Younger men, take note.

Levi’s answer to the popular women’s “Boyfriend Jeans” is Levi’s “Ex-girlfriend” jean for men.   As advertised, these jeans look like something straight out of your girlfriend (or ex-girlfriend’s) closet.   And why should women be the only ones allowed to wear super-skinny, ass-hugging jeans?  These super-snug jeggings are made with stretchy elastacine designed to cling  to your hips, thights, and naughty bits tightly enough to make Johnny Ramone blush.  Or as one enthusiastic reviewer stated: “Stretchy enough for me to wear during an epic rave but uber sexy for all my friends to be suuupper jealous of my body.”  Enough said.  If you are looking for the perfect pair of skin-tight jeans to show off every curve of your anorexic frame, then look no further. 

A basic rule of proportion is that your bottom half should not fit more tightly than your top half, so if you are going to try to pull off these crotch-huggers, be sure to avoid pairing it with anything other than the slimmest of slim fit dress shirts, or you’ll end up looking like you are wearing your girlfriend’s blouse in addition to her jeans.  In this case, we’d recommend forgoing the dress shirt altogether — these really ought to be a t-shirt only affair.

Even Johnny Ramone would think twice about these stretchy jeans

The Straw Hat

straw hat

Although few would know to complain if you didn’t switch your hat to the appropriate material with the change of seasons, the unspoken rule of wearing straw in the summer and felt in the cooler months still applies. Whether you’re attending a summer concert or merely dining al fresco, straw hats are the perfect accent to any casual look.  Invest in a quality hat (we like Borsalino) and dress it up with a double breasted suit  or keep it casual with straight leg jeans and a gingham button up. Men looking for a younger, more modern feel, may turn to the trilby hat, while older men typically choose the wider brimmed Panama hat. Either way this is the ultimate summer style accessory.

The Casual Button Down

casual button down shirt

Casual button down shirts in cotton or linen fabrics are a mainstay for an easy summer look. Our Aldo blue pinpoint oxford is made from lightweight, breathable cotton, and can be paired with crisp chino shorts, jeans, or brightly colored trousers for a versatile look with relatively little thought. Gingham and madras plaid are other classic summer patterns, but pick patterns only as exuberant as you are — patterns that don’t overpower the wearer.  Two more points to keep in mind when choosing casual button downs – 1. Fit is paramount (made to measure if possible) and 2. Unless you are wearing jeans, cotton shirts should generally stay tucked in, skimming the body (linens may be worn untucked).

The Chino

The chino is simply the fabric of choice for men’s summer trousers.  Easy and comfortable, they are a great alternative to jeans in the summer and give a casual look an instant upgrade.   A clean, flat-front trouser in khaki or navy are classics for your closet that will carry you through many summers.  Pair crisp chino trousers or knee length shorts with a button down and loafers or sandals for an easy summer look.  Already have the basics? Branch out into brighter colors like cherry red or yellow if you dare.

The Sandal – for Grownups

Sandals are a great summer shoe, but a few basic rules are in order: Unless you are on the beach or at the pool, avoid flip flops at all costs.  Instead, choose a leather sandal that will last you for many summers to come.  Traveling to a tropical locale?   Choose a roman sandal for something chic, yet functional.

The Trenchcoat

The utilitarian, yet fashionable, answer to the rain that sometimes comes with the summer months, is the trenchcoat.  Although trenchcoats are made by a variety of brands, few can match the eponymous Burberry trench.  Created in 1901 as the official raincoat of British Army Officers, the Burberry trench has retained an iconic role through history, worn prominently by Humphrey “Here’s looking at you kid” Bogart in Casablanca and Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.  A purchase of this caliber will not only keep your suit dry during the rainy months, but may be cherished and passed down to future generations.

No matter if you are spending your summer at the beach or in the city, these summer classics will take you wherever you are going with ease.  What are some of your favorite summer pieces?  Let us know in the comments below.

Gingham first made its appearance in the 17th century, where it was imported to England and later migrated to the Americas.  The word “gingham” is derived from the Indonesian word ging-gang which means striped.  Technically, the term “gingham” refers to any medium weight cotton fabric that is dyed before being woven (as opposed to plaids, which may be printed or dyed after weaving).  Originally created by using two different color fibers to produce a striping effect, gingham has since become largely associated with the ubiquitous checkered pattern. Whether striped or checked, gingham is always woven with “balanced” stripes, i.e., ones of egual width. Although available in a variety of color combinations, the classic blue on white remains a popular color combination for gingham fabrics. Let’s take a look at the five ways to wear gingham this summer:

With a dark washed jean

For an easy to wear, relaxed summer look, try wearing a gingham shirt with your favorite pair of straight leg denim jeans.  A light blue gingham shirt worn with a dark indigo wash jean with little or no distressing provides a color-coordinated, dressy-casual look.  To clean up in a hurry, simply tuck in the shirt and throw on on a slim cut blue cotton blazer.

