The tradition of menswear is well-constructed and considered pieces, with a bigger upfront cost, durable and adaptable to fit. Tailored in quality fabrics, these pieces make up ‘go-to’ or classic outfits.  

Lifestyle and price point do have a bearing on people's purchasing decisions. The traditional offer is harder to make with the diversity of shapes in our modern country.  We offer service and skills to consult on ideas and can cut our garments to fit, or provide alterations. Enjoy a shopping experience meeting your taste and need, and not being limited by your shape or the current shape of the garments! 

Ready-made garments have their place, people can see the tangible product: design, shape, colour, feel of cloth and fit. They're ready to go.

Customisation offers products to fit and be fit for purpose for more clients. In the time it takes to replace stock sold with alterations (2-3 weeks), we can custom-make a piece instead, leaving the stock garment to better fit someone else or continue its prototype role. 

Committed sales reduce wasted energy and fabrics locked up in the wrong sizes. We incentivise getting the fit right, sometimes with personalisation of the design and most often by not charging anything extra.  

We continually invest in fabrics from New Zealand specialists who care about what they import and supply. This ensures the standard of cloth is kept high, and while there are no bargains to be had, huge efficiency is gained from the performance of that cloth through the life of the garments.

Mandatory believes that the better the garments fit, the longer they last. (And they are sold to you with realistic advice on care and use). We are committed to circular fashion, we emphasise the lifecycle and potential longevity of clothing.

Garments of value will be worn to the end of their life or passed on to others, not discarded.

Mandatory’s garments are produced in seasonal small batches. Everything can be a working prototype for seeing fabrics and shapes, with the aim that all fabric will be used, and all garments purchased well - to be loved and worn to death.  (think favourite jeans, awesome jackets that go with most situations)

28 years of custom work have refined the stock offer and understanding of what is most relevant to have on hand.  With careful fabric buying, in-season and in-time manufacturing, (the offer of consultation and make), the aim is always to minimise unwanted stock.

The bike shop next door takes fabric remnants for posh natural fibre cleaning cloths and fabric ends are stored to offer repair and resizing services.

Mandatory launched a new circular economy project in Winter 2025 to make custom dog coats. They are a hit, further demonstrating their philosophy: The right style, fabrics, personalised fit - is just about as much trouble as off the rack and totally worth it!   These are produced with quality remnants from coats and jackets of previous seasons, OR in repurposing dog owner’s worn, busted old coats. 

We are a collective of people who are passionate about fabric and making, who then enjoy seeing our clever company, skills, and garments appreciated. 

Mandatory is a magnet for like-minded people who share our values and support what we do. Many have helped us cement these values that are centred on our clients, our industry, our community, and the environment.

Six staff members, fashion school and industry trained, are carving out a satisfying path,  demonstrating the best our local garment industry could be: Interacting with amazing clients, being appreciated for our skills and knowledge.

We meet amazing people doing incredible things all the time. It is a thrill to be such a user-friendly part of their network, and we glow in their appreciation for the unique business we very craftily run!

Ready Made garments have their place, selected carefully and sold advisedly, by us. However - endless options sold without service, at a price-point, is not a good model for keeping talent in the industry and supplying good garment options for increasingly varied needs.

Things need to fit and last, but ultimately they need to be worn and worn to death. So much stuff is discarded, contributing to the garment industry claiming third place in the list of the world's most polluting industries. We make and sell to purpose.  

There is too much stuff in the world: Think about ready-made couches: the endless traipsing around to research the best options to fit spaces and existing colour schemes. Compromises. Many will be replaced before the end of their life.  

Buy better quality with advice, and aim to use what you have to the end. 

Thinking about menswear? Come and talk to Mandatory. Book an appointment