Kicking Off the Season with Johnny Hekker

Football is finally back! We're celebrating the new NFL season with Pro Bowl punter and St. Louis Rams player, Johnny Hekker. Although he's best known for his boot (and sometimes for his arm), he's also knowledgeable when it comes to men's fashion and never misses an opportunity to get dressed up. During our consultations together, we learned a few things about Johnny and his off-the-field style. He prefers slim-fitting garments. He adores his Boxer puppy, Nellie. And, when returns home to Seattle, he never misses a chance to enjoy a delicious dim sum meal. 

Name: Johnny

Age: 24

Hometown: Seattle, WA

Current Residence: St. Louis, MO

Occupation: Punter

9tailors Client Since: May 2014

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Why Choose Custom?

I chose custom because I have a unique body style that has a hard time fitting properly in manufactured suits. I also enjoy a nice, fitted look that is tight in the right areas and allows freedom and movement. I also love getting to have a say in colors, patterns, and other details that make a suit unique.

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How Difficult Is It To Find Garments For Your Specific Needs & Style?

It is very difficult to find garments that fit as desired because I have very long arms and bigger legs from kicking. This makes for a tough decision as to which items going to fit properly. 

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What Inspires Your Style?

I would say I am inspired by simple looks that have hidden gems of personal touch. I love the look of fitted suits and the sleek style of Bradley Cooper, if I had to pick a celebrity look-a-like.

What Is Your Favorite Piece from 9tailors?

I enjoy my blue suit with paisley lining.

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How Would You Advise Fellow NFL Players?

I would advise other NFL players that a great custom suit doesn't have to break your bank. With 9tailors, I was in complete control of the look and styling of my suit and I was blown away with the quality and value for what I paid. Having an individual and self expressive suit goes a long way to building the confidence needed for game day. 

Although we support our hometown Patriots, Johnny has gingerly (pun intended) swooped into and melted our hearts. 

Want to design something inspired by your celebrity style-go-to? Loving the blue-gray suit on Johnny or need help accessorizing? Contact a style consultant at info@9tailors.com! 

Accessories Highlight: JORD Watches

Summer time is about rolling up your sleeves and showing off your guns. Getting away from the city when you can and getting back in tune with the great outdoors, whether in the woods or on the water. JORD watches has the perfect combination for their natural watches in the city in-between your weekend trips. 

"Delmar" Watch
source: JORD

Their wide variety of designs makes them easy to wear casually or in the office. Starting off in November 2013, the company has fresh eyes for the market. They made sure to start off ahead of the game with their sustainable materials and being mindful of their environmental impact. 

source: instagram, @woodwatches_com

The company was started by 3 brothers and group of close childhood friends, based in St. Louis. The gentleman wanted to build something that not only would leave an impression on people but combine form and design. Today's technology makes everything overly accessible to the point where we are left with a feeling of nostalgia. Our generation (those of us in our mid to late 20s) grew up when technology was just beginning to grow. Touch screens and automatic vacuums were still considered science fiction. 

Rosie the robot maid from The Jetsons
source: bing

The nostalgic hunger for simpler items like the typewriters has lead the masses to go vintage markets and remakes. Items are also being remade to adapt to technology, such as piece of drift wood to be an IPad holder, making every piece unique, personal and a beautiful nod to nature. 

Driftwood Dock by Docksmith
source: etsy

Merging nature with contemporary design and function is a growing market that is difficult to achieve well. With the brother's father and grandfather as avid watch collectors, it was the perfect to be inspired by their passions and continue the family tradition; only they get to create their own collection. JORD watches are able to create a beautiful harmony between nostalgia, nature, function and contemporary design.

copyright 9tailors, LLC.

Their favorite watch? The 764 Model. The reason? 

"It is unlike any other watch on the market right now. It is the only all wood watch that is automatic. Not to mention, it is just a very cool/unique looking watch. It has many nicknames, we have had people call it the snake watch, the transformer watch, the mid-evil watch, etc." 

The 746 Model, shown in Black and Maple wood
source: JORD

Their clean designs and polished wood keeps the watches appropriate for the office, while the wood aesthetic keeps it perfect for the weekend or casual wear. 

Lounging around in a suit and wooden watch
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From Left to Right: the company favorite - The 746 Model, Sully in Natural Green, a best seller - 94A in Chocolate and Ely in Cherry, modeled by 9tailors.
source: JORD

Little bonus? That guy in your life that is slightly fashionably challenged and loves watches but complains they're too gaudy, this is the perfect compromise. 

Want to make sure your watch fits under your shirt cuffs? Can't find an off-the-rack shirt to fit you properly, you're in luck! We are having our annual Buy 3, Get 1 Free Shirt sale for the month of July. Contact a style consultant at info@9tailors.com to book an appointment or for more information. 

Valentine's Day Extra with VienneMilano

Valentine's Day is just a couple of days away and there's only so much time to top off your plans and put the final touches on your lady love's gift. If you want to get her something sexy but something that she can also wear whenever she feels like it for herself and can use in her everyday life, think about gifting her with some luxuriously Italian-made thigh highs by VienneMilano.

