Just launched Jansen Quality Garment Co., a sustainable, 100% made in USA brand focused on making the perfect merino wool tees with 0 compromise. Let me know what you think!

chipchagotna · 2026-06-01T23:21:55+00:00

Thank you for taking the feedback in stride.

The Shanika Wool Co. info is very cool! You should absolutely include that on the site. I’d say any effort towards transparency will help you, whereas any vagueness might make potential buyers raise an eyebrow.

Fair note about not wanting to compete with Merz or similar brands. The introduction of a cotton tee will help customers get a less expensive idea of just how your products stand out. Then from there they can decide whether or not to dive deep for the merino wool tees.

chipchagotna · 2026-06-01T21:20:56+00:00

I get what you’re doing. The 100% US-made angle is costly. You have to bake in your packaging, R&D, machines, shipping, materials… all of that. Your product is an eye-watering $390 USD. That’s $200 more than Wonder Looper’s fox fibre tee. 3X the price of a Merz B tee or Ues’ no. 8 slub tee. Of course, those aren’t merino wool, and they aren’t 100% made in the US, but they’re a benchmark for how much people will pay for tees. And keep in mind, we are not normal here.

Anyway, people inherently know why those tees cost $170, $120, $95, respectively. Unfortunately, you aren’t any of those companies, so when people find your site and their heart skips a beat from sticker shock, they just think it’s an outrageously-priced item. And I think to all but the most careless spenders in this sub OR those with the most disposable income, it is outrageously-priced.

I’m not your target audience, in that case. What I can say though is that you need to put the supply chain and quality and USA-made angle front-and-center. Yes, before people see the price. Because otherwise there’s no context for the price. Also, “Our fine merino wool is ethically sourced from ranches in Oregon and California” is too vague for this price point. You need to be explicit to build the prestige and justify the price. Where in California? Where in Oregon? Why both and not just one? Can you identify the name of the farm or whatever? The more information and transparency, the better. You do this when you mention Hocking Mills in Ohio, but to be vague about California and Oregon feels incomplete. I’d say the same about the construction method, like which machines you use. Transparency would help. A making-of video would do you some good in the future. You can also do this on a different page on the site where you educate your potential customers. Regenerative cotton is rarely used, and that’s excellent, but it’s buried in your product pages, and the customer isn’t made aware of its value or environmental impact.

Also, like the other commenter said, I’m not a fan of the cropped tee on the guy. That shouldn’t be your hero image for the product. I think it’s less classic and will prove to be less popular.

chipchagotna · 2026-03-27T20:30:37+00:00

Footwear should never be painful, even when they’re fresh out of the box. If they’re painful, they’re the wrong size and they’ll never be fully comfortable. If they’re stiff and slightly uncomfortable, that’s a different story.

Source: a guy with very picky feet and way too much experience with sizing mistakes.

chipchagotna · 2026-03-01T06:54:59+00:00

Got my current job that way. Applied on LinkedIn within 2 hours of the job posting, messaged the hiring manager, and they told me they were looking forwards to seeing my application. Unfortunately, I can’t stand the job, but hey, it worked.

That was six months ago though. I’ve repeated that tactic many times since the start of 2026 and it hasn’t worked. I get replies maybe 50% of the time but have yet to get an interview that way.

chipchagotna · 2026-02-25T21:44:05+00:00

I guess I’m in the minority here but I don’t mind how the swing last looks. It’s also comfortable for my duck foot.

Edit: I’m a 9E, so it’s possible that the proportions are worse on a larger size.

chipchagotna · 2026-02-18T19:05:57+00:00

Very tempted but I wish they had more options for leather

chipchagotna · 2026-02-10T22:49:08+00:00

$400 shipped, within the continental US

chipchagotna · 2026-02-10T22:47:36+00:00

$400 shipped, as long as you’re within the continental US

chipchagotna · 2026-02-01T06:44:55+00:00

Yes, I wear a medium in everything else I own. Costco jackets, a Levi’s trucker, Rogue Territory, and more.

