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I’m a pretty simple guy. I like my coffee black and my t-shirts white. So, my shopping is pretty straightforward.
But, when it comes to wardrobe essentials like t-shirts, sweaters, and chinos, it’s safe to say that there are too many options.
Do you go for basic Fruit of the Loom shirts and a pair of chinos from a budget brand? Or, do you take it to the next level? Do you pick up designer styles made from the best fabrics known to man?
If I had my pick, of course, I’d go with the nicer clothing. But, quality comes with a price tag.
I recently tried a few pieces from the recently-launched Orchard & Broome to see if the investment was worth it. (I received samples free of charge for my honest, unbiased, and unsponsored review.)
In this review, I’ll give some background on the brand, and review some of their pieces hands-on. Finally, I’ll give you my recommendation on whether or not it’s worth a try.
QUICK TAKE
I tried the Orchard Pima Cotton Tee, the Stanton Double Face Stretch Knit Jogger, and the Rutgers Double Face Pima Cotton Sweatshirt. Here’s what I thought overall:
PROS
- The fabrics are soft (but not cheap) and feel extremely luxurious
- The pieces are mostly lightweight
- The colors are unique but not flashy or too vibrant
CONS
- I’m not sure how much sweat or how many washes they’ll be able to handle
- Everything is expensive, though it is mostly made in Peru
ABOUT ORCHARD & BROOME
Designer Zachary Prell launched Orchard and Broome in January 2024. Prell previously owned and operated his namesake brand. Unfortunately, that brand shut down in 2023 due to problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The name comes from a New York City street crossing. It is positioned as an elevated essentials line, starting with knitwear made from Peruvian Pima cotton. Eventually, the brand began offering other pieces made with materials like merino wool and cashmere.
Orchard & Broome is definitely on the higher end of the spectrum with pieces priced between $80 and $245. The styles are simple, iconic, and come in light, neutral colors.
WHAT I TRIED
Orchard & Broome kindly sent me a few pieces to try.
Here’s my in-depth conclusion on each one:
ORCHARD PIMA COTTON TEE
I’d consider myself a t-shirt expert. I’ve tried everything from the cheapest wholesale t-shirts to $100+ “luxury” shirts. The fact of the matter is that you can find a great shirt for $15, and there are shirts in the $80 to $120 range that aren’t really that great.
It’s a matter of personal preference, yes, but material and fit reign supreme. So, if the two aren’t in balance, it could throw everything off and turn a potentially amazing tee into another throwaway.
The Pima Cotton Tee hits on all the right notes. I typically wear a medium, so that’s what I opted for. It’s made of 100% cotton (unlike some brands that try to get away with weaving in synthetic fibers) and has a silky feel with a touch of stretch.
The neckline is relatively thin, which I really like because it makes the rest of the t-shirt look slimmer and more refined.
The fit is average: Not too tight, not too baggy. I’d prefer it to be just a tad slimmer and muscular, but that’s totally a personal preference. I think that most guys will find the fit to be perfect. The sleeves go down to about three inches above my elbows, which is the sweet spot.
The Pima Cotton Tee retails at $80. It ranks as one of the best shirts I’ve tried, but I think for the price you could find similar styles that would do the job and be at least half the cost. That being said, I love the shirt on its merits alone.
STANTON DOUBLE FACE STRETCH KNIT JOGGER
I was really curious about the purpose of the Stanton Joggers — they’re too nice to be workout sweats, but they’re also not something you’d wear on a date.
I think that these are best situated somewhere between a pair for Saturday shopping days or maybe weeknight bottoms if you’re grabbing drinks with just your friends.
They’re made of 80% cotton, 15% polyester, and 5% spandex, which produces a weighty blend much stronger and more durable than the 100% polyester gear you may find from Lululemon or Nike.
They have an elasticated waistband and ankle cuffs, which provide further comfort, especially after you take down a big meal. The interior drawcord also lets you create a tighter or looser hold.
As I mentioned, I prefer slimmer clothes. These were a bit baggier than ideal for me. (But for the average guy, they’re probably perfect.)
One of the defining features of these joggers is the useful but subtle storage. They have two basic hand pockets and an additional rear zip pocket. Besides that, there’s an invisible side pocket for cards, keys, etc., which is great for being on the go.
If you’re someone who travels a lot or simply likes to be comfortable, then the Stanton Joggers could be for you. They’re very soft and cozy but also dressy enough for more casual settings like flying or running errands around town.
RUTGERS DOUBLE FACE PIMA COTTON SWEATSHIRT
I wanted a sweater that I could wear in winter under a coat or over a button down, and in the spring and not overheat. The Double Face Pima Cotton Sweatshirt toes the line between long sleeve and sweatshirt.
The fabric is surprisingly thin (thin, not cheap), which I really appreciate. It’s double-faced, too, so there’s no fleece or different fabric on the inside.
It’s 38% cotton, 38% lyocell, 19% Pima, and 5% polyester, which I find unfortunate because the brand emphasizes the Peruvian cotton it uses.
I ordered a medium in this style as well, and it fits the bill. The sleeves are a little long so they fit a bit baggy, but that’s my only note on the fit.
It has unique side panels, which I realized how valuable they are only recently, compared to a side seam that’s basically just two sheets of fabric sewn together without any tailored appeal.
The luxury feeling remains with this one, it absolutely feels premium compared to just about every other crewneck I’ve owned. I think you could pair this with a collar or undershirt and look good, and I’ll likely wear this as my go-to pullover for chilly nights out on the town.
ORCHARD & BROOM FAQS
Here’s more information about the brand
WHO STARTED ORCHARD & BROOME?
Zachary Prell started Orchard & Broome. Prell previously started an eponymous brand that shut down in 2023.
WHAT DOES ORCHARD & BROOME DO?
Orchard & Broome is a luxury menswear brand that makes quality basics like t-shirts, joggers, polos, and more. The line is made with soft Peruvian cotton and designed to be low profile, understated, and elegant.
FINAL VERDICT
Orchard & Broome makes great clothes, simple as that.
The Orchard Pima Cotton Tee is one of the best I’ve tried, it’s lightweight, airy, and fits well. I personally would’ve preferred it to be a hair smaller, but that is likely just my opinion and the medium fits true to size.
The Stanton Double Face Stretch Knit Joggers are more stylish than just about any jogger or sweatpants that I’ve owned. They’re great for working from home or catching flights, but they wouldn’t perform well at the gym because they’re pretty thick and not made for workouts.
Finally, the Rutgers Double Face Pima Cotton Sweatshirt makes for great casual wear. Its sleeves are longer. It still fits true to size, and a small would likely be way too tight.
It’s also versatile — I will wear this in every season, other than summer. It can be layered for extra warmth or worn on its own and still provide some breathability.
All of the pieces I tried have a logo accent on the bottom right of the back side, which is a nice touch. I hate blatant logos and designs, especially from luxury brands, printed everywhere, so the mark is a touch of brand recognition without being in your face.
The only true downside to Orchard & Broome is the price. Yes, they use the best fabrics and they’re manufactured to have the best quality, but I’m convinced you could find similar pieces from more affordable brands.
If you can afford it and want to invest in something that is guaranteed to be good, then picking up a few pieces from Orchard & Broome is a good idea. It comes from a well-known, experienced designer, and the fabrics are top-tier.
Don’t get me wrong: I will certainly be wearing these every week, I’m just not sure if I would feel comfortable paying what they’re asking for them.
What do you think about Orchard & Broome? Worth the investment? Let me know in the comments section below!
