Blame it on Hollywood, Ryan Seacrest, Don Draper of Mad Men----
(We love seeing these guys in suits all the time !)
Tie Bars are "So out ---they are in" as we have always said in the
clothing industry. Everything comes back around....with a new twist. Tie
Bars are now worn higher than we used to wear them ....and are just what is
needed for skinnier neckwear that moves around and likes to curl.
Very nice quality....for your fine neckties......GIFT BOXED. Great
new idea for the Well Dressed Man.
Affordable way to obtain just the shirt you need---your choice of fabric,
collar style, color, size. Regular, Big/Tall, French Cuff, White
Collar---even with your Monogram ! So many choices to get the shirt you are
seeking.
Certainly the
gentleman who cares about his appearance and his dress and sport clothing, is
interested in how his shirts fit him. Its the very lucky man who is a great
easy-to-find size. This results in great selection everywhere for him. Not
only can terrific basics be easily found in his size....so can special seasonal
offerings and there are usually a few great shirts on the sale rack as well ! He
is lucky indeed.
Now enters "the not so lucky in size" man. He is a
TALL (or REALLY TALL)....he is a BIG guy (and sometimes tall too !)
............or he is a PORTLY (big thru the mid section)...........or he is a
SMALL (sometimes small AND portly). Not so easy to find ANYTHING....at
all..........in basics, patterns, etc.
Now enters the man who just loves French Cuff Shirts. What a dashing dresser
! You have to appreciate the man who will go to the extra trouble of collecting
interesting cuff links and usually wears a new set daily. French Cuff selection
in "off the rack" is simply not what it used to be.
As a general rule......when the economy shakes the way it has the past few
years---the manufacturers have simply cut back every way they can. Certain sizes
are produced in lesser quantity (if at all) and the more unique---such a dressy
French Cuff---are also a fatality.
The option of Custom and Customized Shirts will put the shirt you are
seeking into your hands.
There is a difference between them and there are
things you need to know before going down this path.
"Custom" is true Custom. Many different measurements will be taken of you
and the shirt will be made exactly to those measurements. If you are between
sizes.....have different length arms.....have a large neck with a small
body....or vice versa.....really a "Portly" with a large tummy......or a very
athletic cut. "Off the Rack" rarely fits you the way you may be happy with and
or satisfy you.
"Customized" is a newer concept of true Custom. The manufacturer works off
their main patterns for off the rack but then cuts the shirt just for you....It
is a lesser expensive way to obtain the shirt you need ---French
Cuff....Tall....Big.....hard to find sizes in a vast selection of collars,
colors, fabrics, patterns. The body pattern is off of Regular, Big (3" fuller
thru the body than Regular), or Tall (3" longer thru the body than Regular).
Your neck measurements and your arm measurements are taken. The shirts can be
monogrammed for an additional fee for an added special touch. White Collar ?
White French Cuffs ? Any collar style you want.....all can be obtained.
As with ANY Custom, Customized or Special order..........patience is needed.
This is the #1 requirement in today's wildly busy and fast paced world. Plan on
at least 4+ weeks for delivery --and longer if it is anywhere near the crazy
Holiday season or during the summer vacation schedule. These are shirts that are
made up just for you so generally there are cancellation and a no-return policy
and they are more expensive, overall, than off the rack shirts.
Once one successful shirt is made.....you have hit "easy street" and many
many more can be produced just like this one.....just for you. Your days of
searching the racks in hopes of the right fit are truly over. It is a great
option. You just need some patience for the wait.....know to plan ahead of the
upcoming season.....and be a decision maker. Picking from all of the swatches
and not looking at a finished garment---just as your clothier does for his
store---requires a little fashion vision. Therefore----this is truly not for
everyone. If you must see a finished garment before making a decision and must
have it on the spot---than "off the rack" is still the option for you.
Most who embrace "Custom" (or its other versions) love the idea that this
garment is very special.....to their specifications and requests......and that
good things take time. For the fashionable guy who loves his shirts.....this
opens up a whole new world.
