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Superbowl Style Showdown: Eli Vs. Tom

February 5th, 2012

All eyes will be on the field tomorrow as the New York Giants take on the New England Patriots. We’re happy two stylish men are leading their teams to the title, and we thought it’d be entertaining to see which quarterback would win in a style challenge. Who’s more fashionable: Tom Brady or Eli Manning?

Which QB has better style: Tom or Eli?

The breakdown:

Tom Brady and Giselle Bundchen

Tom Brady and wife Giselle Bundchen

Tom varies from sharp and tailored tuxedoes, all-American jeans and a worn out jacket to Euro-style with skinny jeans and a scarf. He’s actually done quite a bit of modeling. Everything fits well. Tom’s hairstyle fluctuates from short and cropped to long and slicked back. Tom has a history of dating famous women and he is married to the one of the most famous supermodels in the world right now.

Eli Manning and wife Abby McGrew

Eli is  preppy, with colored striped ties, boxier-fitting suits, khakis and polos and looser fitting clothes. He tends to dress up for most occasions, but his attire is not as tailored as Tom. Eli has had the same haircut in every photo–kind of shaggy. We think his style is influenced by hit time at Ole Miss. Eli married his college girlfriend in 2008. She is rumored to have studied fashion in Manhattan.

So what’s the verdict?

I think Tom Brady wins in a battle of style. He has style figured out. I would love to help Eli Manning. The Manning brothers seem very down-to-earth and just good ol’ boys. I wouldn’t necessarily dress Eli like Tom, since Tom is a bit edgier. I’d keep Eli classic in style, but slim up his image a bit to give him a cleaner look.

So Tom Brady wins for now.  Eli, will you let us help you?
Readers, what do you think? Which quarterback is more fashionable?

The Sharply-Dressed Groom

February 2nd, 2012

Photo credit Stacy Reeves: www.stacyreeves.com

 

Your wedding is one of the most photographed occasions in your lifetime, and a chance to look your finest with your friends and family. While bridal attire often takes the main stage at weddings, today’s grooms can make a fashion statement of their own with a well-fitting suit and some carefully chosen accessories. Read on for a few tips to look your best on your wedding day.

  • Shoulder fit is key. When purchasing a suit, the shoulder pads should hang no more than ½ an inch off the shoulder. I personally prefer no additional pad hanging past the shoulders, which would be a perfect fit. If this part of the suit jacket fits well, you are on your way to the right size. If you purchase a suit off the rack, rather than going the custom route, buy one that fits you in the shoulders and then take your suit to a tailor for a precise fit.
  • Accessories are crucial. The most important part of a groom’s attire is his accessories. While most grooms stick to black, charcoal grey or midnight blue suits, current accessory fashions include purple accents, pocket squares, bowties and personalized cufflinks on French-cuffed shirts. Really fashion-forward grooms are choosing bowties for themselves and their groomsmen.
  • Slim is in. Most grooms I advise choose a slightly updated cut to their suits. Flat front pants without cuffs are replacing cuffed, pleated slacks and many grooms are opting for a slimmer, European cut to the jackets. This offers a cleaner, sharper look to the groom’s attire.
  • Material guy. There are several options available for suit material. Most suits we design are 100 percent wool, known as a Super 130 Italian Wool, but D. Jones Tailored Collection also offers a cashmere wool and mink cloth from Scotland for a more upscale suit.
  • Suits reign. Tuxedoes are less commonly seen at today’s weddings, unless the event is very formal. For most weddings, a sharp suit is appropriate. To dress up such a suit, add a matching suit vest.
  • Get educated and informed. Before heading out to purchase wedding attire for the groom and groomsmen, research what a well-fitted suit looks like. Magazines and the internet can provide a wealth of information. If you want a perfectly fitted suit to your classifications, you may prefer going to a custom suit clothier such as D. Jones for your wedding-day attire. Or, consider working with a professional to put together a classy, well-fitted ensemble. Finally, bring a friend with fashion sense to go shopping with you if  you aren’t not comfortable going it alone. With a well-fitted suit and sharp accessories, you will feel confident on one of the best days of  your life.

Dress Codes Decoded

December 23rd, 2011

Courtesy http://partyresources.blogspot.com

photo courtesy http://partyresources.blogspot.com

With the holidays upon us, holiday parties are an everyday event. When you get an invitation to a wedding or social event, how do you know what attire you’re expected to wear? For this post, I asked wardrobe consultant Jason Smith to shed some light on dress codes. With these tips from Jason and etiquette queen Emily Post, and D. Jones Tailored Collection clothing, you’ll be perfectly attired for any occasion this season.

