InsideHook.com recently gave us their thumbs up for our new Custom Polo shirts. If you missed the article, and special deal for their readers, check out their article here: InsideHook | Nicholas Joseph Custom Polos
Custom clothing is an investment of your time and money and you should be rewarded with amazing fit, gorgeous garments, convenience, and compliments. Before you invest either of those valuables with a local custom tailor, be sure you ask these questions.
Will I be able to see many finished pieces for inspiration?
If this is your first piece of custom clothing you may be overwhelmed by the number of fabrics and styling options and trying to visualize them in a completed garment – especially if the fabric swatches are small.Even custom clothing veterans will be inspired by the latest fabric patterns, pocket styles, contrast buttonhole, and thread colors, just to name a few.
Be sure your custom tailor has enough recently finished garments on display so you can properly visualize the final garment you are spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on.
At Nicholas Joseph we have a full showroom complete with thousands of fabrics and dozens of finished garments on display with the latest styling options and designs.
Do the jackets come with working cuff buttonholes?
Working, or functional, buttonholes on jacket cuffs should be standard for custom suit jackets, sport coats, and blazers and there should be no additional fee for this. The creation of working buttonholes on a jacket takes additional time, respect for quality, and most importantly, measurement and tailoring experience. You should also be able to select a contrast color for the thread for no additional fee.If your jackets do not come with functioning buttonholes, you should question the quality of the garment you are purchasing since the actual manufacturer of the garment doesn’t seem to think the quality of the garment deserves functioning buttonholes.
At Nicholas Joseph, functional buttonholes (aka Surgeon's cuffs) have always been included in the cost of the jacket or suit.
Is the price all inclusive?
In common practice, custom clothing prices are based on the quality of fabric used in the garment, as well as the overall construction of the garment. Custom tailors know that the nature of custom clothing is such that the garment is custom made for each client, complete with client-appointed styling options. If you are working with a custom tailor that charges you additional fees for lapel, collar, cuff, pocket, vent, or other styles (not fabric or lining upgrades), you should question the quality of the garment and the custom clothier.
At Nicholas Joseph our pricing is all inclusive of design details, functional buttonholes, and other options. Premium fabrics and linings are available for an upgrade.
Where are the garments made?
Your custom tailor should have USA, and preferably locally made custom garments available to you, should your budget and preference allow.Many custom clothing shops will offer custom suits at different price points, from entry level overseas made, to locally made bespoke.Due to advances in ‘Automated Mass Customization’, a whole boom of individuals called “custom clothiers” sell Chinese Made to Measure clothing, often with little or no training on measuring and fitting – the most important aspects of the custom clothing experience. While the quality of the Chinese made custom clothing has grown to be impressive, the experience and availability of the team behind your custom experience, from the Designer to the local Master Tailor is of utmost importance.
At Nicholas Joseph we offer three distinct "makes" of custom clothing in order to accommodate varying taste and budget: Made in Chicago Bespoke, Made in USA (Knoxville, TN), and Overseas. We stress the importance of having a team approach and locally made custom clothing available as an indicator of the seriousness with which your custom tailor approaches fit and quality.
What if the clothing doesn’t fit? (most important)
Your custom tailor should have a Master Tailor at the ready for any unexpected fit changes. In common practice, the Designers that sell you custom clothing should be able to identify fit issues, properly mark the clothing and communicate these to their Master Tailor, or better yet, have the Master Tailor on site for the fitting and any additional alteration. If your custom tailor does not have a Master Tailor on site, you are starting our your custom clothing experience at a disadvantage.(Alternatively, if you are brave enough to considering a traveling tailor, you should be prepared with a plan should your garments be delivered with the wrong fit, fabrics, styles, or something else - there are many anecdotes online.)
At Nicholas Joseph we have a full team of Designers and Master Tailor to guarantee satisfaction, can expedite alterations on site, and keep your updated paper pattern on file for easy future orders.
Custom fit and designed by you. You can even add a Golf Tee pocket to the sleeve. Here are a few more design choices, see them all in our Showroom:
Collar: Classic Ribbed Polo style, Stiffer Collar for pairing with Sport Coats, same fabric or contrasting Sleeves: Short or Long sleeve, same fabric or contrasting Fabric: Classic 100% Pique Cotton or Jersey Knit Contrasting Fabrics: Available for Inner collar, placket, sleeve, pocket piping, ringer sleeves, and much more including dozens of button choices.
Request an appointment today, custom polos are delivered in approximately 4 weeks.
If you haven't picked up a Details or GQ in a while, we can save you this time:
The essential item for this Spring/Summer/Fall is....the jacket friendly custom denim shirt, $185.
We all know a denim shirt can be paired with colored jeans, pants, or shorts, but dare to wear it with a suit or sport coat and you will be on the edge of fashion.
