Ring in the New Year with Style!

It’s that time of the year. More holiday parties than you can shake a stick at.
Whether your party is formal, semiformal, or informal consider the following points:

1. Confidence- no matter what you are going to wear; wear it with execution. Internally make the statement “I look GOOD” and people will be more attracted to your mantra.

2. It is important to consider the venue of the party -when in doubt, run to Google. Do your research before deciding what to wear. If it is an office party, don’t be afraid to ask one of your co-workers if it is a formal or informal party. Research could save you hours of uncomfortable chatter about what you wore to the event. A good rule of thumb, it is better to be slightly overdressed than slightly underdressed; it is easier to remove a tie or jacket than to go scrambling for one at the party.


3. Don’t procrastinate too long. Waiting until the last minute limits your choices. If the event is formal, give your clothier and tailor a good two weeks which should include a fitting in between. It is essential to have time for margin of error. Plan for Murphy’s law, "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong."


Formal wear occasions: For black tie events

Black tie means tuxedo, not a black suit. A classic tuxedo will always fit the bill. Remember satin lapels are stylish; but, satin is a delicate fabric, and can snag easily; the tuxedo may show signs of wear sooner than anticipated. Consider a shawl collar tuxedo jacket with a colorful cummerbund for added style. FYI, the pleats on a cummerbund should be facing upwards.

For a more streamlined visual effect, try plain front pants. Also, don't forget the formal shoes. The old adage, shoes say many things about the man (Personally, I think those who notice your shoes say more about the observer -stop looking down at my feet). Finishing off your completely polished look should include the shoes with a gleaming mirrored shine. One can choose the patent leather route, or opt for a quality leather shoe in matte black; either way, remember to match your socks to your pants and not your shoes.

Keep these tips in mind, and you won't have to worry about your next formal event. We hope you have a safe and eventful holiday! Happy New Year from all of us at Jos. A. Bank

Store Visits

Every year we require our salaried corporate employees to visit store locations. We do this not out of cruelty, but to lend a helping hand to our retail chain. We wish to give a deeper insight to corporate employees of what occurs at the store level.

This year, Alisa from the E-Commerce team has offered to share her experience with us:

One would think after spending eight hours on the sales floor that the manager, Randy, would lose his charm and personal flair. Quite the contrary, Randy and his sales staff were ready to answer customer questions and become personal shoppers for anyone who entered the store.

Throughout the day I was able to speak candidly with the staff. The Frederick, MD store has hired great personalities! Angie, the assistant manager, showed a quiet manner yet, drove powerhouse sales. She could help you find anything in the store in the blink of an eye. Ken, the tailor, answered difficult customer questions about the tailoring particulars of a garment. Jerry could pair garments beauteously with fine accessories; he has an eye for details. Wentua kept the store completely ordered and stacked perfectly. The shirts looked like colorful library books on shelves.

I most appreciated talking to our customers and watching the staff produce dazzling results for the people they served. A gentleman had brought his 13 year old daughter in with him to get her opinion about his style. He was attending a holiday party that evening and didn’t want to wear the same ole, same ole. The gentleman intended to wear a camelhair black sport coat with charcoal trousers. I had shown him a few safe options in blue micro print shirts, but after being unsuccessful at finding his size, Jerry suggested something better.

He placed a lilac stripped shirt with a bold print purple tie on the table; the combination looked surprisingly great together. For the added touch Jerry grabbed a pocket square which matched the hue of the tie perfectly. It was a nice departure from the norm of red and green. I was really impressed. While Jerry was ringing up the sale, the gentleman mentioned he was without an iron, in order to provide exceptional service, Jerry took the opportunity to press the shirt. It was a great added touch to the purchase.

I appreciate the time I spent in the Frederick store, I felt it helped me listen to customer opinions and suggestions. Personally, I find it enjoyable talking to our customers about their holiday and life. Usually I spend eight hours at a desk, looking at excel spreadsheets. I want to thank the Frederick team for sharing their slice of life with me.

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Thank you Alisa for your insights, we are glad you had an enjoyable experience.

How to Dress to Avoid Holiday Stress

It is no secret that although the holiday season is delightful it is also extremely stressful. So many chores to handle, functions to attend, impressions to make; we are here to advise and take away the anxiety of how to dress for the occasion.

Spreading the holiday cheer without the holiday sneer – We can help you find a tasteful sweater which says, “I am in the holiday spirit” and not “I am wearing my grandmother’s bedazzled sweater.” Try staying warm and comfortable in a buttery soft cashmere sweater. Pair a red cashmere v-neck sweater and a medium blue herringbone dress shirt to add a subtle texture to your style. Just remember whenever you wear bright cashmere sweaters in festive shades like gold, green, and red, make them the focal point of your men’s apparel. This will not only draw attention to the luxury of cashmere, but also keep the modest sophistication you want.

Keep it simple with a tie – Avoid holiday overkill by displaying seasonal colors with fine silk ties. Keep the rest of your business dress or business casual apparel simple yet refined. For instance, try pairing a rich, emerald silk tie with a crisp, white shirt and classic, navy suit for a timeless and festive look without going overboard. Or, wear a tartan plaid tie – perfect to coordinate with a variety of sport coat and trouser colors.

Experiment with shades of winter colors – Dressing for the holidays, doesn’t necessarily mean you have to deck yourself out in red, green and gold. Winter white provides a creamy color with gold undertones, a few shades darker than a bright white. It’s a welcome addition to the bold, dark hues frequent in holiday wardrobes. A winter white scarf can brighten any complexion and offer a great contrast to bold winter colors. Don’t be afraid to experiment with icy blue and silver hues with your ties and dress shirts, perfect to pair with a charcoal wool suit.

Concentrate on fit – As tempting as it may be to don expandable sweatpants to Thanksgiving dinner, may I suggest you refrain. Resist the urge to hide your indulgences under bulky holiday sweaters and loose cardigans. You don’t have to compromise comfort to look great and still enjoy yourself. Select clothes that will fit your frame and still offer room to move. Choose a pair of classic, pleated khaki pants for extra room. Wear with cognac wingtip shoes, a smooth belt, and a soft cashmere sweater we mentioned earlier, and you’ll look pulled together and feel comfortable at the same time.

Pepper in the fine details – The winter holidays offer a great opportunity to show off the details of your menswear. Try a pair of hammered gold cufflinks with your red, green, and deep blue sweaters and ties for subtle sophistication. Attending a formal event? Wear a festive, silk pocket square with your fine suit for an elegant finish to your outfit. Also, blend in the colors of the season with your men’s outerwear. Try wearing a bright scarf made from finely woven materials to accent your wool dress coat and provide warmth at the same time.

Now that you have gathered a few helpful stress free hints for dressing for the holiday season, you should feel confident to step out to your next event in sophisticated attire that still reflects the holiday spirit. Remember, classic styles coupled with your own tastes will provide you with a solid investment to your wardrobe.

Making a Difference

We are pleased to announce our 14Th
Anniversary of our Miracle Ties®.

Each year the patients at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center are asked to design some of their favorite things. Their creative energy shines through with each design.

All profits go to the continuation of pediatric research and patient care.

To make a difference with this special program, please purchase ties HERE

For further information about Johns Hopkins Children's Center and the tie collection please click HERE.

Or, watch the video