Layering Up for Fall

Temperatures are dropping and leaves are turning...fall is here! Here are a few tips on how to layer up without looking like the Michelin man.

Tip #1: Scarves! Yes, scarves can be manly. In fact, they can add just the right touch to an outfit, while giving you a ton of extra warmth. Your neck, head and hands are the likely to be the only uncovered body parts, so wearing the appropriate gear will keep you significantly warmer without needing a full jacket.

9tailors 2 piece suit (see our Grey Matter sale - only this month!)

9tailors blazer

Tip #2: Vests! You've never had a better excuse to wear a three piece suit. It's really your best bet in chilly weather. Not only does it give you an extra layer of warmth on your core, when you get inside to the heated office, you can take your suit jacket off and still look dressed to the nines.

9tailors custom vest and shirt

9tailors custom 3 piece suit

Tip #3: Tweed! Tweed is a fabric made from woolen yarn. It has a rough, open texture but can also be soft to the touch. It is ideal for cold weather because it has great insulating properties. Plus, it has some serious versatility.

9tailors custom tweed suit

Tip #4: Don't be afraid to mix and match! Chances are, your mixed patterns will actually be more stylish than having everything match perfectly. While mixing patterns and textures can go terribly wrong, it can also go wonderfully right. Here's a do and don't example:

DON'T:

Mix and match that makes you dizzy. Way too much going on here.

DO:

Mix and match patterns, textures and colors done just right!

Tip #5: Sweaters/cardigans! A simple, solid sweater can go a long way. Pick up some standard fall colored knits...greys, burgundy, browns, navy...you get the point. Not only do they keep you toasty, but they switch up your regular outfits, making it appear that you have an enormous wardrobe.

9tailors custom shirt, Jegman tie

So there you have it, some simple tips to staying warm and looking great. Contact us at info@9tailors.com to order your vests, tweeds, patterned shirts and custom jackets! We'll have you looking dapper in no time.

Pieces You Need and Want for Fall 2014

You've celebrated the last vestiges of summer this past weekend. We're now eagerly awaiting for the new season to begin. It's almost time to pack up your shorts and polos. But, what do you need for fall 2014? Here are the top five tips you should be paying attention to.

Fall Tip #1: Brown and Green

These were the two primary colors for fall 2014. The somber look of these two colors provides a refreshing contrast to last season's brights blues. We recommend trying a suit or suit separate in mocha brown or olive green.

Fall Tip #2: Texture

We love layering various textures together! It adds visual interest and depth to any outfit. We recommend trying pairing a tweed jacket with a knit-wool tie. Or, you can wear your chunky knit sweater over your chambray shirt. The possibilities are endless.

Fall Tip #3: Tonal

Try monochromatic this fall from head to toe. We're particularly partial to tonal grays and taupe for a sophisticated look. But, extra points are given to those who can pull off all white!

Fall Tip #4: The dress boot

This trend carried over from last year. But, we still love the way the dress boot falls under a narrow trouser leg or a cuffed jeans. Go with laces or monk straps. Either are sure to be a great investment for the fall and winter.

Fall Tip #5: Military

This fall is all about the masculine and the rugged. We're seeing military influences everywhere from over-sized coats to bomber jackets. How about adding gun flap to your outerwear or epaulets to your shirt? We recommend trying fitted dress pants with cargo pockets in textured tweed or suiting wool.

What's on your list? Need to refresh your clothing for fall? Email us at info@9tailors.com.

Happy 4 for the 4th - Buy 3, Get 1 Free!

Time to celebrate! From now through the end of July, our Buy 3, Get 1 shirt deal is back! 

For those of you who haven't purchased this package in the past...here's how is works: 

1. Purchase 3 Shirts (starting price $145.00, 100% cotton). 
2. Then, you receive one free shirt that is of equal or lesser value to the other three shirts. 

Pretty simple, right?

Branch out with a loud pattern, get something other than your usual shirt design (new collar style? contrast fabric?)...so many reasons, so little time! 

