In this hands-on ASKET review, I’ll tell you about my experience with this unique menswear brand to help you decide it’s right for you.
- Shorter sizes
- Timeless aesthetic
- High quality
- Responsible manufacturing
- Transparent pricing
As a brand, ASKET kind of reminds me of Everlane (one of the first clothing companies to focus on quality basics and transparency).
It’s no wonder that I’m drawn to both of these brands, especially since my personal style is pretty basic.
I don’t think menswear is actually “timeless”, but I do think you can buy clothing that will hold up and look stylish for years, or even decades, and at this point in my life, that’s what I try to do.
I simply don’t feel good buying and wearing fast fashion clothing. It’s not as comfortable or durable. Plus, if a t-shirt arrives at your doorstep for like $10, you better believe that someone got screwed in the process of getting it there (probably the person who grew the cotton or stitched it together).
So, I love ASKET’s mission. I love the brand and aesthetic. But none of this matters if the clothes don’t fit, right? After all, if your clothes don’t fit, you’re not going to look good, no matter how high quality they are.
My Build
For reference, I’m 5’6” in shoes and about 125 lbs after dinner. I have a 35” chest and almost always order XS tops.
My off-the-rack suit jacket size would be 34S, and my ideal pant size is usually 28×28.
What I Tried
To date, I’ve tried on the following items from ASKET:
- Jeans
- Chinos
- Oxford shirt
- Sweatshirt
- T-shirt
- Long sleeve t-shirt
- Overshirt
- Merino sweater
- Woven belt
Some of these have become wardrobe staples, while others have been sold or donated.
All of these pieces felt like they were expertly constructed made from high quality materials, but I did have to part with a few things that just didn’t fit my build.
Speaking of which, I’m about 5’6” with shoes on and 120 lbs soaking wet. According to ASKET’s Size Finder, I should wear XS/Short (or XS/Regular) tops and Slim 28×30 bottoms.
I’ll share my thoughts about each piece below, but please watch these two try-on videos to get a better idea of how everything actually looks on me:
I’ll include some pictures below, but you’ll find the videos to be most helpful.
ASKET Merino Sweater (XS/Short)
This is one of my favorite pick ups from ASKET so far. The merino wool feels warm and soft, and the brown color works well with my skin tone and wardrobe palette.
Most off-the-rack wool sweaters are too long for me. I can find slim fit sweaters, but the sleeves are almost always too long.
Sure, sometimes they shrink up in the wash, but it’s a risky operation.
This one fits really well. It’s fitted but not tight, and the sleeve length is noticeably shorter than other brands.
The body hem hits just past my belt.
I’ll wash this one sparingly and air dry it, as any shrinkage could make it too short.
ASKET Overshirt (XS/Short)
Shackets, overshirts, work shirts…call them what you will. These shirt/jacket hybrids are all the rage lately, and I think they’ll stick around for a long time.
They can be worn as outer or middle layers, sort of like cardigans or lightweight vests.
I’ve always had to admire these from a distance because I couldn’t’ find an overskirt that wasn’t too big and/or long on my somewhat svelte build.
But this ASKET overshirt is perfect. It’s definitely one of my favorite ASKET items and one that I can recommend to you.
The sleeve and body length are great. The overall fit is pretty standard, not super slim, but it makes sense given the nature of this garment.
ASKET Raw Denim Jeans (Slim, 28×30)
Compared to your standard stretch denim from, say, American Eagle, these $145 jeans are pricey.
But for raw denim, it’s really not a bad price. Plus, you can choose between two different cuts: slim or regular.
I usually wear “skinny” or “slim tapered” jeans, so I went with slim in size 28×30. Unfortunately, ASKET doesn’t offer shorter inseam jeans.
While I appreciated the quality of these jeans, they didn’t quite fit my build. I’m very picky about pants rise, and I felt like these were slightly too low rise for me.
I prefer more of a mid-rise pant like Everlane’s jeans and chinos, as I find these to be more comfortable.
So, I decided not to take the time to break these jeans in, as it seemed like it would take a while (these were pretty snug around the hips).
ASKET Chinos (Slim, 28×30)
I love chinos, even more than jeans, and I’ve tried a lot of different pairs from many different brands.
These ASKET chinos felt substantial and high quality – definitely good for year round wear.
With 2% elastane, these have just a tiny bit of stretch, but they don’t feel at all like a performance chino or tech pant.
From the overlapping button/hook closure to the seam piping, the details are spot on.
But…like the jeans, I didn’t love the rise on these pants. I wish it were 1-2 inches longer, especially in the front.
I could probably size up and get the waist taken in, but at this price point, I’d prefer a dialed in fit out of the box.
I’d also have to get these chinos hemmed, which isn’t a big deal.
ASKET Oxford Shirt (XS/Short)
Even at 5’6”, it’s not that hard for me to find jeans and chinos that fit well and look great on me.
But shirts are a problem. Other than a few specialty clothing brands for short guys, it’s hard to find shirts that aren’t too long in the sleeves and body.
