|
"I appreciate the fact that your personal
service allows me to shop in my office in a fraction
of the time it would take me elsewhere..."
- R.J.F,
First Midwest Bank
"You have been taking
care of my clothing needs for some time now...I rely
on and trust your judgment."
- B.L.M,
Walgreens
"The fit of my clothing is both smart
and comfortable."
- L.I.B,
Northwestern University Med. Center
|
|
|
| Q: |
Does size matter? |
| A: |
Contrary to popular belief, size does
not matter. In fact, it is more important how your
clothing fits and flatters your physique than the
numerical size attached to it! |
| Q: |
It is true that wool is comfortable to wear in both warm and cool climates? |
| A: |
Yes. Wool helps regulate body temperature because it is an absorbent fiber. When the air is cool, wool absorbs moisture and keeps a layer of dry, insulating air next to the body. When the air is warm, the same absorption capacity takes up perspiration and keeps insulating dry air next to the body…helping the body’s natural cooling system work better. |
| Q: |
What is the difference between a blazer and a
sport coat? |
| A: |
Many times, people will refer to a
blazer as a solid color coat, and refer to a sport coat
as a multi-color or fancy weave sport coat (herringbone,
tweed, etc.) |
| Q: |
How do I know what socks to wear with what shoes? |
| A: |
Your first choice in coordinating socks
with your ensemble is to generally match the color of
your socks to your trousers. Second choice, match your
socks to your shoes. |
| Q: |
What is Mercerized cotton? |
| A: |
Mercerized cotton is named for John
Mercer who, in 1844, developed a process which treats
cotton (as well as other fabrics) so that it becomes
smooth and lustrous. |
| Q: |
What should I wear to a "black tie optional"
event? |
| A: |
In order of preference; a tuxedo, a
solid black suit, or a solid navy suit. This is not the
time to dress as you would for the work week. It is an
opportunity to set yourself apart from the crowd for
this event and make a distinction between your
"occasion" wardrobe and your "professional" wardrobe. |
| Q: |
When do I button my suit coat? |
| A: |
Simply, if you're standing, button the
coat. If you're sitting, unbutton the coat. That being
said, keep in mind your surroundings at the time. More
often than not, gentlemen standing in a social situation
do not button their coats...but as soon as you're called
up on stage to accept your award, please button your
suit coat! |
| Q: |
How do I choose an appropriate cologne? |
| A: |
All fragrances are made form three
basic ingredients; fragrance oils, alcohol and deionized
water. The higher the concentration of fragrance oil
used in a formula, the longer the fragrance will last on
your skin. However, a higher concentration does not
necessarily mean an overpowering scent, merely one that
lasts longer. The correct way to test any fragrance is
on the skin. (A scent strip or a whiff from a bottle
cannot adequately duplicate the uniqueness of any
fragrance.) As the warmth of your skin allows the
alcohol and water to evaporate, the essential oils
interact with your body chemistry, and the different
ingredients within the compound become more dominant
until everything blends together to achieve the final
scent...your unique scent.
Just as you "try on" clothing, be sure to "try on" any
fragrance you are considering. By doing so, you are
assured that it is the right one for you.
|
| Q: |
Is it okay to wear a stripe suit, a stripe shirt
and a stripe tie? |
| A: |
In a word, yes. Here's one approach you
might use to make things a little easier; don't match
striping. For example, if your suit has a broad stripe,
wear a shirt with a narrower stripe. If you take the
"opposite" approach with your suits and shirts, the
stripes in each will not compete with one another and
choosing a tie becomes a little easier. |
| Q: |
Why is it that not all "regulars" fit me the same
way? |
| A: |
Different manufacturers will vary
slightly in modeling garments; sometimes it's a fashion
decision, and sometimes it's a cost cutting decision.