Terms & Conditions

• The promotion is valid now until July 31, 2014 at 11:59PM EST.
• If you do not purchase the qualifying items when the promotion is in effect, the discount will not apply.
• The promotion applies only to qualifying custom shirts in the C, D, E, and F categories.
• Unless the promotion indicates otherwise, it applies to the lowest-priced qualifying item and may not be combined with other offers.
• All qualifying items must be purchased in one order for a single client.
• If you return any of the promotion items, we will subtract your discount from your return credit. 
• Shipping and handling charges apply to all promoted items.
• Void where prohibited.

Not Sure where to start? Contact us at info@9tailors.com to schedule your consultation.

Dive Into Summer

It's finally getting warmer and that means that summer is around the corner. Is your wardrobe ready? Here are 5 style tips on how to incorporate one of the most common menswear colors (you guessed it, blue!) in a warm weather style:

Tip #1: Liven up your navy blazer by wearing it with colored denim

http://bit.ly/Su0PCb

Tip #2: Pair a brilliant blue with a pair of khakis

http://tinyurl.com/l6rz5f6

http://tinyurl.com/kfo97bc

Tip #3: Subtle seersucker in a fine wale isn't just for Easter or Derby days

http://tinyurl.com/kjpkll4

More on the conservative side? Tip #4: A bright navy suit will give you that warm weather look without making you look too casual

http://tinyurl.com/jwygyfe

Tip #5: If a full suit of blue is too much for you, try some fun accessories with a pop of color

Available at 9tailors. Special sale - 9tailors small and large pocket squares - $12/$15, 9tailors bow ties - $15
9tailors knot cuff links - $5, shoelaces - $5

 So there you have it, a few ways to wear your summer blues (the good kind). Make an appointment with us for your custom, fit-you-just-right summer brights!

Chambray, lightweight wool and linen suit separates - available at 9tailors

Our Winter Sample Sale is Back!

You're invited to our semi-annual sample sale! Starting February 8th to February 24th, you can purchase additional pieces to round out your already impeccable wardrobe. Here's a breakdown of our unbelievable opportunity: 

Shirts: $35.00

Jackets: $60.00

Pants: $45.00

Skirts: $40.00

Vests: $40.00

As always, our sample sales are by-appointment only. We'll have a Style Consultant on-hand to help you dig through the samples, so you won't have to! 

If you can't find anything at the sample sale that suits, we're offering our clients 10% off on certain full-priced merchandise.*

* Sample Sale Rules and Restrictions:

• Sample sale items refer to excess inventory and samples currently stocked in the studio.

• All items marked as sample sale are final sale only and cannot be exchanged or returned for refund.  

• 10% discount is valid on full-priced items over $100.00 only. Must be redeemed same day as sample sale appointment. Cannot be combined with sample sale merchandise, other discounts or promotions we are currently running.

• Sample sale and 10% discount expires on February 24, 2014

• Prices do not include alterations. Alterations will be completed by client's own alterations tailor. 
• Other rules and restrictions may apply. 

Welcome, Alycia and Elizabeth!

Courtesy of matthunterworld.com

Happy New Year, friends, clients, suit enthusiasts and custom aficionados alike! We usher in 2013 with a brighter outlook, a fresher take on today's fashion, and more exclusive style tips, trend watches, and custom tales just for you! We have also added some new Style Consultants to our growing team, Elizabeth and Alycia! If you haven't been by the studio in awhile, come by to meet them and design some custom threads!

Courtesy of putthison.com

Alycia will be contributing to the blog, too, so be sure to check in weekly to get the latest from us. A new year brings new trends and stories and we are here to keep you informed! And if you have any ideas you'd like us to tackle or need to schedule your next appointment, feel free to email us directly at info@9tailors.com.

HOLIDAY REMINDER: GET IT WHILE THE GETTIN'S GOOD!