All of VienneMilano thigh highs feature playful bands to keep them up without pulling the skin. 

This relatively new company has been making it's mark this past year, gaining traction for their multi-purpose thigh highs outside of the bedroom. Their fun colors make them wearable for all seasons while their thicker thigh highs make them perfect for under jeans or pants in the winter for a little extra warmth. Who doesn't doesn't want to feel sexy in the dead of winter wearing a jacket that makes them look like a marshmellow. It's what underneath that makes all the difference. 

Vienne of VienneMilano speaks about her love for thigh highs,

When did you start VienneMilano? 

November 1, 2011

What made you want to start the company and why thigh highs?

I created the brand as there was a lack of comfortable, luxurious thigh highs in US. At the time, everything I found was either made for Halloween or was very trasy. As such, with the vision of re-introducing thigh high stockings as a fashion complement that can be work outside of the bedroom, VienneMilano was born.

Can you tell me a little bit about your company and product?

VienneMilano is the first luxury hosiery brand dedicated to thigh high stockings. All of our products are made in Italy for women who want to reveal their style and confidence by being elegant, playful and sexy in every occasion. 

Do you wear thigh highs every day?

No, I dont wear thigh highs every day. However, I do wear it very often - particularly to parties and formal occasions. 

How many pairs do you own?

My boyfriend loves it too when I wear thigh highs...hehe. I own every pair of thigh highs from our collection, which is about 36 in total. 

Do you ever wear tights instead? How do you feel about tights?

Nope. I can't remember the last time I wore tights! From what I can remember, pantyhose were too tight for us curvy chicks!

What is the benefit of wearing thigh highs over tights?

Oh where do I begin? Unlike grandma's pantyhose, thigh highs are very comfortable, fitted, sanitary, playful and obviously very sexy. First of all, with thigh highs, there are no uncomfortable waistbands that cut into your waistline. In addition, thigh highs will not flatten your curves under fitted skirts, dresses or pants. 

Playful thigh highs for festive parties, vibrant colors for keeping spirits up in the cold weather and thigh highs for that extra warmth. 

When is it appropriate to gift thigh highs? Do you need to be dating someone for a certain amount of time to gift these?

Well let's not get ahead of ourselves here; you don't need to be dating someone to get them luxurious thigh highs as a gift. With that said, since thigh highs are considered lingerie, you'll want to get VienneMilano thigh highs for someone that you either want to or are already in an intimate relationship with. These are a perfect gift for Valentine's Day, bridal showers, or just because presents. Our hosiery comes in a beautiful (no-need-to-wrap) purple box. 

Practical product boxes doubling as a gift box with a pull tab, sliding it open to reveal the luxurious product. 

Can you offer some guidance for someone looking to buy your thigh highs as a gift? Any advice for someone new to wearing thigh highs?

The first thing you'll want to do is figure out how tall the intended recipient is. Is she tall or petite? If she's somewhere between 5' 4" to 6' 2", then she is considered a large. If she is shorter than 5' 4", then she would be considered a small. Black is also very classic, so I high recommend going with black stockings as a gift. My advice for someone new to wearing thigh highs is, ENJOY! You (and your significant other) are going to love it. For those how plan on wearing thigh highs on a hot date, flaunting the band for strategic reasons is OK in my book. ;-)

Anything else you would like to add?

As VienneMilano approaches its third year, I am excited to enter 2014 with a new collection of hosiery, boasting our band as, I kid you not, the largest selection of thigh highs in the world. Our new collection embodies the brand's idea that thigh highs are appropriate for every occasion. In our latest collection, consumers will find reinterpretations of Spring 2014 must-have colors, red, teal, mustard yellow and dazzling blue. We will also be featuring run-resistant technology for black thigh highs! 

Purchase your pair of VienneMilano thigh highs and receive a 10% discount with promo code "9TAILORS" anytime of the year! 

Interested in getting a custom shirt for your lady love? Want to know more about what a woman likes to see on a man? Learn how to dress to impress and contact a style consultant at info@9tailors.com. 

Meet Our Newest Partner: Stella & Dot Jewelry Company

Upcoming event for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Bubbles & Baubles for Boobies event

9tailors and stella & dot are proud to be co-hosting an event in our Boston Showroom.  

*100 % of net proceeds from stella & dot's Breast Cancer Awareness Collection will be donated to the Noreen Fraser Foundation. 

*A special promotion from 9tailors will be offered on the night of the event

A great head start for holiday shopping for a great cause!

Event details to follow

Julie Robenhymer representing stella & dot in a brief conversation: 

Tell us a little bit about the company.

Stella & Dot is a global accessories brand featured in every fashion magazine and adored by celebrities for our great quality and on trend styles. We offer everything from bold statement pieces to every day classics and everything in between from earrings to necklaces to bags and scarves. We just launched our Holiday Collection and my personal favorite is the Zora - a beautiful statement piece with a lot of sparkle that is perfect for a night out, but can also be dressed down with jeans and a t-shirt. 

I have always loved fashion and think your clothes and accessories tell a story about who you are to the people you cross paths with every day and I want to make sure they're saying the right things!

