The cold weather has finally set in here in Fort Wayne, which means it’s time to add a few extra layers. Ward off the chill with these fine coats, sweaters, and accessories. Everything you see is available right here at Christopher James Menswear.

Save the Duck puffer jacket

Just looking at this all-weather proof puffer coat by Save the Duck ($258) makes us feel toasty, so you can imagine what happens when you put it on. You’ll get warm and fuzzy about helping Mother Nature too – the alternative down used in this jacket makes it earth-friendly.

A cashmere sweater by Kinross

Cashmere is our favorite winter fabric. It’s soft, lightweight, and extremely warm, like this purple cashmere sweater by Kinross ($450). And come mid-winter, the bright purple hue will be a perfect cold weather pick-me-up. The shirt is by Robert Talbott ($228).

A tweed topcoat

Tweed is our second favorite winter fabric. It’s warm, moisture-resistant and it looks very sophisticated. We have several ready-to-wear tweed coats in stock (prices vary), but if you want something more unique, Christopher James Menswear has an array of tweed fabrics by Gladson and Huddersfield and we can custom make you your perfect coat. (Again, prices vary.)

Fabric swatches from Gladson and Huddersfield

A winter vest

A vest is the perfect way to add warmth without adding bulk. Like our topcoats, we have several ready-to-wear vests in stock (prices vary), but we can also custom make something just for you.

 The shearling overcoat by Aston

This black shearling overcoat by Aston ($1,895-$2,095) is an investment in enduring style. The elements are no match for this beautiful, yet hardwearing, jacket.

Flannel shirt by Barbour

Stay warm indoors with this flannel shirt and sock tie by Barbour (sport shirt, $119, tie, $95). Top it off with a matching beanie, also by Barbour ($59), on chilly morning commutes.

Cashmere scarf

Warmth and sophistication all rolled into one classic accessory: the cashmere scarf ($85-$99).

Complete the look: Stentroms dress shirt ($235), Betenly blazer ($550), Robert Talbott tie ($155) and socks ($28).

It’s only going to get colder from now on, so stop into Christopher James Menswear today and get everything you need to stay warm all winter long.

Just like color and fabric, the width of your tie can change your entire look. Here’s the skinny on the most common tie widths, from thinnest to widest.

2 IN

The narrowest of ties. The 2-inch is for truly fashion-forward gents. Less tie = more statement.

2.5 IN

2.5 inch is the classic skinny tie. It’s a favorite of GQ and looks best with slim suits or trim lapels.

3 IN

Not too skinny, not too wide…juuust right…If you’re a modest guy who wants to try something a tad more modern, go with the 3 inch.

3.25 – 3.5 IN

Wide ties are a very traditional look. They’re also good for bigger guys, or guys with very broad shoulders.

See which ties work best for you by coming into Christopher James Menswear and sampling our selection of ties. We have tons of sizes and styles, and will happily guide you through all of them.

That full-framed guys can’t wear slim apparel is a popular notion. It’s also utterly ridiculous.

Let’s get hypothetical for a minute.

Imagine Bill, 47, a successful investment banker in Fort Wayne. He’s a big guy, say, 6ft tall and 240 pounds, most of it around his middle.

He’s always shopped for bigger sizes in clothing, even when he was a kid.

When the slim trend became a global phenomenon a few years back, Bill abstained, despite his love for dressing well. He resigned himself to “classic” and “traditional” cuts, believing he’d look like an overstuffed sausage in “slim” or “skinny” clothes.

That look is for thin guys only, Bill thinks.

And anyway, he feels better in loose clothing. He can move comfortably (don’t skinny jeans choke your you-know-whats? He wonders), and more importantly, he believes he is cleverly concealing his size by wearing clothes that look “too big.”

So, day after day, Bill wears large suits that hang from his shoulders like a tunic, pool at his ankles, and crease repeatedly in the arms.

Then one day, at a business conference, Bill notices a man who looks oddly familiar. He was built like Bill, even looked like him…and…whayda know…the man is wearing an almost identical suit. How strange!

Bill At first wonders if he’s looking into a mirror, but quickly spots clear differences. The strange man’s suit doesn’t have excess fabric hanging from the ankles and waist. The jacket hem hits just above his upper thigh, and his pants have a clean quarter break just above his shoelaces.

Bill silently marvels at the man. Not only does the guy look incredibly polished—he looks like Bill, only 10 pounds lighter!

Bill grabs his phone and texts his wife to ask if she remembers the name of that menswear store they always pass by in Covington Plaza in downtown Fort Wayne.

Luckily, she does. A few minutes later he has a consultation with the store booked for the following week.

During the appointment, Bill tells the helpful salesman that he’s interested in slim clothing, but had, until recently, thought he didn’t have the right body type.

Everybody has the right body type, the salesman explains. “Slim means that the garment fits closer to your body, not ‘you have to be slim to wear this.’ You can wear a slim 38 and a slim 44. It’s relative.”

The salesman then shows Bill a variety of slim-cut suits in Bill’s size. They need to go up a size with a few brands, but, as the salesman explains, this is common with slim cuts, even for skinny guys.

They find a suit in Bill’s size, but it needs a few alterations. The in-house tailor takes Bill’s measurements, and puts pins in here and there.*

(*Bill enjoys keeps an eye on a football game, thanks to a big screen TV hoisted on the far wall, during this time.)

A week later, Bill sports the slimmest suit he’s ever worn. And he feels fantastic.

To his surprise, he is incredibly comfortable. In fact, he feels more comfortable than before. He hadn’t realized how much all the extra fabric on his other suits had been weighing him down, and the clean, sharp silhouette puts a pep in his step.

Bill’s wife looks at him differently, too–in a way she hasn’t since their first few months of dating. Meanwhile at work, he senses his sharper, more professional appearance is eliciting more respect from his boss. Oh, and Barbara from accounting even asks if he’s lost weight.

Moral of the story: Big guys, don’t dismiss slim clothing. It can definitely look good on you.

Friends,

This is it—the last day to cast your vote for your favorite menswear store in Fort Wayne. If you haven’t done so yet, do it now!

Go here to vote

CJM is nominated for three (!) awards: best menswear store, best shoe store, and best formalwear rental, so if you could select us for all three categories, we’d be forever grateful.

Voting ends tonight at midnight!

Winners will be announced in September on FortWayne.com and in The News-Sentinel and The Journal Gazette.

Many, many thanks, friends!