As the holidays approach (slowly, surely, more quickly than you realize, gasp!), you may be in the market for some fancy, new duds, right? Ensure you have your 9tailors items in time to debut at all of your wintertime festivities. To guarantee any garments before December 25, keep the following dates in mind for appointments:

• MONDAY, November 12 = last day for shirt orders
• SATURDAY, November 17 = last day for suit orders 

Email a Style Consultant at info@9tailors.com to make your appointment in advance so you don't have to worry when it comes down to the wire. Come on, be the hit of your holiday parties this year!

New York! New York!

Have an hour to spare? Make an appointment to meet with CEO Samantha Shih and her design staff to create custom shirts or suits for yourself! The process? Choose your fabrics, decide on the styles you desire, and then after your measurements are taken, discuss fit requests and preferences. The advantage? Custom design allows you the luxury of personalizing your ensembles to your particular tastes and unique proportions.

We are taking appointments in advance of this event. To make an appointment, please send an RSVP e-mail to info@9tailors.com. We will send you a confirmation e-mail when we receive your RSVP.

WHERE: 

TBD

WHEN:

MARCH

Thursday, 3/22 - 1:00PM to 8:00PM

Friday, 3/23 9:00AM to 5:00PM

APRIL

Thursday, 4/5 - 1:00PM to 8:00PM

Friday 4/6 - 9:00AM to 5:00PM

Triangles, Squares, and The Pouf! How To Rock a Pocket Square

With pocket squares becoming more and more common we are in turn addressing more and more questions concerning the proper way to utilize the accessory.  How exactly do you craft that little square in your pocket to showcase your style?  Are you artfully disheveled?  Exacting and angular? Or, simply confused?

Lets break it down.  While some dandies have specific requirements on how a pocket square should be folded, we are proponents of doing it your way- hence the DIY (design it yourself) approach.

The Triangle- some men like the angular look and fold their pocket squares into triangles and have the points poke out at various angles.  This is a very sharp look.  Sharp in the sense it looks clean and exacting. Generally this would work out well for people who prefer razor sharp lines and no fuss.

Photo: Channing Johnson
Pocket Square: Salmagundi

The Square- oft referred to as a classic, this has somewhat fallen out of favor.  While it also has a sharp look like the triangle, this is easier to manipulate in order to only show the slightest sliver of silk. The square could be considered the beginners pocket square.

Photo: Channing Johnson
Pocket Square: Salmagundi

The Pouf- granted this is simply how I have labeled it, but the look, in reflection of the name, is playful.  This is great for patterned pocket squares so you get more exposure, as well as a more casual look in a friendly environment. It is pictured below as part of a more casual suit-with-no-tie combo.

Photo: Channing Johnson
Pocket Square: Salmagundi

These three options are the most commonly used but as always we love diversity.  Send us your way to sport a pocket square at info@9tailors.com and you might end up on the blog!

Meet Kenneth: Resident Scientist

Meet our clean cut client, Kenneth. Kenneth is a big fan of dressing to impress despite the fact that the majority of men in his profession tend to stick to khakis.  He regularly bucks the norm with daring lining options and colorful ties. Read more about our favorite scientist below.  

Name: Kenneth Lawrence
Age: do I really have to? 46
Hometown: Norfolk VA
Current Residence: Norfolk, MA
Occupation: Senior Medical Scientist

How long have you been a 9tailors client? About 3 years

Why choose custom? Simple, because the fit is amazing. Choosing a shirt off the rack can always be an adventure for anyone even a “normal size” person. You never really know your size and even when you do you never get the shirt to fix the way it should. Sometimes the sleeves peek out just right when you wear a jacket but when you take off the jacket there is too much material sticking out in back or on the sides; not a great look. Other times, the body of the shirt is just too big and it looks awful. A well design custom made shirt should be in the closet of any man that cares about the way they present themselves to others.

What would be your style advice to other men in your professional field? Just because you are a scientist you do not have to wear jeans or khakis every day. Sure, Fridays can be jean day and Wednesday wear khakis, but once in a while, wear shoes with leather soles, a pressed shirt and a pair of wool slacks. Socks should match and shine your shoes (it’s cheap) too.

