Since 2007
THE
TIMES
Your source for custom menswear
indochino.com
OLD-FASHIONED SUCCESS
SUITING UP FOR THE BIG DAY
TAKE IT FROM AN EXPERT
TRAVEL LIGHT
Don Draper’s favourite drink, a revived classic.
Toast the men who made you who you are.
Tom Kearnan on building your personal style.
Work hard and pack smart.
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THE CUSTOM SUIT
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The best investment you can make is in yourself. Once upon a time, having a suit custom made was an opulent experience exclusive to the rich and powerful. While a made to measure suit in your wardrobe isn’t financially out of reach like it once was, it is still an investment piece best appreciated by those who recognize that moving on from off the rack is about more than simply buying nicer clothes. A custom suit creates a transformation: You not only look better, but feel better, too. The initial change is obvious, but it’s followed by subtler changes you might not expect.
– Story by Dustin A. Woods
CONFIDENCE Some things you simply can’t put a price on. Walking with confidence and feeling comfortable in your own skin means you’re more likely to find yourself noticing sly looks from attractive strangers. Nobody else in the room knows exactly what your secret is, but they can sense you’re something special. STYLE Style may be difficult to define, but you know it when you see it. Attention to detail and high-quality materials mean you can feel it too.
MOVEMENT A suit with the right measurements is a must if you want to look, feel and move through life like a grown-up. A quality custom suit will never bunch, pull or bag up as you stride from office to to cocktails. INDIVIDUALITY Why wear someone else’s uniform? Custom suits allow for personalization from the cut, colour and style to the little details that make it all your own. When you decide to purchase a custom suit, you aren’t just investing in a new wardrobe staple – you’re investing in yourself. Suit up.
Your source for custom menswear
indochino.com
THE KING OF COOL Charisma and confidence go a long way in personal style.
Spice up your game with check-me-out colours. For years, buying socks has been the bane of most men’s existence. Once considered an afterthought during the morning routine rush and a disappointing birthday, Christmas or Father’s Day gift, socks are now getting their time in the spotlight. With limited opportunities to accessorize or show off their personalities, men have jumped at the chance to show some foot flair, with cheeky socks becoming a hot topic of conversation around the water cooler and wedding table alike. It seems like these days, anything goes. Sartorial gatekeepers have endorsed vibrant colours, patterns, novelty prints, popular sayings or catchphrases, and even purposely mismatched pairs. If it isn’t too kitschy and doesn’t clash, we say have at it. Maybe hang on to that old pair of black, though – you never know when you may have a funeral to attend. – Story by Dustin A. Woods
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Illustration by: Andrea Pearce
KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF
It’s been more than four decades since Steve McQueen crushed a three-piece suit while robbing a bank in The Thomas Crown Affair, then owned Ivy style cruising in a Jaguar D-Type in Le Mans. Few have rocked a suit quite like him since. McQueen made style look effortless. Charisma and confidence allowed him to transition smoothly from a three-piece herringbone suit to the laid-back AllAmerican look of a leather jacket, jeans and aviators. Few would argue against his influence on men’s fashion, past and present. He was Hollywood’s symbol of rebellion against tradition in the 1960s and ‘70s, but the King of Cool maintained a healthy balance of sophistication. We can all learn from his effortless style. – Story by Gordie Bowles
OLD-FASHIONED SUCCESS Don Draper’s favourite drink is a sure-thing aperitif.
Step 1: Put four top bartenders from around the world in a room for four days.
Step 2: Give them free rein to create a new cocktail program, no holds barred.
Step 3: Open the door to find they’ve recreated the world’s firstrecorded cocktail?
Doubling down on the classics, bartenders from four Fairmont hotels made 95 attempts at the old fashioned before settling on the recipe that would become the Fairmont Old Fashioned, one of six “revived” classic cocktails on the menu Fairmont bills “Classics. Perfected.” These highly dignified sippers featuring top-shelf spirits (think Woodford Reserve Distillers Select bourbon and Remy Martin VSOP Fine Champagne cognac) are now being poured at Fairmont hotels worldwide.
