Happy Black Friday

The turkey is cooked, carved and eaten. The leftovers are put away, the menorah candle is lit and the holiday shopping has commenced. Black Friday is officially here with the sales your wallet craves for. There is never enough time to get to all the stores and collect all the values your heart desires. Lucky for you, 9tailors' holiday gift package is available throughout December. The perfect men's accessories starter gift set for the gentleman's wardrobe.

More color options available in studio

10% off custom shirt gift certificates available with purchase of Male Box

Interested in our holiday gift set? Want to know more about the men's accessories we offer or a gift certificate for the man who is impossible to shop for? Contact us at info@9tailors.com

A Cut Above - Now Serving New York City

It's official. We're expanding to New York City!  If you're a 9tailors client who has recently relocated to NYC or a New Yorker who needs great fitting custom suits or dress shirts, we would be happy to assist you with all of your sartorial needs!

We are currently seeking the perfect spot for our showroom. But, don't fret. We will come visit you at your home or office if you live or work in New York City or the Burroughs (must be accessible via public transportation from Manhattan). This New York service is exclusively by appointment only. 

Bonus! When you a refer a friend, you and your friend will receive $50.00 to spend on any future purchase $100+. Refer your friends here. Everyone wins. 

Email us at info@9tailors.com or call 617.286.6135 for more details.  

Studio Updates: Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year, including the weeks before and after, is the largest human migration on the planet.  During this time Chinese workers from all over travel home for family reunions. Much of the country's business take extended holidays.  Since our tailors will be with their families during this period please allow for a production time of 8 weeks on garments ordered in January.

Travel Alert: New York Fittings

Diet, deprive yourself of your favorite vices, "enjoy life more!", and do all this while being less stressed.  No wonder most people have given up on the top ten resolutions by mid-February.

Here is an easier one, dress better.  We will even provide you with your very own Style Consultant to help you create a look that suits your body type and your lifestyle.

Outside the Boston area? We will even take it one step farther and bring the styling to you! Check out our travel calendar. Take the first step in creating a better dressed version of yourself by making an appointment today.  Email us at info@9tailors.com to request an appointment.

Not Your Regular White Dress Shirt

A staple, a boring necessity, a harbor of safety for the clothing shy, an opportunity to showcase your creativity to others. A white dress shirt that fits like a glove is a, like it or not, part of the foundation of a strong wardrobe- for work or otherwise. It can get you through just about any event in style, crisp classic style. Although if you need to beef up your arsenal of go-to shirts here is a great way to do it.

The idea may or may not have subconsciously come from those great photos of quadruplets dressed in complementary clothes.

Regardless of the origin, this tactic keeps your look fresh even when you are largely repeating the same outfit- as tradition outlines for men.

Let us check out the details on each shirt.

The whites are textured and the texture is matched by the pattern inside the collar and cuff. Then for a little extra- but not too much- there is contrast stitching on the cuffs. This allows for details even if the shirt is worn with a tie and the contrast fabric is hidden.

Purple, please. We have said time and time again purple is the cat's pajamas. Check out these two white shirts with an infusion of purple flare. This is a good way for the kids to ease into the deep end.

If you need to replace those once-white-now-yellow shirts let us know. We can set you up with a style consultant and guide you through the process of shirt building.

Set up an appointment today and participate in the Buy 3 Get 1 Free! Email us to set up an appointment at info@9tailors.com.

Shirt of the Week!

Just because it's getting dark outside doesn't mean you need to swap all of your colorful items for drab greys and bleak blacks. Anchor your lighter pieces with a darker contrast like one of our clients did below. A pink shirt doesn't need to be reserved for the spring and summer when paired with navy buttons and navy contrasting fabric.

If you want to get the most out of your contrasting buttons go ahead and do a double button cuff. This also works great if you just do a bright button on the cuffs for a more subtle approach.

He didn't want to stop at the collar and cuff but opted for contrasting fabric down the placket as well. This is a great option for a more casual look.

Looking for a way to step up your winter wardrobe? Contact a style consultant today at info@9tailors.com to set up an appointment.

Holiday Wishlists: Festive Purple According to Allison Yee

Meet Allison, co-founder of Polished Wardrobe Advising. She has extensive experience in the field of fashion advising and was kind enough to share her expertise with our readers.

Last week we sat down to create a way to ease men into purple. Why purple? Well according to Allison it possess all the greatest qualities including:

• Versatile- looks good with dark jeans, grey slacks, black slacks, tweed
• Flattering- with an array of shades it is flattering on every skin tone
• Gateway- since it is though of more masculine than pink it provides a stepping stone to other colors
• Easy- Pairs with any color shoe
• Appropriate- still work appropriate for more conservative industries like banking and consulting

With all these perks wrapped up in one color its clearly a great choice as a gift for your loved ones or for yourself.

