Nary will you find a tie nicer than a seven-fold tie. You can search high and low, from Fort Wayne, Indiana to New York City, but the consensus will be that seven-fold ties are the crème de la crème of ties.

It is two and half yards of fabric folded in on itself seven times, so that you have a tie that needs no lining and practically knots itself. The draping is exquisite, and it doesn’t bind because there is no liner getting in the way.

The seven-fold tie came about in the early 19th century and were a popular accessory among big-wig businessmen, but then they disappeared in the 1930s—a casualty of the Great Depression and silk shortages caused by unrest in China.

Then, in the 1980s, Robert Talbott brought the seven-fold tie back to life. With the help of a retired Yugoslavian artisan, Lydia Grayson, Robert Talbott rediscovered the seven-fold, and after four years of perfecting its construction, the company launched its own seven-fold tie.

The seven-fold tie possesses as much craftsmanship as it does fabric. It is meticulously pleated and then hand-stitched to hold together. Only 12 such ties are made a day. The year’s allotment of 3,000 are quickly snapped up by retailers when they are released quarterly. Talbott caps the production of each design at 40 ties.

“The Robert Talbott seven-fold tie is luxurious, high quality, and rare,” explains Chris Lambert, owner of Christopher James Menswear. “If you are looking to project an image of sophistication and elegance, this is the tie you want. And when you wear a tie, the eye is naturally drawn to that area, so a Robert Talbott seven-fold really makes a good impression.”

Visit us at Christopher James Menswear and see one of these exquisite ties for yourself. There really is nothing quite like it.

Many men shy away from custom suits because they fear the expense or the time commitment, and opt instead for OTR (off the rack) suits at a department store or online. What they do not realize is that spending hours in a department store trying on one OTR suit after another (or more annoying: mailing things back that don’t fit) can be more time-consuming, more stressful, and only marginally cheaper than having something custom made.

That being said, not all custom suit makers are created equal, which is why Christopher James Menswear proudly carries Coppley, one of the most reputable custom suit and sport coat makers in the business. Coppley, based in Canada, has been in the biz since 1883 and possesses an impressive supply of more than 400 luxury fabrics from around the globe.

Coppley’s Spring 2014 Collection is especially noteworthy, especially for those leery of custom clothing. The collection focuses on neutrals: greys, blues, and tans, which are essential for a versatile, more-bang-for-your-buck, wardrobe.

See the Coppley Spring 2014 Collection here.

Fabric-wise, if you like Italian textiles, then you will like this collection. But no worries if you don’t–as mentioned, Coppley has more than 400 fabrics for you to choose from.

As for fit, this season’s collection is all about the slim silhouette, à la Mad Men, but can of course it be cut however you want. For more on the current slim suit trend, read our blog post on the topic.

We are positive you will admire Coppley as much as we do, so come in today and try on some things on. We have expert staff and tailors to help assist you in the custom suit process, so you will save time and avoid stress. (Insider tip: you can also sip on a glass of wine as you shop…Did the custom suit process just get a whole lot more appealing? Thought so.)

THIS WEEKEND – Spring Trunk Show at Christopher James!

It’s time to think spring! I don’t care what the temperature is, how much snow is still on the ground or how many more potholes my car will have to endure.

Let’s put this winter behind us and look forward to warm days, cold beverages and cool clothes….

Come in this Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15 as we celebrate the best in men’s fashion with our Spring into Fashion Trunk Show featuring Coppley custom clothing; Scabal world class fabrics, Robert Talbott shirts, ties, and sportswear; Allen Edmonds shoes and belts and tasty Italian delicacies and drinks from our friends at Casa.

This two day event kicks off Friday afternoon at 3:00 pm and continues through Saturday. Our friends from these companies and the food and drink will be highlighted Friday night. Pick the day that works best for you but don’t miss this opportunity to check out the best in men’s fashion for spring 2014.

We look forward to seeing you.

On March 14-15, Christopher James Menswear in Fort Wayne, Ind. is hosting a spring trunk show, partly in hopes of making the warm weather come a little sooner, and partly (and most importantly) to show you new apparel from four top-notch designers destined to be big this spring: Allen Edmonds, Coppley, Robert Talbott, and Scabal.

Allen Edmonds

What can be said about Allen Edmonds that hasn’t been said a million times? A.E. is the best in men’s dress shoes, beloved by presidents, popes, and businessmen across the globe. They are built to last, they look good, and you make better business decisions while wearing them. Okay, maybe that last one is conjecture, but who’s checking facts here? Anyway, CJM will be debuting A.E.’s newest, highest-quality dress shoes. We also have a bunch of great A.E. belts that you will want to see too.

Coppley Custom Suits and Ties 

Few things are better than knowing you are wearing a suit that fits like a glove. If you want something tailor made, Coppley is the brand you want to work with. They are one of the best when it comes to made-to-measure suits. They have more than 500 luxury fabrics to choose from and will usually turn your suit around in an unprecedented two weeks.