– Story by Christina Newberry
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Must-Have
MEN’S ACCESSORIES
The essential accessories every man needs in his wardrobe. Even the most no-fuss minimalist man needs a few accessories to consider his wardrobe complete. Accessories can sometimes be forgotten or overlooked, but styled right, they can elevate your entire look. Here are five essential accessories every guy should have.
Tie Clip You most likely have a handful of ties, but a tie clip? This simple accessory prevents a tie from flapping, cutting down on wrinkles. It also represents an opportunity to add a small, unique twist to your outfit. Rule of thumb: The tie clip should sit between the third and fourth buttons of your shirt.
Watch Every guy needs a go-to watch that goes with any outfit. It shouldn’t be too flashy; unless you’re scuba diving, keep the watch face relatively simple. Something minimal and polished will do the trick. Avoid casual watchstraps made of fabric or plastic. Instead, opt for metal or leather straps and accents in darker colours.
Neckwear The defining moment for a man’s style comes when he masters the pairing of suit, shirt and tie. Learning to successfully match these combinations is an art form. With 150 patterns to choose from in Indochino’s line of ties, you’d be hard pressed not to find just the right pick for your suit and your tastes.
Pocket Square These versatile accessories tie your look together. Available in a variety of fabrics and prints, they can be worn a number of ways depending on how dressy your outfit is. Keep a few standard pocket squares in your collection: light blue for darker suits, white for a variety of occasions and a bold print to show off your personality.
Cufflinks Cufflinks are often overlooked nowadays in favour of more casual or simple dress, but don’t underestimate the impact they can have on an outfit. Even the most understated dresser can really class up an ensemble with the right pair. Cufflinks come in all shapes and materials, but you’ll never go wrong with a classic silver style.
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Your source for custom menswear
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SUITING UP FOR THE BIG DAY Take the time to toast the men who made you who you are. – Story by Dustin A. Woods
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can’t recall ever voluntarily going clothes shopping with another man. My strategy when adding necessary elements to my wardrobe generally consists of researching exactly what I want online, going into a store to confirm sizing, and completing the purchase as quickly and painlessly as possible: Get in, get out, get on with my day. There is, however, something to be said for taking your time and relishing the experience when it comes to outfitting your wedding party with custom tuxedoes or formal suits for your big day.
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Rarely will you have the opportunity to be surrounded by the most prominent men in your life. Friends, brothers, cousins, fathers, uncles – these are the men who made you who you are. They know where the (figurative) bodies are buried and will stand beside you to support you during what is perhaps the most important moment in your adult life. There’s an air of excitement during suit fittings, an unspoken element of male bonding. It’s a time of optimism that normally plays out with camaraderie and boyish goofing around. Getting ready for a good friend’s wedding several years ago, there was a little friendly competition over who could tie the best bow tie. The results ranged from decent to dreadful, but the process was hilarious. Likely ranging in age, ethnicity, body type and personal style, the men in your wedding party can add their own elements of personalization with unique suspenders, socks, cufflinks, tie clips or lining options.
Custom embroidery under the inner pocket allows for a special message as well, perhaps the date and location of the wedding, the name of the owner or even the bride and groom. I once saw the more humorous “If lost, please return to:” embroidered inside a particularly boisterous best man’s suit jacket. The choice is theirs. Your wedding day will undoubtedly go by in the blink of an eye, but some memories and, more importantly, images will endure. Years from now, when you look back through your wedding album, you’ll be glad you took the time to choose impeccably styled, well-fitting suits, but you’ll also fondly recall the fun you had playing dress-up with your buddies. This is a special moment – one to be savoured, enjoyed and remembered fondly instead of rushed. The wedding day is all about the bride; this day is all about you. So take your time, and do it right.