Take the test below to find out which design by Allison would work best for your specific needs.

Now that you know your results, here are the different styles:

Gentleman: This one is for the man who only owns blue and white. This is for the recent grad who has less than 5 shirts. This is for the guy looking to tip-toe into something different. Keep it simple with a white button and a midway spread collar.


The Charmer: This is for the guy who knows what he likes. Simple white textured contrast and contrast buttons, on the cuff only. Designing for this type of guy Allison also kept the design simple with button cuffs and a wide spread collar. We know this guy likes to work hard and play hard which is why we added a roll tab to let him go from day to night with ease.


The Lady Killer: This is a great gift for someone who has everything. With a bold purple check patter and grey accent fabric inside the collar and cuffs, this shirt is not for a wallflower. He also has contrast buttons on the whole shirt throwing subtlety out the window. Not only is the pattern bold but it is from our luxury collection with the highest thread count.

Like what Allison had in mind for purple? We can recreate one of the above shirts in your exact measurements. Or, of course design just about anything you had in mind.

Go ahead and email a style consultant at info@9tailors.com to set up an appointment today. Don't forget to let your friends in NYC know we will be out there this week making sure everyone looks their best.

Meet Matt: There's an algorithm for that.

Meet our client of two years, Matt. With a full sleeve of a colored double helix and Twins logo tattooed on his right arm, Matt isn't what comes to mind when you talk about PhD candidates in Chemical Engineering. His edgy style challenges the traditions of academia with a fresh take on classic ideas. He is a master at pulling together separates such as the vest-pant combo above.

When he isn't in the lab Matt is busy with wedding planning. We helped him design a great tux for his wedding this winter, although we can't say much more as it is a surprise reserved for the wedding day.

Name: Matthew D. Stuber
Age: 27
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Currently Residing In: Cambridge, MA
Occupation: Graduate Student (PhD Chemical Engineering)

How long have you been a 9tailors client?

2 years

Why choose custom?

It's obvious that you have to have a cereal-box body to look good in off-the-shelf clothing. I've always been in need of either a custom clothing designer or a REALLY good tailor. Even my trusty Club Monaco has begun to sell "Classic Fit" clothing, which is a fancy way of saying clothing that costs them less to manufacture and will make you look homeless. Going custom is the only way to guarantee my satisfaction.

What would be your style advice to other men in your professional field?

Leave your cross-trainers at home and learn to tie a tie. Just because the dress code is business casual doesn't mean you can't step it up and look like a professional. That suit you bought for $50 for "special occasions" makes you look like a 12 year old playing dress-up in daddy's clothes. Where are your hands?

How would you describe your style?
Edgy modern twist on 1920's classic (leave out the pleats and 3-button coats). My more casual days are punk prep.

What/who inspires your style?
-My grandmother and her traditional values of formal attire and "dressing for success"
-James Bond (specifically Daniel Craig)
-Mercedes AMG: classic luxury with an edgy twist hiding shear madness.
-The idea of being the only person who gets dressed in the morning and possibly being commended for it.

What is your favorite piece from 9tailors?

My most heavily worn pieces would include my purple check/white collar shirt and grey vest. Although I haven't worn it yet, I am quite fond of my winter tuxedo.

As any chemist knows, the devil is in the details. Matt's mastery of commanding the smallest components of his ensembles shows. Check out those metal buttons on the pants and vest.

Another detail, that does not go unnoticed, is the contrast fabric on the besoms. This is the same fabric that the pants are made from helping tie the two separates together without having to fully match.

Shoot Details:
Location: Beacon Hill
Suit: 9tailors
Shirt: 9tailors
Tie: His Own
Tie Clip: Tsai Clip

Step-up your look with a vest this season. Works great to dress up jeans and a button-down or to add something interesting to a standard two piece suit.

Email a style consultant at info@9tailors.com to design a custom vest today.

The Best Deal In Town- Buy 3 Get 1 Free

No holiday season would be complete without the Boston-famous buy 3 get 1 free deal. Go ahead and go wild with some new shirts for a new year. Did I mention we have new fabrics? Hundreds of them.

Get creative, get classic, get crazy, just get some new threads. Don't forget to spread the style either. True love is wanting everyone else in your life to look as good as you- thanks to your favorite style consultants at 9tailors.

*** Holiday Deadline - Shirt orders must be submitted before November 16.****

Think you might miss the deadline? Get a 9tailors gift card, design a shirt or, have a shirt designing party! Just get yourself looking fresh.

