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Tom’s Story

Necessity may be the mother of invention, but frustration was what spurred my quest to reinvent men’s undergarments.

In 2007, I had been working as a medical device salesman for seven years. I knew first impressions counted big-time with customers, so I worked out regularly, purchased the finest suits and shirts I could afford and had my clothing tailored for a perfect fit. Only problem? My undershirts.

As an active guy, I’d go through six new undershirts a month. No matter what brand I tried, they would inevitably bunch up around my beltline, come untucked, shrink after a single wash, yellow after a single wearing and make me feel less than the well-groomed, confident professional I wanted to be. My undershirts were undermining all that investment in workouts and sharp attire!

I wasn’t alone in this dissatisfaction. Friends, co-workers and department store clerks agreed:  men’s undershirts never fit or wore well. Though I had no experience in clothing design or manufacturing, I decided the market demanded a better option and set out to give men the undershirt they deserve.

Discovering a Better Way

My sales experience came in handy as I investigated a new territory:  fashion. I hit the streets and department stores asking regular guys as well as clothing specialists to share their thoughts about undershirts. I bought and studied all the top brands, literally turning dozens of shirts inside out, measuring proportions and testing fabric blends. That’s when the light bulb went off.

I realized every leading designer uses a “square-box” cut for its undershirts, shoulders and waist being the same width. Most men aren’t built like boxes. I got out my sketchpad and drew an undershirt that tapered at the waist and was several inches longer than its predecessors.

Next, I headed to Los Angeles’ garment district in search of a miraculous fabric for my undershirt. It had to be ultra-comfortable, non-shrinking, torso-hugging cotton with superior wicking and cooling properties. [What can I say? I’m a sweaty guy who loves to look good and hates to compromise!] I found one good enough for prototype production, met a talented tailor and had him make 15 shirts I could send to friends for their feedback.

Their verdict? Unanimous thumbs up. I knew we were onto something big.

Pursuing Entrepreneurial Dreams

I quit my corporate job to devote my energies to a product I was passionate about:  Tommy John Tailored Stretch™ undershirts. [My full name is Thomas John Patterson.]

Early in 2008, my small team worked day and night getting our Tailored Stretch™ collection just right. Its unique stretch fabric and form fitting design technology ensures the shirt stays tucked in, breathes well and doesn’t shrink. The tapered, slimming cut sealed the deal. Tommy John was [and is] the best fitting undershirt on Earth!

We found a manufacturer in L.A. who thought so, too.  Tommy John launched its first collection in April 2008. We sold undershirts online and in several San Diego boutiques. Customers loved the true-to-size fit and the sleek look they achieved with Tommy John Tailored Stretch™.

Determined to revolutionize men’s undergarments, we’re debuting our expanded line of Tommy John Tailored Stretch™ undershirts and boxer briefs at the 2008 MAGIC Marketplace in Las Vegas. Our goal is to be in over 100 stores by Christmas.

The speed and fun of this journey blows my mind. Last December I was a fed-up consumer with an idea to change what was bugging me. Now I’m an entrepreneur running a burgeoning underwear empire. Is this a great country or what?

And we’re only getting started. Look for Tommy John to continue rethinking men’s clothing, solving their problems and meeting their needs better than anyone else.

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