4 More Ways to Fold a Pocket Square, Beginner to Intermediate Edition

source: sixborn.com
Jay-Z is rocking a one peak fold pocket square, Justin Timberlake is rocking a straight fold pocket square 

Tonight is the night! Join us for our Baubles & Bubbles for Boobies Event!

Featuring pink pocket squares in honor of breast cancer awareness month, 10% of pink pocket squares sold tonight with be donated to the Noreen Fraser Foundation. 

*Today Only, Buy 3 Shirts, Get 1 FREE restrictions apply

The importance of the pocket square is often underestimated and unappreciated. Suits became appreciated with the rise of Mad Men but alas, the pocket square is not always in its company. Justin Timberlake aided the revitalization of being a dapper gentleman with his vests over button downs as casual wear and fedora hats. With the glimpse of dressing dapper, his style has evolved into a sleek sophistication with bow ties and pocket squares. 

For those of you who watch How I Met Your Mother, you understand the importance of a good clean suit guided by Barney. Neil Patrick Harris keeps his suit subtle and clean but breaks up the blue in his shirt and suit with a clean line of a pocket square so not to be overwhelmed with a little spunk with dots on his tie. The folds below are arranged in order from the beginner to intermediate folding levels. 

source: GQ
Neil Patrick Harris wears a straight fold

 THE STRAIGHT FOLD

Sleek and sophisticated, an understated fold

Suitable for every hour for every occasion

1. Fold the left side of the square 1/3 of the way

2. Fold the right side of the square 1/3 of the way

3. Fold in half downwards

4. Insert into suit pocket and enjoy the simplest fold in your suit

THE SCALLOP

A romantic fold for evening affairs

1. Bring the bottom left corner up to meet the upper right corner

2. Bring the bottom right corner to meet the upper left corner

3. Bring the upper right corner across to the left side

4. Bring the upper left corner across the right side to mimic the previous step

5. Place fold into pocket with the top edges peaking out

THE WINGED PUFF

A conservative fold without the peaks, suitable for work and play

 1. Lay square out as a diamond

2. Fold the top tip to meet the bottom tip

3. Bring the left point down to almost meet the bottom tip

4. Bring the right point down to almost meet the bottom tip

4. Fold the left and right points towards the behind

5. Stay on the back side and fold the bottom up 

6. Turn back around and insert into suit pocket

THE STAIRCASE FOLD

An evening fold for formal affairs

 1. Start from a diamond shape

2. Fold bottom point up to the top point

3. Fold the top layer down almost all the way, leaving about an inch strip at the bottom

4. Fold the point back up half way up the bottom strip

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 

6. Fold the triangle in half, securing the folded pleats

7. Rotate the triangle so bottom left corner is now the tip point

8. Fold the left point inwards 

9. Fold the right point inwards, leaving the pleats visible at the tip

10. Place in suit pocket and go


Want to learn more about dressing dapper with accessories? Want to know keep up to date with our promotions? Contact a Style Consultant at info@9tailors.com 

Accessory Watch: Tie Pin

Do you wear tie pins? It's a small detail that makes a loud statement. They make tie pins in all sorts of designs, shapes, colors, sizes---the variety is astounding really. How do you know which one is right for you? And how do you wear it? Check out this article.

Courtesy of menscosmo.com

 Where to get? The possibilities are endless. While I tend to favor vintage finds in secondhand stores, you can search online for a plethora of variety in shape, color, style, metal, etc. For those of you in Boston looking for a keepsake, try the old tobacco shop, Leavitt and Pierce, in Harvard Square or the outstanding Bobby from Boston in the South End. Their collections of cuff links and tie pins are amazing, not to mention the hordes of other unique collectibles you can discover there. The pieces they carry are one-of-a-kind, rife with character, and a conversation piece. Others will pick up on your acute attention to detail.

Did you know we have some new tie pins on sale, right here in the studio? Step right up, gents, snag a Tsai Clip to do it right in 2013.

Does your discerning behavior extend to your suits and shirts? Or maybe you've never considered all the intricate parts that make up an outfit. Whether you're the savvy fashionable guy or just a man who wants to look dead sexy and sharp in a suit, we are here to help. Email a Style Consultant at info@9tailors.com and make your appointment today!

