Personal Style | J. Kent Ltd.

Sprezzatura: The Art of Carelessness

May 01 2015

Some of us work hard to create a look of elegance. They study, they learn, they make careful style decisions. Others of us seem to achieve elegance naturally. They have an air of easy grace and carelessness that seems to belie the effort involved in looking fantastic. What’s the difference? It’s sprezzatura: the Italian concept of nonchalance with excellence, which we might call studied carelessness. And it’s a fantastic way to create your own individual style. But how to achieve it? What’s the difference between painstaking perfection and effortless perfection? It’s the imperfections. Good style shouldn’t look like you worked hard to create an ensemble; it should look like it sprang into being spontaneously, joyfully. Avoid being overly careful when placing your pocket square. Let your tie knot be off-center. Wear shoes that do not exactly match your suit. A small imperfection may be the key to creating the perfect air of...

J Kent Erickson

Image & Lifestyle

0 Comments

Seasonal Attire

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...

J Kent Erickson

Seasonal Attire

0 Comments

Image & Lifestyle

Be the Best-Dressed Person in Any Room

Feb 16 2015

Dressing well is less a matter of “making a statement” than it is creating elegance through simplicity. A few key points will help you on your way to sartorial success. The detailing on your clothing matters, as it shows your careful attention to the essentials. Your custom attire allows you to choose details that work perfectly with your physique, your personality, your profession, and your sense of style—and, because they’re tailored just for you, your clothes will always offer you an impeccable fit. Today’s clothing strategy seems to be to dress as casually as the occasion will allow—but that’s never a recipe for being well-dressed. Instead, the best-dressed select an outfit that is slightly dressier than the occasion requires. Each interaction with peers is an opportunity to create a favorable impression. That’s easier to accomplish when you have the confidence that custom-tailored clothing naturally inspires. To avoid spending unnecessary time in your closet...

Custom Clothing: The Fit & The Fashion

Dec 08 2014

Custom Clothing: The Fit & The Fashion Two roads tend to lead to custom clothing; the first is fit. Those with hard-to-fit body types find a welcome relief from the sizing constraints of off-the-rack clothing through creating their own custom fit. Even slight differences from the “average” size in any of several key fitting points can make it difficult (if not impossible) to buy ready-made clothing that fits well. For gentlemen who are wider in the neck, have a long torso, or are otherwise proportioned differently than the manufacturers’ base patterns, custom clothing is the best source for clothing that fits, looks, and feels fantastic. The second road that leads to custom clothing is fashion. There is simply no better way to create exactly the look that expresses a unique personality than custom clothing. Men with a keen sense of style often turn to custom clothing to avoid being limited to the...

Investing in Custom Clothing Is Investing in You

Nov 24 2014

You wouldn’t neglect your professional skills and expect to be accepted as a professional, yet many businessmen neglect their wardrobe and expect to be accepted as a gentleman. Just as your professional skills and abilities must be first-rate and up-to-date if you’re to succeed in business, your image should be stylish and polished. Each piece of clothing in your closet must work hard to create the external expression of your internal confidence and business savvy. Custom clothing is the easiest, most practical way to achieve this hard-working wardrobe....

J Kent Erickson

Image & Lifestyle

0 Comments

Accessories & Jewelry

How to Tie a Bow Tie

Nov 10 2014

More gentlemen are finding a bow tie to be a perfect accessory in a variety of occasions. They’re not just for college professors anymore—bow ties are a fantastic option for anyone looking to add a distinctive flair to his wardrobe. There’s a practical side to wearing a bow tie. They never find their way into your dinner or twist themselves around—and they’re easier to tie than you may think. Here’s how to tie a bow tie without losing your cool: Place your tie around your neck, with one end slightly longer than the other. Cross the longer end over the shorter one, then bring that same longer end under the shorter and up, next to your neck. Pull the ends until the knot is comfortably snug. Fold the shorter end in half sideways, so that it looks like a bow and is thinnest in the middle. Bring the end with the fold across to...

J Kent Erickson

Accessories & Jewelry

0 Comments

Ask Kent

Suit Coats & Vest Lapels

Oct 27 2014

I received this question from a reader: Can I wear a vest with lapels under my suit coat? This is what I shared with them: The beauty of custom clothing is being able to create your individual look—and that includes vest lapels under your suit coat. Be sure that the extra thickness of the lapels does not look overly bulky with your coat on. Remember that, with custom clothing, you always have options. You may save the vest with lapels for days that you’ll be going coatless for much of the time. If you’re unsure what look you prefer, please give us a call so we can work together to create a fantastic signature look for you....

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...

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....

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

0 Comments