Email us at info@9tailors.com to set up an appointment today!

Terms & Conditions

• The promotion is valid now until December 31, 2011 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.

Shirt of the Week!

Versatility is one of the greatest assets when designing a new article of clothing. The best pieces can go from day to night or from formal to casual. One of our clients in Brooklyn designed the shirt below. He used some of the new fabrics we recently added to our growing collection for the accents. Check out his creation!

He used a grey broadcloth for the shirt and a purple plaid for the accent color. The final touch- navy buttons. This is a great day to night shirt. Wear it with a purple tie and a navy suit for the office then chuck the tie and swap the slacks for jeans to create an evening look great for grabbing dinner and drinks.

Don't want to break the bank? The shirt above came to the grand total of 104.00!

Looking for an all-purpose shirt? Set up an appointment with a style consultant at info@9tailors.com!

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.

Travel Alert: New York

9tailors will be making a trip to New York City September 30 and October 1! For the Boston defectors or the NY natives we will be bringing tailored perfection to the bustling isle of Manhattan.

Get while the gettin's good and make your appointment today. A 9tailors style consultant will meet you at your office to help you design some dapper duds.

On the 30th appointment times are available from 2pm to 7pm. On the 1st appointments are available from 10am to 7pm.

Go ahead and sent us an email to secure your slot at info@9tailors.com. See you in NY!

Studio Updates: August

Just wanted to write up a quick reminder about all the events and activities going on at 9tailors!

First, we still have a khaki promotion going on until the end of the month. Get yourself out of that droopy, sagging, pair of parachute pants and into a finely tailored pair. You should be showing off your assets in every pair of pants you wear.

Second, if summer has officially drained your bank account we have a solution for that too. The eagerly anticipated sample sale is here! Making killer threads available to everyone regardless of the size of their bank account has always been a goal of 9tailors. This sample sale is just another way we wanted to remind you we care.

Go ahead and shoot me an email at kathryn@9tailors.com to set up your sample sale appointments today! Hurry, we're running out of time.

Contrasting like a Pro: Must Run in the Family!

A few weeks ago a shirt was featured on the blog for its great choice in contrasting fabrics. This last week another batch of shirts came in and we noticed it's a family trait. Here are two more shirts designed by the same bloodline that make the cut for beautifully contrasted shirts!


This father son combo has mastered the subtle differences that make a classic dress shirt exclusively your own. The navy buttons only on the cuffs keep the shirt from becoming too loud while giving it a boost of personality. The button down collar keeps it casual and the contrasting fabric makes it fun.


This shirt is so sleek it could be worn to a variety of events. The grey contrasting fabric is understated enough to fit into slightly more formal events.

Email us if you have an idea of your own or even want to replicate the shirts above! info@9tailors.com for more info or to book an appointment.

In the Know: The Custom Process

With all the style tips and ideas coming your way we thought it would be important to let everyone know, who hasn't worked with us before, how the Design It Yourself process works. Sam, the founder and CEO, like to refer to our work as, "build a bear for custom clothing." Essentially we help our clients, men and women, sift through all the options to find exactly what they are looking for based on the events they plan on wearing their new garments to. So, let me walk you through the process.

1. The Meeting- As a first time client we like to get to know you. Asking questions about your work culture and lifestyle you live is crucial to helping us help you. By finding out what you wear to work, the fundraising events you attend, the number of weddings you frequent and, the types of events you participate in gives your style consultant a better idea of what you are looking for.

2. Choosing the fabric- After the initial meeting you and your style consultant will begin looking for the desired fabric. We have somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,000 swatches of suit material and nearly 1,200 shirting fabrics to sift through. Your style consultant will make it a manageable process by searching for specific styles to match your preferences and fit your lifestyle.


3. Style Components- Shirts: Now that you have chosen the fabric that compliments you, you will choose your collar, cuffs, placket, back style, and buttons. If you wear a tie your style consultant will help you choose a collar that will not only fit the type of knot you tie but also complement your face shape. If you are planning to use it as a casual shirt your style consultant will show you some options, such as the roll tab or button down collar, that are appropriate for the occasions you plan to wear the shirt to.

4. Measurements: To ensure a proper fit we take, at minimum, 14 measurements for shirts and 24 for suits. Another thing to consider is bringing in a suit or shirt that you really like so we have a better idea of how you prefer your clothing to fit.
For suits the wait is somewhere between 3-4 weeks. It is slightly longer for shirts taking 4-5 weeks. If you have ordered more than one shirt and it is your first time working with 9tailors we will only submit one to start with. That way we can ensure we have your measurements and fit preferences perfect before making more.


