Seasonal Attire | J. Kent Ltd.

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

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Fabrics & Textiles

Falling in Love with New Fabric Options

Oct 15 2018

The new fall fabrics are now available, and they include fibers with earthy, touchable appeal. The current trends are for fabrics with a “rural” or “raw” feel to the fabric finish. Look for textiles with earthy textures inspired by the natural world. These include fabrics with irregular weave patterns or multiple textures. Some options have a “grainy” feel to the fibers, which adds a rustic texture perfect for the natural changes taking place during autumn. Bamboo fabrics are gaining in prominence. These natural fibers are pliable and breathable, yet durable and long-wearing. Plaids are large-scaled, with an open feel to the spacing. Look for rustic check patterns, such as variations on Burberry-type plaids. Many fall offerings are indulging in a dusty color palette of pastels with a nature-based look. Whether you’re looking to freshen your autumn wardrobe by selecting several new ties, creating your next custom suit, or designing personalized shirts, this season’s...

J Kent Erickson

Fabrics & Textiles

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Garments & Clothing

Corduroy: Traditional yet Modern

Sep 15 2018

Corduroy fabric began as the English gentleman’s country attire. It had a similar feel as velvet, but was traditionally made of cotton or cotton blends instead of the silk that went into velvet. It’s a durable, long-lasting fabric, rich with history, that’s still useful today. When you’re looking for a fresh piece in your wardrobe that still feels and looks traditional, try a custom corduroy jacket or trousers. We will ensure that they fit as comfortably as your custom suits, and you can enjoy them on occasions that don’t call for a suit. Corduroy is a great option for cooler weather and your seasonal wardrobe. Most corduroys are made in tan colors, but don’t overlook the fresh look of gray or a rich chocolate brown corduroy. Scarlet, green, or plum corduroys can make beautiful accent pieces. Typically choose fabrics with closer-set wales (ridges) for jackets and farther-set wales for trousers. Corduroy sport coats...

ESSENTIALLY SPRING

Mar 15 2018

This spring, you can create a fresh, breezy look without losing your individual style. Here are a few quick seasonal changes that will breathe fresh air into your wardrobe for the spring. Try loafers instead of lace-ups for casual flair. Wear a woven canvas or light brown leather belt instead of the dark leather belts you've depended on all winter. Bring out your brighter fabrics, whether in ties, shirts, or socks. Supplement your oxford shirts with equally well-tailored custom shirts made from any of our beautiful, open-weave fabrics for the comfort of breathability-without looking sloppy. Indulge in shirts built of lightweight cotton, linen, or blends of the two. Enjoy a pair of custom-tailored tan trousers, whether as part of a spring/summer suit or as a stand-alone item. Consider a custom unlined or partially lined suit coat or sport coat, for occasions when you need the sense of presence a coat...

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...

Light Colored Suits in Winter

Dec 01 2012

I received this question from a reader: Can I wear my light colored suits during the winter? This is what I shared with them: Light-colored suits are sometimes made of lighter weight fabrics, and these will not be as warm as your darker, thicker suits. When choosing between your suits for an occasion, let the weather be your guide—wearing a suit that keeps you at a comfortable temperature is the goal. Your suit should also be comfortable, fit you perfectly, and be appropriate for the event. If you don’t plan on wearing a seasonal suit for part of the year, store your off-season suits in a protective garment bag to limit dust and lint, as well as possible discoloration on the shoulders from light damage....

Suiting Fabrics For Fall 2012: Vintage Look, Modern Fabrics

Sep 17 2012

This fall, look for suiting fabrics that call to mind the traditional textiles of yesteryear, with modern twists. The updated offerings combine the durability of time-honored autumn clothing with fresh innovations that work in contemporary urban life. Heritage fabrics, such as twills and tweeds, speak of a refined country past. This year, many textile mills are bringing back those rugged suiting fabrics and updating them for modern gentlemen. Many designers are combining the strength of classic weaves with irregular finishes and varying yarn types and weights to bring a fresh look to fall suits. Varying the yarn types and thicknesses creates irregular surfaces that add visual interest. The update to fall fabrics isn't limited to the yarns. Traditional herringbone and tweed weaves are changing scale, offering a greater variety of print sizes than seen earlier, while remaining true to the classic autumn browns, russets, creams, and tans. Mills are also creating new fabric...

Summer Fabrics for 2012

Jul 16 2012

Reinvigorate your summer wardrobe with an infusion of updated dress shirts. The fresh colors, textures, and patterns for 2012 offer your summer suit a wide array of appealing options and looks. Shades of summer: Let your everyday white or blue dress shirts take a backseat this season to shirts that simmer with summer color. Try a pale violet or lime green to add pizzazz to your image. Just be sure to wear a toned-down tie, to avoid overwhelming your outfit with color. Get texturized: Your shirt’s texture adds not only to its comfort and durability, but also to its eye appeal. Look for summer shirts that create a great feel, or “hand,” through the variations in the weave that add visual depth to the fabric. Fine patterns: Summer patterned shirt fabrics are going subtle this year. Look for mini-checks or fine stripes to add interest to your seasonal dress shirts. You can keep...

Blazer in Blue: Fall 2011

Oct 11 2011

Get more mileage out of your wardrobe with a perfectly tailored blazer in blue. As the economy looks up and colors lighten across the fashion industry, traditional navy blazers are joined by brighter shades of blue, giving a modern twist to a timeless classic. Look for tones ranging from inky, saturated blues to more subtle gray-blues in this versatile jacket. The season’s fresh colors still retain the mix-and-match appeal that makes a blue blazer a wardrobe staple for the well-dressed gentleman. Blue will coordinate easily with almost any trouser color, from cream to brown and from khaki to gray. The neutral blazer also allows a myriad of shoe color options. Consider rich browns and deep burgundies for your leather shoes to add warmth to your ensemble. You can take advantage of the blazer’s ability to support almost any colors by pairing it with a variety of stylish combinations of high-quality shirts and...

Summer Wardrobe

Jul 31 2010

The blustery days of spring turn into a distant memory when the weather warms up. And your warm winter suit, so helpful a few months ago, can soon seem too heavy to wear. Keep your cool this summer—without losing your professional look—by crafting a summer wardrobe with style. Your tools? Summer wardrobe-worthy fabrics in wool, linen, silk, and cotton. Wool can still be your wardrobe’s best friend during the sun-friendly months. Simply keep to lightweight versions (look for tropical or summer weight fabrics) to retain the breathability of wool’s natural fibers without the warmth of the winter weights. Linen fabrics offer a looser weave than wool, which lets air circulate to keep you cool without compromising style by dressing down. Minimize your linen suit’s wrinkles by tailoring the fit to your shape. Baggy trousers and an oversized coat will wrinkle more than a suit that moves with you. Silks and silk blends drape beautifully...

J Kent Erickson

Seasonal Attire

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Older Posts

Seasonal Attire Tag

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

Falling in Love with New Fabric Options

Corduroy: Traditional yet Modern

ESSENTIALLY SPRING

Fall and Winter 2015: Trends to Watch

Light Colored Suits in Winter

Suiting Fabrics For Fall 2012: Vintage Look, Modern Fabrics

Summer Fabrics for 2012

Blazer in Blue: Fall 2011

Summer Wardrobe

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