AS SEEN ON
THE FOUNDER
Hi, I'm Trevor
I started Modern Out in 2012—back when men’s jewelry wasn’t exactly *cool*.
At the time, I was working retail at a popular clothing store in the mall. I couldn’t help but notice the difference: women had walls of jewelry options, and men were lucky to get a single shelf. I saw a gap—and decided to fill it.
So I began crafting my own bracelets by hand. Someone suggested I try selling them online, and I figured, why not?
Fast forward over a decade, and Modern Out jewelry has landed in the hands of thousands of customers across more than 80 countries. It’s been featured on TV shows, magazine covers—and yeah, that part still stokes me out.
Today, Modern Out designs bold, minimal pieces for men—and women love them too. What keeps us going? Attention to detail, fast processing, slick packaging, and customer service that actually gives a damn.
I don’t drop thousands on ads like the big guys. My business grows because of amazing customers and the power of word of mouth.
If something’s not right, just reach out. I’m human, but I stand behind what I make—and I’ll always make it right.
Modern Out isn’t just a brand. It’s my canvas. My way of shaking things up and creating something real. If you ever want to connect, chat, or share feedback, you can reach me anytime at trevor@modernout.com.
2012
THE BEGINNING
We launched our online store on October 15, 2012, under the name Rustic Brand, starting with a single leather anchor bracelet. As one of the first all-men’s accessory shops on Etsy, we carved out a space with a raw, rugged aesthetic—think imperfect, edgy designs with character. In those early days, brass was our go-to metal, perfectly matching the rustic vibe.
Like many great stories, ours began humbly—running the entire business from a dining room table, driven by passion, creativity, and a vision for something bigger.
2013
HAND STAMPING
In 2013, we expanded our collection to include personalized necklaces—featuring custom-made aluminum and brass dog tags in both thick and thin styles. Each piece was crafted by hand, with every letter individually stamped into the metal using traditional metal stamps and a hammer, leaving a permanent, personal impression. This raw and authentic process quickly resonated with customers, and as word spread, sales began to take off.
2014
LAUNCHING OUR FIRST WEBSITE
By 2014, after a couple of successful years on Etsy, our sales had gained real momentum. That growth inspired us to branch out and launch our very first standalone website using the Squarespace platform. Around the same time, we moved the entire operation into a guest bedroom—outfitted with shelves from floor to ceiling—to better organize our growing inventory. At that point, we had expanded to around 50 unique designs and were just getting started.
2016
NAME CHANGE
By 2016, as our product line continued to grow, it became clear that our original name no longer reflected the evolving aesthetic of our brand. That summer, we rebranded from Rustic Brand to Modern Out—a name that better captured our new direction and bold, refined vision. Our mission was simple: to deliver strong, thoughtfully designed accessories for the modern man.
The name Modern Out was inspired by phrases like “geek out” or “nerd out”—but with a fashion-forward twist. We wanted to empower people to Modern Out their style with pieces that make a statement without saying a word.
2017
FIRST OFFICE SPACE
As the brand continued to grow, we reached an exciting milestone—securing our very first official office space. It was a 350-square-foot corner unit, simple but full of potential. With this dedicated space, we began expanding our team and laying the groundwork for the next chapter.
As our inventory scaled, we also made a major upgrade by transitioning our website to Shopify—a more robust and professional platform that allowed us to streamline operations, manage inventory more efficiently, and support our increasing sales volume.
2018
MODERN OUT 2.0
In 2018, we introduced a sleek new logo and launched a completely redesigned website to elevate the customer experience. With mobile shopping on the rise, we knew it was essential to stay ahead of the curve—so we optimized our entire platform for a seamless, user-friendly experience on any device. Adapting to evolving technology allowed us to better serve our growing community and keep pace with the way people were shopping.
2020
THE YEAR OF COVID
At the start of 2020, we launched our first full stainless steel collection—crafted from 316L steel, known for its exceptional durability, long-lasting shine, and tarnish resistance. It was everything we believed men’s jewelry should be: strong, stylish, and built to last. The response was incredible—our customers loved it so much, we completely sold out within a few weeks.
Then came March 2020. As the world came to a halt, uncertainty loomed over the future of our online business. But to our surprise and gratitude, we saw an unexpected surge—our sales began to double, then triple. The wave of support was overwhelming.
To keep up with the demand, we upgraded from traditional hand stamping to precision laser engraving. This not only allowed us to fulfill orders faster, but also elevated the quality of our personalized products—leading to a dramatic increase in demand.
2021
NEW HEADQUARTERS
Due to the overwhelming surge in sales throughout 2020, we took a major step forward by relocating our headquarters into the city and upgrading to a spacious 1,200-square-foot office. This new space gave us room to grow—complete with a dedicated photo studio, production area, organized storage, and private offices for our expanding team.
With the added space and support, we were able to scale every part of the business—from sourcing new manufacturers to strengthening our social media presence, launching newsletters, and refining our customer experience. By this time, 98% of our designs were proudly crafted from premium 316L stainless steel, further reinforcing our commitment to quality and durability.
Later in 2021, two of our popular designs were featured in season 10 of American Horror Story.
2023
MODERN OUT 3.0
In 2023, we introduced a bold evolution of our brand with the launch of our new Glyph logo and a fully upgraded website experience. We view our website as our digital storefront, so creating a seamless, visually striking, and intuitive experience has always been a top priority.
Our new “M” symbol—known as the Glyph—now appears on all of our jewelry pieces, serving as a signature of quality and modern style. Today, our collection has grown to feature over 600 unique designs, each crafted with purpose and precision.
ORIGIN STORY
SLOW & STEADY
At Modern Out, our origin story is more than just a tale – it's a testament to our journey, our values, and our relentless pursuit of excellence.
Back in 2012, armed with nothing but a vision and a handful of accessories, we embarked on a mission to redefine men's jewelry. It all began with a simple bracelet and a compass pendant necklace – a humble start for what would become a revolution in our eyes.
READ MORESHOP LIKE THE FOUNDER
Trevor's Favorites
Here is a collection of the founder's favorite designs we sell here in the shop