With a summer suit

Gingham shirts are also a great way to freshen up your work wardrobe for thesummer. While a lot of colors will work well with this look, you may want to avoid red gingham so as not to look too country casual. Pair darker tones like black or navy with a charcoal suit for a more conservative look, or try pastel colors like pink or light blue paired with either a brown cotton or gray linen suit.

A cardigan and shorts

Even if you are not spending your summer at Martha’s Vineyard, a cardigan and shorts provides a nice complement to a gingham shirt.  But avoid ordinary khaki-colored shorts and opt for bolder colors such as navy, red, melon or cream in antique washed cotton, or linen cotton blends to pair with crisp gingham shirts.  But when wearing shorts with a dress shirt, remember these tips:

Keep your shirt tucked

While you may be able to pull of some looks with your shirt untucked, this one works best with your shirt tucked in.

Avoid Long Shorts

An important factor to keep in mind when wear shorts is that your hem should never hang below your knee cap. While we are not a fan of short-shorts that stop far above the knee, hems that extend far past the knee should only be worn while carrying a surfboard.

No Pattern Mixing

In this instance it is best to stay away from patterns like seersucker stripes or madras shorts. Letting your shirt stand out and keeping your shorts pattern free allows for a balanced overall look.

Craft a unique look

Gingham can also be used as the basis more adventurous outfits combining a variety of tones and colors. This cleverly stylish look defies easy categorization, with the navy stripes and a small check pattern of our our Windemere shirt, expertly offset with a brightly colored bowtie, black skinny jeans and a tan Burberry trench.

As a tie

While we love gingham dress shirts, it isn’t the only way to wear this fun summer pattern.  Gingham ties are rare, but when worn with the right shirt and jacket pairing, look amazing. Although it gives off a preppy vibe, the gingham tie isn’t just for boys or younger men. While this may be a bit casual for the office, we do think it fits perfectly in more sartorial settings. This tie pattern would pair perfectly with a textured white shirt like the Cambridge, a slim cut blazer and a pair of jeans.

Whatever your style or the occasion, don’t be afraid to incorporate this fun pattern into your wardrobe.  So what’s your favorite way to wear gingham?   Leave us a comment below and let us know!

1. The folks over at IvyStyle  share these awesome illustrations taken from May issue of Japanese magazine Free & Easy, that were drawn based on the photos from Take Ivy. 



2. If you have been following our blog for a while, you may already aware of our well-documented love affair with Gregory Peck. So of course we could not pass up mentioning these vintage style acetate frames from Oliver People’s inspired by the glasses Peck wore as lawyer Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird.

3. Speaking of lawyers, Lawyerist.com offers some sage tips for lawyers on how to avoid showing up to office looking like Dwight Schrute:
   

   As an attorney your image is not just your own. When you step into court you represent a client, and your image becomes theirs. In a meeting with opposing counsel, taking the time to dress well gives off a better message than looking like the office funny guy. We know that as an attorney it’s important to sweat the small stuff. Your outfit is one of those things you should put thought into in order to make sure you are giving off the right message.

   

4. Vertically challenged men should have a look at Short Shrifted, a blog focusing on style and clothing for men under 5′ 9″. Besides highlighting various shorter style icons, including Scott Schuman aka The Sartorialist (who clocks in at svelte 5′ 6″) there is also lots of good information about where to find clothes for men who a bit smaller than average, such as where to find 28″ waist jeans.
5. This one is from a few weeks ago, but if you have not seen it yet, be sure to check out Set Free from Highsnobiety asking Mos Def to weigh in on why fashion is important: 

   Hat Tip to : Urban Classy

6. Finally, Permant Style offers five classic tips on how to look better in a suit: 1. Have ready-to-wear suits altered, 2. Button your jacket, 3. Invest in made to measure and bespoke, 4. Spend money on shoes, and 5. Incorporate color somewhere in your outfit. Sound advice all around.

The King looking dapper

A string of unforunate fashion choices in his later years (see below), kept Elvis Presley from being remembered as a fashion icon.  However, this shot of a younger Elvis shows a keen appreciation for classic style. This photo serves is a great example of the timelessness of a clean, well-tailored suit and tie. Judging by his appearence in this photo, this was probably taken circa the 1950s, but the well-cut suit and shirt, and skinny tie showcase a look that enviable still today. Even the rounded shirt collar is something that has recently come back into vogue.

