk than read the blog.

About State and Liberty

Founders of State & Liberty, Steven Fisher & Lee Moffie

State and Liberty was founded to combat the issue of uncomfortable and improperly fitting formal attire for men with an athletic build. Starting by innovating the commonly loose-fitting dress shirt to a more tapered cut with a new stretch fabric the brand saw immediate success. Since then, they have improved every aspect of formal clothing for men from suits to pants, and even overcoats.

For more on the history of State and Liberty and how they have built a unique niche in a historic industry, check out their story.

State & Liberty Product Reviews

Below are all of the different products that I’ve tried from State & Liberty at what I think about each them.

Athletic Fit Dress Shirts

The dress shirt is the cornerstone product of State & Liberty, and they’ve truly mastered the craft. Made from a performance fabric that’s primarily polyester with a touch of spandex, these shirts strike the perfect balance between comfort and functionality. They’re incredibly comfortable, fit like a dream, and are designed to perform.

For reference, I’m 6 feet tall and 185 pounds. I initially tried a large, which fit well, but switched to a medium for an even better fit. These shirts are a game changer—not just for their unmatched comfort, but also because they’re moisture-wicking, wrinkle-resistant, and machine washable. Once you try one, you’ll never want to wear another dress shirt again. Trust me, I tested a dozen different athletic fit dress shirts and State & Liberty came out on top as the best.

The shirt pictured above is one of their most popular styles, the Spring Limited Edition, featuring brown buttons and a navy lining for a standout look.

Athletic Fit Chinos

Athletic Fit Maroon Chinos by State & Liberty

The Tech Chinos from State & Liberty are fantastic. Like the rest of their lineup, they offer incredible stretch and comfort, making them a pleasure to wear all day. They’re also wrinkle-resistant, which makes them perfect for traveling or busy days on the go.

One potential downside mentioned in some reviews is a slight “swishy” sound when walking, but I’ve never noticed it or found it to be an issue.

The picture above features NFL linebacker Jordan Magee, which proves that if these chinos can handle his level of movement and performance, they’re more than comfortable and functional for the average guy who hits the gym regularly. I wear the size 31 waist and think they fit perfectly.

Athletic Fit Button-Down Shirts

Ian Happ wearing casual button down shirt by State & Liberty

Part of the dress shirt family the athletic-fitting casual button down shirts are a huge fan favorite. State & Liberty’s athletic fit button downs are designed for a more casual environment. While their dress shirts can be worn tucked or untucked the casual button down shirts were designed specifically for an untucked look. Again, the athletic fitting design coupled with the stretch material and moisture-wicking fabric make these a home run for all occasions. These are perfect for casual Fridays at the office, date night, going out with the guys, and so much more. They even work for gameday travel for pro athletes like Ian Happ pictured above. Can’t say enough good things about the athletic fit button down shirts by State & Liberty. Just make sure to act fast on these because they sell out of styles and sizes all the time so don’t miss out on the shirt that catches your eye.

Athletic Fit Suits

Athletic Fit Suits by State & Liberty

One of the most unique items offered by State and Liberty is the athletic fit suit. Although slim-fit suits are available they never quite capture the physique of hard-working gym goers with broad shoulders, big chests, and lean torsos. To solve this problem State and Liberty has brought their stretch fabric to their suits. This allowed them to take unnecessary fabric in the midsection away, used by other brands to ensure comfort, in order to provide a slimming athletic fit suit that offers the same if not better mobility. The only downside is that if you don’t live near an in-person location you will need to order online in advance. This is a nonissue for the organized gentleman though. Also, if you need help with sizing, State and Liberty offers over-the-phone sizing consultations to help you make sure your suit fits perfectly. If not, send it back free of charge!

Athletic Fit Overcoats

Athletic Fit Overcoats by State & Liberty

An overcoat is an essential clothing item for all men to have even if you live in a commonly warm area. Overcoats are a staple in any man’s closet that helps to not only keep you warm but protect your bespoke athletic fit suit from the elements. However, many overcoats can be bulky and don’t provide the tapered fit and look that men who take care of their bodies are seeking. State and Liberty once again has innovated in the men’s fashion industry offering one of the only true athletic fitting overcoats on the market. The stretchy and comfortable performance fabrics that you have come to love have now entered the outerwear space thanks to State & Liberty’s athletic-fit overcoats. I am a huge fan of these coats as I’ve never been able to find a formal-looking coat that offers an athletic fit. They have one main style for the overcoat and it comes in five different classic colors. They also now have a down puffer coat that I hope to test out soon. Be sure to keep an eye on the State & Liberty website as they do add new styles and colors from time to time. You can see their current selection of athletic fit coats and jackets below.

Accessories

State & Liberty light brown belt

Rounding out our list we want to mention the accessories State and Liberty has to offer. It can be annoying going from brand to brand trying to piece together an outfit. Socks from here, belt from there, why waste the time? State and Liberty offers a large selection of accessories options built to match their formal wear. I really like their light brown perforated leather belt. This belt complements their navy suits very well. See what they have to offer below to ensure you have a complete look for any occasion.

Conclusion: Is State and Liberty Worth the Investment?

If you’re considering buying from State & Liberty, I highly recommend it. Everything they make is comfortable, stylish, and built to last—you’ll find yourself wearing their pieces over and over.

Their suits, in particular, are a standout. I can’t count how many times I’ve worn the one I bought as part of a wedding party. I’m so glad my friend chose State & Liberty instead of making us rent an ill-fitting tux from Men’s Wearhouse! It was money well spent.

State & Liberty Customer Testimonials

If you need more convincing here are some other reviews and testimonials about the brand. 

State & Liberty Alternatives

Mizzen & Main

Mizzen and Mains offer a great alternative to State and Liberty with a few things to note. One of the number one reasons to shop Mizzen and Main over State and Liberty is their large selection of quarter zip jackets and flannels. These are options not offered at State and Liberty, at least, not at the scale they are offered at Mizzen and Main. This makes them a go-to destination in the fall and winter months.

The downside to choosing to shop with Mizzen and Main, in comparison to State and Liberty, Is that Mizzen and Main don’t sell suits. this is the main appeal of a brand like S&L. This means that although they offer great options for those seeking casual or business casual athletic fit clothing Mizzen and Main is a great option, but for more formal events you will have to look elsewhere.

Overall, we think that Mizzen and Main are definitely worth a look. You can click the link below to browse their catalog.

Butter Cloth

Butter Cloth is a brand that offers a slightly different value proposition than State and Liberty. Instead of focusing on the fit of the clothing, they focus on the feel. Making the most comfortable clothing possible is their game. This makes them a great alternative to those drawn to State and Liberty for their flexible-fit clothing. They are a relatively new brand blowing up after a $250,000 investment by Robert Herjavec on Shark Tank and an endorsement from Jay Leno. Although their fits are also great, if comfort is your goal then we highly recommend you take a look at Butter Cloth.

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