"Top of the Line Suiting for Dapper Gents" - Michigan Avenue Magazine
Nicholas Joseph Hansen of Nicholas Joseph Custom Tailors offers advice on the suit trends, fit, and style in the September 2011 issue of Michigan Avenue Magazine. Read it in print, or see the digital article here.
It's Wedding Season, Be Prepared!
Wedding season is just around the corner and we've got a few hints to make it easier for you to look great without much effort. You'll also avoid looking like everyone else who wore their best "business meeting look" to the wedding.
Learn these tips you'll be set...now you just have to look up some conversation starters when you don't know anyone and your date is busy being a bridesmaid!
YOUR SUIT: For the typical evening wedding everyone will be in a black, grey, or navy blue suit and most of you should too*, just be sure to dress it up with some of these great tips:
1) THE SHIRT: Do not wear your solid white business shirt. Try to match a small patterned shirt with a solid, thick striped, or small pattern tie. If you must wear a solid shirt, try a pink or lavender. Weddings are a great time to experiment with subtle color. Now you're set. Next, count the white shirts you see at the reception, or better yet, count the non-white shirts you see (except the tuxes, of course).
2) THE TIE: Yes, you must wear a tie. Simplify choosing tie color by matching to a color in your shirt or suit. Learn the how to tie a tie and start with these four basic tie knots: Four-in-Hand (most popular now), Half Windsor, Full/Double Windsor, Bow Tie, Shell Knot.
3) THE POCKET SQUARE: This is a great opportunity to try out a pocket square if you haven't already. Linen or Cotton pocket squares with a complimentary color to your shirt are nice and subtle. Turn it up a notch with a colorful silk pocket square which doubles as an injury flag on the dancefloor. Learn how to fold a pocket square with these basic pocket square folds: Presidential or Flat, One Corner Up, Two Corners Up, Three Corners Up, and the Infamous Puff "Fold".
At Nicholas Joseph, we are happy to help you match a tie and pocket square to a shirt and suit, just give a call and come by, we always have over two hundred handmade, Italian silk ties for $75 each. If you have 6-8 weeks before your event, it's a great time for a new custom suit.
NEW CLIENTS: Request an Appointment or call (312) 895-1577
EXISTING CLIENTS: Request an Appointment, or Sign in to order online, your last shirt pattern is on file.
*For daytime or warm weather weddings, or for the dashing sartorialist, try a whipcord, seersucker, cotton, or tan suit!
MARCH 3, 2011 - Models hit the runway dressed in Nicholas Joseph Custom Wedding Suits and Custom Tuxedos, showing the full range of men's wedding looks: the classic black tuxedo, a midnight blue tuxedo, a shawl lapel tuxedo (pictured below), a destination wedding wool/linen three piece suit, and a classic charcoal grey three piece suit. The event, Luxury Meets Avant Garde, at Gallery 1028 was a great success and was hosted by McKey Sullivan from America's Next Top Model. Stunning bridal looks were provided by Belle Vie Bridal Couture and Vera Wang Chicago.
Now the the real Chicago winter is here to stay, you should be wearing your winter weight trousers and suits a few times per week.
And when we say winter weight we're not talking about those extra few pounds that are the result of your holiday binge. We're talking about Flannel - which, by definition, doesn't have to be woolen, but usually is. It's a thicker weave with a soft texture that is lightly napped, resulting in a dense cloth to keep you warm.
Opt for a less soft cloth to hold your pant crease better and to keep from flapping in the wind. Mid-grey, navy blue, and any herringbone or tweed patterns will keep you looking seasonable and warm.
Go for flannel in a custom pant or custom flannel suit if your budget allows. Custom flannel suits start at $795 and custom flannel trousers at $225. See samples in our new showroom.
We're not the only ones excited about our new showroom opening! Since we clothe so many Crain's Chicago Business readers, they felt they needed to cover our River North opening, read it here: New in Chicago
The Nicholas Joseph Custom Tailors new showroom was just voted Best of Style 2011 in the January issue of CS Magazine.
Start off 2011 and stop in to check it out and see what the buzz is all about - you'll be inspired to design your own custom clothing.
See the articles: CHSO January 2011 (Best of Style Editorial), CHSO January 2011 (Best of Style listing)
While many of us enjoy the mild temperatures that Fall brings to Chicago, it’s actually the perfect time of year to start thinking about your winter wardrobe. Like many of my friends, I am enjoying football, the changing colors of the trees, and the busy schedule that Fall brings - but planning-wise, I am already thinking of cold Chicago commutes and all those holiday events that are right around the corner!
Every man should be thinking about the overcoat or top coat for the colder months. A great-looking (and fitting) coat you can wear over your suit as you move around town during the winter is essential. It will keep you warm but also protects those great bespoke suits you wear.
Many men prefer the trench coat style: double breasted with a belt to keep the winter weather away from the body. The Burberry trench in beige is the traditional look here. I personally prefer a single breasted, three-button, three-quarter length wool overcoat in a neutral charcoal to protect my custom suits. The only thing that impacts my decision in the morning on which to wear, trench or overcoat, is if there is rain (or, ugh…sleet) in the forecast or not.
