Wardrobe Basics

Wardrobe Basics

CLASSIC PRODUCTS WORTH OWNING TODAY

Feb 01 2019

Products come and go in this age of innovation, but a few men's essentials have stood the test of time to become timeless classics. Here are a few old-fashioned items worth owning in the digital age. A clothes brush: Your suit coats will last longer when the dust and lint are removed regularly. Braces (suspenders): Fitted properly, braces comfortably replace the belt's cinching strain on the waistband. Wood hangers: High-quality hangers that are shaped to mimic your shoulders support the drape of your coats. Custom-tailored clothing: Throughout history, the nobility, political leaders, and even movie stars have tailored their clothing to support their identity and standing in the world. Bow ties: If you're on the formal side, keep one black and one white on hand for formal occasions. Pocket squares: An elegant splash of silk or linen in the breast pocket adds instant panache to an ensemble. ...

J Kent Erickson

Wardrobe Basics

Wardrobe Basics

Using an Underrated Color: Incorporating Yellow into a Gentleman’s Wardrobe

Dec 15 2018

Yellow includes a range of hues, from butter to gold, from cream to tan. Many gentlemen shy away from this color because they’re not accustomed to wearing it, but if worn well, it can contribute to a stunning ensemble. Make sure the intensity of the yellow matches the intensity of the color it’s paired with. A rich gold works well with charcoal gray or navy blue, while pastel yellows work best with lighter coordinating colors, such as silver or sky blue. You may decide to choose yellows appropriate for each of the seasons: spring calls for pastels; summer embodies vivid tones; fall yellows are more amber or golden and can be paired with browns or a rich tan; winter attire can be refreshed by pure yellows paired with black, white, or burgundy. If you are unsure how to incorporate yellow into your wardrobe, start with a yellow tie—it’s the perfect way to try...

J Kent Erickson

Wardrobe Basics

Wardrobe Basics

TWO SUITS, SIX SHIRTS

Dec 01 2018

Let's talk efficiency. Building your custom wardrobe is an investment, and you likely want to maximize the value of that investment while controlling outlay. The key here is to start with a solid base: two custom suits and six custom shirts. With this base, you have the start of a wardrobe that is built to last-and built to look and feel fantastic, every day. Make sure your two suits and six shirts are designed in versatile colors and fabrics that will be appropriate in a multitude of occasions. Add carefully chosen accessories for individual style, and you have a versatile wardrobe that will fit better and let you move more comfortably than any other suits you've worn....

J Kent Erickson

Wardrobe Basics

Wardrobe Basics

EIGHT GREAT MUST-HAVES

Jul 15 2018

With a closet stocked with well-chosen staples, dressing is nearly effortless. That's why we've compiled this list of basics, to make sure you're stylish from head to toe. Loafers. Get a pair each in black and brown leather and you'll have shoes that coordinate with just about any outfit. Custom suit. If you currently plan on only one custom suit, a dark color will give you the most mix-and-match possibilities. A v-neck sweater. This layering option ensures you'll be comfortable as temperatures change. Dark blue jeans. Ensure your jeans look as elegant as possible by choosing those with a dark, uniform "wash." Custom dress shirts. A fantastic, custom-fit suit deserves several excellent custom shirts. Start with white or blue shirts, and then add in other solid colors and stripes to your taste. A blazer. Traditional navy is always a great option for your custom blazer, but depending on your preferences...

J Kent Erickson

Wardrobe Basics

Wardrobe Basics

IN BLACK AND WHITE (AND GRAY)

Apr 01 2018

Creating outfits from black and white pieces leads to striking ensembles. When you add shades of gray into the mix, you'll have an ensemble that is at once visually arresting and monochromatic. Combine several gray tones for a lighter look that's perfect for sunny days and social occasions. Pair your custom gray suit with pastel shirts, or wear it with your all-purpose white and blue shirts. Bring in black and your darker grays for more formal occasions. Crisp whites or subtle off-whites like cream or ivory look fantastic with black. By combining your favorite black, white, and gray pieces, you have a myriad of wardrobe options that always coordinate-helping you look great without spending time searching for just the right shades that will work well together....

