Image & Lifestyle

Image & Lifestyle

What Your Wardrobe Reveals About You

Oct 06 2014

Mark Twain’s famous quote says that “the clothing makes the man,” but we believe it’s more accurate to say that the clothing reveals the man. A man’s wardrobe choices showcase his thinking, his beliefs, and his core values. Custom clothing allows you to make sure your wardrobe reveals the best side of you. A well-tailored wardrobe demonstrates to the world that you’re confident, willing to invest in yourself, and successful. When you’re ready to update your wardrobe, give us a call. We can help make sure that your clothing showcases your best qualities—both internal and external....

J Kent Erickson

Image & Lifestyle

Image & Lifestyle

The Elegance of Italy—Right Here at Home

Sep 20 2014

The elegance of Italy, especially Italian clothing, is known around the globe for its well-designed style. Achieving “la bella figura,” a way of life that encompasses refined aesthetics in clothing and manners, is a traditional Italian goal—but it’s not limited to Italians. When you design your own customized wardrobe, you can bring the traditions of Italy home. Each minute detail of your tailoring can help create the sense of style and sophistication embodied in the Italian mentality. Sometimes, the traditional ways are the best: generations of Italian tailors have dressed their clients with style and elegance. Your custom wardrobe offers you the same degree of luxury in clothing—all without leaving the comforts of home....

J Kent Erickson

Image & Lifestyle

Image & Lifestyle

Tips for the Hard-to-Fit Gentleman

Jul 06 2014

Part of the appeal of custom clothing is being able to fit a hard-to-fit physique. Whether you’re short or tall, stocky or slim, customized options can create your best possible look. For Shorter Men Keep the break in your trousers minimal to lengthen the front crease line. Place your suit coat buttons a little lower (two-button coats will be more flattering than three-button coats) and consider using peak lapels—the longer lines add the illusion of height. Enjoy the bolder fabrics that your taller colleagues can’t always pull off, such as glen plaid and Prince of Wales. For Taller Men To keep things in proportion, choose wider ties and a spread-collar shirt. Accessories such as a belt, a tie bar, or a pocket square can help break up the impression of height. Rounder toes on your shoes are helpful, along with ties with horizontal or diagonal stripes. For Stocky Men Unless you’re sitting down, keep your suit...

J Kent Erickson

Image & Lifestyle

Image & Lifestyle

TV Hosts Showcase Signature Styles

May 20 2014

Several of today’s top TV hosts have developed their own signature styles. In an industry long dominated by clothing chosen by companies offering “promotional” clothing, we’re happy to see TV personalities expressing their own style sensibilities. Here are a few notable examples: Jimmy Fallon is out to prove that you can dance, jump, and be as cool as a pop star—all in a well-tailored suit. Andy Cohen is never at a loss for style; his clothing attracts attention without going overboard. Matt Lauer keeps his style choices understated, strong, and masculine. Carson Daly has developed a solid, reliable style that is neither fussy nor sloppy. Nick Cannon combines showy colors with excellent detailing, perfect for a performer. Whether their style is conservative or flamboyant, these entertainers use their clothing as a visual expression....

J Kent Erickson

Image & Lifestyle

Image & Lifestyle

Formal Events in Casual Settings

May 06 2014

Formal events usually call for the formal black (or white) of a tuxedo—but deciding what to wear to formal events in casual settings can be a challenge. Whether you’re attending an outdoor wedding, a charity event at a golf course, a dinner cruise, or another dressy occasion held outdoors or before dark, you can be stylishly (and appropriately) dressed by following a few simple guidelines: Lighten the color palette. Black formal attire is usually too stark for an outdoor wedding, so move to a cream or light tan suit. A crisp white shirt with French cuffs works well with a lightweight suit. Simplify the details. Dressy occasions call for clean lines and few accouterments, no matter the hour or location. Choose sophisticated textures. The refined fabrics available for fine suits and shirts use a wide variety of weaving techniques, giving you a multitude of refined options for your custom summer wardrobe....

J Kent Erickson

Image & Lifestyle

Image & Lifestyle

And the Real 2014 Academy Awards Winners are…

Apr 06 2014

The Academy Awards celebrate the movies—and all the professions that contribute to the industry’s glamour. Award recipients often consider winning an Oscar to be a highlight of their professional life—and yet, many of the world’s most celebrated cinematic professionals dress for the night of their lives in an ensemble that puts them on the “Worst Dressed” lists that proliferate after (and even during) the awards night. Perhaps the real 2014 Academy Awards winners are those who exhibit style and exquisite taste as they create their look for the world’s most-watched sartorial extravaganza. Having the taste and judgment to select an outfit that beautifully highlights one’s best features while minimizing one’s imperfections is clearly a talent, especially when we consider the constant, public demand to create a look that’s bold, fresh, and new. According to Oscar.go.com, the crowd favorite from the 2014 Academy Awards night was Sandra Bullock’s classic sweetheart dress with black satin...

J Kent Erickson

Image & Lifestyle

Image & Lifestyle

Dress for Success

Dec 16 2013

Dress for the success that you’re working so hard for. Each day as you choose your ensemble, give yourself (and others) a visual reminder of your goals and accomplishments by creating the well-dressed look of a successful businessman in your field. Dressing the part also creates a subtle advantage for yourself in business negotiations—dressing in impeccable style increases confidence and a feeling of power. This strategy also works on the weekends. Casual wear doesn’t need to be sloppy or unappealing. You can craft the same sense of success and confidence with your weekend wardrobe by tailoring versatile sportswear to your lifestyle and taste....

J Kent Erickson

Image & Lifestyle

Image & Lifestyle

The Silent Language

Aug 16 2012

There's more to your appearance than your clothing. High quality, well-tailored clothing gives your image an immediate boost, but you can maximize that advantage by mastering effective body language. When others see you, they see your clothes first, then they notice body language; the way you walk, how you sit, what you do with your hands while you talk, and the expressions on your face. All these contribute to their opinion of you. Three key points on body language will steer you toward an image of confidence and self-assurance. Handshake- Check that your handshake is firm but not overbearing. No one likes a weak grip, but they also don't want bruised fingers after a quick hello-and-handshake. Eye contact- Many of us look at people when they're talking to us, but let our gaze wander when we're the one speaking. Eye contact, more than anything else, shows that we're...

J Kent Erickson

Image & Lifestyle

Image & Lifestyle

Principles Of Graphic Design In Dressing

Jun 18 2012

When composing an image, graphic designers use a few well-known principles to ensure their art is appealing to the eye. Gentlemen can apply those same timeless principles to the art of dressing. Rule of Thirds: Most designers avoid placing the focal point in the exact middle or right on an edge of the image. Instead, it’s placed about a third of the way in from an edge. When wearing a suit, the hem of the coat should reach well below the halfway point to avoid visually cutting your frame in half. Avoiding Fragments: When a design element extends beyond the edge of the image, distracting visual fragments can be formed. Designers enlarge the fragment to avoid jarring the eye. Ensure your collar and shirt cuffs extend an appropriate length past your coat to keep from creating small visual fragments in your outfit. Remember, you are an image to those who see you, and considering the...

J Kent Erickson

Image & Lifestyle

Image & Lifestyle

Oscar Wilde: Simple Tastes

Dec 02 2011

"I have the simplest of tastes. I am always satisfied with the best." - Oscar Wilde...

J Kent Erickson

Image & Lifestyle