Subscription Menswear Startup Bombfell To Close

Bombfell, the subscription-based men’s clothing startup, will close.

Co-Founder Bernie Yoo sent out an email alerting its network of affiliates that, “Bombfell is closing its business and the affiliate program altogether.”

Bombfell subsequently posted a notice on its website that, “it is with a heavy heart that we inform you that bombfell is unable to continue operations.”

In its statement, Bombfell’s cofounders said:

Over the last decade, we’ve poured our blood, sweat and tears into building Bombfell and it is heartbreaking for us to have to deliver this message to you and close our doors. Your encouragement and support sustained us through it all, and it has meant everything to us to be there for you through your engagements, weddings, interviews and new jobs.

AFTER 10 YEARS PIONEERING THE THEN-CRAZY IDEA OF HAVING AN ONLINE PERSONAL STYLIST, IT IS WITH A HEAVY HEART THAT WE INFORM YOU THAT BOMBFELL IS UNABLE TO CONTINUE OPERATIONS.

The company said it will not accept new registrations, but “will continue to accept returns and process refunds through October 31 for shipments already in progress.”

Bernie co-founded Bombfell in 2011, which became one of a number of subscription clothing options available to men. A shorted version of “bombshell-meets-fellow,” the company assigned customers a personal stylist, who would pick out a box of clothes to send every month.

The company did not charge a subscription or styling fee, and incorporated Artificial Intelligence (AI) to scan the internet to influence stylist decisions.

Other fashion retailers, from direct-to-consumer startups like Black Lapel to iconic brands like Brooks Brothers and J. Crew, have been rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you’re looking for another menswear subscription service, try Trunk Club by Nordstrom or Stitch Fix. Explore my in-depth review of Stitch Fix and see why I returned everything in the box. Also see my separate post outlining a number of other companies like Stitch Fix.