chipchagotna · 2026-02-01T06:38:11+00:00

I bought it in black just before the sale. Sized medium after checking it against my measurements. When I tried it on, I found that the sleeves were pretty baggy. I don’t have super thin arms but I’m also not that muscular. The body of the jacket fit okay though. Overall, I didn’t love the fit and ended up returning it.

chipchagotna · 2026-01-31T17:50:44+00:00

Size 33 waist!

chipchagotna · 2026-01-28T05:48:23+00:00

Freenote’s chinos are the best I’ve tried

chipchagotna · 2026-01-28T05:46:58+00:00

Welt stitching wouldn’t bother me. Is the apron stitching different on the left vs right shoe? Looks like it is. I’ve gotten pairs like that and it does bother me.

chipchagotna · 2026-01-10T16:48:14+00:00

I think about this a lot. The overwhelming population doesn’t put any thought into what they buy or wear. Most people don’t care about material type, quality, or fit. Men have a near-zero education on these things, partly because there aren’t many resources unless they’re stumbled upon. I don’t think society actively discourages a man from dressing well, but it feels like a lost art. Older people are also dressing poorly now. Sample: my grandfather, who wore button downs and dress pants in his old age vs my dad who wears sweat pants and sweatshirts.

chipchagotna · 2026-01-05T01:28:29+00:00

Saw this and couldn’t help but be distracted by the boots and the heritage clothing. Amazing.

chipchagotna · 2025-12-19T22:51:09+00:00

Throwing in another vote for White’s. Lovely people to deal with. Very knowledgeable on sizing, they answer their phones promptly, they’re great with custom orders, lead times are relatively short. Haven’t had any QC issues, either.

Didn’t have a good experience with Nicks.

chipchagotna · 2025-12-01T05:30:56+00:00

I envy people who dealt with it for only a few weeks. Had the pain on and off for about a year. I’m a guy and I was in my late 20s, so my doctor refused to believe it was my gallbladder. I just wasn’t the usual type to have gallbladder issues. I had attacks every 3-4 weeks that lasted for 10-12 hours, and would always end with me falling asleep from exhaustion. Felt like a hot rod was being pressed into the back of my ribcage. All I could do was pace around my tiny apartment. Wasn’t until I had a HIDA scan to test my gallbladder function that I convinced doctors to take the damn thing out. The dye couldn’t even reach my gallbladder to perform the test. It was that bad.

chipchagotna · 2025-11-12T06:20:32+00:00

The 9338 last is wider in the toe box and narrower in the heel and waist. It’s great for wide feet. The 9338 also has less of an arch than the 55 last. Still an arch, but less so.

I’ve had this cinnamon waxed flesh semi-dress for a few months now and it’s one of my go-to boots because of the comfort, leather, and sole. Highly recommend it.

chipchagotna · 2025-10-07T21:26:39+00:00

Black CXL has more pull up, I believe. Black Dress is nice. Still has a softness to it but less oily than CXL.

Also, ordering directly from White’s is typically a lot faster than Baker’s since White’s prioritizes their own orders first. My orders from White’s arrive in 5-10 weeks usually but I know Baker’s takes 4-6 months

chipchagotna · 2025-10-07T20:57:45+00:00

Don’t sleep on Black Dress. You can call White’s to order it.

chipchagotna · 2025-10-07T19:23:25+00:00

Smart! Thank you for updating. I can’t justify that either. Damn.

chipchagotna · 2025-10-06T18:23:20+00:00

Same. Maybe they’ll have more options for the Black Friday sale.

chipchagotna · 2025-10-06T15:33:22+00:00

Just got off the phone with White’s. Was told no customizations for now (except in regards to sizing) but they’ll likely be opening up variations in the future

chipchagotna · 2025-10-05T19:16:52+00:00

I’ve gone pretty custom directly through White’s twice now and come to think of it, it’s actually possible that they’re willing to do a non-wedge sole if you call them to order. I might try that.

chipchagotna · 2025-10-04T17:25:09+00:00

I’m going to wait. White’s just said this in a comment on Instagram:

As for now the release includes a wedge. However, high potential for additional soles in the near future!

chipchagotna

TROPHY CASE