Pleated Fronts Versus Flat Fronts

Whether you prefer custom-made or buy suits directly off the rack, you must be aware of  the big difference between pant front styles. Are you a single pleat kind of guy? Or do you don the flat front? Perhaps you even own a couple double pleated pants that (hopefully) remain untouched in your closet?

Whatever your style may be, there is something worthy of note here. Pleats for men are purely functional, not stylish. In the same vain, pleated skirts for women are definitely fashionable and dominated runways in Fall 2011 and Spring 2012. 

And lo and behold, what are seeing on the catwalk for Spring 2013 menswear? Pleats for gents! If you're a fashion-forward lad bent on the whimsy of runway posh,  you might appreciate this look. Let's be clear here, however, this is NOT a look everyone can pull off. Read: do not try this at home. Sure, Balenciaga is a huge fashion powerhouse, but they dress their models for Paris and NYC movers and shakers, they're not exactly thinking their designs will clothe the guys making bank on State Street or making trades in the NYSE. Still, it begs the question, are pleats making a comeback???

Courtesy of bloginity.com

Pleats

In our opinion: pleats are never by design for men's suiting, they serve only as a functional aspect. What's great about a pleated front pant? The pleat fold behaves like an accordion, allowing room for more fabric and more movement. Similar to our blog post on side back pleats, fellas who require more room due to their body size would do well to rock the pleated front. Perhaps you're a runner with thick thighs, a pleat will allow for a sleek look on muscular builds. Maybe you have an athletic rear, again, the single pleat will provide more space for your derriere. 

Flat Front

A flat front is a minimalist look that is nothing short of classic and clean. We prefer this look because it exudes a smart and chic appearance. That said, not every body type can pull off the flat front—if you think you need pleats or require more room, we certainly recommend you opt for the pleat. 

Cuffed trousers versus uncuffed trousers.

Another thing to consider? Your pant opening. Traditionally, if you have a pleated front, you're going to have cuffs on your pant opening. Generally, a cuffed pant looks a bit more casual. If you opt for a flat front, you will want to choose an uncuffed pant opening. At 9tailors, we encourage you to follow these hard and fast rules, however, we often mix it up, dependent on what you want and in what you feel most comfortable.  


As Style Consultant, Alex Chiesa, puts it: "Well, it's similar to something like, if you want a burger with fries or if you just want a burger. Just because you get a burger, you don't need to order fries. But if you want both, then go for it."


*We strongly recommend that you never cuff tuxedo trousers, they are far too formal.


What do you think? Do you find pleats fashionable or functional? Do you like a flat front better?


Oh, and if you do have those double-pleated pants in your closet, please donate them—this is way too boxy of a look, especially if you don't require the extra room.  


Still unsure what kind of pant front will work and look best for you? Email a style consultant at info@9tailors.com and make an appointment to design your custom trousers. And don't forget about our ongoing sale now through the end of July!

Gifts for Father's Day?

What to buy for the man who has it all? Let's face it, patriarchs are hard to shop for, especially when they are refined, particular sticklers for what they like. Esquire has given some helpful hints to what may make the most stylish fathers swoon. Still stumped looking for items to get Dad for Father's Day? Enter 9tailors. Think custom.

If you didn't know about our Buy 3, Get 1 Free promotion this month, it's still going on through the end of June! You're giving Dad the freedom to design his own shirts and choose his own fabrics.  Spare yourself the frantic guesswork of choosing something you "think" he'll like. Rather than eyeing which off-the-rack shirt could fit him, you're purchasing a shirt that will fit him...very well, indeed. Personalized gifts make that much more of an impact anyway.  Thoughtfulness is the best present someone can receive! Not to mention, once we have the measurements of the father(s) in your life, he'll finally own a shirt that fits his proportions.

And don't forget about the other items we offer here in the 9tailors studio. Sterling Kane leather goods, made-to-order! Premium leather in exquisite quality at affordable prices. Or if you're buying the customary Father's Day tie, why not throw in a tie thing for good measure? It's a nifty little accessory that keeps ties in their proper place as well as a handy contraption for guys on the go. OooTie Bow ties and Dressed By CC pocket squares also available for purchase!

Still can't decide what to get? Perhaps a suit or suit separate with a meaningful monogram embroidered inside? Gift certificates are also available. Visit the website or call us at the studio for more details. As always, feel free to email info@9tailors.com to make an appointment, with or for the special dad in your life.

