I started Todd Shelton because brands kept changing the fit or fabric of products I liked. Every time I shopped, it felt like starting over. I wanted to buy the same thing twice.

In 2000, I moved to New York City. I worked for a fashion brand during the day. I went to design school at night.

After three years, I released my first product: a long-sleeve t-shirt. I made it in standard sizes and in-between sizes. I was in-between.

I set up at street markets in Soho on weekends. We still have customers from those days.

By 2009, I had enough online sales to leave my day job. Sales were growing, but problems with manufacturers were growing too.

An order with a pant factory in Brooklyn was six weeks past due. Finally, the owner, Mr. Hertling, told me: "We'll get to your order when we get to it. If that's not good enough, you need to make a decision."

I had to start my own factory. I mentioned it to a vendor from my day job days. 'Come talk to me and my business partner in East Rutherford.' They offered me space in their building. That's how we landed in New Jersey.

It was early 2012. I moved into a back corner, bought my first machines, hired a full-time seamstress, and posted an ad on Craigslist for a jean maker.

Gabriel replied. He had just arrived from the Dominican Republic, where he worked in a GAP jean factory. He taught us how to make jeans.

We found Mr. Chin on Craigslist too. A former shirt factory owner from India who spent three months with us.

It took twelve years to learn how to design, make, and sell.

I cared about fit more than most. I knew what I needed to see in the mirror. If the fit was off, it was a distraction that could last all day.

When customers had the same problem, I understood. If a customer needed an adjustment, we made it. If enough customers needed the same adjustment, we created a new fit option. We could fit anyone, but it required their involvement: forms, decisions, and answers.

In late 2023, we simplified our fit options. We lost some guys. At the beginning of 2025, we discontinued khakis and trousers. That removed 25% of our sales. We kept cotton jeans, solid colored button-ups, and crewneck t-shirts.

I didn't need variety. I needed consistency.

I wanted a better fit than what stores offered. Once I found it, I wanted to buy the exact same thing years later. I wanted to figure it out once, and be done.