How to Find Your Menswear Brand
This is the question that came to me today:
Antonio, the most confusing thing about men's or women's or any style for that matter is oversaturation. There are many different brands, styles, fashions, designers, etc. How do I know, Antonio, what designer or brand is the best as far as apparel is concerned? I want consistency and longevity.
Okay, he wants it to last a long time. He lives in Fort Worth and he equates it to going to a gas station.
If he goes to a quick trip, he goes to a racetrack, 7/11, Valero. He doesn't like to bounce around.
He wants a go-to clothing company.
Who to choose?
You've got Ralph Lauren, Zegna…
You've got different brands.
But how do you choose?
What's in a name?
Why should you go for it?
1. Brands change sizing
From year to year, if you go buy something that was made by Ralph Lauren in 1998 and then you go to 2003 and you're looking at different pieces, you're going to find the fit is very different.
They seem to be speeding that up.
So unfortunately, fit does change every couple of years, it seems like.
2. Styles are changing
I don't know if you guys have seen what's going on at Brooks Brothers.
They're going with really trendy looks and to me it's like losing the brand.
Now, they were bought out a few years ago and I understand they're trying to increase sales and that's what drives a lot of these brands to change.
So realize many of these companies, unfortunately, are not looking out for you.
They're looking out for themselves.
Well, it's probably a good thing but I think in doing so, they're damaging their relationship with the customer.
3. Companies cut back on the quality
Quality is changing.
What do I mean by that?
I mean the quality of the fabric, the stitching, everything that goes inside the clothing.
When a company looks to save money or to make more money, they cut back on the quality.
Knowing this, what can you do?
Three tips, Three things:
You can start doing these today especially if you're out there looking for the right brand.
1. Educate Yourself
I've put out tons of information like the Style Pyramid which is one of my bests since it really focuses on the foundations of style and these are:
Fit
If it doesn't fit you, don't wear it.
Fabric
This involves the quality of the built.
Try going into a higher end menswear store. Try on a $1,500 to $2,000 suit.
And once you look at it, once you touch it, you're going to be able to see the difference.
You're going to understand the quality of the fabric, the quality built.
So whenever you see that $2,000 suit on sale for $700, you're going to understand that that's a great deal.
Style
Go with the style that suits you.
The brand doesn't have to be looked at as a top brand in your society or in your area.
You want what suits your body type, what proportions work for you.
2. Visit Menswear Stores with Measurements
Okay, so you want to spend an entire day going to Nordstrom's, Barneys, Macy's, Neiman Marcus and finer menswear stores but before you go, know your measurements.
You can go to my company at A Tailored Suit, grab our measurement guide and measure yourself.
Take my guide in there. Print it out so when you look at that clothing, you can actually measure with a tape measure and you can see how much room you're going to have there in the chest.
In fact, I recommend this is as something I have the guys in my Style System do, I have them measure their best fitting clothing so that when they see clothing out there, they have a good idea of what the measurement should be.
Doing this means they don't have to try it on since they already know what their shirt's shoulder and sleeve measurements are. They've got it written down.
Do the preparation.
Take notes.
Find some brands that suit you.
3. Work With Amazing Companies Online
A lot of you guys may be saying, “Antonio, I don't have access to good stores in my area.”
Well, lucky for you the internet is making this easy.
Identify companies with amazing return policies, great customer service and work with them to get the clothing you need.
A lot of smaller retailers, they actually have great customer service because they have to in order to compete.
Other companies like Amazon and Zappos are now getting into the clothing game plus they have amazing return policies.
I just ordered some shoes from Zappos. I'm leaving in two days on a trip.
But you know what? I'm not worried.
Because Zappos is going to get those shoes to me overnight and I can just drop them off as we're leaving, and I can send them back to anywhere and it doesn't cost me to send that clothing back.
So make sure to try it on. Yes, you are going to have to do a little bit of work but find the brand that suits you by going out there.
I talked about educating yourself, knowing your measurements, going out there and trying it on in local stores, then going online.
Bonus: Find Your Style Community
And lastly, find where people like you are hanging out, people who have your body shape, who have your needs.
If you go to Styleforum, there's a whole forum that's for denim heads. If you are a large man and you are into denim, I think they've got a subsection for that.
Reddit also has some great information. Reddit is pretty awesome.
Ask Andy, a great forum. Find one that suits your personality and also suits your built.
Anyway, that's it for now.
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