9tailors How To: The Air Tie

While some may want to, few dare to sport the risquè air tie. Being a look that has gone in and out of style many a time, it takes no small amount of courage to wear. But if you have 'em, you can nail the look and stand out in all the right ways.

Here's how to do it:

WITH TWEED: Like a young Jagger, pairing a peter pan color with an air tie and a tweed blazer, you can emulate the post-punk English look like a pro.

DRESSED UP: Wear a patterned shirt with a two-piece suit and nix the tie. A more daring option is when going black tie. If you pull it off, you'll really turn heads.

GQ.com

FLORAL: A great look for summer and still wearable in fall (if you're crafty and subtle), the floral shirt with a blazer and air tie is the perfect combination. There is so much pattern in a floral shirt as it is, you can get away with it without a problem. Try it with tailored suit shorts or a navy suit in the summer.

LensCAP Productions

There you have it, a few good ways to rock the air tie! Custom suits, shirts and (despite the irony) ties are available at 9tailors. Contact us at info@9tailors.com to make an appointment with a style consultant.

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

copyright 9tailors, LLC

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.

copyright 9tailors, LLC

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. 

copyright 9tailors, LLC

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.

copyright 9tailors, LLC

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! 

Be the buyer...and win!

You have excellent taste, my friend. Now you have a chance to disseminate your good style choices among the masses. Help us by being our accessories buyer. As a thank you, one lucky individual will win two pocket squares of his or her choice! 

Here's how it works: 

1. Vote by commenting on your favorite fabric below. The most popular choice will get turned into a hand-sewn pocket square debuting this fall. 
2. Follow and share our Instagram, Facebook and/or Twitter accounts with your friends and get them to follow, share and vote! 
3. Deadline is Friday, August 15 at 11:59PM EST. 
4. A chosen winner will be announced by Monday, August 18. We'll contact you via  Instagram, Facebook and/or Twitter. 

How To: Pack a Suit Jacket

It's finally summer! It's time to gear up and unleash your inner adventurer. One of the worst things about travelling? Packing. If you're like many men out there, packing takes about 5 minutes. But, you might wind up with too few undershirts or too many socks. If you add a suit to mix, it adds another layer of tedium and challenge.

Lucky for you, we have just the trick when it comes to packing your sport coats and suit jackets.

Avoid ruining your valuables with this...

                                          

by using our step-by-step instruction:

1. Grab your suit jacket
2. Reach both hands into the shoulders of the jacket
3. Ensure your hands reach to the end of the shoulder inside the jacket
4. Fold the shoulders back to meet each other (as if clapping your hands together)
5. Take one of your hands and turn the jacket inside out by folding it over the other shoulder (Keeping the lining outside keeps the fabric safe when packed)
6. Ensure it's folded over neatly, meeting the other shoulder,
7. Straighten it out
8. Fold it half neatly
9. Place neatly in your suitcase and hop on the bus/car/boat/plane!

To see the full video how-to, follow us on Instagram. Happy travels, gentlemen!

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
copyright 9tailors, LLC.

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. 

Summer and shorts make a perfect pairing

Summer is finally here and mercury is rising fast! Whether you're golfing, beaching, barbecuing or just spending time with friends and family, there is one item you'll definitely need to stay cool. 9tailors is now offering it. Can you guess? Shorts!

For a limited time only, you can custom-design your very own custom shorts for $95.00. Our Style Consultants will take your measurements and help you customize your design. So, whether you'll need shorts...

At a friend's rooftop bbq or drinks

                                               

Or, on the beach or at a lobster bake...

                                             


We've got you covered!

Let us know how you'll be wearing your shorts. Share your summer inspiration with us. Or, for more men's style inspiration, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest.

Contact us today to get your very own 9tailors custom shorts. Email us at info@9tailors.com.

An End of Work Day Thought, Last Minute Details

You're day is almost over and you're thinking about going home or getting food. You're not going to have to think about work until either after dinner or when your alarm goes off tomorrow morning. If you hit that snooze button too many times, you're going to end up running out the door to catch the T that closes its door as soon as you step onto the platform. Chances are, you grabbed the first thing you saw and threw it on - but what if it's the same suit you wore yesterday?! You have to make it look different and distract people from noticing and if you're lucky enough, it's a gray suit that everyone has. 

Possible solutions to having to wear the same suit 2 days in a row

• Wear a *noticeably different shirt. If you wore white, wear color. If you wore color, wear a pattern or white. 
• Add, subtract or change accessories  (throw in a pocket square, wear a bow tie instead of a tie) 

Ultimately, your goal is to put together a last minute outfit that no one will notice is the main pieces are the same as the previous day - it's all about drawing attention to the details instead of the whole generic suit.