So I wasn’t excited to see how ASKET’s shorter length button ups fit.
Their OCBD felt great, like something from Gitman or vintage Brooks Brothers. It’s just a classic Oxford that will only get better with wear.
The fit was similar to the sweatshirt (which we’ll look at next) in that the body length was perfect, but the sleeves were a bit too long.
I’d really like to see ASKET shorten their sleeve length measurement for their Short sizes. That would bring their clothes more in line with brands like Ash & Erie, Under 510 and Peter Manning.
My other complaint about this shirt has to do with the chest pocket. It seems a bit large and low for me.
I understand that this is a very tough detail to adjust if you’re trying to carry 15+ sizes, but it would be nice to see these scaled down details.
ASKET Crew Neck Sweatshirt (XS/Short)
This sweatshirt reminded me of a Reigning Champ sweatshirt I had a few years ago: it’s very high quality.
The body length has clearly been adjusted for the Short size, as this one is shorter than anything I usually find from other menswear brands.
The shoulders were a bit wide, and the sleeves felt a tiny bit long for my arms. Granted, I don’t exactly have long arms, even for my height, so this sweatshirt might work better for you.
ASKET Lightweight T-Shirt (XS/Short)
I tried on ASKET’s lightweight short sleeve crew neck t-shirt in light grey. It actually fit really well except for one problem area: the neck opening.
For some reason, it was very large compared to most other crew neck tees I’ve tried.
As you’ll see, this wasn’t the case with the long sleeve t-shirt, so it might have been an anomaly.
ASKET Short Sleeve T-Shirt (XS/Short)
Unlike the lightweight tee, this one had a normal sized neck opening (see it paired with the jeans above). The XS/Short size is almost too short on me, so I wouldn’t want it to shrink up.
But, this means that ASKET’s shorter lengths should work for guys who are under 5’6”, which is awesome.
ASKET Long Sleeve T-Shirt (XS/Short)
Like the short sleeve t-shirt, this long sleeve tee in XS/Short is almost too short for me (see it paired with the chinos above). If it shrunk up at all in the laundry, the body would be too short.
This is great news for shorter guys, especially those under 5’6” (or guys with very short torsos).
The sleeve length, overall fit and feel of this shirt is just right, although I’d probably order the XS/Regular next time.
ASKET Woven Belt (85 cm)
This belt (similar) was a surprise hit. Many clothing companies stock accessories like belts and socks as an afterthought.
I don’t think I’ve ever found a high quality woven or leather belt at the mall.
But this one is fantastic. It’s got a bit of stretch built in, so you can get a nice snug fit without sacrificing comfort.
The end sits nicely against the band; the leather trim and metal hardware feels like it will last many years.
I don’t always wear belts, but this one has been my go-to since it arrived.
Is ASKET Worth Your Money?
In short, yes, it is. Their current lineup of pants don’t work perfectly for my build, but everyone is different, so I don’t think you should assume they won’t work for you.
Their tops are excellent for anyone just wants high quality basics, and especially for guys who have trouble finding shirts that aren’t too long or short (i.e., extra tall and extra short men).
I love ASKET’s mission, aesthetic and dedication to quality, and I highly recommend checking them out next time you need to buy some clothes.
Great review.
One thing I don’t understand with companies that sell online is why they don’t state the length of their garments. For outerwear in particular knowing the length is vital especially for short guys.
Hey Brock me again,
Forgot to mention the low-rise pants. I DO NOT like low rise pants. As I said in previous comment, I’m an older guy a little puggy in the waist (5’7″-8″ 40w, 30L). I hate low-rise pants. Unfortunately almost none of today’s clothing designers and manufacturers make a regular rise pant except for Kohl’s Croft & Barrow, Docker, Dickie, Levi and a couple others. I’m disappointed that Asket only makes low-rise.
Hi Brock,
Thanks for this very thorough review. The pictures were very helpful and the video, as you suggested, even more helpful. Really great job.
I am on tall side of 5’7″, a little bulky in the mid-section (40W 30L) and will be 70 this month (April 2021).
Apparently for my height, my arms too short (16.5 neck, 32-33 sleeve) because I too have problems with shirts labeled M, or L because the sleeves are almost always too long. This is always the case, for example, with J Crew shirts. I really wish all companies would size their non dress button up shirts like dress shirts instead of M, L or XL.
Based on your review I will have to give Asket shirts a try to see if they do better.
Best Regards,
George
What are the pants you are wearing in the last photos with the belt?
Hey Brock,
Nice review on a brand I didn’t know about. I headed straight for the jeans link, but I’m afraid those won’t fit my 27” inseam. For me, Ash and Erie and Peter Manning are still the best for jeans, but everyone’s different, so these might be good for others.
Have you done a review on Under 510? I’ve seen their site, and their prices seem pretty reasonable, but I’m not sure about the quality or how they stack up against the other 2 brands I mentioned earlier.
Thanks,
Mike Spivak
Yup, here’s a super detailed Under 510 review – https://www.themodestman.com/under-510-review/
Great. thanks!