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Why Buying a Custom Suit Makes the Most Sense

January 11, 2016/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by WallStreetStylist

Wall Street: Welcome to Summer! Now that the weather is warming up, street fashion is becoming alive with pops of color. I had lunch with menswear designer David Hart the other day on historical Stone Street, and we spent a couple hours people watching and talking about new trends in menswear. In particular, there is a huge trend in going custom. What was once a service reserved for the very wealthy, is now officially mainstream. Long past are the days of boxy, oversized suits and shirts. Now everything is very fitted and streamlined. There is no room for error, making buying a custom suit the most economical option. Rather than pay thousands of dollars for a suit off the rack, and then having to take it to a tailor anyway, you can get a suit made exactly to your measurements for less than half the price. On top of that, you can choose EVERYTHING about it – from the fabric, to the cut, to the lapels, to the buttons, to the vents, to the color of lining and stitching…………and even customize pockets depending on your needs. With all of these customizable options, AND a perfect fit, there is absolutely no reason to buy off the rack (unless your lack of planning has you in a pinch and you need a suit for an event this week). Short of that, go custom.

CHOOSING A TAILOR FOR YOUR CUSTOM SUIT

Now that you see the HUGE value proposition of taking the step of getting a custom suit made, let me walk you through some of the things to think about before you start diving into the details. For starters, there are a million tailors and online sites offering custom suits, so much so that even deciding where to go can be a bit overwhelming. Choosing the right tailor is incredibly important. I DO NOT recommend taking your own measurements and just ordering a custom suit online, although there are plenty of companies offering this as an option. If you are going to get a custom suit made, you want it done right. Not to say that these places aren’t good (most of them are probably still better than off the rack), but you will most certainly be compromising in quality and fit. A tailor will not only be able to take your measurements, but also assess the nuances of your body and posture, which is incredibly important. Anybody can take measurements, but the true art is in the translation of the measurements. Also, unless you are a designer or mens fashion guru, you will definitely benefit from having the opinion of a professional to guide you through the process. Finding a tailor that has a bit of fashion sense is very important, as you want to walk out with a custom, modern, fashion forward suit, not a suit that looks like it belongs in the 80’s. For example, a British tailored suit is VERY different than an Italian tailored suit (British (Saville Row) is much more tailored and fitted, whereas Italian tends to be a bit more relaxed). There is no right or wrong, they are just different, and it comes down to a matter of preference. Find a tailor that fits your style sensibilities, has good customer service, and has good ratings and customer feedback. A good tailor will be a perfectionist, and will place the utmost of importance on you being 100% satisfied.

THERE ARE A MILLION CUSTOMIZABLE OPTIONS: WHERE TO BEGIN

Now that you have selected your tailor, and they have taken your measurements, it’s time to dive into the design of your custom suit. First, you will want to begin with fabric selection. Most tailors will have several price tiers of fabric, with the finer fabrics usually being the most expensive. As a general rule, if you are looking for a sturdy everyday suit, stay away from the fine fabrics. These fabrics will not only wear out faster, they will also wrinkle more. These are more for special occasions. Once you have selected your fabric, you will select the lapel type and width, jacket style (one, two, three button, double breasted), middle or side vents, pockets, buttons, and button holes. I never recommend the 3 button style, as in my opinion it is outdated and stuffy. My advice to you is to not go crazy. You want to add a bit of style, but not have it be so trendy that you won’t be able to wear it next season. I absolutely LOVE adding a contrast color button hole to 1 or 2 of the sleeve buttons, as well as a contrast under collar. This is enough to add style and say that it is custom, without being ostentatious. Next you will select your lining fabric (I LOVE contrast linings), as well as pockets. With a good tailor, the sky is the limit when it comes to interior pockets. You will also be able to select a monogram to put into the lining of your jacket, which is a nice added touch.

Once you have selected all of the options for your jacket, you will have a few decisions to make regarding the pants. The waistband can have side tab or standard belt loops, and you will be able to select pocket types for both the side pockets and the back pockets. You will also be able to select different types of fit and pleats (I’m NOT a fan of pleats), as well as whether you want a standard or cuffed hem (go standard for a more modern look).

COST

OK, the hard work is done! You’ve selected your tailor, had your measurements taken, and selected all of the options for your perfectly tailored custom suit. Now, let’s talk about how much all of this should cost. Your fabric choice will determine your base cost, but most of the options come at no additional charge. Some of the options that MIGHT be an additional charge (depending on your tailor), will be things like elbow patches, special buttons, adding a different fabric lapel, and adding special interior pockets (other than the styles offered). A good custom suit will cost you between $590-$2,000. Most of my clients have AMAZING custom suits made for between $590-$750, with the experience of having a tailor AND a fashion stylist accompany them through this process (sometimes even in the convenience of their home or office). For that price, and for that service, it is a no brainer that having a custom suit made is the way to go. If you are in the NYC area, myself and my tailor will be happy to walk you through this process.