-And don't forget, you can always mix and match or wear your suit as separates 

1 Suit, 3 Outfits
Source: GQ

This Spring season is all about blue. We have seen a decent amount of blue suits come in with more on the way but if you're not ready for a full blue suit (not navy - blue), then use a pocket square or tie to stay up to date and keep your suits from looking stale. 

If blue is still too much for you, there's always the classic white pocket square. There are ways to play around with that, too though, so don't count it out all together as 'too basic'. A linen pocket square will keep things casual while a silk pocket square will nod to an elegant gentleman. A silk pocket square with a contrasting trim will say you pay attention to detail and don't need excess flash to put your look together, you know what you're doing. And last but not least, a white on white pattern - my personal favorites. The subtle details aren't noticed from a far but when you're up close and talking to someone, their eye will be drawn to the your pocket square as it breaks up the monochromatic suit but be pleasantly surprised by the hidden-in-plain-sight polka dots. 

Don't forget, We're having our accessories sale this month! Get them while they're in stock otherwise they go back up to full price.

Interested in spicing up your suits with some pocket square love? Want to learn how to fold them or what will go well with your wedding? Contact a style consultant at info@9tailors.com

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

Earth Day, Earth Tones

Today is Earth Day! Turn off the faucet when you're brushing your teeth and turn the light off if you're not in the room, unplug any appliances that aren't being used and go the extra seven steps to a trash bin instead of just 'letting the wind' take your trash. Our office has 2 recycling bins and so many plants we have a little office garden (all potted). 

For those of you who would like to go a step further than creating a greener environment for yourself but incorporate it more into your lifestyle, past Whole Foods, take a look at Glass House Shirtmakers. They up-cycle old shirts into new pocket squares, which is genius! 

Salvaged shirts into new pocket squares!
Featured in Esquire, image source: Esquire

The colorful pocket squares are great to bring neutral suits to life or bring a more vivacious attitude in more vibrants blazers or suits with character.

Want to try this for yourself or tired of seeing that ragged shirt on him that he refuses to throw out or stop wearing? Try these instructions!

What you will need:

- Button Down Shirt

- Iron

- Pencil

- Ruler

- Scissors

- Sewing Machine (Preferably a Purl Stitch Machine, if not, a general home-sewer will work)

- Pins (if you are using a home sewing machine)

-Matching or Contrasting Thread to the Shirt

Step 1: Find old button down shirt

Step 2: Iron shirt and lay flat on surface

Step 3: Use a ruler to mark up a square (10" is average, 12" is large). If the shirt has checks or stripes, use the pattern as a guideline. Otherwise, try to make the side lines parallel to the shirt's side seams. 

Step 4: Cut square out, use shirring scissors (scissor blades are zig-zagged) if available to prevent frayed edges. 

Step 5-A, Purl Stitch: If you have a purl stitch machine, simply sew along the edge of the square to finish the edges. 

Step 5-B, Home Sewing Machine: Fold the edges over twice and pin in place. Sew along the edge of the first fold (not the edge of the square itself). 

Step 6: Learn how to fold your pocket square Here and Here

Step 7: Pair with a jacket and enjoy! 

If you aren't a fan of wearing a vibrant green aside from on St. Patrick's Day or during Christmas, subtle earth tones are a sophisticated way of wearing and acknowledging Mother Nature. Earth tones tend to be geared towards browns and greens and sometimes blues and dark reds. As long as the color can be found in nature, generally the forest, it's considered an earth tone.

Earth Tone jackets and trench coat, left to right: tweed, houndstooth, linen, linen, textured gray-green, olive green trench coat.

copyright 9tailors, LLC.

Interested in an earth tone jacket? Need a light trench coat for the Spring/Summer? Want to glisten up your custom made suit with horn buttons and a vibrant pocket square and shirt? Contact a style consultant at info@9tailors.com

An Earth Day Bonus?

Environmental campaigns used to be stressed in younger generations with posters and cartoon commercials about turning of the sink faucet and smokey the bear. FernGully came out and was mini-cult classic amongst toddlers and children, Captain Planet and Ms. Frizz (from the Magic School Bus) ruled the hearts of children before they went to the school bus. This was all before the big Go Green Initiative Campaign that took the nation by storm thanks to celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio who empathized the importance of carbon footprints. Now so many people are just expected to be green and cities are adapting with recycle bins being paired next to trash cans the option is at least there, take our restaurants are looking for compostable silverware and Epic came out to revive little hearts of newer generations, past FernGully. 

