How State and Liberty Is Taking Over the NHL

Sharp Staff November 26, 2019

STATE AND LIBERTY & SHARP

For former University of Michigan hockey players Lee Moffie and Steven Fisher, finding a perfect off-the-rack dress shirt to fit their athletic frames was as tough as nailing a perfect one-timer. “When shirts would fit our chest, they would have a billow of fabric at our waist,” says Moffie. “We could never find that tailored look we wanted.”

So in 2015, Fisher and Moffie launched State and Liberty, offering professional-looking dress shirts with a true athletic fit, crafted from performance fabrics that were stretchy, moisture-wicking and wrinkle-free. Given their hockey background, the company quickly became a hit among NHL players. “Perfect fit and the fabric is amazing,” says Detroit Red Wings defenseman Mike Green. “And the best part of the shirts is how great they travel.”

The company now boasts over 300 NHL customers (that’s more than half the league), including players such as Mitch Marner, T.J. Oshie, and James van Riemsdyk. Most recently, NHLer Dylan Larkin took State and Liberty viral by starring in the video ad “Hockey Butt,” shedding light on the challenges of finding well-fitting, comfortable dress pants. And the NHL isn’t the only league that has enjoyed the product: on their Instagram accounts, you’ll also see high-profile athletes such as NFL star Christian McCaffrey and MLB All-Star Aaron Judge rocking the product. “There has been a real void in the market for men with muscular bodies finding professional-looking dress clothes that offer a nice, tailored fit without sacrificing comfort,” says Moffie. “We have been so lucky to have the support of so many professional athletes.”

Since inception, the company has expanded its product line from dress shirts to polos, blazers, overcoats, and more notably, dress pants. And for Canadian customers, State and Liberty recently opened a Toronto flagship north of the border at 672 Queen Street West, along with stateandliberty.ca.