Is Bespoke Post good? Of course. But what about their home-grown clothing line, Line of Trade? Here’s all you need to know, including if it’s right for men of modest height.
I’ve always been a fan of the subscription box company Bespoke Post. I often rave over their ability to curate men’s lifestyle products from under-the-radar brands (purveyors of cool, I call them). Beyond that, they’ve also taken a shot at a few of their own in-house labels. Line of Trade is a clothing brand they developed that focuses on timeless heritage Americana. This essentially means that, regardless of your personal style, you’ll find something in their range.
Recently, LOT moved out of mom and dad’s house, so to speak. It’s still affiliated with Bespoke Post, of course. But, it’s gone all in as a dedicated lifestyle brand, complete with its own website independent of Bespokepost.com.
Still, why are their pieces so much more affordable than the rugged, long-lasting pieces from older, established brands? Is it too good to be true? Even more, Americana and Americana-adjacent menswear tends to cater to the brawnier gent. Is Line of Trade modest-man-friendly?
I’ve worn a few of their pieces for the past few months. Here are my experiences with them. By the end of this, you’ll know whether or not LOT is for you.
Brand Origins: A Quick Bespoke Post Review
Founded in 2011, Bespoke Post’s subscription box service allows men to discover cool, new, and small-but-mighty lifestyle brands. Each box might contain EDC, gear, clothing, home goods, and even kitchen goods like hot sauce and cured meats.
The website provides a quiz that lets their team personalize your box. You can also preview, skip, and switch boxes. Moreover, the website serves as an eCommerce platform so that you can also buy individual products.
Okay, But Is Bespoke Post Good?
Yes. I love their model because, like most everyday guys, I like quality but not always the price tag that comes with high-end, big-name labels. Their team scours the market for brands, so you don’t have to.
Overall, Bespoke Post is for the guy who cares about good quality products, having his life together, and looking put-together — but not necessarily being Fashionable with a capital F. He’s a gent who can replace a tire but also maybe do a wine pairing. Or, he’s a guy who can only do one of those things but is interested in learning the other. I think most men would endeavor to be this guy; it’s no wonder Bespoke Post reviews are largely positive.
It’s also no wonder that the Line of Trade Waxed Jacket is one of their best-sellers.
As recently as 2024, Line of Trade set up shop on the internet with its own dedicated website. Here, they laser-focus on their brand promise: Good gear and clothing inspired by heritage American workwear that’s well-built and fad-resistant.
Alright, let me tell you about my build, and we’ll go straight into the product reviews.
My Build
I’m 5’7” and a half (easily 5’8″ and up in shoes) and 130-135 lbs at my fittest.
Still, I’m generally a “skinny” guy. I have a 35” chest and wear XS tops. My waist is a size 28, which means I even have to get XS shirts tailored half the time.
I figure knowing this will give you a touchstone for understanding the fit of the jackets, shirt, and vest.
Line of Trade Review
These are the pieces I tried from Line of Trade:
- Line of Trade Waxed Ranch Jacket
- The Summit Flannel Shirt
- Essex Quilted Vest
- Sutter Shop Corduroy Jacket
- Additionally, I’ve traveled around the world with the Weekender XL Duffel.
Overall, I’d say Line of Trade is achieving what any in-house brand that has gone independent would want to. They continue to make top-notch, long-lasting clothes at fantastically competitive prices. Moreover, they’ve translated the timelessly handsome, versatile workwear vibe for their accessories.
As you’ll see from my individual experiences with each piece, LOT adds clever practical elements to these classic design templates (shoe garage for the Duffel, for example). Still, these upgrades are deceivingly simple and don’t disrupt the time-honored build and look.
As far as fit, I’d say that Line of Trade is a great option overall for us shorter gents. While they don’t specifically cater to modest men, their traditional approach to cut and fit means a traditional look on all body types. It isn’t trendy, but it’s also trend-resistant and always relevant.
Here’s what I mean.
Line of Trade Waxed Ranch Jacket
As mentioned, the Waxed Ranch Jacket is a best-seller. Line of Trade has quite the reputation for outerwear in general, and I believe it stems from this jacket’s success.
It’s a classic Western-inspired coat. It’s made of waxed cotton canvas, features brass hardware, and comes in five colorways. I received the bark variation, a dark olive hue with a brown contrast collar.
Style and Construction
From a practical perspective, this jacket checks all of the boxes. It’s tough, warm, and water-repellent. Line of Trade added a flannel lining, making this coat extra versatile. It can take you from autumn to winter (if you layer), which isn’t the case with all traditional ranch coats. I even dozed off a bit during a cab ride home from a pub crawl in this jacket; it was so cozy.
There’s just enough surface wax to repel water, but not so much that it’s greasy. I actually wore this jacket on a fishing trip that got rained on. Even in heavy rain, it didn’t soak through. Considering that’s not what Line of Trade made this jacket for, I was pleasantly surprised.
