Todd Shelton
Rated: Fair
Price: $$$
Location: USA
Quick verdict
Todd Shelton is best for men seeking long-lasting American-made wardrobe essentials with exceptional fit customization. Particularly those building a minimalist capsule wardrobe of classic pieces. What stands out is that this is one of the very few fashion brands that designs, manufactures, and sells entirely in-house from its own New Jersey factory. The made-to-order model with proprietary in-between sizing and a dedicated "Fit Planner" is genuinely unique. The caveat: this is not a certified sustainable brand. It holds zero third-party certifications, uses no organic or recycled materials, and the sustainability story rests on the made-in-USA, made-to-order, durable-goods model.
Key info
- Headquarters
- East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA
- Founded
- 2002
- Product categories
- Menswear, Basics, Denim
- Price range
- $$$
- Key certifications
- None. No B Corp, GOTS, OEKO-TEX, or Fair Trade.
Todd Shelton sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
All products are 100% cotton with no synthetics, Positive for biodegradability. Selvedge denim from Kuroki (Okayama, Japan); shirts from Somelos (Guimarães, Portugal). However, no organic, recycled, or regenerative materials. No material certifications.
Strongest pillar. All manufacturing in their own NJ factory under US labor laws. Unique "two-seamstress" policy (master + apprentice complete each garment start to finish): a dignified alternative to repetitive piecework. Factory open for customer visits. No specific wage data published.
Made-to-order model eliminates overproduction and deadstock. Timeless designs reduce fashion-cycle waste. Packaging designed to minimize waste. No carbon footprint data, no water reporting, no renewable energy claims, no circularity program.
Open about manufacturing location (own NJ factory) and fabric suppliers (Kuroki, Somelos). Factory open to visitors. But no impact reports, no supply chain mapping beyond Tier 1, no wage data, and no sustainability metrics.
Jeans $280–$320, shirts $250–$260, T-shirts ~$65–$95. Premium but justified by made-to-order US production with premium Japanese/Portuguese fabrics. Direct-to-consumer eliminates retailer markups. Customers report garments lasting many years.
What they do well
- True vertical integration, One of the only fashion brands that designs, patterns, cuts, sews, inspects, and ships from its own factory. Extremely rare level of production control
- Made-to-order production. Every garment produced only when ordered, meaning zero overproduction and zero deadstock, One of the most inherently sustainable production methods in fashion
- Dignified labor model. The two-seamstress (master + apprentice) system where workers complete each garment start to finish eliminates dehumanizing piecework and builds craftsperson skills
- Proprietary fit system. In-between sizing (S/M, M/L, L/XL), personalized fit consultations with a dedicated Fit Planner, and manual specifications for repeat customers. Reduces returns and their environmental cost
- 100% natural fiber commitment. All products are 100% cotton with no synthetic blends, meaning full biodegradability and zero microplastic shedding
Room for improvement
- No third-party certifications or impact reporting. Zero sustainability certifications (no B Corp, GOTS, OEKO-TEX, Fair Trade). No sustainability report, carbon data, or environmental metrics of any kind
- No organic, recycled, or regenerative materials. All cotton is conventional. This is a missed opportunity given the environmental impact of conventional cotton farming
About Todd Shelton
Todd Shelton was founded in 2002 by Tennessee native Todd Shelton, who began selling T-shirts at Soho street markets while attending night classes at Parsons School of Design. After years of outsourcing production with frustrating quality inconsistencies, Shelton built his own factory in East Rutherford, New Jersey in 2012: a three-year project that temporarily halted company growth but gave him complete control.
Today, all garments are cut, sewn, inspected, and shipped from this NJ factory using premium 100% cotton fabrics. Denim comes from Kuroki mills in Okayama, Japan. The same selvedge sources used for over a decade. Shirt fabrics are woven by family-owned Somelos in Guimarães, Portugal. Everything is made-to-order, eliminating overproduction waste.
The brand's hallmark is fit precision: proprietary in-between sizing, a personalized Fit Planner service, and manual specifications for returning customers create a semi-bespoke experience. Todd Shelton sells exclusively direct-to-consumer online with free exchanges.
Shipping is via FedEx from NJ. At $65–$320, pricing reflects US manufacturing and premium materials. Compared to Buck Mason or Raleigh Denim, Todd Shelton offers more fit customization at a similar or slightly higher price point with a notably focused product range.
Product highlights
Original 13 Selvedge Jeans
13 oz Okayama selvedge denim, 100% cotton, double belt loops, YKK zippers
$320
Flagship product; premium Japanese selvedge, made-to-order in NJ with exceptional fit customization
Oxford 150 Button-Up Shirt
150g oxford cloth, 100% cotton, woven in Portugal; multiple collar styles and sleeve lengths
$250
Matte finish designed to pair with jeans; fit customization makes it a premium alternative to off-the-rack
Classic 12 Jeans
12 oz denim in Charcoal and Black; lighter weight, softer hand
$280
Entry point at $40 less than selvedge; ideal for wardrobe diversity
Flannel 160 Shirt
160g brushed twill, all-cotton flannel woven in Portugal; solid colors only
$250
Unique interpretation. No traditional plaid; solid colors keep it minimalist and versatile
