Meet Robert: "When you create a custom shirt, it really is a reflection of you."

Meet Robert Ebeling, an exuberant 9tailors client who has a knack for color coordination and an even more impressive flair for design. Our consultations with Robert are chock-full of creativity—this man knows what he wants and has wonderful ideas that we enjoy immensely! Seen here in a gray heathered tweed suit, the slim young gent is ready to take on Fall. Read more below about Robert's hankering for herringbone and compulsion for custom fit.

Name:

Robert L Ebeling III, M.D.

Age:

30

Hometown:

Austin, Texas

Current Residence:

South End, Boston

Occupation:

Radiation Oncology resident

How long have you been a 9tailors client?

About 2.5 years

Why choose custom?

Where to start! For me the number one reason is very simple . . . FIT.  Off-the-rack clothes simply do not fit me!  If the collar is correct, the sleeves are too short; if the sleeves fit, the shoulders are too big.  Regardless of where any one shirt would fit me “OK”, I could use them all as spinnakers in the America’s Cup!  Also, the fabric and build quality of bespoke clothing is far superior even to high end off-the-rack.  You will spend slightly more for a custom shirt (in certain cases actually less!), but it will outlast an off-the-rack shirt 3:1.  In my eyes, that is real value.  When you create a custom shirt, it really is a reflection of you.  You pick every last detail; fit, fabric, buttons, no pocket, two button collar, contrast fabric, placket front, etc.  It is the ultimate outward expression of inner style.  No pockets on your vest?  No back pockets on your pants? Two button collar with placket front?  Abalone buttons?  Yes, please! 

Because of the personal nature of creating custom clothing, wearing it really changes your attitude (though you can still have a bad day in great clothes).  And attitude is the most important aspect of style.

Who/what inspires your style? Why?

My style is more understated elegance than “in your face.”  I start with a timeless look, then “clean it up” by removing elements that distract.  Everything without serious purpose must go!  Back pockets on pants?  Don’t need ‘em.  Boutonniere's hole in a suit lapel?  Really?  Buttons visible on a shirt?  Too busy.  By focusing on the real elements of the clothing, I make the clothing cleaner, sleeker, and slightly dressier.

I sometimes look to Jason Statham, Daniel Craig, and Matt Bomer for ideas, and then make them my own.  These men have all the elements: fit, complementary colors, clean lines, timeless appeal, and attitude.  Ask anyone: Who do you think of when you say “tuxedo”?, and I’m pretty sure the answer is James Bond.  A tux is so simple, so perfect, and (nearly) always appropriate.  Craig also has a great sense of style off the camera as well.  Jason Statham really knows fit, everything he wears is well-cut and timeless.  He is the first person I ever really thought made a black suit look spectacular.  I really admire Bomer’s character Neal Caffrey.  I have never seen a man whose clothing fits so perfectly. Every.  Single.  Time.  Black, grey, brown, pinstripe, 3-piece, you name it! And it has been worn before, but never with such style, fit, and attention to detail as he does.

What is your favorite piece from 9tailors?

All of them!  If I had to pick just one, it would be my new white-on-white pattern shirt with an eyelet collar. You never see those anymore.  I think it adds that extra “something” that pushes the shirt from great to incredible.

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

Medicine is a very conservative field when it comes to dress, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dress WELL!  We dedicate so much time to our patients (that is, after all, why we’re here), we often forget to spend time on ourselves.  Dressing well does not have to mean flashy colors or an hour in the morning deciding what to wear.  Try adding a new color shirt in the same tone as your other shirts; this way the new shirt will match most of the ties you already own.  With khaki pants, try a moss green shirt; with black pants go with a lavender one.  

Oh, you fancy, huh? Sage advice, Robert. 


See below for more of Robert's dashing style, shot by our fantastic photographer, Channing Johnson. Or, check out our Facebook page here for more photos.

Looking for a heavier fabric for Fall? Tweed, wool, corduroy piquing your interest? Make an appointment with a style consultant at info@9tailors.com and get the process started today. 

Meet Chris: Creative client and fashion enthusaist

Meet Chris. President of Dressed By Christopher Cuozzo, he is one of our most active and creative clients. Perhaps, because he lives and breathes mens' fashion. Check out our interview below.

