1/25/12

midweSTYLE: West Bottoms, two.

Cam made several great points about thrifting: If you're an avid thrifter, you often time buy something because it's so cheap and it may fit a little sloppy. You know, you slip it on and think of all the ways you could make it perfect but never end up doing it. Even though that $2 blazer almost fit correctly, you still needed to let out the sleeve and take in the waist, but it just sits in your closet. The whole tailoring thing for me, well....I would rather save the time and money when I can and just spend a little more. 

Plus, does anybody have a great tailor? Let us know if you do (anywhere in the Midwest, but especially in KC or Chicagoland.) We'd love to publish a list on the site. We've been receiving a handful of inquiries lately, and we've been slacking on that front.

Furthermore, my two recent purchases were a little impromptu but definitely filled a void in my closet, especially my winter essentials. I needed a tweed blazer and a pair of thick pants for the Chicago winter.

So, while picking up some last minute gifts for my sisters and mother down on the Plaza in Kansas City, I strolled into Standard Style wearing my J.Brand cargo pants and walked out wearing the duck canvas "Reed" pant by Baldwin Denim. Yeah, it happened. I was that guy that wore the clothing out of the store because I loved it so much. So warm and substantial for this not-so-nauseatingly cold Chicago winter we're having that I don't even need to throw on my retired running tights on underneath.






And then if the stars align and your step has that pep, you walk into Barney's on day when a sale is happening. My guy at Barney's helped me find exactly what I was looking for that day. "I need a tweed blazer, and I'm don't want to get it it tailored."

Shout out to Riley at Barney's on Rush Street in Chicago for being a boss and knowing what I needed: Harris tweed, two-button, dope fabrication and phenomenal fit. And it was on sale.
Whammy.
Sold.

Extra credit: It was A.P.C., one of my favorite labels. Size small, any season, any pant or shirt, fits like a glove. Gotta love that consistency between seasons with the label. You're a genius and fascinating, Jean Touitou. (See also: WSJ interview, Jean's Rules of Style from Details, Interview Magazine.)





On Jeff: Two-button "Harris Tweed" blazer (Barney's, sale $260 reg. $580) by A.P.C.,; denim shirt (thrifted, $2); Timex weekender watch (Amazon, $20) with colored strap ($10) from J.Crew; the duck canvas "Reed" pant ($158) by Baldwin Denim; chocolate suede "8878" boots by Red Wing; skinny Giles & Brother railroad spike cuff ($50); sterling silver southwest inspired bracelet; deadstock copper bracelet that looks like a Cartier that girls keep on trying to steal from me but I say, "Hell nah, shawty;" black-framed glasses by Gant Rugger.

Shout out to our homeboy, Grant Heinlein, for goofing off with us for a day in Kansas City, photographing us jerks and enjoying some badass BBQ later in the day.

16 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Campus Tailor in Madison is great - it is one woman and she is very helpful, prompt, and does excellent work. Pretty reasonable prices as well.

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  3. I work in Boystown in Chicago and there's a dry cleaning place that also does tailoring at Broadway and Briar, the woman there hasn't let me down yet.

    Meghan
    http://clotheshunger.blogspot.com

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  4. This is right around the corner from my fiance's studio. Is this underneath the 12th Street bridge? Anyways, I go to Rydell Tailor Shop in Brookside for all my fitting needs. He hooks it up! Plus with straight up hardwood fixtures and leather couches, he's a class act all the way.

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  5. I have experience with two tailors in Chicago. The first would be Alva Graciano in Lincoln Park. They do great work, the prices are pretty awesome, and they turn around very fast. $16 for an original hem is one of the best around.

    The second is Tails in Old Town. From what I hear, Joe is an ex-suitmaker and I go to him for any kind of complicated alteration (not that I don't trust Alva, but he came highly recommended). It is a little bit pricier, but you will not be disappointed with the service.

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  6. What's your take on the fit between the Reeds and the Henleys from Baldwin? I need something that will look great worn with a pair of low profile Vans Authentic shoes as well as a pair of bulkier, yet relatively low profile Red Wing Iron Rangers. I'm not big on super-super slim jeans; I like a bit of room, but not too much. I'm torn between the two because I'm not sure the Reeds are slim enough for me, but that the Henleys are too slim, and I'm not really a fan of the drop yoke on the 77s. Thanks in advance for your input!

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  7. I've been pretty satisfied with Slabotsky & Sons for tailoring in downtown KC on grand.

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  8. i trust tino's tailor shop in pilsen. mixed reviews in yelp, but he has never disappointed me. i take him blazers all the time and he has worked his magic for an affordable price. cash only. helps if you speak spanish.

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  9. Hey guys. I use Gus' Tailor Shop on Ashland in Chicago. He's a really nice dude, has been there for awhile, and most importantly, he's an amazing tailor. Very affordable. I almost exclusively bring him thrifted items, and he doesn't mind at all. I was there the other day: http://thedailywear.tumblr.com/post/16495329205/at-the-tailors-j-crew-blue-slim-chinos-my

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  10. The lighting in these photos is incredible! Where is this? I'm a Chicagoan, but my parents just moved to KC.

    Also, Oklahoma Joe's BBQ = a.may.zing.

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  11. Can't recommend this place any higher -- incredible work. She's taken so many thrifted items and made them perfect for me.

    Nora Plaza Alterations
    (317) 844-1534
    1300 E 86th St Ste 5
    Indianapolis, IN 46240

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  12. Daniel Morgan Tailor is St. Louis - The http://www.yelp.com/biz/daniel-morgan-tailor-st-louis

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  13. Why haven't I discovered you guys sooner? I absolutely love the purpose of this site because I can totally relate! I thought I was the only one with for men's thrifted fashion. Keep inspiring. Cheers!

    www.seamedright.com

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  14. Paul Chang at 180 North LaSalle. He rebuilt a brand-new J.Crew blazer I got for a steal at Buffalo Exchange from a size 8 to a size 2. You could never tell the entire jacket was taken apart, cut, and sewn back together. I went back for fittings twice. He only charged $90, which for all that work was a steal!

    He specializes in custom shirts and suits for men, but as you can see he alters women's clothes as well (though his specialization is in tailored pieces like slacks and jackets).

    http://paulchangcustomtailor.com/

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  15. Rydells' in Kansas City (Brookside).

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  16. have you had any sizing issues with the watch bands from j. crew? i just bought one of the men's style for a watch, but because i have tiny wrists, i have a long dangling piece of watch band with no strap to slip it under to hold it in place. quite a bummer for a fairly expensive nylon band.

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