Meet Justin: "Custom-made, tailored clothing offers variety in form, perfect fit and extra function."

Meet Justin Wan, a friendly, stylish business student who has not only referred family members (we count him as well as both his brother and sister among our revered clients) but who also has introduced a bevy of buddies to 9tailors! An inquisitive young gent with superb attention to detail, Justin sporadically pops by every few months to check in with us on what trends he can incorporate into his wardrobe. Seen above in 9tailors khaki cotton pants, white shirt, OooTie bow tie, and subtle pinstripe blazer, Justin is ready for summer (and so are we!) 

Age: 26

Hometown: Lexington, MA

Current residence: Boston, MA

Occupation: MBA Student

How long have you been a 9tailors client? 
About 2 years

Why choose custom?

Custom-made, tailored clothing offers variety in form, perfect fit and extra function; not easily found off the rack. 9tailors really speaks to these points by offering customized jacket linings, working buttons, contrast stitching and so much more. It’s not every day I get to look and feel like a million bucks, just the days I put on a piece from 9tailors.

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

At minimum, you probably want to get at least two suits: one for thinking (e.g. class, business lunches, adopting puppies from a local animal shelter) and one for drinking (weddings, fancy date nights, outclassing other suits).

What/who inspires your style? Why? 

Bruce Wayne inspires me. He understands that wearing the right suit can lead to opportunity, including catching bad guys and making money. Plus, he looks cool in black.

What is your favorite piece from 9tailors? 

My current favorite piece from 9tailors was put together by one their style consultants: double breasted, double vented, peaked lapel, polka-dot lining, purple piping, pink contrast stitching on the bottom jacket button hole, and working buttons.

Word up, Justin! At minimum, one should definitely have two suits: one for thinking and one for drinking.

Peruse the pictures below, courtesy of one of Boston's best (and our favorite) photographers, Channing Johnson.

Have you liked us on Facebook yet? Click here to check out our page and other client photos to get some ideas about the particular kind of duds you want to design.

Introducing Paxton 1345!

Looking for a good Father's Day gift? Well, take a gander at the boxer collection of Paxton 1345! Founder, Erin Cormier, "updated  the 'traditional' full-cut American boxers for guys, making them more streamlined, flattering and with luxurious shirting fabrics." Once we met Erin, we knew we had to introduce her to our clients! Read below for more information on Erin and Paxton 1345. 

What is your full company name?
Paxton 1345 
Paxton Apparel LLC 
276 Washington St, #358 
Boston, MA 
978.289.0134

What was your inspiration? How did you get involved in fashion?
"I have always had a strong interest in fashion and art. From a very young age, I  used my creative insights while participating in drawing contests and taking art history classes, even making tee shirts for fun. I soon realized my true passion, the fashion industry, was right there in front of me my whole life! After having kids and raising a family, my three daughters inspired me to create boxer shorts that are fun, hip, and flattering. I hope to showcase Paxton 1345 items as lounge-wear, as well as street-wear."

How do you define style? What's your best fashion advice?
"Personally, I feel [clothing] style is a reflection of one's personality, interests and comfort. Choosing colors and fabrics that look good and flatter your body type are most appealing. I love bright colors so I tend to gravitate toward bright pinks, oranges and blues. However, black and charcoal are such great base colors that mix so well with other hues. My fashion advice? Invest in a few nice fitted shirts, pants or skirts, fabulous shoes or heels and you will feel good anywhere you go!"

What made you want to partner with 9tailors? 
"I am so inspired by women entrepreneurs, like Samantha Shih (CEO of 9tailors). In this day and age, women are still not getting the full credit they deserve in the business world. Women are both strong and empowering and I can only hope to grow and learn more from our collaboration. Also, the fact that we are both local Boston-based businesses is extremely exciting. I believe Boston designers are equally as qualified as anyone from fashion capitals like New York or Los Angeles. Originating my business in the same area where I grew up also ignites the fire in my passion even more."

What is your favorite 9tailors item? 
"I love their custom tailored shirts! I am a huge fan of fitted clothes and there is nothing better than a shirt or a suit that is made for your special fit."

Thanks, Erin! Paxton 1345's cozy line of comfy-ness will soon be available here in the 9tailors studio, stay tuned for updates on their arrivals!

Interested? Email a Style Consultant at info@9tailors.com to set up a consultation and see the selection we have in our studio or visit paxton1345 directly to place your order today!

Meet Stuart and Kate!