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How to Tie a Bowtie

May 18, 2014/1 Comment/in News /by WallStreetStylist

I have always had a fascination with bowties. Perhaps it’s the elegance that they exude, or the stereotype that only gentleman wear bowties, but whatever the reason, I think they are an incredibly dapper fashion accessory. That being said, all bowties are NOT created equal. A true gentleman actually knows HOW to tie a bowtie (no cheating with the pre-tied kind). Like ties, the sophistication lies in the knot, and in this case, the fullness of loops of the bowtie. There is nothing worse than a flattened bow tie that looks like it is paper thin and has been stuck in the bottom of your drawer for 10 years. Unlike ties, bow ties are a little more challenging to tie, which is why I have discovered 75% of men don’t know how to tie them. I am always amazed at how many of my clients have no idea how to tie a bow tie, but am always very eager to give them a tying lesson! Below I have included 2 videos that will walk you through tying a bow tie. The first video is from menswear designer David Hart, www.DavidHartNYC.com. Along with his full menswear collection, David has an amazing line of ties and bow ties. The second video is from Details Magazine. Before watching these videos make sure to have your bow tie and a mirror handy! It will take you a few attempts to perfect, but will be time well spent!

If you still need some clarification, our friends over at “Real Men Real Style” created this brilliant infographic that not only details how to tie a bowtie, but also breaks down styles and proportion.

Bow Ties

Bow Ties we LOVE!!!

Here are a few Bow Ties that perfectly combine colors, patterns, and textures to create modern, sophisticated looks.

Brooks Brothers

Pocket Squares: A Gentleman’s Must Have Accessory

May 15, 2014/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by WallStreetStylist

Everybody has an opinion about pocket squares, and here at “Wall Street Stylist” we hold pretty firm on the stance that without a pocket square your suit jacket looks quite naked. It’s an added touch that separates the men from the boys, and creates a polished elegance that exudes style and confidence. In fact, almost all of our clients receive an attache case of 5-10 pocket squares selected just for them to complement their wardrobe. Although there are a million different ways to fold a pocket square, for the most polished and modern look we recommend keeping it simple. Below we have outlined a few different ways to achieve the perfect fold.

Now that we’ve simplified the fold for you, let’s talk about how to coordinate your pocket square to your shirt/tie combo, and what fabric pocket square is appropriate. Here are the rules:

Rule #1: Wear One.

Wearing a pocket square adds the finishing touch and a bit of panache to what would otherwise be a “naked suit.” Rule #1 is simply to never leave home without a pocket square in your suit coat or blazer.

Rule #2: Coordinating

Although there are very few hard and fast rules to coordinating your pocket square (besides the obvious color faux-pas), you do want to choose your pocket square based on what will complement your shirt, tie, and suit. There is a big different between “complimenting” and “matching,” as you do not want your pocket square to match your shirt or tie exactly, as this not only defeats the purpose, but also looks very contrived. On that note, NEVER buy those matching tie/pocket square sets, and if you do, remember to never wear them together. In case you are confused as to the subtlety between matching and complementing, let me break it down for you. Matching is when you have 2 or more items with the same exact fabric, color, or pattern (ex: a blue and white striped tie with a blue/white striped pocket square, or a solid blue pocket square the same exact shade as the blue stripe), and complementing would be taking that same blue and white striped tie and pairing it with a blue polka dot pocket square, or perhaps a lighter blue floral or solid colored pocket square. Complimenting is where you can add your own style into the mix, and make it as subtle or as bold as you want. The easiest thing to do is to select colors that are in the same color family, but perhaps of a lighter or darker shade, or add a monochromatic print. You can also select colors that are right next to eachother on the color wheel. For instance, if you have a blue tie, try adding a blue and red, or a purple pocket square. Once you feel confident you can then venture into the more colorful patterns.

Rule #3: Fabric

As a general rule, you want to closely complement the fabrics of your tie and pocket square. If you are wearing a silk tie, you should wear a silk pocket square. The one exception to this is white cotton, which can be worn with anything. If you are not wearing a tie, and want to keep things a bit more casual it is best to pair your sport coat with a cotton or linen pocket square. In the summer months when wearing a tie might be a little hot and restrictive, a pocket square can definitely stand in and give your suit the added panache.

Pocket Square Folding Techniques

There are several ways to fold a pocket square, and like everything else described here, there aren’t any hard and fast rules. In general, you want to master the basics, then venture off as you gain more confidence to find your own personal style. Although there are several different folds, most men will decide upon 2 or 3 that they feel complement their style and the image they want to exude.

The Straight Fold (aka the “Straight Edge” or the “Bond Fold”)

This is one of the most basic of folds, and my personal favorite. This fold provides a modern, clean, sophisticated look, and is incredibly easy to achieve. Depending on the pocket square and your desired look you can choose to either have the folded edge or the non-folded edge visible.