Elvis' 70s sequined leather bell-bottom jumpsuit would go on to inspire Prince

Step back to June 2000, when Net-a-Porter entered the ecommerce world. Unless your girlfriend was gushing about the new Fendi she purchased or you overheard female colleagues talking in a frenzy about styles previously inaccessible to them, you probably weren’t aware of this online destination.

Fast forward to 2011, and Net-a-Porter is a massive global online brand that makes couture styles available to women from Denver to Osaka. Women are no longer confined to their nearest high end department store or having to travel to Paris or Milan or Rodeo Drive to gain access to designer brands. The ripple effect women felt by being able to redefine their styles themselves through this borderless emporium has been felt by retailers and consumers alike. Other companies such as Bluefly have since emerged that have further broken down the borders of high fashion from fashion-thirsty consumers.

However this is not just about brands and retailers. For years, Scott Schuman’s blog, The Sartorialist has showcased individual expressions of personal style captured around the world. Relatively unknown outside of New York’s fashion industry, his blog catapulted into people’s lives with photography that made you ask why your city wasn’t as stylish or eccentric. Freeing fashion photography from the bulky realm of printed fashion magazines, The Sartorialist forever changed the relationship people had with fashion, photography, trends and personal style.

Schuman’s simple, no-fuss blog documents his enviable fashion week journeys and captures glimpses of on-the-street style found in each cities he wanders through. Schuman’s blog has helped reinforce the superiority of individual style over brand-driven trends. Seeing men and women in pieces that vary from sartorial to eccentric in metropolitan settings encourages individuals to dress in a manner that is suited who they truly are.

This democratization of personal style has allowed people to be freer and more creative with their clothing choices and outlook. Moreover, it has inspired them to chronicle style through their own eyes. Websites like Lookbook.nu have further provided a voice and an audience for individuals around the world to be seen and inspired. These sites have expanded the exploration of personal style had shaped the masses in ways never before possible.

Technology has also greatly simplified the process of customizing and personalizing customer’s fashion choices to their individual needs. While custom tailoring used to be reserved for those who could afford to travel to New York City or London’s Savile Row, the internet has brought custom tailoring to a worldwide audience. Websites like Indochino and of course MadeTailor are part of the revolution bringing custom suits, custom shirts, custom shoes and other types of bespoke menswear, once enjoyed only by a privileged few, to the masses.

This leveling of the style playing field will only continue as more e-commerce sites emerge, and brands and designers continue to look to amateur blogs and online communities for design inspiration. The power of dictated trends that has been transferred into the hands of the masses is palpable. And is there anything better than being an empowered, stylish consumer?

So you got your first internship or maybe your post grad job- Congrats! Now- what are you wearing? Your first real foray into the business world demands you to be on your game not just mentally but from a style perspective as well. The last thing you want people to think when they see you is “There goes the intern.” Your look should subtly tell the world you’re young, confident and have just as much to offer as everyone at the table. Here are some tips to mastering the office.
 
 

Loafers, Monks, Wingtips- Oh My!

A look can lose all its panache with shoes that are worn, look cheap or just the wrong style for the office.  Start with a traditional pair of black oxfords that are conservative enough to be worn in nearly all  settings. Alternatively, loafers (think suede) are a fun option in more casual settings and work best when worn with a button down and a trouser or dark jean.  Cole Haan, Bostonion, Florsheim and similar brands offer dress shoes with a reasonable balance of quality and affordability that should suit you well early in your career.  If you decide to invest in a pair of quality shoes, Allen Edmonds or Alden consistently make some of the best.  But be sure to avoid these two mistakes that younger guys sometimes make when selecting shoes:
 

An Overly Round (or Squared) Toe

 
An overly round or overly square toe looks boyish and will not do you any favors.  Look for toes that are more gently rounded or come to a slight point.

Rubber Hiking Soles

Even if you are hiking after work no one needs to know that when walking around the office all day.  Unless you are a tour guide of a camp counselor, its best to avoid hiking soles while in the office. 
 

Get Suited Up!

Look for suits and separates made of mid-weight wools that can be worn year round, allowing you to get the most mileage of our your suit.  We swear by navy and grey suits simply because they offer a modern refined touch and can work in even the most conservative of settings.

If you will be working in a jeans friendly environment then  it is worth investing in a navy blazer.  A pair of jeans, paired with navy blazer and a light colored dress shirt will give you semi-casual look while remaining stylish and appropriately presentable.  We are big fans of Jcrew’s Legacy Blazer for its sleek cut and style. Wear it over a v-neck tee, polo or blue pinstripe dress shirt and you’re sure to make all of the right impressions. Make sure to wear dark wash, straight leg jeans as light wash or relaxed fit styles look unfinished.