Occupation:

Founder of Dressed By Christopher Cuozzo- clothing etailer

Hometown:

Born and raised in Woburn, MA

Current residence:

Woburn

Age:

29.

What made you decide to go into your current field?

As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been into menswear. I’d save my allowance, along with some help from my parents and a great aunt, and would make trips to DeeJay’s and Scribbles at the Burlington Mall.

I wasn’t eyeing fashion as a career. I graduated from Merrimack College with a degree in political science and thought about going to law school. After taking the LSAT I quickly realized I don’t like to read anything that isn’t men’s fashion related. So law school wasn’t going to work. Though I still fantasize about being a sports agent.

Why choose custom?

FIT.

Especially when it comes to suiting – custom is the only way to go. Custom is all about fit. The biggest most important word in menswear is that three letter F word – FIT. This is where so many guys go wrong. You’re not rowing a boat in your suit, so it’s okay to have it not fit like a windbreaker. Your pant length should not have a full break nor should the crotch go halfway down your thigh, your jacket sleeve should not even come close to hitting your knuckles, your jacket sleeves should not be able to accommodate Hulk Hogan’s biceps if you’re built like Michael Phelps, there’s no need for a man’s suit jacket to allow room for a pregnancy – men can’t get pregnant.

Custom can separate you from the herd. About a year and a half ago I had 9tailors make me a custom short sleeve French cuff shirt. To this day, I’ve never seen anyone else wear one, yet I receive tons of compliments when I wear it.

What would be your style advice to other men?

Confidence. If you don’t have it, get it. You can have all the clothes in the world but if you’re not confident and comfortable then you won’t wear them correctly.

Fit is just as important as confidence. See my answer above on how I feel about that.

Less is more. It’s not about owning 25 dress shirts that sort of fit. It’s about owning the few right timeless pieces or staples, which fit perfectly. Good will is your friend – donate.

It’s about taking it to that next level. Remain from getting bored with your style by throwing a pair of bright blue dress shoe laces on your dark brown wingtips, for example.

Details, details, details. It’s what gets you noticed in all the right ways. On a recent flight to Vegas I was heavily complimented by the flight attendants on my pocket square and again by strangers at the roulette table. Something as simple as a $20 pocket square can make the difference between looking awesome and looking just okay.

Color. Do not fear color. Black is for funerals and formal events. So many guys reach for blues, whites, and black because that’s what’s safe. I’m not saying that guys need to wear fuscia colored shirts, start off with muted pinks to ease yourself into new colors.

Patterns. There’s more to fabric than just solids. Consider a pinstripe suit, or a paisley pocket square, or a bold silk repp tie, or a gingham dress shirt. Don’t be afraid to go pattern on pattern. Rules were made to be broken.

Shoes - so very important. If you can only afford one pair of dress shoes, that is perfectly fine. Invest in a nice dark brown or tan leather pair of lace up dress shoes, I like Grenson shoes. Spend the extra money and get them with a re-craftable leather sole, this way they will last for a very long time with the proper care.

Suit up, and not just on special occasions. If you can only buy one suit, make it a solid medium grey 3 piece suit. Grey can be worn with tan, dark brown, or black leather shoes. White shirts, pink shirts, blue shirts, and purple shirts all go nicely with grey. Grey compliments any skin tone. Just remember, fit reigns supreme. Without the proper fit, it’s all for not.

What is your favorite piece from 9tailors?

My new 3 piece tweed suit. Inspired by the September 2011 issue of GQ.

How do your wear your 9tailors tweed suit?

The versatile options of a 3 piece tweed suit are plentiful. There are 7, I repeat, SEVEN ways to wear it:

1. Pants with a sweater.
2. Pants with a shirt, tie, and vest only.
3. Jeans with a shirt and vest.
4. Pants with a shirt, tie, and jacket.
5. Jacket with shirt and jeans.
6. Jeans, shirt, tie, vest, and jacket.
7. Pants, shirt, tie, vest, and jacket.

Need help building your perfect 3 piece tweed suit? Contact us at info@9tailors.com.