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

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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

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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...

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...

Considering the Navy Blazer

Apr 15 2018

Navy blazers are some of our favorite wardrobe pieces, because they are almost endlessly versatile. They’re equally appropriate for social events and for business-casual days. To create a dressy look, pair your blazer with tan, olive, or gray trousers. A range of gray tones, from silver to charcoal, will look great with your navy blazer. Tan trousers can likewise work for several shades, from beige to tobacco. To create a less formal—but still stylish—look, wear them with dark jeans and a crisp white shirt; skip the tie and unbutton your collar. When designing your custom navy blazer, you can select traditional brass buttons, or choose from among a range of brown or gray horn buttons. Even though you’re building the blazer in a traditional navy color, the fabric doesn’t have to be boring—you can easily customize your blazer by selecting a fabric with rich texture. This attention to design detail will create a...

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....

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....

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...

Easy Trick to Discover How Frequently You Wear EVERYTHING

Jul 15 2016

Clothing you don’t wear frequently can fill up your closet while giving you the unpleasant feeling that you don’t have anything to wear. This leads to overbuying, which leads to a cluttered closet. The solution is to figure out how frequently you wear each item, but trying to remember what you wore weeks ago—or even writing down your daily wardrobe selection—is a huge time waster. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution. Instead of arranging your clothing by type or by color, for the duration of this test, you’ll arrange it by date of wearing. When you rehang an item of clothing, put it on the most accessible end of the closet rod. The next item worn goes next to it, and so on. Soon you’ll see what you wear frequently, and what is simply taking up space and collecting dust in your closet. You can also use this trick to avoid over-wearing an...

J Kent Erickson

Care & Maintenance

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J. Kent Ltd. Experience

Trimming Your Figure with Custom Clothing

May 15 2016

Certainly, those on the thin side can wear slim-cut suits—but what about the rest of us? Many people believe that a larger figure needs a roomy suit in order to be comfortable. You might be surprised to discover that, in reality, the opposite is true: having excess fabric in your suit can make it less comfortable. Gentlemen with a more mature figure can wear slim-cut suits—if the suit is perfectly tailored. When your clothing is made from exactly the amount of fabric you need and cut exactly for how you move, it develops a degree of comfort and mobility that a lesser suit cannot duplicate. By adjusting the dimensions of the chest and skirt areas of the suit coat, we can create a slimming look without a tight, uncomfortable fit. Even a change of one-quarter inch, if taken in just the right places, can make a big difference in look and comfort. In...

J Kent Erickson

J. Kent Ltd. Experience

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Wardrobe Basics Tag

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

TWO SUITS, SIX SHIRTS

Corduroy: Traditional yet Modern

EIGHT GREAT MUST-HAVES

Considering the Navy Blazer

IN BLACK AND WHITE (AND GRAY)

How do I wear earth tones?

THE PROBLEM WITH SHOPPING SALES

Easy Trick to Discover How Frequently You Wear EVERYTHING

Trimming Your Figure with Custom Clothing

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