 

Matthew McConaughey on the red carpet

Black Tie
Emily Post defines Black Tie attire as “Black tuxedo jacket and matching trousers formal (piqué or pleated front); white shirt, black-colored (e.g., onyx) studs and cufflinks; black bow tie (silk, shiny satin or twill); black cummerbund to match tie, or a vest; dressy suspenders to ensure a good fit (optional); black patent shoes and black dress socks; no gloves. In the summer or on cruises, wear a white dinner jacket, black tuxedo trousers plus other black tie wardrobe.”

To add your own tasteful twist, Jason suggests making the main component a black jacket with contrasting lapels. You can achieve the contrast in texture or pattern. Try a thinner lapel as well; peaked or notched, both will look fantastic but do go for thinner lapels.

 

Daniel Craig at the 2009 Oscars

Black Tie Optional
This dress code allows wiggle room if you don’t own a tuxedo. Emily Post says Black Tie Optional means wearing either a tuxedo (see ‘Black Tie’ above) or dark suit, white shirt, and conservative tie; dressy leather shoes and dark dress socks.

Jason suggests having fun with black tie optional. Even if you do own a formal tuxedo try this…a formal tuxedo look without the formal tuxedo colors. He’d choose a “true” blue tuxedo with jet black lapels, skinny bow-tie with white pocket square. (See Daniel Craig at 2009 Oscars)

Ryan Gosling in GQ

Semiformal
If the event is semiformal, you can forgo your tuxedo and wear your tailored suit. Emily Post specifies semiformal as a dark business suit; matching vest (optional); dress shirt; conservative tie; dressy leather shoes and dark dress socks.

To stand out in a sea of off-the-rack semiformal suits, Jason recommends a mid to dark grey suit. You can get away with the grey in a room full of deep dark colors because of the “Semi” in the Semiformal. Add the vest to dial it up a notch. Try this a mid grey suit with navy vest, white shirt and purple wool tie. Sherlock Holmes would be proud.

Robert Downey Jr. at the Golden Globes

Festive (or Holiday) Attire
The most common attire for holiday parties, Emily Pos clarified festive attire as follows: a seasonal sport coat or blazer in color of choice, and slacks; open-collar shirt; dress shirt and optional “festive” or holiday-themed tie.

To set the trends this holiday season, try pairing a bold colors—NOT bold Christmas Tree Sweaters! Plum colored pants with a navy sports coat with a purple windowpane pattern is a fantastic choice. If you’re not ready yet for something that bold try this…keep the sports coat and slacks simple yet elegant but choose to add a tie with vibrant colors. Charcoal slacks, navy sports coat, white shirt with red checks and a bold red silk tie.

 

George Clooney Ides of March

Business Formal
Similar to semiformal, the key to business formal is the word conservative. Otherwise, wear a dark business suit; matching vest (optional); dress shirt; conservative tie; dressy leather shoes and dark dress socks.

You’ll stand out by wearing an expertly tailored suit by D. Jones, but to lend your own sense of style to your attire, consider a sophisticated Navy Glen Plaid Check Suit. Lavender Herringbone dress shirt with bold purple dotted silk tie. Forgo the conservative socks and choose a pair that are confident but makes sense with the outfit. In this case I would choose a solid purple sock or a blue with lavender stripes.

Business casual look from www.GQ.com

Business Casual
Slightly more common than business formal for holiday parties in a business setting, you still want to wear perfectly fitted attire by D.Jones for maximum impact. Emily Post defines business casual as seasonal sport coat or blazer with slacks or khakis; dress shirt with optional tie, or casual button-down shirt; open-collar or polo shirt; loafers or loafer-style shoes and socks.

Jason recommends a perfectly fitted sports coat. Most business casual events allow you to get away with a very relaxed look. You can embrace that while also adding an upscale look at the same time. Try wearing a well-fitted dark washed jean with a deep maroon herringbone sports coat. Pair that with a blue gingham dress shirt and blue dotted pocket square. You’ll fit in with your colleague as one of the guys but they’ll see you as the one that always dresses well.

When in doubt, dress up a bit. You can’t go wrong with slacks and a sport coat, but showing up in a t-shirt and jeans may send the wrong message. Regardless of your style and confront level to explore new and bold ways to present yourself, D. Jones Tailored Collection can help with your needs. They know the latest trends, they get their fabric from the most prestigous mills in the world, but most of all they listen to their clients to put them in what will work best for them. No one will do more for you than a D. Jones Wardrobe Consultant.