 

What are your names? 
Stuart Terrett and Kate Gasaway 

When and where was the big day? 
14 April 2013, Savannah, GA 

How was the weather?
Overcast; 60s; held indoors 

Why did you decide to go with 9tailors on your own custom design? 
I wanted something that would actually fit, and I wanted something that is harder to find off the shelf. Knowing that picking something and having it altered would be as much work as simply having it made, and being able to get a matching jacket and have a suit afterwards tipped the equation. 

Describe your 9tailors experience and items. 
It was great - I spent 45 minutes picking out fabrics and getting measured. Then I was done! Kate spent 8 hours trudging from bridal shop to bridal shop trying on dresses with clips holding them together. I definitely had the better deal. 

What was the best part of your wedding day? 
The best part of the wedding weekend was before the wedding day when I got to hang out with the members of the wedding party. They're what made the whole experience fun. 

What is your advice to other wedding couples thinking about designing custom suits or shirts? 
Do it. It's easy, they'll fit perfectly, and the math is pretty simple - getting something off the rack and having it altered is just as expensive and won't be as good. 

Choose your favorite photo and tell us why.
Probably the one of me picking her up. It was fun.

*All photos courtesy of Callie Beale Photography

What do you think of the tailcoat and the vest with a peaked lapel? Have an idea of what you want but can't find it anywhere? Come talk to us and we will try to replicate the style you are going for. Email a Style Consultant at info@9tailors.com

Meet Stan:"Get customized. If your clothes fit better, you look better. If you look better, you feel better. Simple."

Meet Dr. Stanley A. Nasraway,  a kind and funny bloke who remains keenly aware that "clothes make the man." One of our most devoted 9tailors clients, Stan always arrives to our studio with a smile and great stories. While he occasionally ventures outside his style comfort zone to try new things, as long as it looks good and fits well, this physician knows what he wants. Sporting a suit that screams summertime, Stan is pictured above in a 9tailors off-white suit, navy vest, and lavender shirt.  

Name: Stanley A. Nasraway

Age: 58

Hometown: Los Angeles,

Current Residence: Medfield, MA

Occupation: Physician

How long have you been a 9tailors client?

Two years

Why choose custom?

No matter what the Department store sales staff or tailor tell you, even after fitting, "off the rack" never hugs the contour of your body profile, and never fits as well as custom fitted clothing.  Plus, at a boutique such as 9Tailors, they offer a greater selection, better fit, equal affordability, and a bevy of young women dedicated to helping one look smart and hip.

What inspires your style? Why?

James Bond........English, classy, not too wild, sharp fit, not a thread ever out of place.

What is your favorite piece from 9tailors?
A black sports coat with a subtle yet distinctive sheen and a cool dark red lining in the interior.

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

Get customized.  If your clothes fit better, you look better.  If you look better, you feel better.  Simple. I am amazed at the unsolicited compliments, at work or even in airports.  People notice the fit of your clothes.  They assume I've lost weight.  ;)  

That's what's up! Listen to Stanley, fellas, he is a doctor after all.

See below for more pictures of Stan, courtesy of our beloved photographer, Channing Johnson. Have you liked us on Facebook yet? Click here to see more photos of other clients and examples of what you can design with 9tailors.

Play around with colors, just because you get a three piece, it doesn't restrict you to one color. Contact a Style Consultant at info@9tailors.com, we'll help you pair complementary colors that will suit your personal style.

Meet Toby: "Choosing custom lets me have my ideas put into everything I order."

Meet Toby Snedecor, an inquisitive, playful 9tailors client who always has an open and curious mind when approaching his design appointments with us. This young French teacher loves to update his look and try new things, constantly changing it up, as we highly recommend everyone do from time to time.  Pictured above in a 9tailors suit, Toby opted for a shawl collar on his suit jacket, a subtle twist on tradition but otherwise quite a cool and collected style we don't see very often. Kudos, Toby! 

Name:
Toby Snedecor

Age:
32

Hometown:

Where the heart is.

Current Residence:

Somerville, MA

Occupation:
French Teacher

How long have you been a 9tailors client?

Two years

Why choose custom?

First and foremost, because of the fit. I'm not sure who off-the-rack clothes are meant to fit, but I know it's not me. Most of the name brand "slim-fit" shirts that are sized for my neck and shoulders have billows of excess fabric at my sides, and I'm not a very slim man. Custom clothing fits like a glove from day one, because it was literally made for you. It wears better, it feels better, and it looks better.

Secondly, choosing custom lets me have my ideas put into every thing I order. I can add in subtle accents and fresh details to old standards, choose interesting textures and fabrics for more unique pieces, and make each and every item an expression of my personal style.

