Barbour Makes Outdoor Wear for Everyday

Photo courtesy of Barbour

There was a time when outdoor wear (or sportswear) in America used to mean pretty much only bulky ski parkas and the functional clothing sold at sporting goods stores. But then, two things happened: one, the line between sporty and dressy blurred, and two, men began dressing up a bit more. These two shifts led to many changes in men’s fashion, one of which was less sporty, more polished outdoor wear.

“The days of the North Face fleece are gone,” says Chris Lambert, owner of Christopher James Menswear. “Maybe it’s still popular among college students, but in any other setting, it looks too casual.”

Lambert says a perfect example of outdoor wear that isn’t too casual is Barbour, a British company that makes elegant but sporty clothes for men and women. “It’s casual and comfortable, but you can wear it to work,” he says.

It’s easy to see Lambert’s point. Barbour clothing, while it’s technically called outdoor wear, is actually less “outdoor” and more “countryside.” Barbour deviates from the sportier looks of North Face or Patagonia, which conjure images of summiting Mt. Everest or arctic exploration. Instead, Barbour is reminiscent of horseback riding or pheasant hunting in Sandringham.

“Barbour exudes that English, aristocratic countryside feel,” says Lambert. “But it’s not stuffy or impractical. Their wax-cotton jacket, for instance, is a good example. It’s more elevated than a fleece zip-up but not as formal as an overcoat. It’s a perfect in-between.”

Photos courtesy of Barbour

It’s also very practical. Lambert says the Barbour waxed coat is perfect for Fort Wayne’s crisp, sometimes wet, fall days. “It’s a nice medium weight jacket, and the waxed outer not only makes it moisture resistant, but it has a subtle sheen that makes the jacket dressier,” he says.

Like their jackets, Barbour shirts and sweaters are also preppier than your average knitwear, but again, they’re not pretentious. The muted, earthly colors and clean patterns keep them understated.
We look forward to seeing you.

Three Reasons You’ll Love Meyer Pants

Meyer pants are our newest favorite trim casual pants. Here’s why:

1. They have the perfect trim fit

Nowadays slim is in, but many men still fear the discomfort of close-fitting trousers. With Meyer pants though, you needn’t worry about your voice going up an octave. They have a clean silhouette but aren’t skin tight, so you’ll be as comfortable as you are fashionable.

2. Meyer pants transition well

Meyer pants can be dressy, casual and everything in between. Wear them with a dress shirt and sweater at the office, then a chambray shirt with rolled up sleeves for a weekend drive.

3. They’re REALLY well made

Meyer, a German company, manufacturers all their pants in Europe and only uses cotton from fair-trade vendors worldwide. To construct their pants, Meyer uses a combination of machine and hand, and employs their very own laundry system to wash and dye the fabric.

Of course, to get the best sense of Meyer’s fit, quality and aesthetic, you need to see it in action. Check out their Fall 2015 promo video:

Meyer pants are selling like hot cakes right now, so come into Christopher James Menswear today and yourself a pair or two before they’re gone. We’re located here.

Run for a Good Cause with Blue Jacket, Inc.

One of our favorite charities, Blue Jacket, Inc. is forming a team to compete in the Fort4Fitness Fall Festival, Sept. 25-26, 2015. If you like running, and supporting a good cause, you must join!

What it is

The Fort4Fitness Fall Festival is a two-day health promotion event that includes a free expo of Fort Wayne’s best health, wellness and exercise providers, and a series of road races and walks. Discover new tools and tips that’ll help you get, or stay, healthy, and have fun getting sweaty during one of the road races!

What we need from you

To sign up for one of the races (a half marathon, 10K, 4-mile run/walk, or the senior and kid’s marathon) as a member of Team Blue Jacket.

Why you should participate

A portion of your race registration will go to Blue Jacket, Inc., a Fort Wayne-based non-profit that helps low-income men and women get a second chance at a career. Blue Jacket, Inc. provides job and skills training and gives people the business-appropriate attire they need to get and keep a job. Learn more about Blue Jacket, Inc. at bluejacketinc.org

You’ll also get really nice swag.

And it doesn’t cost extra to register as a team member—you’ll pay the same price but a portion of your registration fee will go to Blue Jacket, Inc.

How to participate

It’s so easy. Just register for the race using the code BLUEJ. That’s it!

Go here to sign up.

Others ways to support Blue Jacket, Inc.

Blue Jacket, Inc. is always taking donations of men and women’s professional clothing. They always really need men’s suits, shirts, dress shoes, pants, ties and belts, and women’s plus sizes. Drop of your donations right here at Christopher James Menswear, the designated drop-off location for Blue Jacket, Inc. We are located at 6410 West Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46804.