I like to describe the design as thoughtful but not overbuilt. The angled pockets provide easy access but are deep enough that your EDC won’t fall out. These simple yet clever details make this jacket stand out. And by the way, the stitching is strong and fortified. I dare you to try and tear this coat apart. It’s a tank.
From a style perspective, it’s a super classic look. The stamped brass hardware is a fun, antique-y touch. Details like the slit chest pocket provide a slightly cleaner, more versatile look. It has more range than your average ranch jacket. In fact, I enjoy how it brings my suits down to earth as much as it levels up my t-shirt and jeans.
Finally, the wax will patinate based on your specific movements and experiences. I absolutely love this. It’s practical but adds an artistic element, one connected to your story. This makes it an instant family heirloom. Pass this jacket onto your son. He can carry on the story you started.
Is the Waxed Ranch Jacket Modest-Man-Friendly?
I say 100%, yes, this jacket is good for smaller men. Line of Trade actually offers a vast range of sizes, from small sizes up to XXXL. Again, I’m 5’7” and 130 lbs. I like a slightly oversized fit with my ranch jackets, so I chose a medium. It gave me something between a classic boxy fit and oversized, so I’ll take it.
This means men smaller than me can go for a size small and get that classic fit. Remember, waxed ranch jackets aren’t meant to be slim.
Summit Flannel Shirt
The Summit Flannel shirt is made from 100% combed cotton and boasts unique designs. Line of Trade didn’t just cobble these colorways together from some store-bought patterns (which is impressive at this price point). Like Burberry’s tartan, these are brand-specific compositions.
The Coal Ember variation is a mix of dark browns and warm tones with bold and translucent plaids. The Deep Ochre flaunts a multi-layered look, mixing lines and blocks in autumnal oranges and greens. I received the Atlantic Blue, a mix of slate blues and cerulean with a more tartan-leaning plaid design.
Style and Construction
This is one warm, soft flannel. When I first tested it out, I simply walked around my house in it. Within 20 minutes, I had to take it off; it was so warm. Granted, it was the middle of winter in New York, and I was blasting my heating.
As far as what a flannel should be able to do, the Summit is a straight-A student. It’s soft, comfortable, retains heat, and fits well.
The reason it’s so soft is because Line of Trade uses 100% brushed cotton flannel. This means that the material was combed through during the manufacturing process using fine metal bristles. This raises the texture, resulting in a fluffy hand-feel. All that to say, this flannel is also breathable and durable.
The design itself was taken from 1940s workwear catalogs. You can lean into that by pairing it with other workwear. However, since the cut is classic yet clean, you can easily wear it with a sport coat, loafers, or chinos. This is thanks to the box-pleated, straight, back yoke, which lets the shirt hang neatly off your frame.
Is the Summit Flannel Shirt Modest-Man-Friendly?
Yes, this flannel is perfect for smaller guys. I’m surprised because I usually have to turn to short-focused brands to find a classic-fitting flannel.
I received the medium in hopes it would be oversized so I could wear it like outerwear, which is often how I style my flannels. Despite my small height and frame, the medium fit me pretty classically!
The sleeves are a bit long, but I personally prefer that. And at less than $70, frankly, who cares? It isn’t a dress shirt. Even more, the double-button cuffs allow you to adjust where the sleeves fall a bit.
I have full confidence that the size small will likely fit thin and average-built men in the 5’5” range pretty easily.
Essex Quilted Vest
One of the more modernized options in the line, the Essex Quilted Vest is essentially a practical, tech piece—which is also why it’s so stylish. This fall go-to comes in three colorways.
The Vintage Navy is handsome and adaptable. The Gold Ochre is fun and autumnal, and you can wear it as a statement piece or as an accent under a jacket. I received the Olive variation, which has a timeless military vibe.
Style and Construction
This light layer has a heritage aesthetic but LOT updated it with modern creature comforts.
The ripstop shell boasts a magnificent strength-to-weight ratio. Let me tell you, this guy is super lightweight. You can wear it all year long, and even on hot summer days, it’s so breathable. However, it can still protect you from weather, debris, and dirt — it’s a great hiking vest.
Another cool feature? The warm pockets. I wore this vest on a summer hike. The temperatures dropped a bit in the evening, but it wasn’t so cold that I needed a new layer. Still, I was grateful to be able to put my hands in the flannel-lined pockets.
Meanwhile, the diamond quilting ups the strength factor while giving it a sporty elegance. You can wear this vest over a shirt and tie and under a suit jacket, as I’ve seen many men do on Wall Street. You can wear it with a button-down and boat shoes, or style it for the English countryside. Or, heck, go in full workwear or military gear and pair it with combat boots or cargo pants.
Is the Essex Quilted Vest Modest-Man-Friendly?
It depends on how modest you are. Out of all the pieces I tried, this is the least conducive to short heights. I received the medium, and it was far too big. And I’m a guy who isn’t afraid of sporting an oversized piece occasionally.