Nice Shirt!

Obviously, we believe great fitting shirts are a must! Our Cambridge, Aldo and Pino are great foundation shirts to keep in your arsenal as the colors as the colors are versatile enough to be worn with wide variety of situations.  Once you have you have selected your foundation shirts, have fun with colors and patterns but remember keep it subtle. If you do attempt to mix patterns, keep your colors muted and alternate your patterns.

You Smell Nice

Although you may have had Axe body sprays and the like ingrained into your subconscious, now is a good time to trade up to a more mature scent.  The key to mastering cologne for the workplace is to smell good, but keep it subtle.  The last thing you want is to have your heavy, musky nightclub scent wafting into your bosses office.  Stick with light, fresh, sophisticated scents like Chanel’s, Allure Homme Sport or Dolce & Gabbana’s , Light Blue Homme, but remember – just spray once.

Just Pom It

Pomade is one of the best things that happened to mens hair products – really. If you’re still using gel for any reason, or are not using anything at all, we kindly ask you to stop.
Products such as Bumble & Bumble’s Grooming Creme to Go or Bed Head’s Manipulator offer you texture and just a touch of je ne sais quoi.

No Shadow Here

This seems perhaps unnecessary to mention, but you do remember that your three day shadow that you stumble with into class is not acceptable outside of campus?  If you decide to keep some facial hair, the key is to keep it neat and not let it get away from you.  Wearing a well fitting suit means nothing if your face doesn’t match.

So guys remember- you’ve entered the big leagues and while you’re not at the top of the corporate ladder yet, you look and style should let people know  that you are on your way.
 
 
 
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Ready to take your work wear style to the next level?  Find out how you can win a free custom dress shirt on us.

Custom Shirt Measurements

We have worked hard to come up with a set of measuring instructions that make it relatively painless to measure yourself at home. All you need to get started is a tape measure and our custom shirt measurement guide. That said, we inevitably get a lot of questions from first time customers about the measurement process. Here are our answers to the most frequently asked questions:

Do I have to measure my body or can I measure a shirt I already have?

To set up a measurement profile, you can either take measurements from your actual body or you can measure a shirt that you already own.  But for the best fit, we recommend taking a set of true body measurements. Taking the measurements from an existing shirt works great if you already have a custom shirt for which you were previously measured (and that actually fits). It works somewhat less well if you take your measurements from a standard ready-to-wear shirt. The reason why is pretty simple: Even if you are generally satisfied with the fit of an existing shirt, a custom shirt ought to fit BETTER than any off-the-rack shirt you currently have in your closet. The goal should be to put you in a shirt that is tailor made to your body, not to simply recreate a shirt that you bought off the rack. For this reason, we recommend taking actual body measurements instead of shirt measurements if at all possible.

The goal should be to put you in a shirt that is tailor made to your body, not to simply recreate a shirt that you bought off the rack.

Do I really need to take all of these measurements? XYZ.com sells custom shirts using only a few measurements.

We know there are plenty of websites that are happy to sell you a “custom” shirt using only a few basic measurements. But we pride ourselves on making shirts that are truly made to fit and not simply made to order. We understand the lure of getting a “custom” shirt without having to take any real measurements, but if you are content to buy a shirt using only your neck and sleeve size, then you will probably do just as well buying off the rack.

To get a shirt that really fits, you need to take enough measurements to create a reasonably detailed outline of your torso. Parisian shirtmaker Charvet, renowned for providing impeccably fitted shirts to dignitaries and royalty since 1838, takes a whopping 38 individual measurements in its quest for the perfect fit. We use a thorough, but bit more manageable 12 measurements, with three additional settings to account for posture and shoulder lean.

To get a shirt that really fits, you need to take enough measurements to create a reasonably detailed outline of your torso.

I don’t trust my own measuring skills – should I get a tailor to take my measurements?

bespoke measurements

You can always bring a copy of our custom shirt measurement guide to a tailor that you trust, and ask him to take your measurements.  However, we don’t think its necessary.  First, taking a set of measurement is not rocket science.  We get consistently good results from novice customers who use our measurement instructions to take their own measurements.  Secondly, measuring yourself is a bit like learning to iron a shirt — even if you would rather pay someone else to do it for you, you should at least have a basic knowledge of how to do it yourself.