Need Brown Shoes? Check Out Mezlan

Every man in Fort Wayne needs a great pair of brown dress shoes. Here are a few of our favorites from Mezlan, a Spanish footwear designer.

The Bradley II

The Bradley II is an updated version of the classic penny loafer. It’s made from fine Italian leather and the memory foam sole makes it ideal for all-day wear.

The Hundley II

Brown Oxfords are a must in your closet, and these classic apron-toe oxfords fit the bill. They are made from hand-finished Italian calfskin, and have a memory foam insole.

The Vitoria

Mezlan’s monkstrap shoe is classic with a bit of edge. The leather is a combination of calfskin and hand-burnished calfskin, which gives it that handsome chestnut hue. These would look great with a charcoal gray or navy suit.

All of these beauties are available at Christopher James Menswear. Come in today and try them on. We are located here.

Run for a Good Cause with Blue Jacket, Inc.

One of our favorite charities, Blue Jacket, Inc. is forming a team to compete in the Fort4Fitness Fall Festival, Sept. 25-26, 2015. If you like running, and supporting a good cause, you must join!

What it is

The Fort4Fitness Fall Festival is a two-day health promotion event that includes a free expo of Fort Wayne’s best health, wellness and exercise providers, and a series of road races and walks. Discover new tools and tips that’ll help you get, or stay, healthy, and have fun getting sweaty during one of the road races!

What we need from you

To sign up for one of the races (a half marathon, 10K, 4-mile run/walk, or the senior and kid’s marathon) as a member of Team Blue Jacket.

Why you should participate

 A portion of your race registration will go to Blue Jacket, Inc., a Fort Wayne-based non-profit that helps low-income men and women get a second chance at a career. Blue Jacket, Inc. provides job and skills training and gives people the business-appropriate attire they need to get and keep a job. Learn more about Blue Jacket, Inc. at bluejacketinc.org.

You’ll also get really nice swag.

And it doesn’t cost extra to register as a team member—you’ll pay the same price but a portion of your registration fee will go to Blue Jacket, Inc.

How to participate

It’s so easy. Just register for the race using the code BLUEJ. That’s it!

Go here to sign up.

Others ways to support Blue Jacket, Inc.

Blue Jacket, Inc. is always taking donations of men and women’s professional clothing. They always really need men’s suits, shirts, dress shoes, pants, ties and belts, and women’s plus sizes. Drop of your donations right here at Christopher James Menswear, the designated drop-off location for Blue Jacket, Inc. We are located at 6410 West Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46804.

Circle of Gentlemen Makes Luxury Shirts for Everyday Life

In the regular world, the adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” makes perfect sense. But in the fashion world, such advice is dangerous. Because in a universe where innovation and creativity is prized, sticking with what works can be seen as complacency.

So, it’s in this trend-seeking world that Circle of Gentlemen, a Netherlands-based menswear brand known for it’s classic aesthetic, feels, ironically, like a bit of rebel.

“Circle of Gentlemen follows trends, but they don’t look to fill a void in fashion with some ridiculous looking style,” explains Chris Lambert, owner of Christopher James Menswear. “What they do is create luxury for a man’s everyday life. This means a really nice, on-point shirt that he can wear to work, on a date or a night out with friends.”

The brand’s knack for on-trend class is exemplified by their Fall and Winter 2015 collection of shirts, which we carry here at Christopher James Menswear. The color palette of the shirts is decidedly neutral, full of grays, whites and light blues, with a muted slate-lavender as a subtle undertone.

Circle of Gentleman says their inspiration for the collection was “the hunting gent,” which denotes the earthly, natural colors of the outdoors. They also drew from what they termed the “Artic Shadow,” a combo palette that on one side, channels coal and steel, and the other, the white and blue hues of arctic glaciers.

Where Circle of Gentlemen really shows their affinity for trends is in their trim silhouettes. Though, it’s fair to wonder if the “slim” or “trim” fit feels more like a new trend to Americans than Europeans. Either way, the fit of Circle of Gentlemen shirts is modern in that they contour nicely to the body, but they’re not so form-fitting that they expose your nipps. They’re clean and classy, like they should be.

In sum, because Circle of Gentlemen brilliantly combines trends with timelessness, you won’t be left holding a stack of last season shirts a mere month after you buy them. Rather, you’ll be the guy who, no matter what time of year it is, pulls a CoG button-down from his closet that, even though it might be a year or so old, will look like you bought it yesterday.

Make a stylish and wise investment by getting yourself a few CoG shirts. We have them right here in the store, ready for you to try on. Come in today.

We’re located here.

We look forward to seeing you.