Robert Talbott

Spring is the perfect season for layering and mixing up colors and patterns, and Robert Talbott makes the perfect pieces for doing so. Keep several Robert Talbott pieces in your closet and you won’t even have to think about what goes with what. Check out the Robert Talbott Spring 2014 Lookbook…

Scabal

Scabal manufacturers some of the rarest and most unique fabrics in the industry. You will be able to have a suit made with the Scabal fabric of your choice, and chat with a representative from the company.

Things kick of Friday, March 14 at 3:00 p.m. Tasty Italian delicacies will be provided from friends at Casa.

First impressions are tough. You only get one and the stakes are high, especially if it involves a potential or new employer or client. While no one other than you can guarantee that gobbledygook won’t come out of your mouth after your new boss says, “Good morning,” there are other, easier ways to control what people think of you.

When someone doesn’t know you, they use visual clues like clothing and facial expressions to determine if you are the best or worst decision HR ever made. So, make sure you are sending the right signals with the way you dress.

1. Classic is best
In a business setting, it is usually best to keep things classic. Neutral colors like black, gray, brown, or blue, are your best options. While we do love us some print-savvy Robert Graham, it is probably best to save that for when folks know you a little better.

2. Details, details, details!
If you are wearing a suit, make sure it fits, and that your shoes match. Keep everything neat. No sloppiness allowed. You don’t want people to think your work is sloppy too. Here are CJM tips on detail, in more detail (pun intended):

• For advice on how a suit should fit, check out this post.
• For advice on how your pants should look, check out this post.
• To keep your collar crisp, try collar stays (and check out this post).

3. Don’t forget the shoes
Eye contact is important to a good first impression, but that doesn’t mean eyes don’t wander elsewhere, like, to your shoes. Make sure you’re sporting nice kicks—like some from Allen Edmonds, for example (everyone loves Allen Edmonds)—and that they are shining just as much as your winning personality.

For more tips on how to make a 10-out-of-10 first impression, come visit the staff at Christopher James Menswear in Fort Wayne, Ind.

In hopes that it will speed up the arrival of spring, Christopher James Menswear in Fort Wayne, Ind. is hosting a spring trunk show March 14-15, 2014, and one of the featured collections is a fan favorite: Allen Edmonds.

Allen Edmonds makes the best men’s dress shoes and accessories in the biz. Presidents, popes, and celebrities all wear A.E. In fact, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush all share something in common: On Inauguration Day, each wore a pair of Allen Edmonds shoes.

It is obvious why Allen Edmonds is the best of the best. Their shoes last for years, and owners typically repair rather than replace. President George H.W. Bush wrote a letter to the company thanking them for a pair of shoes they gave him, but signed it saying, “The problem is all my other pairs of A.E.’s still are in great shape; but these will be a great addition.”

(That’s quite the endorsement).

Each Allen Edmonds shoe is crafted via a 212-step process (and to think merely tying your laces some mornings pre-coffee is hard) that is a mix of machine and hand, and done right here in the United States, in Port Washington, Wisconsin.

So, come check out CJM’s trunk show on Friday, March 14, and Saturday, March 15, and see the latest Allen Edmonds shoes and belts. (Also featured will be Coppley, Scabel, and Robert Talbott). Tasty Italian delicacies will be provided from friends at Casa. Things kick of Friday at 3:00 p.m.

The AMC hit show “Mad Men” might be over, but the mysterious Don Draper and his team of politically incorrect but captivating ad execs left an indelible mark on men’s fashion. “Mad Men” did for men what “Sex and the City” did for women: it made just about everyone, from Fort Wayne, to New York, to Los Angeles, want to be a style icon in their own right.

(The show also made people want to drink bourbon in the office at 10a.m.).

“Mad Men” resurrected the restrained, clean-cut 1960’s business style, which featured suits that were slim in cut with skinny lapels, which in turn were paired with skinny ties. Less was more when it came to colors and patterns, and accessories, like cufflinks and pocket squares, were popular ways to signify power and prestige.

Today, the Mad Men-influence is seen on every red carpet, in every fashion magazine, and in boardrooms across the country. “The slimmer fitting suit is a popular option now. Every suit company is trimming their fit somewhat, both in the shoulders and across the middle,” says Chris Lambert, owner of Christopher James Menswear in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Lambert says men shouldn’t be afraid to embrace a closer fit. “If you find the right brand, or go to a good tailor, a slim suit can make you look sharp, clean, and sophisticated.”

One such line that Lambert carries at Christopher James Menswear is Paul Betenly, which features slimmer fitting suits in classic colors.

Of course, if you really want to make sure you are rocking the slim look in a way that best suits your body (no pun intended), you should consider custom made clothing, Lambert says. “Another option is having a slim suit custom made. Then you know it fits.”

Christopher James Menswear in Fort Wayne, Ind. offers custom and made-to-measure suits, and despite common misperceptions, the made-to-measure process is simple. CJM’s expert tailors take all your measurements, and CJM staff help you choose from thousands of fabrics and swatches, Lambert explains. “It is easy and we have numerous pricing options, so we can definitely make a suit and a price tag that fits.”

So, while the staff at CJM–unfortunately–can’t guarantee you Don Draper’s lady magnetism, they can make you look the part with a great fitting, Mad-Men inspired slim suit.