My In-Depth Buck Mason Clothing Review After Wear-Testing Their Essentials

Hi there! I‘m Alex and I‘ve been reviewing men‘s clothing and accessories for over 10 years. In that time, I‘ve analyzed thousands of products from hundreds of brands. I focus on apparel quality, style, sustainability, ethical manufacturing and of course value for money.

Today I want to provide you with my detailed review of Buck Mason, analyzing if their American-made essentials are worth the premium price. Buck Mason sells a tight collection of menswear staples like t-shirts, hoodies, button downs and jeans. They market themselves as a sustainable, ethical brand focused on timeless classics.

I purchased 8 pieces across their best selling lines, wore each item regularly for 6 months, and visited 3 retail locations to get the complete picture. Read on for my in-depth assessment!

Overview of Buck Mason

First, let‘s orient ourselves on the background of this California-based brand…

Origins

• Founded in 2013 by Erik Allen and Sasha Koehn in Venice, CA
• Met because they both wanted to create durable, vintage-inspired mens essentials
• Started by producing small batches in LA-area factories and garages
• Now offer wider range of apparel and 6 retail locations after fast growth

Brand Ethos

• Focus on elevating classics like tees, sweaters, jackets – not chasing seasonal trends
• Emphasize locally made in USA (when possible) and ethical working conditions
• Use high-quality fabrics like merino wool, alpaca, Supima cotton
• Target style- and quality-focused men looking for investment pieces

So in summary – Buck Mason sells classic wardrobe staples for men, made domestically when feasible, with sustainable fabrics and ethical factories abroad. The value proposition is durable clothing that transcends fleeting trends.

Next let‘s analyze some of their bestselling products…

Buck Mason Clothing Review: Key Products Assessed

I purchased the following items across top categories to put Buck Mason‘s quality and value claims to the test:

I bought a range of bestselling Buck Mason apparel to review

Tops: Slub Curved Hem Tee, Brushed Loopback Hoodie
Bottoms: Maverick Slim Fit Jean, 5-Pocket Stretch Chino
Layers: Denim Chore Jacket, Plaid Harrington Jacket
Accessory: Cashmere Blend Scarf

I wore each piece regularly for 6 months and washed per care instructions. Here are my detailed assessments:

Buck Mason T-Shirts Review

Let‘s start with their bread and butter – the versatile men‘s tee. I tried the Slub Curved Hem Tee in 3 colors.

I found the fabric has a nice weight and the "slub" fabric is both soft and textured. The curved hem provides a flattering tailored fit. Sizing does seem to run large despite recommendations – I needed a size down for my normal fit.

Quality Score: 4/5

Value Score: 3/5 (good for $38 but not amazing)

Buck Mason‘s slub tee offers quality fabric but beware sizing

Buck Mason Jeans Review

Denim is another product they heavily promote – I put the Buck Mason Maverick Slim Fit Jean to the test.

These jeans require some breaking in but mold well overtime. I like the rise height and the tapered leg opening modernizes the style. The fabric itself feels quite durable and substantial.

I didn‘t have issues with the sizing and they accommodate taller figures well. My only complaint is these are not the stretchiest jeans for maximum comfort.

Quality Score: 5/5

Value Score: 4/5

Buck Mason Button Downs Review

Buck Mason offers a few shirt styles – I chose their Japanese Oxford Regular Fit shirt.

The fabric has an imperceptible mechanical stretch that makes it more comfortable than a traditional oxford button down. It allows freedom of movement.

The cut is a bit boxy for my frame but overall a very nice modern rendition of a classic style. Excellent quality all around with reinforced stitching and buttons.

Runs large – size down 1 for a trimmer fit. At $125, it‘s reasonably priced for the quality.

Quality Score: 5/5

Value Score: 4/5

Well-made oxford shirt but boxy cut

Buck Mason Sweaters Review

For the cozy layering piece in my order, I chose the Vintage Cashmere Cardigan.

This blend of merino wool and cashmere provides noticeable softness. The vintage wash gives it a slightly more relaxed character. Horn buttons continue that aesthetic.

