A handsome dress shirt is three things: it fits like a glove, the fabric is high quality, and it sends the message you want, e.g. I’m powerful, I’m unique, or, if you wish, I’m ready to party.

This trifecta can be difficult—if not impossible—to achieve by buying any old thing from a department store. The best way to get the shirt you want is to have it made to measure by Measure Up, one of the top custom clothing makers in the world.

Lucky for you, we carry Measure Up right here at Christopher James Menswear.

Learn more about made-to-measure clothing here…

First, having a shirt custom made by Measure Up allows you to nail the fit because we take approximately 14 measurements to get the shape right. This is better than buying and tailoring a pre-made shirt because it’s actually harder to cut and re-sew a ready-made garment than it is to make one from scratch with the correct measurements.

Also with Measure Up, you get choose from nearly 400 fabrics, all of which are sourced from mills around the world. So be picky about hairline vs. bengal, pink vs. salmon, or two-button vs. two-button-cut—you can be with custom shirts.

And, Measure Up isn’t just focused on individuality. Quality is equally important. They pride themselves on hand-making each shirt, one at a time, in their Tennessee factory. They’ve been doing it for more than 20 years and are among the best custom shirt makers in the business.

Come check out Measure Up custom shirt options at Christopher James Menswear today. Your perfect shirt awaits.

The dowdy professor has undergone a makeover this season, and men everywhere are eager to take a class in textured sport coats and suits. To aid in your sartorial education, we present to you Samuelsohn’s Fall/Winter 2015 suits and sport coats, which get an A+ for an updated professorial look.

Here’s a preview:

Embody autumn sophistication with Samuelsohn’s Butler brown silk Donegal sport coat. The slimmer silhouette makes this jacket anything but dowdy. (Photo courtesy of Samuelsohn.com)

Fall isn’t fall without cashmere. Make it so with the Bryan charcoal herringbone cashmere sport coat. (Photo courtesy of Samuelsohn.com)

Be all business, all style with the Beckett windowpane 3-piece suit. (Photo courtesy of Samuelsohn.com)

Samuelsohn’s Beckett red and grey check sport coat. The perfect holiday party jacket: check. (Photo courtesy of Samuelsohn.com)

Go from work to play effortlessly with the Bryan soft denim effect sport coat. It’s fully canvased but still light, so it’s exceptionally comfortable. The elbow patches add a sophisticated, countryside touch. (Photo courtesy of Samuelsohn.com)

For more great fall styles and fabrics by Samuelsohn, come into Christopher James Menswear today.

We are located here.

We look forward to seeing you.

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.