What inspires your style? Why?
As a French teacher, I feel obligated to represent Francophone culture to my students, and the French have a particular reputation for being fashionable. Fortunately for my wallet, most American teenagers don't actually know what the cutting-edge Paris haute couture looks like, so I can get away with doing my own thing.

My style revolves around the classic, traditional foundations of menswear, to which I add dashes of the modern and the bold to make it my own. I'm building a repertoire of suits and blazers that have clean, flattering lines and unique touches of color and flair: a vibrant paisley lining in a charcoal gray jacket, some bright blue piping for a classic navy three-piece, or a bit of accent stitching on the buttonholes and boutonniere of a sport coat.

I draw inspiration from anywhere and everywhere I can find it: mens' style blogs, local menswear stores, 9tailors sample sales, people I see on the street, even individual pieces in a stranger's otherwise boring outfit. I only started paying attention to these things two or three years ago, and now I notice interesting fabrics and cuts everywhere. It's made walking through cities a more interesting experience.

What is your favorite piece from 9tailors?
As much as I love the dapper blue three-piece that was my first piece from 9tailors, I think this new suit might be taking the crown with its clean profile and flashy lining… but I'm also looking forward to the wedding suit you'll be making me this spring.

What would be your style advice to other men in your professional field?
My first piece of style advice to any man who asks is this: look at a picture from the fifties or sixties, find the guy in the picture who looks good, and get what he's wearing. That's the Cliff Notes version of timeless style. There's much more to it, obviously, but those classic looks are always a good starting point, especially in the academic world.

Teachers and professors are not renowned for their dapper attire, but that's actually an advantage to the educator who wants to raise his sartorial game. Unlike professions where a certain kind of suit and tie are expected, educators have an incredible amount of freedom in what they can choose to wear, and we can get away with color and fabric combinations that wouldn't fly in a "business formal" setting. 

Most teachers will never have to wear anything more than a coat and tie to work, so putting in a bit of thought to build a flexible arsenal of blazers, shirts, and slacks will pay off handsomely in the long run. And so many options are in play! Herringbones and subtle plaids? No problem. Brown or green suits? No problem. Corduroys and tweeds? They're practically the hallmarks of professorial style. 

To the teacher who's just started building his professional wardrobe, look at those classics and choose the foundations of your collection with flexibility and longevity in mind. Don't get *too* crazy right off the bat. To the teacher who already has a solid base of classic ensembles, start thinking outside the box with colors and fabrics and cuts. Recently, I've been mulling over the idea of taking the classic business formal cut and combining it with a less-formal fabric, like a three-piece suit in a green herringbone or tweed.

Oh, and never button the bottom button of your jacket.

Couldn't agree with you more, Toby. Great tips!

Check out more pictures of Toby below, shot by our wonderful photographer, Channing Johnson. Visit out Facebook page here to see more of this photo shoot and others. And if you haven't "liked" our page yet, do it, yo. And then tell your friends.

Diggin' Toby's style? Have an event, an interview, a new job, a wedding, or do ya just need a new suit, shirt, or suit separate? We're more than obliged to help you design your custom garments for whatever occasion. Email a Style Consultant at info@9tailors.com and make an appointment today!

Shoot Details:

Location: The Arnold Arboretum
Shirt:  9tailors  
Pants: 9tailors
Sports Coat: 9tailors
Tie: TheTieBar
Sweater: H&M
Scarf: H&M

Hat: Smitty from Goorin Brothers
Suspenders: Geoffrey Beene

Meet Michael and Courtney!

What are your names?

Groom: Michael Philbin
Bride: Courtney (Swanda) Philbin
Groomsmen: Philip Lamere (BM), Tristram Arscott, Caleb Constenstein, Corey Fitzpatrick, Aashish Goswami, Jonathan Larson, James Tucker
Bridesmaids: Jennifer Swanda (MoH), Caitlin Brome, Erika Gold, Kimberly Hansen, Jessica Murray, Courtney Philbin, Megan Philbin, Erin Unger

Where and when was the big day?

Ceremony: The Old Round Church, Richmond, VT
Reception: The Inn at the Round Barn Farm, Waitsfield, VT
June 23, 2012

How was the weather? Was your wedding indoors/outdoors?

Everything was indoors except the cocktail hour, which was both indoors and outdoors. The weather was partly to mostly cloudy, with temperatures in the low 70s. There was a chance of rain in the forecast, but the rain held off, and the clouds cleared in the evening. Since we were right around the summer solstice, we actually took our photos after dinner while the band was taking a break. The sun had not yet set and the natural light was spectacular.

Why did you decide to go with 9tailors on your own custom design?