Christmas Gift Rx

December 22nd, 2011


Christmas ornament

photo credit: Abigail Boatwright

I don’t know about you, but I am not one of those people with every Christmas gift wrapped and under the tree by Thanksgiving. In fact, I’m still working on finishing up my Christmas shopping, and if you are like me, you need a little help. Here are three reasons why I think you should get that guy in your life a D. Jones Tailored Collection gift certificate.

1. They’ll get exactly what they want. Whether your guy is already a client or not, our selection is huge. Our wardrobe consultants will meet with him, and he’ll be able do choose the item he wants most, whether it’s a custom suit or a custom tie. They’ll get an item that they really love, because they chose it. All thanks to you.

2. You can customize the gift certificate. Some customers like to specify an amount for their gift certificates, which is a great way to stick to your budget. Others choose a set item, such as one Italian custom suit, and we’ll show your man options from that line.

3. You can ditch the wrapping paper. With a D. Jones gift certificate, you can present your guy with an easily obtained and packaged ticket to a dapper, well-fitted wardrobe. Contact me today and we’ll bring you your holiday item today. What could be easier than that?

 

 

 

Dapper Features D. Jones Client Elvis Andrus

December 15th, 2011

We love it when our clients get featured in the media. Today I’d like to share an article published in Dapper magazine about Elvis Andrus, a client of ours and oh yeah… he’s also the youngest starter for the Texas Rangers. So congratulations Elvis–we’re proud to have you wear our attire.

D. Jones Client and Rangers baseball player Elvis Andrus in fall '11 Dapper

 

Readers, what do you think of the article?

Introducing your D. Jones Wardrobe Consultants

December 6th, 2011

D. Jones Wardrobe Consultants

Jason, Drew and Brittany

Recently, I walked you through the D. Jones wardrobe consultation process, which happens with either me or with one of our D. Jones wardrobe consultants.

If you’re reading this, you probably know a little about me already. If not–check out my bio HERE. Today, I’d like to introduce you to the rest of my team.

Jason Smith

So a bit about me…I’m 30 and have been married for 5 years. I graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a Marketing Degree where I also played basketball. I’ve always had an eye on style and fashion–whatever my profession, now I’m finally in a role where I feel my talents, passion and abilities can be maximized. I’ve been working with D. Jones for 6 months. Like I always say, we’re in the people business and our outlet is menswear. When a man puts on a well fitted suit, shirt, sportscoat, slacks, etc. you see him walk with a bit more confidence and bravado. I enjoy seeing that in my clients. There’s nothing more I enjoy than being in the background coming to my clients home or office assisting them with their wardrobe so they can then go out, look good and do what it is they need to be doing like spending time with family, working, etc. not fighting crowds at malls hoping to find something that more than likely won’t fit properly. Again, we’re in the people business helping to improve their life, wardrobe and image.

Brittany Nickolyn

I was a taekwondo athlete for 13 years and I made the national team in 2004 at 16 years old. I competed in the world championships in Madrid, Spain. I then started thinking about college, applied to one school, the University of North Texas, and started my new life as a fashion design student. I soon realized that design was not for me. So after 4 semesters of being a design student, I moved to the merchandising side of fashion. I graduated with a B.S. in fashion merchandising in may of 2011.

During my last semester at UNT, I interned at the Fashion Industry Gallery at Aire showroom as a showroom assistant. Now at D. Jones, I never thought of me being a part of the world of men’s apparel, but we are a great fit. I have been with the company since the end of May 2011.
Fashion became a part of my life at a very young age. Until the age of 6 my grandmother hand sewed all of my clothes so I learned to sew at a very young age. I always enjoyed helping her pick out fabric for my clothes as well as my siblings and cousins.  My favorite part about my job now is giving the client the ability to change his wardrobe/image for the better. I love how I can give them the knowledge of new trends, colors, textures, fabrics, etc. I also love the excitement and value I can give them going through the whole D. Jones process with them knowing they will receive a high quality product with an attractive price and they will look great.

I think my greatest strength with D. Jones is the ideas I suggest to our clients. I work very well with the variety of cloth that we provide and feel that I can give great looks with any different style of gentleman. I am always thinking of new ways to mix and match different patterns and colors. I also feel that I allow the client to be comfortable, which is very important with my relationships with my clients.

Feel free to contact Jason Smith at 817.937.0318 or Brittany Nickolyn at 214.549.5447.

Fashion Check-in: Thanksgiving edition

November 24th, 2011

Drew Jones Thanksgiving 11

My attire for turkey day

Having trouble deciding what to wear on Thanksgiving? Here’s what I’m planning to wear. I’ll be wearing what I like to call “smart casual.” Brown dress shoes,  khaki trousers, a simple well-tailored D. Jones button-up dress shirt and a nice, lighter-weight D. Jones sport coat because it’s not quite winter. I like it because it’s casual, but still all about the fit.

