Garments & Clothing

Odd Vests

Dec 01 2016

There’s nothing odd about odd vests! The phrase simply refers to wearing a vest outside of a three-piece-suit ensemble—a great strategy for adding visual appeal and stretching your clothing budget by increasing the number of mix-and-match options in your wardrobe. Light-colored vests, such as sand or dove gray, look fantastic under a suit. You may choose to build your vest of the same material as your trousers or sport jacket, or instead select a coordinating fabric. The back of the vest is often constructed of thin lining fabrics to avoid adding bulk and heat. Wearing matching trousers and vest with a contrasting coat makes a striking ensemble. The vest should be long enough to cover your waistband. Braces are a good choice with a vest, as a belt will push the vest fabric away from your waist, creating the appearance of thickness. The armholes of your vest should be large, to allow...

J Kent Erickson

Shirts, Vests, & Blouses

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Cocktail Attire

Mastering Cocktail Attire

Aug 15 2016

You’ve been invited to a wedding, and the invitation says “cocktail attire.” Unfortunately for your tan, the wedding isn’t on a beach in Florida or California. It’s an evening event held indoors, and you’ve decided to create a fantastic ensemble that perfectly epitomizes cocktail attire. Where to start? You’re not going to start by wearing a tuxedo. Unless the invitation says “black tie optional,” your tux will be too much—and choosing to wear it means you risk outshining the couple on their special day. Go with a dark, solid-colored suit and crisp white shirt. (A wedding is the perfect opportunity to get your next custom shirt made, so it’ll be sparkling white.) Choose a bowtie if it won’t overshadow the wedding party, or turn to a traditional tie. A solid-colored silk tie will look both festive and elegant. If you prefer, wear a tie with some texture for visual interest. Your pocket square will...

J Kent Erickson

Cocktail Attire

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Seasonal Attire

Summer Ensembles

Jun 15 2016

Many men use warmer weather as an excuse to relax their dress standards. Set yourself above the pack by choosing summer-appropriate clothing that’s comfortable in the heat yet maintains your style. Here are a few options to consider as you create your summer ensemble. Summer suit basics: Light-colored fabrics will deflect more of the sun’s heat and light. Lightweight fabrics, including seersucker, high-quality tropical-weight wool, or linen, allow greater air movement than densely woven fabrics. Consider unlined (or partially lined) coats and jackets for summer use. Minimizing the thickness of your coat allows you to keep your cool without losing your style. Summer shoes: Lightweight suedes, slip-ons, boat shoes, or even canvas shoes can be great options for elegance during warmer weather. Avoid wearing athletic shoes unless you’re performing athletic exercises. Summer socks: Your socks protect your feet from chafing and reduce odors, so don’t skip them. If you prefer the sockless look,...

J Kent Erickson

Seasonal Attire

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Collars, Cuffs, & Lapels

Contrast Cuffs and Collars

Dec 01 2015

A shirt that uses a different fabric for the cuffs and collar offer an interesting variation from the traditional single-fabric shirt. Because they are somewhat unusual, they allow you to make a statement. Many gentlemen never try wearing shirts with contrasting elements, but for those who enjoy using their wardrobe to express their unique sense of style and image, it can be a good option. Building a custom wardrobe allows you to build this type of shirt using precisely the colors that you choose, along with giving you the perfect fit you enjoy on your other custom shirts. This style is most often seen as a blue shirt with a white collar and white French cuffs. Other color combinations, such as using printed fabrics as the contrast, will look more casual than the white-and-blue option, so consider the occasion and environment it will be worn in before you make your decision. You’ll look...

J Kent Erickson

Collars, Cuffs, & Lapels

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Seasonal Attire

Fall and Winter 2015: Trends to Watch

Oct 01 2015

The changing of the seasons brings several new trends worth watching. Whether you’re ready to update your wardrobe or simply enjoy noting new developments, here are four noteworthy concepts from designers’ Fall/Winter 2015 offerings: Go gray. This season, many designers’ lines are dominated by gray clothing, ranging from ensembles created with just a single gray tone to outfits that involve a range of gray hues and shadings. Heathers and stripes, sleek silks or comfortable cable-knits, are all dominated by gray. Add green. The second most sought-after color for this fall and winter are greens. Several designers focused on the heavier shades, including forest and military greens, which were often paired with neutral browns. Layer in style. Most cool-weather fashions involve some layering, but this season, designers have extended that concept beyond the traditional sweater by using multiple thin layers of clothing to create outfits that not only provide warmth but also style. Consider...