The best way to find the best fit for your body is to
seek out a competent clothing professional who will take
the time to measure, explain and demonstrate what is in
your best interest and show you several ways to
accomplish the goal. |
| Q: |
Will Suited to You speak to my sales people about
"Dressing for Success"? |
| A: |
Yes, David Rubin speaks to
professional, civic and business organizations on a
regular basis. Some of his topics include (but are not
limited to) "Looking Your Professional Best", "Getting
the Most from Your Existing Wardrobe", "Making Your
First Impression a Lasting Impression", "The Interview",
and "Effective Networking". |
| Q: |
Should I buy or rent a tuxedo? |
| A: |
How many times per year do you wear a tuxedo? Figure the rental of a decent tuxedo is about $125. If you have occasion to wear a tuxedo twice a year, consider owning one. A Special Order tuxedo from us is available from $395 - $595. Not only would you have one that fits you properly, but you avoid wearing something others have already worn...many times! |
| Q: |
Can I wear a button-down collar shirt with a
double-breasted coat? |
| A: |
Prefer that you don't! This is actually
sending two different style messages; a casual shirt and
a formal coat. A button-down collar shirt is very much
at home with a single-breasted coat (or no coat at all)
while a double-breasted coat begs for a classic point,
spread or cutaway collar & tie. |
| Q: |
Are white collars & cuffs "in" or "out"? |
| A: |
White collars & cuffs, in my opinion,
are an enduring style and the only prerequisite on the
part of the wearer is a sense of self. A colored shirt
with white medium spread collar and French cuffs is one
of those looks that draws attention to the fact that the
wearer is confident in appearance and is not afraid to
demonstrate a sense of style. |
| Q: |
What is the difference between "braces" and
"suspenders"? |
| A: |
Terminology. The term "braces"
originated in England and referred to the bands that go
over the shoulders and attach to the trousers. In this
country, they are commonly referred to as suspenders.
There are those who believe that braces have button tabs
which attach to buttons inside the trouser waistband
while suspenders clip to the waistband of the trousers.
In either case, there's no need to wear a belt! |
| Q: |
What is the right color suit to wear to an
interview? |
| A: |
The suit color should be dark; medium
to charcoal grey or navy blue. (Additionally, it should
be both comfortable and pressed!) |
| Q: |
What is a placket? |
| A: |
Placket refers to the piece of
material on the front of a shirt where the button holes
are placed. It is interesting to note that not all
shirts have front plackets by design. There is also a
placket on the shirt sleeve above the cuff, and
sometimes there is a button closure as well. |
| Q: |
How many suits should I have in my closet? |
| A: |
Two more than you wear on a weekly
basis. For example, if you wear a suit four days a week,
then you should have six in your closet. They should fit
well and make a good appearance. In doing so, you will
never be caught "short" if one is being cleaned or one
becomes damaged in some way. |
| Q: |
How often should I dry clean my clothes? |
| A: |
Generally, if you wear a given garment
once per week for fifty weeks, then having it cleaned
twice per year is sufficient. However, if something is
spilled on it, you perspire excessively or are in
smoke-filled environments often, then more often may be
necessary. Reason being that the dry cleaning chemicals
wreak havoc on your clothing over time, and if you
minimize the dry cleaning frequency, your clothing will
last longer. That is not to say that you may not visit
your favorite cleaner and ask them to "press only" your
garment to eliminate excess wrinkling. |
| Q: |
Should I starch my dress shirts? |
| A: |
One of the surest ways to extend the
life of your shirts that you send to the cleaners is to
avoid (or substantially reduce) starch. Not only will
your shirts last a bit longer, but they will feel
softer, drape better and wrinkling will be marginally
less throughout the day. |
| Q: |
I don't always remember to put shoe trees in my
shoes. Are they really that important? |
| A: |
In a word, yes. Leather, like all
natural fibers, needs time to "breathe" and regain its
shape. Inserting cedar shoe trees into your shoes after
each wearing will not only help keep them in shape, but
also helps to wick away moisture. Essentially, external
elements wear on our shoes from the outside, and our own
perspiration wears on them from the inside.
Additionally, a good rotation of shoes is essential for
longevity and comfort. After all, we depend on our feet
constantly-keep them happy! |
|