Choose custom for your denim shirt so that we can make it with a jacket friendly stiff collar, left mid-section monogram, and have it custom fit to your body. Order now in time for Spring and we'll throw in that snazzy lapel pin button pictured above - while supplies last.
 SAVE 25% ON DIPRIMA JACKETSDiPrima jacketings are woven in Italy especially for our mill and bear the unmistakable Italian imprint of flawless taste. DiPrima is our mill's signature Cashmere sport jacketing range. A magnificent cloth woven in Biella, Italy. Now in its third rendition, DiPrima is replete with innovative patterns and colors that push the envelope but remain within the realm of good taste. DiPrima ... the ultimate jacket. Stop in to see and touch these fine fabrics. On sale for $1495, reg. $1995 in custom sport coat, while supplies last, from DiPrima Volume 351 book only, pricing valid for new orders only. |
 NOW MADE IN CHICAGO: BESPOKE SUITS IN 3 WEEKSHere's a sneak peak at a huge announcement coming soon:
In celebration of our 10th year in business, Nicholas Joseph is proud to launch Made in Chicago bespoke clothing with a 3 week delivery, suits start at $2995. Our bespoke suits are hand cut and hand made by Chicago's best tailors with decades of experience (think Oxxford and Hartmarx skill), come with a basted fitting, and patterns are kept on file for fast repeat deliveries. Stop in to learn more about the luxury of this new bespoke clothing line. Made in Chicago Bespoke Suits, from $2995 and three week delivery. Client availability, special order fabrics, and peak season may affect delivery times. |
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You've made it through the holidays and it's time to focus on you.
Like it or not, it's true. Custom clothing will ensure that you make the best impression possible, and the ROI of custom clothing is huge, just ask any of our clients next time you're in the Showroom. Get the perfect fitted items for a cohesive wardrobe for all occasions.
Most guys don't know that we make custom suits and custom shirts for the same cost, or less, than a designer suit off rack. We even include the same designer fabrics like Zegna, Loro Piana, and others. A designer label from the fabric mill is handsewn into the inside of the jacket as well.
Take advantage of 15% savings when purchasing a custom clothing package, as most of our clients do. Our experienced Designers and Master Tailor will work to give you the look and fit you want for perfect lasting impressions in 2014 and beyond.
Whether you need to get noticed wearing a handmade custom suit in Chicago's Loop, or close a real estate deal wearing a bespoke custom suit in the North Shore, Nicholas Joseph has you covered. We're located street-level, right in Chicago's River North neighborhood with a full block of flashing light parking in front.
Ask about our new Made in Chicago Bespoke Suit, delivered in just 3 weeks, starting at $2795.
POPUP SHOP & FREE GIFT WRAPPING: O'HARE AIRPORT FRIDAY 12/20/13Perhaps you will be passing through O'Hare tomorrow afternoon and would like to take a little Chicago with you? Or, share this message with friends or family traveling this week!
We are excited to be a featured vendor at the Holiday Delights Fashion Market on Friday, December 20, 2013 at O'Hare Airport.
In partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is hosting holiday fashion markets at Midway and O'Hare, where local fashion designers and independent retailers will offer unique gifts for sale including accessories, apparel and jewelry.
Nicholas Joseph will be featured at O'Hare on Friday, December 20 from noon to 5 p.m. in Terminal 3 in the hall between Concourses K and L.
"On behalf of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is pleased to provide a venue where Chicago's talented fashion designers can showcase their unique creations to visitors from around the world," said CDA Commissioner Rosemarie Andolino. "More than 230,000 passengers travel through Chicago's airports each day. We hope many will have the opportunity to visit the Holiday Delights Fashion Market."
Need that special gift wrapped? We have got you covered! Complimentary gift-wrapping services will be offered at O'Hare near the fashion market as well as in Terminals 1 and 2. The CDA's complimentary gift-wrapping services will continue to be available on December 23 and 24 at both airports.
You can always buy custom clothing gift certificates online as well. Happy Holidays from the Nicholas Joseph team!
Send this link to loved ones and friends who ask what you'd like for the holidays:One Suit Refresh Package: Get a custom suit and two custom shirts hand-matched with two silk ties and pocket squares (they'll save 15%)
Five Shirt Package: Get five custom shirts to start the year off looking crisp (they'll save 15%)
Cashmere Top Coat: Look around, most guys don't have a sharp top coat. In pure cashmere this top coat will dress you up and still can be worn on the weekend, you need it.
We also carry fine men's accessories like custom cuff links, custom belts, Fulton Umbrellas, cashmere lined Dent's gloves, and more.
or...Gift Certificates in any amount - buy them online.
Modern gentlemen know that there are plenty of options out there for custom suits. They should also know what makes a great custom suit.We've put together an illustrated list of the most important elements that great custom suits should have, ours do.
These include the following, not that a custom suit should ALWAYS include whatever features you desire:
