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

It's the little things that count - accessories sale

Jack Nicholson once said, "With my sunglasses on, I'm Jack Nicholson. Without them, I'm fat and 60." This gives you an idea of how accessories can transform your look. With that in mind, 9tailors is throwing an accessories sale!

Cuff links: $5.00

Shoe laces: $5.00 

Tie holders: $5.00 

Pocket squares: $12.00 to $15.00 

Cotton bow ties: $15.00 

** On in-stock items only. New or custom accessories do not apply.

Update your look. Give a pocket square a try. Email us at info@9tailors.com for questions or appointments. 

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. 

Floral Bow Ties and Floral Pocket Squares, Oh My!

The days are finally feeling warmer and the notion of Spring being around the corner is more of a reality than a fantasy. 

Transitioning your winter wardrobe to a spring wardrobe can be daunting for some, especially for those who don't have an extensive one. A simple way to start is with accessories, pocket squares and bow ties. Bow ties are more playful and evokes a lighter spirit than neck ties do. Neck ties can weigh an outfit down because it automatically draws attention downward. Bow ties draw attention upwards to your sparkling smile, ready and waiting to charm. 

Splashes of color and/or pattern brings darker winter solid colors to life without staying in dark colors or jumping head first into brighter colors before the weather is right. Start with the classics before you venture to bolder colors and patterns. Florals will always in fashion during the warmer seasons, it's how you wear it that will keep you in vogue. 

Our studio is getting ready for Spring with the help of new furniture and our little garden is blossoming...

9tailors Spring Floral Bow Ties & Pocket Squares

If you're not quite ready to experiment with bow ties, pocket squares are a safe bet. They are beautifully understated and changes the mood of your suit in an instant. 

Interested in trying on one of our new floral bow ties or pocket squares with your suit? Want help transitioning into spring? Need a lighter suit for warmer days coming? Contact a style consultant at info@9tailors.com 

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 

4 Ways to Fold to a Pocket Square, Peaks Edition

Fashion Fades, Style is Eternal - Yves Saint Laurent

The pocket square has steadily made appearances as it pleases, always leaving its wearer with unmatched sophistication. If your breast pocket is empty, your suit is naked. 

A Brief History

In Ancient Greece and Rome, wealthy citizens displayed their prominence by carrying a perfumed handkerchief. Knights wore handkerchiefs as a token favor from fair ladies. English and French noblemen carried around perfumed handkerchiefs to cover the stench of poor hygiene.

The modern-day pocket square is unscented and used to wipe the sweat from a man’s brow on warm days and catch sniffles during the cold seasons. True gentlemen would carry a square in his chest for style and a square in his pocket for use. However, once Kleenex was invented, the pocket square fell out of favor. 

 Popular culture's influence has made the pocket square in fashionable once again. In 2007, AMC premiered Mad Men, and reinvigorated the notion of the dapper gent. 

Bertram Cooper is sporting a 4 Point Fold

source: AMCTV Mad Men

Roger Sterling is donning a 3 Point Fold.

source: AMCTV Mad Men

Pink Pocket Squares for Breast Cancer Awareness Month! 

Don't forget to join us for our fundraising event on Tuesday, October 29th @5:00 - 7:00 PM

Featuring Stella & Dot Jewelry and VienneMilano Hosiery

*Event Special - Buy 3 Shirts, Get 1 FREE restrictions apply

*A portions of the proceeds will be donated to The Noreen Fraser Foundation and The Susan G. Komen Foundation

1 Peak Fold

Appropriate for all occasions

1. Bring the bottom point up to meet the top point

2. Fold the left point almost all the way to the right, stopping 3/4 of the way

3. Fold the right point over in equal amount, folding the point around to the front

4. Fold the bottom half up to the bottom of the peak. 

5. Place pocket square in pocket with folds facing your body and peak showing

2 Peak Fold

Appropriate for casual wear

1. Bring the bottom corner up to lay next to the top corner

2. Fold the left corner in 2/3 of the way

3. Fold the right corner over in equal amount and bring around to the front

4. Fold the bottom half up to meet under the peaks

5. Place pocket square in pocket with folds facing your body and peaks on display

3 Point Fold

Suitable for formal wear and business (conservative & casual)

1. Bring the bottom corner up to sit next to the top corner

2. Fold the left point diagonally up to sit next to the second peak 

3. Fold in the left peak

4. Bring the right peak straight across and around to hug the front

5. Fold the bottom up about 1/3 of the way

6. Place pocket square in pocket with folds facing your body and peaks on display

4 Point Fold

suitable for business conservative

1. Fold in half, setting the points next to each other

2. Bring the left point up and over the two central points

3. Bring the right point up and over the three points

4. Fold in each of the corner sides 

5. Fold the bottom peak up 

6. Place pocket square in pocket with folds facing your body and peaks on display

Bottome line - don't leave your suit naked. 

Cameron is using his pocket square to bring out the stripes in his shirt while Mitchell is left un-ornamented.
Source: abc, Modern Family


Interested in what other pocket squares we carry? Interested in our event or upcoming events with special promotions? email us at info at info@9tailors.com.

Meet Christopher. Pocket Squares: A Simple Accessory, A Bold Statement

Meet Christopher Cuozzo, fashion-forward client, style entrepreneur, and an all-around swell guy. 9tailors caught up with this dashing young lad recently to discuss his philosophies on menswear and his pocket squares, available for purchase in mid-June right here in our studio! Take it away, Mr. Cuozzo.


Occupation: 
Founder of Dressed By Christopher Cuozzo, a clothing e-tailer 


Hometown:
Born and raised in Woburn, MA


Current Residence: 
Woburn, MA 


Age:
30

Tell us about your philosophy on pocket squares.

Details, details, details!   It’s what gets you noticed in all the right ways. Something as simple as a $20 pocket square can make the difference between looking awesome and looking just okay.  You don’t have to spend a ton of money to look like a million bucks.

Do you have a favorite pocket square that you are sending to 9tailors?

Yes, the navy/white 1/8" gingham, 100% cotton. It's so classic, it goes with so many shirt and tie combinations, and gingham is so New England. You simply can't go wrong with it. Simple, yet makes a statement that you're aware of details and make a small effort in dressing yourself. 

Why choose custom clothing over off-the-rack menswear?

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 sleeves should not even come close to hitting your knuckles, nor should they be able to accommodate Hulk Hogan’s biceps, even if you’re built like Michael Phelps. And there’s no need for a man’s suit jacket to allow room for a pregnancy – men can’t get pregnant! Custom alleviates all of these ill-fitting attributes. 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.

Describe your experience with 9tailors.
Spectacular.  I first met Sam Shih in 2009 and was greeted with a glass of champagne and world class service.  Sam and her team have a wide range of knowledge and it shows.  Upon request only, they email me fabric swatches. If I see something I like, I book an appointment and go to their Boston studio to get a feel for it.  9tailors is fantastic service (without that annoying salesperson who follows you around the department store trying to push last season’s inventory).


What's your fashion advice to other guys out there?
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.  Stop being a wallflower and consider light pink, red, orange, purple, yellow, etc. You can start off slow with a light pink shirt or even a light pink tie or pocket square.  I’m not saying that guys need to wear fuschia 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.  Wearing a solid suit with a paisley tie on a checkered shirt is a great way to make an impression.  Not everything has to match.  As a matter of fact, steer clear of ties that come with matching pocket squares, or at least don’t wear them together.  You don’t want to look too “matchy” or as if you’re trying too hard.


Couldn't agree with you more, Christopher! 

                                               

                                     


To see more photos of Christopher's 9tailors cotton suit and photo shoot by our esteemed photographer, Channing Johnson, like us on facebook! 


As for pocket squares by Dressed by Christopher Cuozzo? We will begin offering them mid-June at $20.*


Is the pocket square still a foreign object to you? Skim this helpful blog for folding tips and find out what your technique says about you!


For all of your custom style and design needs, whether it be a new cotton suit or some colorful sports coats, just email info@9tailors.com and make an appointment with a style consultant. Get your summer on!

Shoot Details:

Location: Boston Seaport
Shirt:  9tailors  
Cotton Suit: 9tailors 
Tie:  Tie Bar 
Shoes:  Peal and Co. for Brooks Bros  

Pocket Square: Dressed By Christopher Cuozzo

*No refunds, returns or exchanges

Wednesday's Get This

Here are a few reasons you might consider wearing a pocket square for yourself:

1. You want to dress up and add color to your solid suit
   
2. You don't want to wear a tie because it may seem too formal or stuffy
   
3. It's easier than it looks! Here are a few ways to fold your pocket square .
4. You want to look like Don Draper from Mad Men

See some of our favorites below.

The classic white pocket square ($8)

The solid with contrast edge pocket square ($45)

The pink plaid pocket square ($8)

The paisley pocket square