We had been given a recommendation and we got a deal through Gilt City. We had always wanted to go with custom suits, but the cost had been preventative until we found the Gilt deal. We had wanted light tan color suits but did not have any luck finding the right suit off-the-rack, and most other custom options were far too expensive.

Describe your 9tailors experience and items.

We had a great experience. We had a pretty clear vision from the start, so the 9tailors team mostly made some minor suggestions but certainly provided solid guidance on what details would be worth the extra cost. It was nice to have flexibility with groomsmen choosing their own "add ons." We decided on three-piece suits (the vests were a gift from the groom) in a lightweight Italian wool. The color was between ivory and light khaki - almost like cookie dough. We got custom patterned linings/piping and horn buttons to add some flair.

What was the best part of your wedding day?

The ceremony - everything came together wonderfully: the setting was exactly what we had pictured, the minister did a great job, the readings and music were phenomenal... it all just felt right.

What is your advice to other wedding couples thinking about designing custom suits or shirts?

The process can be great, but it is best if you have some ideas of your own before you start. Find some pictures of the look that you are going for. Get the details before you make any decisions: the timeline for fitting/ordering/alterations, and the specifics of the costs - and be sure to pass these details along to the bridal party with good communication. Be sure to be cost-conscious because even if you think it is a great outfit, bridal party members may have different tastes, and they are already going to be spending a lot of money on your bachelor party, wedding accommodations, gift, etc.

Choose your favorite photo and tell us why.

We love the photo of the entire bridal party on the covered bridge because everyone is together and the colors and style really pop out against the dark rustic background. This is clearly a group of happy people having a great time on a beautiful day in Vermont.

The Groom

The Groomsmen

Foxy Socks

The beautiful couple,
Courtney and Michael Philbin

Party on the inside

Argyle Style!

*All photos courtesy of the Philbins and Ali Kaukas Photography in Manchester, VT.

Have an upcoming Spring or Summer Wedding? We recommend our grooms and groomsmen plan ahead about 2-3 months in advance of the special day. Email a Style Consultant at info@9tailors.com for a consultation!

Sample SALE

9tailors is having our semi-annual sample sale! We want to give you the opportunity to get new pieces for your wardrobe, for less!

This is an exclusive, by-appointment sale only. We will be offering the sample sale through:

Monday 2/11

Tuesday 2/12

Saturday 2/16

Monday 2/18

Tuesday 2/19

Saturday 2/23

Here's a breakdown of our unbelievable sale: 

Shirts: $30.00

Jackets: $50.00

Pants: $45.00

Skirts: $40.00

Vests: $35.00

We will not be offering any further alterations but we will direct you to our local tailors.

Book a fitting now with a Style Consultant! E-mail customerservice@9tailors.com.  

Can't find anything at the sample sale? Don't worry. We're offering clients 10% off on all certain full-priced merchandise.*

See you at the sale!

* 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 only. Cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions we are currently running.
• Sample sale and 10% discount expires on February 24, 2013
• Other rules and restrictions may apply. 

20% off White Shirts! Now Through February!

Do you buy standard white dress shirts off the rack and wish they would fit you better? More often than not, you'll hit up a department store and search for a shirt according to your collar size. Then once you try it on, you find a ridiculous amount of extra fabric billowing around in the back! Gasp.

Are the shirt sleeves are too long for you? Too short? Or maybe the length works, but the sleeves in general are either too tight or way too loose! Hardly comfortable and mostly silly looking. Grunt.

Maybe you're a guy who finds store-bought dress shirts fit pretty well but aren't long enough to tuck into your pants. Either that or or they're too long and look like night gowns. Sigh.

In our humble opinion, every gentleman could use a crisp white dress shirt that FITS. And if the trend reports we research tell us anything, it's that white is in this season! But seriously, dude, it's always in. That's why we are offering our 100% cotton white or white on white textured fabrics at a discount now through February! Email a Style Consultant at info@9tailors.com to make your appointment and get measured, choose your white fabric, and pick out design options like collar and cuff style.

* Discount Rules and Restrictions:

• Discount applies to full-priced 9tailors custom dress shirts in the 100% cotton range. 
• Discount does not apply to colors or patterns other than pure solid white or white on white textured fabrics.
• Discount applies to merchandise purchased or ordered from now until February 28th, 2013
• Discount cannot be applied to men's and women's accessories, sample sale items or shipping;
• Discount cannot be combined with other offers or promotions.
• Extras (monogram, contrast fabrics, special buttons) will be charged at full price. A la carte design options are not inclusive in discounted shirt.