5. First fitting- After your items come in we will ask you to schedule a fitting. Now we are open 7 days a week to make it even easier to find time to come in. The fittings last for no longer than 30 minutes. You will come into the studio and try on your garments and your style consultant will walk you through each component of the suit or shirt and check on the fit. This way you can be confident in the fit of your new clothing.
For suits first round alterations are common. These are done locally and will typically take about a week to be completed. At that point you can come back to the studio for a second fitting.

6. Second fitting- After all required and requested alterations have been completed on the suit or shirt you can come back for a second fitting to confirm the fit. If you are satisfied with the fit you will be able to take it home and begin wearing it! If not, we would be more than happy to alter the item again or reorder it to your specifications. With a 100% satisfaction guarantee the risk is eliminated.

7. Take it home- After you take it home you have 30 days to test drive it. Go ahead and wash your shirts, we suggest you launder rather than dry clean them to prevent unnecessary wear and tear. Get the suit pressed and wear it out. This is the best way to really decide if something fits you properly. Go dancing, go to those client meetings, go traveling, that way you can really decide if the fit you chose fits your lifestyle and comfort preferences. If you find there is something you want to change feel free to bring it back to the studio and we will make any necessary changes, all alterations within that 30 day period are included.


8. Repeat steps 1-7. Now that you know the process don't be shy about designing all your shirts yourself. Get creative!

Contact a style consultant today at info@9tailors.com to begin the DIY process!

Calling all New Yorkers

Get yourself suited up with 9tailors. We will be in New York the 23rd and 24th of this month. Make an appointment before they are all filled! Email us at info@9tailors.com to claim your spot today.

Get This: Funky Accessories

Nothing gets more monotonous than donning the same three suits week after week with the same rotation of your handful of colorful ties. Here are some quirky accessories from Vintage Cufflinks that you may consider adding to your wardrobe so those tried and true pieces look fresh.

A pistol tie bar anyone? Show your subordinates (or superiors) you mean business with this vintage piece.

Just plain quirky, this pair of cufflinks will keep that crisp white shirt anything but boring.

Spend all your time reading children's books? This one with the three little pigs may just be right for you- and your children.

Need the right shirt for that special pair of cufflinks? Let a style consultant know, info@9tailors.com for and appointment!

How To: Avoid Fashion Faux Pas During the Summer

Here are just a few things that should be avoided at all costs during the summer days spent at the office, well most of these should never be worn- ever.

The first is a Hawaiian shirt. This is really not appropriate for work. It has a casual feel that says your on an island ready to relax. Basically, it screams your prepared for a vacation, the antithesis of work. Not exactly the image you want to send your boss' way.

Second is shorts. Above are some plaid shorts and some swim shorts. Neither should ever grace the hallways of your office. Restrict these to the beach only. The plaid shorts may make an appearance on a company sponsored golf outing, but should never ever enter the boardroom.

Men may appreciate it when women wear tank tops, but gentlemen, don't assume the fairer sex will feel the same about your overly exposed body. Even at the gym these are gag inducing unless you happen to have cultured the body of a Greek god.

Sandals should never be worn, no one wants to see your feet. I know you may want to show off your new pedi, but the world isn't ready for all that toe.

The last item is a pair of wrap around shades. If your job is similar to Lance Armstrong, then this is just perfect for you. But, the rest of the you working in the non-spandex world, leave these at home for your next Tour de France.

If you are now painfully aware of how wrong your wardrobe is for work email us at info@9tailors.com to schedule an appointment with a style consultant who can help you look your best.

Top 5: Ways to Stay Cool

It's tough to stay cool during these scorching summer months. Here are a few ideas for women in the work place.

Remember:

1. Stick to natural fabrics. Silk, cotton, and linen are more breathable and will keep you cooler. Avoid man-made fabrics such as polyester or rayon as these will trap heat. Email us at info@9tailors.com to make an appointment to design your 100% cotton dress shirt!

2. Stick to lighter colors. Just walking from your car to the office in a black outfit can get you sweating. Light colors will reflect the sun rather than absorb it.

3. Layer, layer, layer. Wear a few light layers so you can peel them back if you need to go outside but can pile them on for those days when the office AC is out of control.

4. Try out a camisole. Wear a cami under your blouse to wick away moisture and keep you cooler- and drier.

5. Opt for looser clothing such as dresses, skirts, or linen pants to allow for a breeze between your skin and the fabric. Tighter clothes will trap heat against your body and are probably made of synthetic fibers adding to the problem.