Shades of Gray

As style consultants, we are always asked about color choice for suits. This is often the most daunting decision for our clients as the plethora of fabrics we offer is overwhelming to some. Color is a subjective preference for most, but there are a few unspoken guidelines when it comes to choosing the right hue for you.
                                  

GRAY

From the Pee Wee Herman light gray to the darker charcoal grays, if you don't own a gray suit yet and you're a frequent suit-wearing fella, you need to get yourself one pronto! Gray is the most versatile color for a suit as it pairs with nearly every color on the spectrum.  You can wear both blacks and browns (shoes, belts) with gray and it's also acceptable in both formal and casual settings.

                                                   
With gray, you have warmer tones and cooler tones. The warmer tones have a bit of a taupe-ish hue to them, whereas the cooler tones exude a blue-ish tint. It's really up to you which way to go here, but it's very helpful to compare the two against each other to help you narrow down your decision.

                                   

LIGHT GRAY:

Lighter grays are meant for summer and spring. Do not wear in fall or winter. Weddings are especially popular this time of year, and you can rock a shade like this casually or formally, as long as you have the proper items to accessorize your ensemble.

                                            

MEDIUM GRAY:

Grooms visiting the 9tailors studio have been favoring medium grays and this range is the most popular choice among our clients right now. It's less bold than a light gray and a good option for a suit you want to wear year round, depending on brightness. 

                              

DARK GRAY:

Charcoal is the name of this game. You can't go wrong with it, in my opinion. As mentioned above, grays go with both black and brown accoutrements, and something about this color screams sexy and sophisticated. This is also a choice you can wear to most events.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              


Need a new gray suit to complete the collection in your closet? Email a style consultant at info@9tailors.com and make an appointment to design the suit in the shade that's right for you.

To Pop or Not to Pop?

A major point of contention among fashion-savvy gents? The Popped Collar. As commonly seen on frat boys and preppies alike, this is oft done with a Polo shirt...usually a pink one. Some may argue this look is strictly for bro-dawgs who find it cool. Others contend it's a great look that only a certain kind of guy can wear. What do you think? Do you pop your collar? If so, when and why? If not, why wouldn't you/would you ever do it? Check out Esquire's amusing debate here between two bloggers with differing opinions.

Courtesy of preppytimes.com

Courtesy of ivygateblog.com

Courtesy of gloveslap.com

Honestly, we at 9tailors maintain you should never pop the collar of your dress shirt. And it still looks lame on a polo shirt, brah! What is this multiple-layered, up-turned collar thing? Is that serious? Joking or not, please stop it. Do yourself a favor---save your integrity from ridicule and nix the collar poppage. 

That said, a few clients have recently gotten sports coats with contrasting fabric on the underside of their lapel. It looks quite edgy when popped yet subtle and demure when left untouched. 

So, we're somewhat okay with you popping your jacket collars, within reason. James Dean sported a popped collar in his most iconic movie role. Are you a Rebel Without a Cause? An upturned collar can look pretty fresh with the right shirt. As we always recommend, if you're comfortable with a look and feel confident that you can pull it off, go for it. If it feels forced, it will look that way on you.

Rebel Without A Cause

9tailors offers an array of collar styles for your shirts and lapel choices for your jackets! Email us at info@9tailors.com to make an appointment and design yourself some custom pieces!

Holiday Tuxedos Anyone?

Holidays are continually pushed farther and farther back until eventually we will be decorating for Christmas in August. Well, at 9tailors we don't want to extend the holiday season, just make an appearance during the height of the festivities. That is why we want to give our clients a break on their holiday tuxedos and wrap up the season with a final suiting deal.

The first person to make an appointment for a holiday tuxedo will receive 75.00 off their purchase! Since we can only have one #1 we have decided to give everyone else 25.00 off their holiday tuxedo when ordered before 11/6!

You can't beat the fit of a custom tuxedo. This is one of the most attractive qualities of designing your own clothes, although, with that comes the need to cultivate a bit of patience. The work of art you will be hanging on your body cannot be created over night. Because of this we recommend planning ahead and ordering those holiday tuxedos now so they will be ready and waiting to start the party.

Check out our client and model, Bryan, in his midnight blue tuxedo.

With expert advice from a style consultant you will be the best dressed man at your Christmas party. Make an appointment today by emailing info@9tailors.com and get started!

Rules and Restrictions

Not redeemable for cash

Discount only eligible for orders placed before November 6, 2011

Discount only applied towards tuxedos