As an experiment, I had a 6’1” gent try it on. He’s thin but fit, with relatively broad shoulders — a swimmer’s body, I’d say. It fit him perfectly.
That said, I should’ve gone for a small. I think that average-built men at around 5’6”-5’7” could fit into a small. Perhaps bigger-waisted or bigger-shouldered guys in the 5’5” area could fit into a small, too.
Otherwise, smaller, shorter guys might have to look elsewhere for a vest.
Sutter Shop Corduroy Jacket
The Sutter Shop Corduroy Jacket is one of my favorite additions to my closet. I’ve had it for a year, so perhaps it isn’t so new. Still, I’ve gotten a lot of mileage out of it in that amount of time.
It’s a classic, three-pocket, collared corduroy jacket with a polyester lining and shank buttons. From a style perspective, I fully believe there’s nothing you can’t do with this jacket.
Style and Construction
The heavyweight corduroy is as practical as any piece of outerwear LOT offers. It’s protective and an effective layer on cooler spring nights and windy autumn days. It’s also easy to maintain. You can machine-wash it cold and even tumble-dry it.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, here’s what I really want to talk about. This jacket is just so darn cool-looking. The Vintage Navy is more traditional and versatile, but I chose the Garnet. It’s expressive but not loud and adds a lot of character to the jacket.
I’ve worn it over a dress shirt, tie, and cricket sweater, with a polo and shorts, and as an extra layer under my black trench coat, which also added a nice pop of color. This jacket combines everything I love from prep, English countryside, workwear, and Americana. It’s rugged but refined, pragmatic yet classy.
Is the Sutter Shop Corduroy Jacket Modest-Man-Friendly?
It depends on your style. When it comes to the classic cut and fit of corduroy jackets, I’d say yes. However, if you don’t like a regular, ever-slightly oversized look, then I’d say not so much. But I’m of the belief that a corduroy jacket shouldn’t be slim-fit.
I have this jacket in a small, and I adore its boxy but clean fit. Even if you wear it with slim pants and a slim shirt, the contrast will sit together naturally.
Line of Trade Weekender XL Duffel
Finally, we come to a Line of Trade accessory. As mentioned, LOT is now a full-fledged lifestyle brand. In addition to clothes, they offer backpacks, hats, dopp kits, and other accessories.
The Weekender XL Duffel is a real star in the lineup. Remember, LOT adds deceivingly clever design elements that make life easier to their clothes. They do this with their bags and accessories, too.
Construction
Let’s start with some specs:
- Dimension: 22″ x 13.5″ x 10″
- Construction: 100% cotton canvas backed with TPU, with leather handles
- Hard bottom and a metal frame opening
This bag has a lot to offer, but I’m going to start with what I deem to be the most clever piece of engineering. The Weekender XL features a shoe garage. Shoes, the worst thing to pack, have a perfectly Tetris-shaped place to sit efficiently among your other items.
The shoe garage is a collapsible, zippered compartment on the side of the bag. This means you don’t have to open the main opening to access it. You can fit boots or even two pairs of low-profile
Other cool features include a competent array of storage even within the main compartment, a sturdy canvas build, and that metal-framed opening.
Between that sturdy opening and hard bottom, this bag can stay standing and stay open without collapsing on itself. You can very literally just throw things into this bag basketball-style.
You can also carry it like a briefcase for a more professional look, messenger style, or use the trolley strap to place it on a rolling suitcase.
Style
A stone mason’s bag inspires all of the Weekender Duffels. This is truly clever.
Classic workwear is timeless and practical, meaning you can take this bag camping or into business meetings. I’ve done both. I often have to pack a ton of presentation materials, and a leather briefcase just doesn’t accommodate that.
I have the olive version, which has a military look. The leather straps and accents and brass hardware make it even more strapping. Whether you like cooler, trendier looks or more timeless style, this bag will complement your wardrobe naturally.
It isn’t as stuffy as a fancy designer bag (plus, I hate having to worry about ruining or scuffing expensive luggage). Meanwhile, it has the ease factor of a gym bag but is much classier.
Conclusion: Line of Trade Clothing — Is it For You?
As a brand overall, I’d say Line of Trade succeeds in offering well-built heritage classics at shockingly low prices. All of these pieces punch way above their price points and you can truly incorporate them into any man’s personal style.
For example, the quilted vest could be preppy or workwear depending on how you style it. Similarly, the waxed jacket can be Americana, English countryside, or Western. If you’re into cool street style, it’s all about mixing and matching; there’s always room for heritage American.
As far as whether or not short gents can shop Line of Trade, the answer is generally yes. The only complication, if you could call it that, is that you might be a medium with certain pieces but a small in others. This tends to be the case with most brands, though.
Overall, Line of Trade gets an A on modest man-friendliness and an A+ overall as a new heritage-inspired brand.
What do you think about Bespoke Post’s Line of Trade? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to The Modest Man’s newsletter. You’ll receive our latest content delivered right to your inbox.
