iDesign by Trinity Clothing is Available in Fort Wayne at Christopher James Menswear

Imagine you’re getting a suit made to measure. A tailor takes your measurements, then you choose all the fabrics, accessories and other specifications you want. Then, when it arrives a week or two later, made per your order, you approve it.

But what if you could see the suit fully constructed before a single stitch was sewn?

You can, as a matter fact.

iDesign by Trinity Clothing is software that specialty stores like us use to design your perfect suit, jacket, shirt or pant. It’s not that we can’t get your item perfect without the aid of a computer, but seeing your garment in full, on a screen, helps you better visual your end product, and makes you feel more secure about the made-to-measure process.

iDesign also has an interface that allows you to play around with hundreds of different designs, fabrics, shapes, and accessories without using a single thread or needle. You also don’t need to do countless wardrobe changes or model anything in front of a sales associate (though the guys at CJM are super accommodating and helpful!) because it’s all done online.

iDesign by Trinity interface

Once you’ve assembled your perfect piece of clothing, you just hit “submit” and you’re done. While you kick back and relax, your design goes to the talented guys at Trinity, who get right to work on your order, using their superior sewing and construction skills to craft a garment that exceeds your superior sartorial standards.

Then, when it arrives at our store a couple weeks later, it will be just as you saw (not only envisioned) it.

Sounds pretty great, right? Technology is a wonderful thing, gents. iDesign by Trinity Clothing is a new wave in made-to-measure clothing, as far as we’re concerned. Come into Christopher James Menswear today and check it out. We guarantee you’ll love playing around with it.

Call ahead for an appointment at (260) 436-4788 or just stop by. You can find us here.

Our Holiday TV Commercial

STEP USA is Neckwear With a Woman’s Touch

Sometimes, no matter how well a man dresses himself, a woman’s touch is what is needed to take his look from proper to polished. This is one of the inspiring ideas behind STEP USA, a hot new line of men’s neckwear, now available right here in Fort Wayne, at yours truly.

Ruth Graves founded STEP USA in New York City. She is a 20-year veteran of the fashion industry and has designed ties and scarves for the likes of Ralph Lauren, Robert Talbott, and Calvin Klein. She also lists some pretty heavy hitters as her mentors, like Giancarlo Galvani, Michelle Palladino and Enrico Prini.

Now independent, Graves is selling direct to retailers through her STEP USA line, a collection of ties and scarves made from the finest fabrics around the world, including silks and wools from Italy and England, heavy wools from Ireland and truly luxe Alpaca from Peru. All of STEP USA products are made in either the U.S. or Italy.

While top-notch quality, fine fabrics and craftsmanship define STEP USA, Graves does take pride in the fact that all of her products possess “a woman’s touch.” In a recent article in MR Marketplace, Graves explained this more by saying, “women have the ability to intuit what it takes to make a man’s wardrobe more fashionable, elegant, trendy, [and] sexy.”

This is good news, gentlemen. Why? Because it means all STEP USA ties and scarves are guaranteed to be wife and girlfriend approved.

So guys, impress even your most discerning critics (e.g. the missus) by sporting some excellent new neckwear from STEP USA. We have tons of product for you to choose from here at Christopher James Menswear, and we’d love for you to come in and check it out.

Find us here.

The Best of Martin Dingman Leathers Available Here in Fort Wayne, Indiana

You know that momentary high you get from a whiff of supple, handsome leather? Well, that heady aroma contains everything we love about specialty menswear. It smells of luxury, quality, and authenticity, and of timeless pieces that wear well for years. It also contains hints of the je ne sais quois of a well-dressed gentleman.

If we sound a bit melodramatic, it’s because we are. Fine leather just does that to us.

Especially Martin Dingman leather.

Martin Dingman’s leather goods, which include shoes, belts, wallets and more, exude all of the above. His products last forever, both physically and stylistically. Because the aesthetic of his pieces is classic, they lend themselves to years of use in near-perfect condition. Also, his pieces just look amazing. As proof of this, check out this picture of Mad Men’s John Slattery in GQ sporting a Martin Dingman belt. Amazing, right?

The man behind the magic of Martin Dingman is none other than…you guessed it…Martin Dingman. This world-renowned leather craftsman has spent his life in menswear, doing everything from working in department stores to launching a bow tie line to designing Cole Haan accessories to his current leather goods and apparel lines.

His company is based in Arkansas, where he grew up. According to his website, his products are inspired by the beauty and integrity of the Ozarks.

It’s clear from the exacting details in every Martin Dingman piece that he loves his work just as much as we do. Every stitch is solid, every cut is precise, and the leather itself is among the best in the world.

CJM carries a number of Martin Dingman products, including the best MD shoe selection in Indiana. Learn more about that here.

If we’re wrong for loving Martin Dingman, we don’t want to be right.

Come see what the fuss is all about here at Christopher James Menswear. Also, we have a bunch of new fall products we’re sure you’ll love.

Find us here.

S.T.E.P. USA Now in Fort Wayne Indiana

We just received some ties and alpaca throws from this hot new company S.T.E.P USA.

Here’s a personal note form Ruth Graves, the owner, and an article about the “woman’s touch” in designing men’s neckwear.

I should keep that letter in a safe place – who knows – could be the next Ralph Lauren!

Sweet Time at a SWEET EVENT!

Good time was had at our Sweet Clothes, Sweet Cars and Fine Cigars Trunk Show to benefit Camp Whatcha-Wanna-Do.

Come See What’s New with Samuelsohn this Season at CJM in Fort Wayne

This Thursday, October 9th, Christopher James Menswear in Fort Wayne will be hosting its first-ever Samuelsohn trunk show. Trust us, you don’t want to miss it.