FRIENDS, BROTHERS, COUSINS, FATHERS, UNCLES – THESE ARE THE MEN WHO MADE YOU WHO YOU ARE. THEY KNOW WHERE THE (FIGURATIVE) BODIES ARE BURIED AND WILL STAND BESIDE YOU TO SUPPORT YOU DURING WHAT IS PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT MOMENT IN YOUR ADULT LIFE.
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Your source for custom menswear
AMP UP YOUR BAR CART WITH CUSTOM INFUSIONS Tailored house flavours show off your signature style. If you’ve ever made a cup of tea, you’ve made an infusion – it’s the simple act of steeping ingredients to extract their flavours. But modern infusing takes the concept to a whole new level to create custom flavour blends that can turn every man into a home mixologist. Whether you’re entertaining a crowd or mixing cocktails for two, there’s no better way to highlight your signature style. Here are four simple ways to start building your flavour bank. WATER: Just fill a pitcher with water and throw in a handful of thinly sliced fruits, vegetables or herbs and let sit for a few hours. Try starting with cucumbers, fresh or frozen berries, citrus fruits, fresh rosemary or mint. ICE: Think chunky fruits like whole berries, diced peach or nectarine, or cubes of watermelon. Place the fruit into your ice cube tray and top with water. Pull from the freezer and pop into any drink with a complementary flavour profile for a surprise burst of colour and kick. LIQUOR: Don’t waste your best booze on infusions, but don’t go bottom-end, either. Start with a perfectly drinkable spirit and add a complementary flavour. Think cherries in bourbon, citrus in tequila and cucumber in gin. Vodka can handle just about any flavour, but start with small batches to make sure you like the finished product before going all-in. Just cover the flavour elements with booze, seal and let rest until you get the flavour you’re looking for. SUGAR OR SALT: Infused sugar can be used to flavour a drink, or simply to rim a glass. Mix sugar with citrus zest or peeled, chopped ginger (or both) in a food processor, and then spread on a cookie sheet to dry before packaging. Even easier, simply layer leaves of mint, basil or other fresh herbs with sugar in a jar. The same technique works with salt – try chiles or lime for a perfect margarita rim.
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– Story by Christina Newberry
indochino.com
MIXING AND MATCHING FABRICS LIKE A PRO Combine different fabrics into one outfit – and look great doing it.
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SAYING GOODBYE TO OFF THE RACK
For some guys, “mix and match” is just a synonym for confusion. It can seem like a headache to put things together that are not a perfect match. But when it comes to fabrics, mixing and matching can actually enhance your look and make it more visually appealing. Here’s how to do it right.
After a sub-par suit shopping experience, Indochino set out to revolutionize the menswear universe.
Go Monochromatic If you are just branching out into mixing and matching, start small with monochromatic colours. Choose pieces from the same colour family, but in varying shades. For example, try layering a steel grey knit sweater over a charcoal grey chambray shirt and sporting a pair of grey wool trousers for an aesthetically pleasing and interesting look. Make sure you don’t wear an entire outfit in only one shade or you run the risk of appearing washed out.
When Heikal Gani and Kyle Vucko were students at the University of Victoria, they shared a common problem: how to find a simple, stylish suit that looked good, fit well and cost less than a month’s rent. With conferences to attend, suits were a must – but the ones on the rack at the warehouse-style menswear stores they could afford were boxy and boring. Paying extra for tailoring got them into acceptable shape, but the process was long and frustrating, and the end product was only okay. This was the absolute opposite of retail therapy. Why did women get to have all the shopping fun? That was back in 2007, when a made to measure suit was still an outlandish luxury for the average guy. Knowing there had to be a better way for guys to buy clothes for business and formal events, Gani and Vucko developed a measurement system, digital pattern cutting process and global supply chain from the ground up, founding Indochino
to bring custom-made apparel to the closets of men around the world. After all, if your suit looks good, you’re more likely to wear it. And you’re more likely to get into a suit in the first place if it’s not an utter chore to buy. With the online concept nailed, Indochino branched into the offline world with Travelling Tailor pop-up shops in 2011, and launched its first permanent showroom in 2014. Designing a showroom concept to recreate the ease of online shopping in the real world meant crafting a new kind of retail space specifically for the way men shop – think comfortable leather sofas, foosball tables and an exclusive Groom’s Lounge – elements echoed in the company’s eight showrooms across North America. After nine years of reinventing what it means to both buy and wear a suit, Indochino has taken the frustration out of shopping for suits, in person and online, for more than 140,000 welldressed men around the world.