What/who inspires your style? Myself and my dad. I would honestly rather help a women choose a dress or accessory (what does that say about me?) than worry about being inspired by anyone else. That said, I like a classic look which includes a pressed 9tailors shirt, wool slacks and a colorful tie to match. As for looks, I like the “Mad Men” style without the skinny ties. A tailored, well fitting, well groomed man looks intelligent, feels confident and gives you a leg up on the next guy…… sometimes.

What is your favorite piece from 9tailors? All of them. But probably my suit with the custom zebra lining; no one can top that. Sam, Alex, and Kathryn, make the fitting and all aspect of getting custom made clothes a great experience.

Shoot Details:

Location: Beacon Hill

Trench Coat: 9tailors

Shirt: 9tailors 

Hat: Salmagundi

We're currently offering 3 jacket styles for spring 2012. All are priced at $400. However, for a limited time (until March 16, 2012) we will be offering each style for $50 off. Get them now! It's going to be perfect trench coat weather in no time!

All photos were taken by Channing Johnson.  You can check out more of his work, here. Want to design a custom trench coat for spring?  Send us an email today at info@9tailors.com to set up an appointment.  

Love is in the Air: Let 9tailors Bring You Some Luck!

Getting down on one knee and asking for forever is considered one of life's most important decisions, for good reason.  Planning to spend the rest of your life with one person requires a lot of thought.  Once you decide, yes, this is the person, then you have to figure out how to ask.

There are a lot of statistics floating around the web concerning proposals but the dominating theory, based on a survey done by The Knot, is somewhere in the neighborhood of 1 in 4 women were not satisfied with the way their partner asked for their hand in marriage.

We're not advocating renting out the Sydney Opera House and playing a symphony you composed for her but, do tailor (pun intended) the experience to your partner.

Show us how it's done, Raj!  One of our clients proposed to his girlfriend, Ms. Luck, over the holidays looking oh so dapper in his 9tailors suit and shirt. 

  

The newly engaged couple radiates pure joy after the proposal.  Great job with the ring, Sir.

While we would like to think the 9tailors suit and shirt were lucky, it was probably Kim herself.  Congrats Raj and Kim on your recent engagement!

Need the perfect outfit to make sure your dressed impeccably on that special day? Let us help you out.  Email info@9tailors.com to set up an appointment with a style consultant today.  We specialize in taking care of clothing related jitters. Happy Valentine's Day!

Wild and Washable

Continuing with our slew of wedding related posts, what about cummerbunds?  This waist covering can look tired, old, and yes, even you, gentleman, can look fat. But while searching for some redeeming qualities in this possibly antiquated accessory I stumbled upon High Cotton Ties.  This company has provided a shining ray of hope for the modern dandy.  Check out some of my favorites below.

Some fresh pairs for summer and spring events

Rich options that are suited for fall and winter

Not only are these fresh cummerbunds exciting and new, they're washable.  As most people have found out, your dry cleaning bill can eventually trump the cost of the clothes.  The brilliant designers behind High Cotton Ties have made sure that you can throw these in the wash and not cry when you find them in the dryer later.  Get the matching set, get them separately, or get them monogrammed.  They will be the talk of the ball.

Of course no accessory should upstage the tuxedo.  Get yourself a showstopping tux from 9tailors to compliment your new accessory.  Email a style consultant to get your look together at info@9taliors.com.  Don't forget that we cut wedding parties of 3 or more a 15% break on their purchase!

Meet Tee: Virtual Client, Personal Trainer and Model

Tee Major, pictured in the 9tailors red gingham shirt

Remember Tee Major, one of our models from a few seasons ago? He's the handsome gentlemen in the picture above in a 9tailors red gingham shirt. If not, you may recognize him because he was one of the twenty-one best bodies in Boston according to Stuff in 2010. Check Tee's amazing photo out here (Worth a look, we promise!).