Samuelsohn is a Canadian-based clothier and is one of the best made-to-measure menswear designers in North America. They have more than 100 years’ experience making suits, sport coats, topcoats, and trousers of the absolute highest quality. All of their jackets are fully canvassed and they have more than 500 fabrics for you to choose from.

Samuelsohn’s collections are luxurious without being stuffy, classic but not dated, and top-tier but still accessible. It’s the perfect clothier for the modern man.

Some of Samuelsohn’s made-to-measure fabrics are classics and have a permanent place in their collections, but most others are unique and change every season. (We did mention they have more than 500 fabrics, right?) Therefore, you must come see what’s new for Fall/Winter 2014 at our trunk show this Thursday. Play designer with everything from polka dots to paisley (or just a classic neutral if you prefer–we love neutral too), and let us craft you a suit that fits you perfectly and aptly expresses your personality and style.

Even better, Dorian Anderson, a Samuelsohn representative, will be in the store to answer your questions about Samuelsohn’s latest looks, styles, and fabrics.

Mr. Anderson will also be showcasing new belts from the best American belt maker there is: W. Kleinberg. You’ll love the exotic mix of alligator, crocodile, ostrich and more.

So gentlemen, mark your calendars for this Thursday, October 9, 2014 from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Christopher James Menswear in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

We will see you there.

Until There’s A Cure, There’s a Camp

As we’ve mentioned, Christopher James Menswear in Fort Wayne is hosting a three-day trunk show this weekend, October 2-4. We will be showcasing the latest styles from Allen Edmonds, Coppley, Robert Talbott and Scabal.

But that’s not all. We will also be supporting a really great, and very important, cause.

Camp Watcha-Wanna-Do is a local, weeklong summer camp for children battling cancer, and 5% of our sales this weekend will go to the camp.

To say Camp Watcha-Wanna-Do is an inspiring place would be an understatement.

Campers spend a week on the beautiful Blackman Lake, about 40 miles north of Fort Wayne, playing in the water, hosting evening bonfires, riding horses, fishing, making crafts, learning archery and so much more. As their website says, Camp Watcha-Wanna-Do turns, “children living with cancer from patients to craftsmen, swimmers, climbers, and ‘outdoorkids.’”

Oncology nurses, doctors, volunteers, and counselors attend all activities, so kids can get away from the hospital while their parents have peace of mind. Campers are also allowed to bring a sibling along for the week if it makes him or her more comfortable.

Camp Watcha-Wanna-Do began in 1992 as a one-week resident camp for 38 children surviving cancer. The program was a huge success and in less than three years, more than 100 kids a week were hiking, swimming, and playing away their worries of cancer.

The camp is also a long-standing member of Children’s Oncology Camping Association International, which provides networking and program opportunities to help provide a safe and memorable experience for campers.

The camp is free to participants, and available for kids ages 7 through 17.

Learn more about Camp Watch-Wanna-Do here. Donate to the camp here.

Please help support this amazing charity by attending our “Sweet Clothes, Sweet Cars and Fine Cigars,” trunk show this weekend, October 2-4. The fun and goodwill kick off at 4 p.m.

CODICE, Italy’s Finest Knitwear, is Right Here in Fort Wayne

When it comes to understated elegance, Italians are the exemplars of well-heeled gentlemen. They are known for their sartorial sophistication and ease, and though never flashy, they always stand out in a crowd. Christopher James Menswear wants the well-dressed men of Fort Wayne to possess this polished ease as well, which is why we carry CODICE (pronounced KO’-DI-CHE), an Italian line of mens sportswear and knits that are elegant, simple, and classic.

All CODICE products are made in the small village of Reggio Emilia, Italy, and are not available online. According to Schuyler 4 Ltd., the company that distributes CODICE to Europe, the U.S. and Canada, e-commerce is not in the cards for the brand. CODICE founder and designer Giorgio Filippi told Schyler4.com that “Retailers will ask me, ‘Do you sell online? Do any major retailers sell your products online? The answer is NO and NO. And their reply is ‘Good.’”

The new CODICE fall items are out now, which Filippi describes as “window stoppers,” which means pieces that stop you in your tracks because of their uniqueness, elegance, and freshness. See more of the CODICE Fall/Winter 2014 collection in the video below:

Also, if you notice in the video, Mr. Filippi says this season’s knits are designed to go perfectly with ALBERTO pants. Well, guess what? We have ALBERTO pants too. See our blog post about it here.

Come see our selection of this season’s CODICE apparel. You really can’t get it anywhere else. (Just note that when you wear it, it’s not out of the realm of possibility for strangers to start speaking to you in Italian…yes, it looks that good.)

Find us here.

Robert Talbott Will Be on Display at the Latest CJM Trunk Show in Fort Wayne

We’ve already blogged about two of the four vendors that we will be featuring at our “Sweet Clothes, Sweet Cars, and Fine Cigars” trunk show this weekend in Fort Wayne (Allen Edmonds and Coppley), and now we’re going to blog about the third vendor, Robert Talbott.

Robert Talbott is one of our favorite brands and best sellers at Christopher James Menswear. They make mens clothing that is luxurious but accessible, timeless, and versatile. The Robert Talbott aesthetic is decidedly all-American, with touches of the company’s California roots.

Here’s a preview of this season’s RT looks from their Fall 2014 Look Book:

If you like what you see here, you’ll be excited to know that plenty more of it will be on display this weekend at our trunk show.

The trunk show will be held October 2-4, and the fun starts at 4:00 p.m. on the 2nd. It will be held at Christopher James Menswear, located at 6410 W. Jefferson Boulevard, in Covington Plaza, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

We look forward to seeing you there.