What do you like to wear for Thanksgiving?

Flip My Wardrobe – An inside look at a D. Jones wardrobe consultation.

November 18th, 2011

D. Jones Tailored Collection custom tailored suit

We talk a lot around here about the importance of a nice fit and trend attire. Our goal is to provide you with perfectly fitted custom clothing. This is what you can expect from a D. Jones consultation. From that initial email to the final fitting, you’ll know what to expect when you are ready to revamp your wardrobe.

1. Set up a home consultation

While we can meet at your office, we prefer to work with you at your home for our first consultation. There, we’ll go through your wardrobe and determine the missing links.

2. Analyze your existing clothing

From that point, we will give you our professional opinion on items that are a “must have,” and items that would be fun and unique based upon your personality and lifestyle.  You will find us slowly challenging you to spice up your attire and add a few things that will stand out and make you look a little different from everyone else. We’ll learn about your personality, ask about your lifestyle and ask you to try on your favorite items so we can see what you already like about your clothes.

3. Measure, measure… and measure

What makes our bench-made bespoke suits and menswear stand out is their impeccable fit, so to accomplish the perfect look for your unique body and posture, we will take up to 40 measurements.

4. Options will be presented

Based on your existing wardrobe, needs, personality, lifestyle and measurements, we will then show you our fabric and style ideas for suits, shirts, ties, vests, sport coats and more.  Don’t worry, we are here to help you mix and match.  And as a D. Jones signature, you’ll be given ideas to change your image through clothes that you may never have thought about before.  We want you to express yourself and who you are through your wardrobe.

 5. Order placed and 2nd fitting scheduled

After you place your order, we order your cloth from different countries around the world to be shipped to our tailors and hand-cut a pattern on paper based on your precise measurements. Your suit or other menswear will then be cut from that pattern and hand-sewed by our master tailors. Within six weeks, we’ll deliver your suit and other menswear to your door and make sure it fits to our liking and yours.  Believe me, if you pass our standard of perfection for fit, you can be sure to walk away with confidence.

6. Adjust menswear and pattern

At your second fitting, we’ll make any adjustments needed to ensure your perfect fit. If alterations are preferred or suggested, we will have your menswear adjusted and returned to you within a week for your third fitting. If adjustments are made to your menswear, we will also be sure to adjust your paper pattern so future orders will be seamless.

What has been your experience during a D. Jones wardrobe consultation? We’d love to hear from you!

Fall Into Autumn Fashion

October 19th, 2011

Jeremy Normand

D. Jones featured client Jeremy Normand sporting a crisp fall look

The sweltering summer heat is a recent memory and the cooler weather has finally arrived. Though it’s not yet time for a heavy winter overcoat, here are a few ways you can update your wardrobe to reflect the new season.

Get tweedy. A tweed suit is the perfect option for a fall wardrobe. The cloth’s heavier weight will keep you warm and it’s a great look moving into the colder season.

Jeremy Normand

Jeremy's wool tie is a great choice for fall.

Tie a little wool. If you’re not ready to get seasonal with your wardrobe, a wool tie is the easiest way to adjust for the fall season. Swap your everyday neckwear for a heavier wool tie and you are all set.

Vest options. In Texas, most suits will keep you warm for 10 months out of the year. If you’d like an extra layer, consider adding a vest to your attire. Three-piece suits are always classic, and a vest will keep you a bit more insulated.

GQ's Fall Trend Report showcased this sport coat.

Sports center. For the weekend or on days when you want a more casual look, top your jeans or slacks with a fall sport coat–preferably tweed!

For some inspiration, check out GQ’s Fall 2011 Trend Report.

If you’re looking for a tweed suit, wool tie, vest or sport coat, check out our lineup and contact one of our wardrobe consultants today.

What Are You Wearing This Spring?

April 21st, 2011

If you are wearing the following this spring, you are on track!

A slimmer jacket and pant.  The jacket with a more narrow lapel, bigger handkerchief/pocket square in multi colors and patterns (queue Don Draper).  The wearer of this suit will be making much more of a statement.

This spring is all about accessorizing, so you need a beautifully made suit and some rockin’ accessories. This spring/summer is pushing past the dark and moody vibe of Fall/Winter and going the complete opposite direction, colors will be bright, uplifting and exciting.

Grey Suiting and grey in general, especially when mixed with bright pops of color like yellow and purple.

You can read more here!