Finally, no matter who takes your basic measurements, you will often still need a bit of tweaking after you receive your first shirt.  In our experience, most customers will request one or two minor adjustments to the fit from their first shirt to account for their personal preferences. The goal for your first shirt should mainly be to establish a baseline fit. After you receive the first shirt, try it on and let us know any tweaks you would like and we will update your measurement profile going forward.

Measuring yourself is like ironing a shirt — even if you pay someone else to do it for you, you should at least have a basic knowledge of how to do it yourself.

What if the first shirt I order does not fit right?

Of course it is possible that your first shirt will not fit perfectly. However, our experience has shown that anyone who carefully follows our measurement instructions should get pretty darn close. We encourage you to start with one of our starter shirts so you can test out the fit and make any adjustments that are needed. If the shirt does not fit and we can’t figure a way to make it right, then we will happily provide a refund.

So what do you have to lose?  Take twenty minutes and give it a shot.  After you finish, send us an email at support@madetailorcustom.com and let us know how it went.  We will be happy to review your measurements and answer any outstanding questions that you have.

As with all things in life, what was once coveted often becomes passé and that is no exception in the world of luxury. Society has evolved and a new generation of men has emerged with wants and needs that, while still sartorial, lack the stuffiness of their father’s generation. We’ll take a look at three menswear brands that have successfully adapted to the modern menswear landscape while retaining an ethos rooted in classic mens style.

Simon Spurr- Not Your Father’s Luxury Brand

 
When we think of classic menswear styles of our fathers’ generation, we tend to think of golf sweaters and crested blazers worn with a buttoned up, conservative air. Not to say that there is anything wrong with those looks per se, but we are big fans of designers who can update classic looks with a distincly modern feel. Simon Spurr is a fantastic example of no-fuss modern luxury as his collections consistently display the marriage of a modern clean aesthetic paired with classic tailoring. A recent fashion up & comer, his pieces lend themselves to showing off a modern physique in the best possible light with slim cuts and neutral tones. His suits are two button, slim but not hipster-y, with an air that reflects Simon’s European roots, while maintaining the American ethos he perfected during his tenures at Calvin Klen and Ralph Lauren. Spurr’s suits, while beautiful, lack the formality of Brooks Brothers or Hickey Freeman and give you a feeling of pure swagger.

Where he is most interesting is in creating casual pieces that look like they were stolen from an east London hipster. His skinny jeans, fedoras and trenches allow young men to feel comfortable to exploring their youthful, roguish side alongside Spurr’s more buttoned up workplace looks.  Check out Simon Spurr’s S/S 2011′s video here:

Gucci – Bringing Sexy Back

Gucci is a success story of both branding and reinvention. A brand of humble beginnings dating back to pre-WWI, the house of Gucci was known for high quality handbags and accessories. Quickly rising to celebrity status by the 1950’s, internal issues saw the label dip to frightening lows by the late 1980’s.

Faced with finding a menswear designer who would even consider being associated with the brand, Dawn Mello enlisted a little known American designer, Tom Ford, to help resurrect the Gucci brand. Tom’s ten year reign at Gucci (Frida Giannini took over in 2004) injected a feeling of sexiness and powerful luxury to their menswear division. Ford understood how to modernize the traditional pieces that men of stature had been wearing and successfully crossed all age brackets. He refined pieces such as the classic Italian double breasted tuxedo by slimming the leg and reducing the boxy nature of the jacket. Understanding the emergence of healthy living increasingly becoming a cultural mainstay, he created looks that showed off men with long, clean lines. At the same time he stayed true the brand’s Italian heritage by continuing to utilize their trademark luxurious fabrications throughout every season. Men no longer saw Gucci as an older, almost forgotten brand and instead saw a sexy, luxurious label to aspire to; certainly not a label for the faint of heart.

Brooks Brothers- Traditionally Trendy

 
For gents of a traditional American sartorial bent, few brands have catered to their demands as consistently as Brooks Brothers. Since 1818, generations of American men have turned to Brooks Brothers for it quintessential crisp, clean American aesthetic. Although their suits have modernized over the years to reflect a slimmer look, they still employ a wider lapel and slightly roomier proportions than their European counterparts.

Its success is in the evolution of catering to younger men without wavering from its traditional roots. Its classic navy pinstripe suits, varsity ties and monogrammed shirts are some of the defining pieces of the brands fresh, yet timeless point of view on American menswear.

Whether your style incorporates bowties and crested blazers or slim fit suits and pocket squares, these brands have something to offer every man.  What other brands or styles do you think do the best job of mixing classic styles with modern looks?  Leave us a comment with your thoughts. 

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Ready to take your work wear style to the next level?  Find out how you can win a free custom dress shirt on us.