Since our last photo shoot, Tee has been busy. We mean very busy. He moved half way across the world to do something that some would find unimaginable. Tee moved to Iraq to run one of the gyms owned by the Department of Defense and personally train American soldiers who are stationed there. Talk about intense. 
Tee told us:  "I love serving others, I love training, and I'm an adrenaline junky.  I have trained professional athletes, college athletes, children, and men/women of all sizes and ages.  In my opinion, training military (which is called the tactical segment) was the next step to develop myself as a top fitness professional.  When the opportunity presented itself to train in Iraq I saw it as a way to serve others, serve my country, and quench my thirst for excitement." 

Last month, Tee contacted us and told us know that he would need a suit for an upcoming wedding state side. We happily agreed. One challenge? Tee was still in Iraq at the time and he needed the suit and shirt within 3 weeks. So, we scheduled a virtual fitting with him. We also discussed his fit and design preferences as if he were right here in the studio.

A friend measures Tee's biceps. Yep, 19" in circumference. Perhaps, a record at 9tailors?

Tee said that he chose custom because his "body dimensions are not 'off the rack'."  According to him, "I have broad chest and shoulders, freakishly large arms, and a small waist.  Nothing ever fits quite right.  So it's a comfort thing, but it's also a confidence thing.  You feel more confident knowing that the suit you are wearing is as unique as your fingerprint." 


Two weeks later, the suit arrived in the studio. This is what the suit looked like. It needed some minor tweaks, but overall he looked great in his 9tailors suit and shirt!

Tee at the first fitting. 

According to Tee, "My style advice to other men in my professional field is to try to feel as comfortable and confident in your formal wear as you do in your gym wear."  Tee, we couldn't agree with you more. 

Learn more about our client, Tee, in an upcoming blog post. Stay tuned.

Don't live in Boston, but need a perfect fitting suit and dress shirt? Opt for a virtual fitting. Contact us at info@9tailors.com.

The Virtual Side of 9tailors

It looks like our quest to spread style across the country is working and we have more and more people requesting remote services.

Out of town? Well, we have just the program for you.

While keeping the human component intact we have implemented virtual fittings. This is where you set up an appointment time by emailing appointment@9tailors.com and hold a fitting without actually having to travel to the studio. Just follow the steps below to avoid the elements.

Step 1- Make an appointment!

Step 2- Find a friend. If you do not have one willing, ask your mother. If she is busy, ask your neighbors. If they are busy, fly to Boston so a trained style consultant can help directly. Although, you may want to bring an umbrella.

Step 3- Gather necessary items including: tailors tape measure, computer with camera, and, said aide from Step 2.

Step 4- Using video chat link up with a 9tailors style consultant.

Step 5- Take measurements and fit preferences. During the appointment you will be coached through the measuring process by a consultant.

Step 6- Wait patiently for your custom items to arrive at your doorstep (or cubicle)!

Step 7- Repeat process for a continually improving wardrobe.

Get the process started now with a simple email to info@9tailors.com to have crisp new shirts ready for your holiday parties!

Business of Making Clones

Style comes in many different forms. Some relish in their ability to stand out from the crowd with outlandish, original, occasionally offensive forms of clothing. (See Gaga) Yet others pride themselves in masterfully tailored garments in quiet hues and minimal patterns (See James Bond).

Regardless of your style orientation we can reproduce your favorite piece. Ever bought a pair of pants you fell in love with? But, once you knew the intensity of your love you returned in hopes of stocking your style arsenal with well fitting pieces only to find they were gone, never to return to the retailers of the world again. Well, we are in the business of making clones. Bring that tattered old dress shirt that still manages to put your confidence through the roof to the studio and we will make you another. Bring in your favorite work dress so we can make one on par with its flattering shape.

Not only will you get a garment that fits like a glove, but we have thousands of fabrics to choose from so you can finally get in it every color of the rainbow.

Send the miracle workers at 9tailors an email if you're looking to recreate a garment at info@9tailors.com.