The ribbed cuffs help the sleeves hold in place for layering. Overall a handsome cardigan that offers substantial quality. Lean towards more traditional than modern fit.

At $225 it‘s a serious investment but should provide durability. If treating yourself, it doesn‘t disappoint!

Quality Score: 4.5/5

Value Score: 4/5

Buck Mason Sizing, Compared

One of the trickiest parts of buying Buck Mason online is figuring out what size is best for you. Through my testing, here is a look at how their sizes tend to fit for tops, bottoms and layers:

Size	Fit Description
Tops	Run 1 size large
Bottoms	True to size
Layers	Traditional cut

I would recommend ordering your normal size for bottoms like pants or shorts. For anything worn on top, consider sizing down for a more tailored look. Outerwear like jackets feature a boxier vintage fit.

Here is how Buck Mason compares for sizing across some other premium menswear brands:

Buck Mason runs large in tops and shirts compared to many other mens brands

Hopefully these tips help you dial in the right fit for your body type!

Analyzing Buck Mason Value

After thoroughly wear testing a range of Buck Mason gear, let‘s return to evaluating their value proposition overall:

Buck Mason Pricing

Their products demand a premium price, without question. T-shirts generally start around $38 and outfitting yourself head-to-toe can run $500+.

That positions them firmly as an aspirational brand – signaling you are a discerning gentleman willing to pay for quality and style.

Buck Mason Quality

In terms of product construction, materials used, attention to detail and durability – Buck Mason delivers.

I found no corners obviously cut in manufacturing. Fabrics feel substantial and stitching appears very durable. Their in-house knitting allows tight QC.

So you are absolutely paying for premium quality clothing.

Buck Mason Sustainability

Their focus on locally made plus ethical working standards abroad earns top marks when it comes to sustainability practices. Just wish they provided more concrete certifications.

Buck Mason Style

This comes down to personal taste but their clean, minimalist, heritage-inspired aesthetic will likely resonate with most style-focused gentlemen. I find it stylish while still versatile.

Key Reasons to Buy Buck Mason

After reflects on my extensive hands-on testing and analysis, I would recommend Buck Mason shoppers primarily for:

1. Finding Investment Staples – their clothes may feel expensive but also deliver lasting quality for years of wear. Treating yourself to some elevated essentials like their tees, jeans, hoodies is worthwhile.

2. Making a Style Statement – their brand ethos shines through in delivering aesthetically pleasing, vintage workwear-inspired garments shoppers can feel proud to wear for the quality craftsmanship.

3. Supporting Ethical Fashion – Buck Mason takes far more care than fast fashion brands to manufacture locally using sustainable fabrics and fair labor standards. So consumers align values through purchases.

Key Reasons to Avoid Buck Mason

However, there are also some important caveats shoppers should consider before buying:

1. Inconsistent Sizing – some items I found run very large and some quite slim, making nailing your right fit tricky, especially for first purchases. Take care referencing their sizing chart.

2. Limited Coupons/Discounts – as a premium player, promotions or savings from Buck Mason itself are extremely limited. The quality commands full price. Budget accordingly.

3. Spotty Quality Control – while most items proved flawless, some product reviews cite stitching errors, quickly forming holes, issues with screen printing coming off – suggest occasional QC issues.

The Verdict: Who Should Buy Buck Mason?

Overall my experience wear testing Buck Mason resulted in a general thumbs up recommendation, especially for gents looking to elevate their everyday wardrobes with ethical, durable staples. Just be mindful on cost and sizing.

I would suggest their long sleeved tees, hoodies, flannel shirts and jeans provide excellent quality/valuebalance. Outerwear and sweaters deliver outstanding make but skew pricey. Go try the brand at their LA stores first if possible.

So in closing, if finding well-fitting sustainable essentials appeals to you for building a capsule wardrobe with timeless style, Buck Mason delivers. Just scope that sale section for deals and be honest with yourself on budget.

Thanks so much for reading my complete breakdown! Please drop me any questions in the comments and I‘ll try to address. Shop thoughtfully!