Hey Guys,
I wanted to share a quick, transparent update on where things stand at Bluffworks – particularly with regards to inventory, and what you can expect in the months ahead.
Why Bluffworks Inventory Is Often So Low
For years, you've watched as we launch a popular style, only to quickly go out of stock.
- Last year, we launched the Faroe Rain Jacket, and sold out in weeks.
- Denim came back, and immediately ran low.
- Lots of customers are eager to pickup another Ascender Chino or Threshold T-Shirt, and keep coming back for a year, only to never see their size in stock.
All of this happened in 2025.
The reason is: Cash. We have been running close to the bone for years.
The effect of the pandemic – specifically the burden we took on for the company to persist – and recent tariffs conspired to make 2025 harder than ever.
Why Our Inventory Is Hard To Keep In Stock
To understand, it's worth looking under the overs of an apparel production run. There is:
- Fabric minimums to produce a product at all.
- Color minimums that affect the assortment.
- Sewing minimums for color and size.
The result is it's not feasible to restock even 1,000 pairs of pants at a time.
One thing Bluffworks does that goes against conventional wisdom is that we carry a lot of sizes. Pants with odd waist sizes (like 33x32) multiple fits and lengths for different guys.
We do it because we want to better serve our customers, but if a private equity person was to enter our business, the first thing they would do is cut sizes, and leave guys out in the cold.
One Creative Workaround
When your first choice is out of stock, in some cases our customer service can help with a workaround.
- For example, you can tailor a longer length pant to be a shorter one.
- With shirts a size Large Slim fit may be a close enough fit to the out of stock Medium Classic fit you are looking for.
For help working this out, contact customer service at team@bluffworks.com and they will try their best.
Schedule for Restocks
On the upside, we have several restocks in motion.
Envoy Pant, Faroe Rain Jacket, Presidio and Gramercy Suits. Plus, Hopsack and Telex Blazers will arrive this spring.
Threshold is coming too. Mostly to get my college roommate off my back.
The reason we are running this current sale is to gather resources and make room for these products.
Can Bluffworks Manage Inventory Better?
Inventory forecasting is one of the most difficult things for any consumer product business.
Check this out: Over the course of the holidays, we displayed an out of stock button to our customers 15,000 times. Yikes.
Sometimes, it feel like Bluffworks is fighting with one hand tied behind it's back.
An untold story, in my 20s I spent five years writing software at Nike specifically to help inventory never go out of stock.
We have a vision for a better way to flow goods, something I haven't seen any other company do, with a lofty goal of being 100% in stock for every style / color / size we carry. But implementation remains TBD.
If you'd like to go deeper on that, anything related to the ups and downs of how we make a small company go, or what it would take to implement our grand idea to never show 15,000 out of stock buttons over six weeks again, send a note to team@bluffworks.com and I will reply.
About Your Gift Card
What if you have a gift card you want to use and the item you want is currently out of stock?
Argh. We're sorry and understand your frustration.
If you email customer service at team@bluffworks.com we can help keep an eye on a product and make sure you are first in line.
The good news is, your gift card will never expire. Thank you for your patience and for sticking with us.
For Now, We Have Great Things On Sale
For a limited time:
- 40% off everything sitewide
- 60% off Lenox Dress Shirts (Just $50!)
Wow, the Lenox is amazing. It's the most natural feeling, wrinkle-resistant, technical dress shirt you can find. Someday, you're going to need one for a big meeting or other event. You might as well get it now.
None of these items are on final sale, and everything is covered by our standard return policy. So, if you’ve been waiting for the right moment to grab something that’s available, this is it.
As always, thank you for your support and for helping us build Bluffworks the right way.
Bluff on,