What does style mean to you? 

Style is what you make of it... It should be comfortable. It should be personal. It should make a statement. My best fashion advice is to wear whatever makes you look and feel like a million bucks. My mom always told me that there's no bad mood a good pair of shoes can't fix!

What made you want to partner up with us?

I thought it was a great partnership between brands that have the same focus on function, fashion and, most importantly, quality to give our customers a personal, unique look so that they can make a statement without saying a word. 

Here's a video link of Noreen Fraser and our CEO, Jessica Herrin, talking about the foundation and how the Stella & Dot Breast Cancer Awareness Boutique is helping to raise funds. - > http://bit.ly/173GMKS

We hope to see many of you with your lovely ladies in your life at our upcoming event!

what does style and fashion mean to you? (sam)

this is a toughie. after all, millions of dollars are spent each year addressing this question. and, just to set the record straight, austin came up with this question, not me.

to be honest, i had to look these terms up in the dictionary.

ok, so, according to dictionary.com

style means: “quality of imagination and individuality expressed in one’s actions and tastes.”

taste means: “one's personal attitude or reaction toward an aesthetic phenomenon or social situation, regarded as either good or bad.”

and, finally…

fashion means: “a prevailing custom or style of dress, etiquette, socializing, etc.: the latest fashion in dresses.”

like many women, i came out of the womb admiring fashion, but taste and style were not innate in me. i instantaneously gravitated to my barbies and loved dressing them in their fabulous and glamorous outfits. however, when it was my turn to get dressed, i had no idea how to put anything together. i never had real life practice. my mom bought my clothes and i wore a school uniform. my favorite “look” growing up was my “dino the dinosaur” t-shirt (which i adored…hmm, i wonder where it is now?) and coral pink shorts. i also sometimes wore my hair in not one or two, but three ponytails (don’t ask).

so, here are some thoughts.

to me, fashion is about acquiring the right (not necessarily the latest) clothes for my closet. however, to achieve that, it requires both emotional and financial investments. financial investment is a given. while not everyone can afford the new lanvin "shopper" bag, most people spend money on clothes. but, why is it an emotional investment? there is, whether or not you realize it, some sort of emotional response as a result of buying clothes. sometimes it’s the nostalgia that you feel after you inherit a cherished family heirloom. sometimes it’s the deep satisfaction that you feel after buying those perfect heels you’ve been admiring for so long after scrimping and saving for 2 months. or, sometimes it’s that impulse that says, “i gotta have it right now.” fashion needs both emotional and financial capital to flourish. if you are willing to inject that kind of capital into building the most amazing wardrobe (for me, it ebbs and flows) your fashion return-on-investment will be high.

style is a learned process and it is a reflection of my personality. through a bit of trial and error, my taste and style in clothes have refined over the years and will continue to evolve, otherwise i would still be wearing my “dino” t-shirt. even though i have spent many years cultivating my style, one datum remains constant: style is learning about and listening to what i think regardless of what other people think or say. and, as i learn more about myself, i feel more secure in making smart style and clothing decisions. my advice is don’t let current fads dictate what is in your wardrobe. listen to your inner monologue. mine says, “i like plaid and pink tutus, and i shouldn’t be ashamed of it.”

what does style and fashion mean to you? (awei)

sam and i thought it would be cool to start presenting two different perspectives on our blog: a point/counter-point on divers 9tailors-related subjects. as our faithful audience, you will finally be treated to posts filled with truly witty musings instead of posts filled with a bunch of sam-generated sagets. at the very least, you will gain two worthless viewpoints instead of one.

since most of our 9tailors blog deals with deal with style and fashion, we wanted to first clarify these terms. i consider that style is the aesthetic manifestation of one's attitude and approach toward his or her own environment. i'm somewhat lazy and very, very tolerant. as a result, i end up wearing the same pair of mesh pants and a raggedy sweater several days in a row; while most people consider this style scrubby or Mugatu Derelict, i think of it as time-efficient or spendthrift.

yet, style is a fluid property. as one's attitude and approach to the environment change, the aesthetic manifestation follows. faced with the specter of meeting potential in-laws, i have a revitalized attitude and renewed approach toward my environment. a shower, a crisp shirt, and a pair of matching socks yield an entirely different image.

obviously, one does possess a tendency - a chronic style, so to speak. having uncomplaining, olfaction-less computers as the primary form of companionship over a number of years fortified my own hygienic approach to style.

while style is particular to a specific individual, fashion is the collective agreement of the individuals in a group as to what is aesthetically pleasing. just a few centuries ago, manchurian chinese tacitly agreed that long braided ponytails (queues) on men looked nice. nowadays, individuals swimming in hip-hop culture consider that drowning in oversized, loose-fitting clothes is cool. each group has its own agreements.

fashion, like style, changes. agreements on what was aesthetically pleasing are broken and new agreements are made, thus ushering in a new fashion. celebrities, whose clout and visibility are far-reaching, can often times marshal lots of individuals into some unspoken agreement that some thing is now cool - a fashion trend is born. accepting that fashion trend is a matter of personal style.