Classic suit style, Theory - Bloomingdales on 59th and Lexington

Recently I went shopping for a suit for my Fiance @ Bloomingdales on 59th street and Lexington. My Fiance has been in search for the perfect black suit for the past several years. While there she went to shop the Theory section of the department store. Needless to say for those who know Theory as a label, their taste level is up there with the likes of the Nanette Lapore's and Laundry, if not better. So with that said we begin looking through the vast racks of mostly regular price clothing, because Theory is not often on sale. While searching my Fiance came up with no less than 5 different styles of jackets and pants to choose from. This is were the shopping experience gets good.

Being a male and shopping in various department stores and boutiques I can rarely find what it is that I am looking for. The fabric is either what I want, but the style is off, or the styling is perfect, but the fabric is terrible. Now being that this was a standard black suit, the fabric does not need to great, however the jacket does have to match the pants. And that is precisely the reason why I am writing this blog entry. No matter what jacket she picked up, every single one of them went back perfectly with the fabric of pants she had.

Most retailers are very cautious about investing too heavily in one fabric and/ or style. I believe this is mostly due to the lack of true merchant skills of days past. Most merchants/ buyers, and retailers today are shackled by the likes of upper management, or financial successes and failures of years past, to come up with any type of new ideas, and or take risks on ideas that may have long term success. This was not the case with Theory and Bloomingdales. Their merchant went after the basic/ classic black fabric in a very big way.

Now after about 2 hours and many wardrobe changes, we finally settled with a 2 button jacket with notch lapel, flap pockets, center vent, and fit a bit longer than the standard woman's coat. Upon reaching the register I came across the most simplistic, great idea of the season. One that many other retailers should adopt. Standing at the register I began to read an information card outlining every fit of the classic black suit that Theory offered for the season. This thing is a jewel. Immediately after reading it I figured out that they had another style of jacket, that was not seen in the original search. Amazing we didn't find it when we had been shopping going on 3 hours by now. In any case, the jacket located and the suit purchased.

Moral of this entry is this; retailers need to get back into the mind state of informing their clientele of how to shop and look great. I feel that retailers and clothing companies today are trying to be to broad with the merchandise selection and not really focusing on what it is that they are good at making. If your staple is a classic black suit, then you should make it the best, better than any other company out there. Not only should you make it better, you should also go into depth with the styles in which a customer can mix and match the same fabric with different styles and fits.

JACK OF ALL TRADES, MASTER AT NONE

I think this saying holds true for most places to shop. I am just glad Bloomingdales stepped out the box and took a stand on something they believe in. Thank you Theory and Bloomingdales. It was $600 well spent.

The Navy Suit

I have long made the arguments that the Navy suit is the most important item in a man's wardrobe. Next to a Charcoal suit, there is not another more versatile piece of clothing that a well dressed man can own. It took Esquires validation to prove this fact. Take a look at the below Esquire article.

The Definitive Style Rules: NAVY SUITS
1. A well-made suit will be balanced around the middle button, so this is the only button you should ever use. This will emphasize your torso's shape, give you a little freedom to move, and keep you from looking like Chris Webber on draft day.

2. A navy suit can be worn with both black and brown belts and shoes. A black suit cannot.

3. The best shoe color for a navy suit: chocolate brown. It's dark enough to wear at night and colorful enough to shine during the day.

4. Tuck in your shirt.

5. Three things you need in that party shirt underneath your navy suit: big cuffs, a high collar, and quality pearl buttons. One thing you don't: bling.

6. Undoing the cuff buttons on your jacket is a nice trick, but that doesn't mean you should. After all, even cheap suits these days have open buttonholes. So there's no need to show off.

7. Navy doesn't have to mean plain. Instead of toying with loud stripes, try a textured fabric to give your navy suit added character.

8. Two expensive suits are better than five cheap ones. One of them should be navy.

9. The Tony Siragusa rule: Know your neck size. (He obviously doesn't.) You should be able to fit one finger between your collar and your neck when your shirt is fully buttoned.

10. Neurotic comedians like Richard Lewis wear only black. Do not follow suit.