With all those reminiscent glances, I leave you with the opening of Captain Planet to remind the grown adults what it was like to learn about the environment and not get too caught up with work or be influenced by Hollywood and trends about whether or not they should care. Trends can get tiring and it's nice to look back and be reminded why you began tossing beer cans and egg cartons into a blue bin to begin with. 

Another Glimpse at a Client's Beautiful Wedding, Featuring our Bride-Groom, Tanya Cashorali

It's a rare occasion when we are granted full access to a client's wedding album rather than a few picked images. When we get to look through all of the pictures, we get to experience their wedding on a different level. Aside from being able to dress them and seeing the traditional group shots of the wedding parties, we get to see the ceremony and reception, the details of the reception and the progression of the night. 

One of our lovely, lovely clients has granted us this gracious access, Tanya Cashorali. Please enjoy a glimpse of her matrimonial day with her partner, Stephanie, as much as I did. 

Name: Tanya Cashorali

Age:28

Wedding Date: November 2, 2013

Current Residence: Somerville, MA

Occupation: Director of Analytics

How Long Have You Been a 9tailors Client? 11 Months

Why Choose Custom?
I wanted the suit to be absolutely perfect, both in style and comfort sense. I knew I wanted something traditional, off-white and sleek. Suits for women can be a hit or miss and so, I knew that it needed to be designed custom for me in order to look good!

What Was Your Favorite Memory From Your Wedding Day?
There are too many to name, but seeing everyone cheer and looks o happy while we were announced as a married couple for the first time is definitely something we will never forget.

What Is Your Wedding Style?
We went for a classic look and feel with a few modern touches.

What Is Your Best Style Advice to Grooms and Brides Looking For Wedding Suits?
Make sure you feel confident and attractive in whatever you decide to wear. If you don't feel comfortable in your suit or even shoes, that will show in your wedding pictures. Go through ever detail possible during the design process and then let your confidence take center stage when you put on your custom suit on your wedding day.

Does your partner want to compliment your gown but with a suit? Interested in getting that special tailored look you can't find off the racks or a suit that fits right for a special occasion? Contact a style consultant at info@9tailors.com.

As a reminder, we are still having our April Promotion of Buy a Suit, Get a Shirt!

Wedding Photography by Deacon Tyler for F-Sequence Studio
deacon@dtyler-photography.com

How Much is Too Much Pattern?

Pattern button down shirts have been coming into men's fashion for the past few years that started of cautiously but is now running with the wind. So, how do you know when too much pattern is too much? 

Simple answer: when it hurts your eyes. 

Everyone tends to start with plaid or stripped shirts when beginning to venture off of the solid colors. 

source: GQ

Cameron from Modern Familiy,
Source: 4.bp.blogspot

And then there's always the floral print that is becoming a classic. But how do you wear floral? Well, the louder you go, the more casual you become. 

This shirt is a great example of a floral shirt you could wear with a conservative suit in the office. A solid conservative suit will balance out the floral print. Keeping the floral print on a smaller scale will keep it from getting too loud. Try to keep in mind the colors you are wearing as well, this shirt is a nice light blue, keeping in line with traditional work shirts. 

Ted Baker Fiftrim Floral Button Down
Source: Ted Baker

The louder the print, the more casual you become. Something to keep in mind when wearing loud floral is to watch when it starts adapting a tropical flavor. Once you go there, you either border or enter the Hawaiian shirt territory; which are great for vacations or if you work at Pixar, but not so much for every day work wear. This shirt keeps an upbeat playful attitude while catering to those who are bolder than someone just entertaining floral. 

source: Gitman Bros, Mon Chou Chou print

What's really growing in popularity are tiny prints and I love them! It's more playful than floral but can still be conservative at first glance due to its small scale. They are also in vogue this season for men but I'm sure they'll be sticking around much longer than that. 

Polka dots are a classic more playful pattern. Most men tend to shy away from this look, thinking it to be more feminine, associating it with children. However, printed shirts are becoming more playful and are allowing men to be less conservative without going overboard. 

Ted Baker Thebosa Shirt
source: Ted Baker

This shirt looks conservative from afar but when you get up close, it's full of fishes!!
Ted Baker Fishbiz Shirt
source: Ted Baker

Now this isn't to say that you can't wear louder shirts full of color or large prints. If you though, just be sure to own it. Don't let the shirt wear you, you better be wearing that shirt and showing it off with pride! 

Cameron of Modern Family
source: AfterElton

Want to know what patterns we have? Thinking about trying to pair a fun shirt with your suit? Take advantage of our Buy a Suit, Get a Shirt promotion! Contact a style consultant at info@9tailors.com