Break It Up Break up textures, but stick with simple and solid pieces to ensure your overall look isn’t too messy. For example, when pairing denim jeans with a tweed blazer, wear a plain white cotton t-shirt underneath to make sure the look isn’t overwhelming. Or pair a leather jacket with a chambray shirt, but keep the bottoms simple – think black or grey suit trousers.
Choose the Right Fabrics Choose one dominant fabric (tweed, leather or linen) and one neutral fabric (cotton, denim, wool), and play with different combinations for some great looks. Try wearing a wool blazer with a cotton button-down shirt, or a denim jacket with a linen shirt. Avoid mixing fabrics that are extremely different from one another, like velvet and leather, to keep your look harmonious.
– Story by Christina Newberry
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Your source for custom menswear
TAKE IT FROM AN EXPERT Tom Kearnan on how to build your personal style.
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ach season, Indochino Director of Fashion Tom Kearnan, a menswear veteran with almost four decades of experience, selects the hot colours, cool patterns and everything else a guy needs to suit up with confidence for his Tom’s Picks collection. Here, he shares his insights on personal style. What does style mean to you? Style is an individual thing. It’s how someone pulls their look together and wears it like they own it. It’s the natural comfort in how they wear their
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clothes. It can be very simple or outright shocking – it’s how an individual carries it off that elevates it to the level of style. How would you describe your style? I love classic looks, but always with a twist. I use colours to lift my looks and make them unique. I am also a bit of a sneaker-head, so a formal look with a pair of unique trainers is right up my alley. I am as comfortable in my tux as I am in a pair of jeans.
indochino.com
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I LOVE CLASSIC LOOKS, BUT ALWAYS WITH A TWIST. I USE COLOURS TO LIFT MY LOOKS AND MAKE THEM UNIQUE. I AM ALSO A BIT OF A SNEAKER-HEAD, SO A FORMAL LOOK WITH A PAIR OF UNIQUE TRAINERS IS RIGHT UP MY ALLEY.
lores image lores image What is your favourite era for men’s fashion? I have a few! I adore the roaring ‘20s. Men weren’t afraid to look great, and there was less stiffness to how they wore things. Also, the post-war ‘40s and its relaxed formal wear and simple elegance. A new mix of sportswear elements had entered men’s tailored looks, the clothing flowed, there was a lightness to how suits looked. And then there were the ‘70s – everyone in super-high-waisted pants, tighter-thantight polyester printed shirts with huge cuffs and long collars, platform shoes, crazy patterns. And let’s not forget the big hair!
What can you absolutely not live without? A good book and my music! Cashmere, pima cotton, worn-in raw denim, sneakers and a tweed sport jacket. What qualifies an item for the Tom’s Picks collection? I select items that can be worn by most men – classic looks with a twist, either through colour selection, texture or versatility. Dressing should be easy. I hope my collection helps guys make choices that make them look good and feel comfortable.
How can the average guy incorporate these styles without feeling like a fashionista? That’s easy – keep the lines clean and simple and stay within your comfort zone. If you want to wear burgundy but feel somewhat overwhelmed by an entire suit, choose to go with an accent piece like a shirt, tie or pant. Mix in the new with the old. Take a safe base, like a charcoal suit, and mix in new pieces to keep the look current.