Lucky for you Nicholas Joseph can help you with both of these wardrobe needs. Contact them to schedule an appointment to seecustom overcoat options for the winter season!
PS: Don’t forget to buy rubber overshoes this season to protect your fine leather shoes from those nasty salt stains.
French Cuff Exec frenchcuffexec@gmail.com | cufflinkaddictions.posterous.com Twitter.com/frenchcuffexec
When I look at my calendar through the end of 2010, I see many events with black tie formal or black tie optional dress codes, and usually I have 4-6 of them (not to mention the recent trend of black tie weddings in January). Renting a tux is not an option for me (and shouldn’t be for you) for various reasons. First, if you rent a tux for each event, you will be spending between $100 and $200 a pop – that adds up. Second, rented tuxes remind me of my high school prom … do I really want to wear something that the previous person might have celebrated a bit too hard in? And last – I want something timeless not trendy.
Purchasing a tux is not as expensive as you think. You can get a 2 piece tuxedo with a custom made shirt starting at $1000. Add a bow tie (a real one guys – the clip-ons are just tacky and women love the undone bow tie look at the end of the night) and cummerbund and you can go to any event without any notice. You can also add a vest for a bit more formal look.
Tuxedos in 2010 have been very traditional and classic – think standard 2 button jacket with satin lapels, and pants with a satin stripe on the sides. This look never goes out of style. Add a white tuxedo shirt with French cuffs and either wing or pointed collar and you will be ready for anything. If you prefer to be the most stylish man in the room, opt for a midnight blue tuxedo with black satin lapels. Personally, I also like to mix in a black or grey shirt depending on the event. There’s no reason to stick with traditional all the time. I also prefer a classic black self-tie bow tie with great cufflinks and shirt studs – but you can add in a colored bow tie, fancy vest, or bling cufflinks to stand apart from the crowd.
One more note on the formal look – do not wear your everyday shoes with a tuxedo. Traditional tuxedo shoes are patent leather and do fit the overall look, both in slip-on and lace up style and a variety of “shine” options. Personally, I love to add velvet tuxedo slippers to my look, they’re a bit more fun and fancy for personal flare. My favorites are from Del Toro (http://www.buydeltoro.com)
Lucky for you Nicholas Joseph can help you with your wardrobe needs. Contact them to schedule an appointment to see custom tuxedo options for the winter season!
French Cuff Exec frenchcuffexec@gmail.com | cufflinkaddictions.posterous.com Twitter.com/frenchcuffexec
With the passing of Labor Day and the unofficial end of summer, attitudes start to change as much as the color of the leaves. Kids are back in school and the seasons of polo shirts and flip-flops are behind us. It’s time to get back into full work mode and time to start thinking about your wardrobe. For many, this week is going back to wearing suits and dress shirts after a more relaxed summer. As you start to do this, it’s time to look at your wardrobe and decide what needs to be updated. First, start with your suits. As the weather gets colder, you want to move into darker suits. I wear lots of beige and light grey in the summer; fall is all about dark grey, navy, and for something fun – brown. Keep the black suits for formal events or the evening dinner with a client. Solid or pinstripes, this is the time of year to get a new suit or two. If you buy something appropriate, you can wear it from September thru April. If you are looking for something fun, I think a brown suit with a subtle orange pinstripe is perfect. You can wear it with lots of fall colors and make a great statement next to all of the folks in their standard solid navy suits.
With the colder weather, you should also think about adding a vest / waistcoat to your look. A 3 piece suit is a popular look right now. It is a sharp look and you can ditch the jacket at a meeting and still be the best dressed in the room.
Speaking of what is popular, all of the major men’s lines seem to be talking a lead from the amazing “Mad Men” TV show. Retro 60’s suit styles are back: slim suits, solid white shirts, and skinny ties. Even 3 piece suits and a great hat can been seen on the streets today. It’s a great look if you can work it into your style without coming off as a hipster ‘wannabee’. You’re trying to make a good first impression, not a lasting bad impression.
Fall is great for colors such as brown, orange, dark yellow and dark green. I personally put away the pastels and go with darker colors in my shirts and ties in the fall. There is nothing like an orange stripe shirt with a brown and orange patterned tie to make your navy suit stand out.
It’s time to look thru your closet. Catalog what you have and do some minor updating. A good start is to get a fall suit, a couple of shirts, and a couple of new ties to add something different to your weekly wardrobe. I tend to retire one suit and three to five shirts in the fall and spring. If you have a favorite shirt with a fraying collar or limp cuffs – have the collar aand cuffs redone.
Lastly, don’t forget to add some great accessories with your fall wardrobe. A splash of color in a pocket scarf livens up even your most basic and reliable suit.
Next time, we will talk about accessories. Enjoy the fall and if you haven’t already, request your appointment to update your fall wardrobe today!
French Cuff Exec frenchcuffexec@gmail.com | cufflinkaddictions.posterous.com Twitter.com/frenchcuffexec
We've just reduced 23 shirting fabrics by up to 44% off! Select Egyptian Cotton custom shirts originally priced at $185 are now $119. Select Twofold 120s Cotton custom shirts originally priced at $215 are now $119.
See the custom shirts on sale here.
While supplies last, this sale occurs 1-2 times per year.