J Kent Erickson

Wardrobe Basics

Wardrobe Basics

How do I wear earth tones?

Mar 01 2018

I received this question from a reader: Most of my outfits are based on blues and blacks. How do I wear earth tones? This is what I shared with them: Earth tones are fantastic color options, and we're glad you're considering them. Here are a few points to consider as you incorporate these hues into your existing wardrobe. Each outfit should generally focus on either warm or cool tones. Cool earth tones include taupe, olive, sky blue, avocado, gray, and plum. Warm earth tones include beige, camel, yellow, ivory, chocolate, and pumpkin. Vary the intensity of colors by building ensembles that include both dark and light shades, along with a splash of a brighter accent color. While navy or black trousers will work with earth tones, wearing tan or taupe trousers are a better complement to colors from nature's palette....

J Kent Erickson

Wardrobe Basics

Wardrobe Basics

QUEUE UP FOR COOL BLUES

Dec 01 2017

Blue is one of the most dependable colors for your custom clothing. Navy blazers and suit coats make your favorite white shirts look fantastically crisp. They're also great paired with shirts in pastels of any shade, or a soft gray. If you're looking to make a coat or full suit in a lighter shade of blue, consider a blue-gray tone for an elegant change of pace. Dress shirts made in a rich shade of blue are a perfect partner for tan or gray trousers or crisp jeans. Make sure the jeans and shirt are not so close in color that they compete visually. When dressing in blues, add in an accent piece for a splash of color, whether it's a tie, a pocket square, a tie clip, or cuff links....

J Kent Erickson

Wardrobe Basics

Wardrobe Basics

THE PROBLEM WITH SHOPPING SALES

Nov 15 2017

It can be tempting to go to a clothing store and see what's on the sale racks. Saving money can be a satisfying experience-but what's the hidden cost of buying sale items? Store-bought clothing items that are on sale are often fad-inspired pieces that have faded in popularity or were produced in odd colors that the store had trouble selling. Generally, the store's sale items are not the classic pieces that will give you good service for years (if not decades). Consider the cost per wear, rather than the purchase price. An item that costs $500 that you wear twice a month for 5 years costs just over $4 for each time it's worn. Something that costs $100 saves you $400 in purchase price, but if you only wear it five times before relegating it to gather dust in the back of your closet, it costs you $20 each time it's...

J Kent Erickson

Wardrobe Basics

Wardrobe Basics

Brown and Navy: Fundamentals or Just FUN?

Nov 15 2015

Brown and navy blue are often considered to be neutral colors. While it’s true that they often serve as the backdrop for other colors, they also can make surprisingly strong statements on their own. Your brown pieces need not be limited to solid dark browns in your trousers and shoes. Consider creating a mono-chromatic ensemble that includes shades of brown such as cream, light tan, camel brown, and lustrous mahogany. The effect, far from being neutral, is warm and engaging. Pair navy blue with crisp white or light gray, and even the darkest blue is transformed from a foundation color to a stylish accent piece. Don’t limit your navy blue to trousers and socks—try it in a tie or shirt for stand-out color use....

J Kent Erickson

Wardrobe Basics

Wardrobe Basics

Modern Custom Tailoring: Old-World Craftsmanship & High-Tech Capabilities

Apr 01 2015

In the past, master artisans built up time-tested methods of craftsmanship that created goods of enduring quality. Today, modern custom tailoring is a union of machinery and materials that allows us to enjoy manufactured goods with strength and durability unimaginable by the craftsmen of yesteryear. Which is better? Do you choose traditional quality or technological solutions? Happily, you don’t have to choose: a “marriage” of craftsmanship and technology allows you to enjoy both, in a partnership that combines the best of yesterday and today. Custom clothing offers today’s discriminating gentleman the same painstaking attention to detail and craft as the tailors of old. You don’t have to settle for any of today’s rushed, shoddy workmanship that is merely “good enough” and rarely achieves lasting quality. The fabrics in your custom wardrobe are refined and elegant. Modern textile fabrication methods offer lightweight fabrics with unsurpassed durability and ease of movement. You don’t have to...

J Kent Erickson

Wardrobe Basics