NEW YORK — Brian Spaly's quest for the perfect pair of pants led him and former roommate Andy Dunn to start a Web-only clothing company that wants to sell men's trousers that fit — without the need for fitting rooms.
Business is good for their company, Bonobos Inc., though it's too early to tell whether the startup can achieve the heights of another online apparel store with a remarkably similar beginning.
That company is Zappos, which Amazon.com Inc. recently snapped up in a $850 million deal. A decade earlier, Nick Swinmurn spent a fateful hour schlepping around a San Francisco mall looking for the right pair of shoes. When he didn't find them, he went on to create Zappos.com Inc., a Web-only shoe retailer known for its broad selection of items, generous return policy and quirky culture.
Bonobos, named after the endangered ape, was likewise born out of a do-it-yourself project. Spaly, like many men, had a hard time finding pants that fit well despite his athletic build.