Achieving the Lived-in Look

Sep 01 2015

While a crisp, clean look is appealing, there are times when you don’t want to look too pressed, too starched, too new. Especially in your custom casual clothing, you may want to create a more lived-in look than your dressier wardrobe pieces offer—without sacrificing on style or fit. Your expertly crafted customwear will look—and feel—as comfortable and familiar as your long-beloved favorites. Your color choices can also help create a more relaxed look. Choose muted earth tones instead of bright, crisp colors. Mossy greens, camel brown, and heathered colors are good options when crafting that subtle lived-in look. Low-contrast plaids and stripes look more relaxed than contrasting colors. Denim is a perennial favorite for crafting the lived-in look. Its color intensity varies sharply with wear, yet denim offers long-lasting durability. Pairing a custom-made shirt in an earth tone with a well-fitting pair of denim jeans instantly gives you an appealing ensemble. Remember that...

Spring 2015 Fashion Trends

Mar 12 2015

The men’s clothing designers have revealed their concepts for Spring 2015, and we’ve brought you the highlights. Whether you choose to change your look each season or simply note the styles as they come, being aware of current fashion trends ensures you’re well-informed. Color Blocking Many designers are painting with broad strokes this year. Their creations use large blocks of color to create stand-out ensembles. Stripes are thicker and employ higher contrast between the colors. Geometric shapes are being used in some ensembles. Black and White Along with the traditional spring pastels, designers are looking to black-and-white ensembles to make strong visual statements. This dynamic color combination is being used to great effect in blocks, for accent pieces, in trim, and in layers. Urban and Sporty Many lines are taking their cue this spring from sporty, urban traditions. Designs include sleek black leather jackets as well as loose, comfortable sweatshirts. Nautical Themes Nautical looks are employing bold, broad...

Options In Formal Wear

Oct 20 2014

Options in Formal wear are governed by an established set of style guidelines, and many gentlemen prefer their tuxedo to be traditional in every detail. However, others desire to create their own signature look with formal attire. If you find yourself looking to customize your tuxedo, the following customization options in formal wear can help you make your tuxedo truly your own. LAPELS: While peak lapels are the most common, and a singular option choice for style purists, excellent results in personal style can be obtained with your choice of a well-crafted shawl collar or even elegantly designed notched lapels. COLORS: White or black is always appropriate for formal settings, but you can mix and match: consider creating an ivory dinner jacket styled with a shawl collar. The jacket may be paired with black tuxedo trousers. Your shirt may also be either black or white - as may your tie. Creating an...

Tracking The Trends: Fall and Winter 2014

Sep 06 2014

We keep an eye on designers’ trends for men’s fashion, and a few common elements are emerging for Fall and Winter 2014. While classic clothing of true style form the basis of a strong custom wardrobe, keeping in touch with the current offerings can help you keep your look fresh. Some developments worth noting are: Monochromatic ensembles. The darker colors of winter are tending toward single-toned looks. Some designers have focused on dark greens, while others favor black with white accents. Slim slacks. Crisp trousers, reminiscent of the early to mid 1960’s, are heavily featured this fall. A pleasing visual contrast is being made by pairing trim trousers with a boxier gym or weekend bag. Orange accent. We’re seeing designers couple items in brilliant shades of orange with dark neutrals. Adding orange to an outfit in grays is a particularly appealing combination. Formal in browns. One forecasted trend calls for formal clothing, which has...

The Classic Khaki Suit

Jun 06 2014

Khaki, or tan, is best known as the color of choice for casual trousers and military uniforms, but it’s also a fantastic way to create an air of relaxed elegance. Instead of limiting your use of tan fabric to Fridays or weekends, consider crafting a sophisticated custom suit out of this appealing color. A cotton khaki suit never looks like it’s trying too hard. It brings a comfortable nonchalance to your business wardrobe. It also offers a great opportunity to try out a variety of new colors and textures in your shirts and ties that work well with the softer feel of cotton. During warm weather, the breathability of cotton can be a lifesaver in the heat, as can a tropical light-weight worsted wool. Pair your suit with tan, brown, or burgundy shoes instead of black for all-around style. To create a sleek look, consider selecting peak lapels and a single button for...

J Kent Erickson

Suits

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