Tom’s Picks
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Your source for custom menswear professional attire for office meetings, work events or business travel speaks volumes about your intuitive common sense and will help instill a sense of trust in your superiors. After all, how much responsibility can they feel comfortable giving you if they think you can’t even properly dress yourself? Taking your wardrobe and career to the next level requires some self-awareness and preparation, but it’s by no means an obstacle too complicated to overcome. Consider your body type, the nature of your job and your working environment. Your wardrobe should seamlessly and effortlessly blend fashion and function. Your exterior is an outward projection of who you are, so take your time to select pieces that will suit you like a second skin rather than making you uncomfortable. Think about the personal story you want the world to see. There is no shame in asking for help. Buying off the rack and dressing like everyone else is a sure-fire way to stay invisible in a middle-management role for the rest of your career. You want to be noticed for the right reasons. If you strive to be successful in your career, then dress like it. After all, fortune favours the bold.
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DRESS FOR SUCCESS Get noticed at work – for the right reasons. – Story by Dustin A. Woods
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fter years of arduous schooling and gruelling preparation, you’ve landed the job you’ve been waiting for and working towards. This is just the beginning – now it’s time to back it up by showing you mean business. Dressing the part shows that you’ve got style and substance. In the business world, it is often said that you should dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Like most important things in life, this is easier said than done. Many men are afraid they will be criticized for overdressing or “peacocking,” but it need not be this way. You can do it tastefully, and with class. Regardless of how good you are at your job, your choice of attire and physical appearance will project an image to coworkers about your personal standards and attention to detail. Clunky shoes and an illfitting suit will tell the world that professionalism isn’t a priority and mediocrity is good enough for you. Regardless of the product you’re selling, the packaging matters. Having a sense of occasion and recognizing what is appropriate
YOU WANT TO BE NOTICED FOR THE RIGHT REASONS. IF YOU STRIVE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR CAREER, THEN DRESS LIKE IT. AFTER ALL, FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BOLD.
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indochino.com
TRAVEL LIGHT: WHAT TO PACK FOR A BUSINESS TRIP Work hard and pack smart with our travel tips.
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t’s a conundrum: How do you pack light for a business trip that calls for suits, shoes and trousers? If you travel frequently, you’re well acquainted with the long waits for checked luggage that make the right carry-on essential (never mind that you’ll never have to deal with a lost bag). Business trips tend to be quick and straightforward, so you can pare things down to the essentials.
THE BASICS If your trip is on the short side, bring a button-down shirt for each day (plus an extra just in case) and one suit in a classic colour like grey or charcoal. Make sure you cover the dress code for all your events. For trips of a week or more, pack a second suit in a colour like burgundy or midnight blue for some variety. THE TRICKS Take a hand-held steamer to avoid looking rumpled and unprofessional on the road. Thicker fabrics wrinkle less but take up more room in your bag; a sharkskin suit is the least prone to wrinkling. Wearing your suit on the plane can avoid wrinkles and ease the transition from the tarmac to the boardroom if you have to head directly to a meeting.
THE ACCESSORIES Pack versatile accessories that can be worn with multiple outfits: at least two ties in neutral colours, a pocket square, one pair of leather dress shoes, a pair of comfortable leather brogues and a belt to match your shoes and suits.
THE NECESSITIES There’s no reason to bring things like shampoo or soap that most hotels provide. Instead, focus on things you’ll definitely need: chargers for your phone and laptop, a wireless card in case you’re stuck with spotty Wi-Fi, and flash drives to keep your information backed up and your presentation files accessible. Keep a pack of mints, some ibuprofen and antibacterial gel handy, and remember to have business cards on hand at all times. And, of course, don’t forget your passport!
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BOSTON 85 Newbury St. (857) 277-0585
We’d love to hear from you Monday–Friday: 8am-5pm PST Saturday: 9am-5pm PST help@indochino.com 1 (855) 334-0788 The Indochino Times is published and produced by Fresh Air Publishing on behalf of Indochino. No part of this publication may be reproduced with the written consent of the publisher. The views expressed by the contributors are no necessarily those of the publisher or Indochino.
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