A nice suits comes at price, and while the cost is often justified, sometimes your bank account just won’t allow it. So, what is a man with a keen sartorial eye but lighter wallet supposed to do when he needs a suit or sport coat?

Easy: he goes for Paul Betenly.

Paul Betenly is known around the world for making high-quality suits at affordable prices, allowing men to look sharp and still pay their bills. PB suits and sports coat are half-canvassed and made from fine Italian wool. Also, the stitching and inlaying on a Paul Betenly suit is on par with other high-end brands.

In addition to crafting classic fitting suits, Paul Betenly also makes high-quality slimmer suits, desired by many of the younger guys today. So, the young lad can get the skinny trousers and thin lapels he wants at a price he can afford, and the distinguished gent can try something a little trendier without as much risk.

But regardless of the fit or the age of the wearer, all Paul Betenly suits and sport coats are elegant and express all-American sophistication.

Also, there is a certain pleasure to be had in knowing that you look just as good for a fraction of the price. With a Paul Betenly suit, no one will know you paid well under $1,000 for it, and they might even assume you have champagne taste. (And also, what guy doesn’t love a bang for his buck?)

So, if you’re on a budget but want a high-quality suit or sport coat, come see us about our Paul Betenly collection.

We just wrote a post about Agave denim, and then thought it would be prudent to mention all the Agave knits we carry at Christopher James Menswear, too.

Like Agave’s jeans, their shirts are built to last. The brand excels at making high-quality basics, which means that with a few Agave knits in your closet, you will not have to replace your t-shirts as often. And that is priceless, really.

Most of their knits are 100% cotton or tencel. Tencel is natural fiber known for its draping. So, an Agave shirt made out of tencel will generally be very flattering to the body. Tencel is also really soft, almost silky, so it feels great against your skin. Lastly, it’s a very strong fabric, so it can endure many washes and still look like new.

Agave knits go great with jeans, of course, but they also make for great undershirts, so you can repurpose them for work and play. For a relaxed, but still sophisticated spring look, pair an Agave tee with a light cardigan and dark-washed jeans.

Also, like Agave jeans, Agave knits are all made in California and via an environmentally friendly process. So, you can feel good about the clothes your wearing and your clean conscience. It’s a win-win.

Click here for more on Agave denim.

Are you in a monogamous relationship with your favorite pair of jeans? Do you covet them even though they are starting to fade or fray, and wear them to every. single. occasion that calls for denim? Don’t take this the wrong way—monogamy is a good thing—but you need to break up with your old jeans. It is spring in Fort Wayne and therefore time to freshen up your wardrobe, which includes replacing those crusty old jeans you love so much.

Sorry.

Of course, your situation is understandable. A good pair of jeans is hard to come by, but come on fellas, there are so many options in the denim universe that you are guaranteed to find another pair of jeans that you love just as much, and aren’t frayed at the bottom.

One brand known especially for not fraying—and that we love here at Christopher James Menswear—is Agave, a West Coast-based denim manufacturer who makes some of the sturdiest, and best, jeans in the world. The almost indestructible quality of Agave jeans are inspired by the brand’s namesake—the agave plant, which is known for its durability (the agave plant is not totally indestructible, of course, otherwise we wouldn’t have tequila. Thank goodness, right?).

So, if you make Agaves your new favorite pair of jeans, they will last a super long time and wear in well.

Agave jeans are also environmentally friendly. So, you can feel good about yourself in more ways than one (e.g. looking awesome in a pair of these jeans).

Come see our selection.

We also have a wide selection of Agave knits and shirts, so you’ll want to check those out too.

Summer in Fort Wayne, Indiana is the season of ease—of shorts, t-shirts, flip flops, and the occasional light sweater in the evening. While an easy summer look can be achieved rather, well…easily…the sharp-dressed man knows there is actually an art to casual dress.

It seems like an oxymoron—putting effort into how you dress so that it looks like you didn’t put in any effort at all—and it is, but it’s also very much a thing in fashion. It’s called sprezzatura, an Italian word that has been adopted into English and essentially means “studied carelessness.” In fashion terms, it refers to the mixing of tailored and casual apparel, giving the appearance of effortless sophistication.

And while no one would consider a “t-shirt” to be a tailored garment, the concept of sprezzatura still applies. A well-made t-shirt, or polo, or button down sport shirt lets you look casual without looking like you just rolled out of bed. You can throw on any Southern Tide polo for a game of ultimate frisbee and look like the coolest guy on the planet (fact).

A master of the casual-cool balance is Southern Tide, a South Carolina-based line of preppy but relaxed, coastal apparel. Though Southern Tide describes their clothing as “casual coastal wear,” there is nothing casual about their craftsmanship or quality. The brand is known for high-quality fabrics, and skilled tailoring.

Christopher James Menswear has a whole store room full of Southern Tide shirts and hats, and we think you need to come in and get some. They would make great gifts for a recent graduate, or be a perfect addition to your summer wardrobe (drinking an ice-cold beer on a hot summer day is twice as nice in Southern Tide).

Also, we have a special deal going on right now, too: if you spend over $75 on Southern Tide merchandise, we’ll give you a free special edition “Christopher James Menswear” ST polo for free! So, come see us.

We’ve said before that we have an outstanding shoe selection here at Christopher James Menswear in Fort Wayne. And it bears repeating because, well, we are proud of it. One brand that makes our selection a cut above the rest is Donald Pliner, who has mastered the art making a shoe that is fashionable and comfortable without looking like a Croc. DP shoes exemplify the successful and savvy man who always looks dapper, whether he’s on white sandy beach in Miami or at rooftop cocktail party in New York City.

The brand’s founder and designer, Donald J. Pliner has a lifetime of shoe-making cred, as the son of shoe store owners, and then as an entrepreneur with his very own retail store at just 24 years old (head nod to all the young guns out there). He worked for various shoe designers throughout his career, before devoting himself 100% to Donald Pliner Shoes.

As mentioned earlier, the brilliance of Donald Pliner shoes lies in their ability to be equal parts fashionable and functional. Because this is a hard line to walk, most shoes that claim to be both are, in reality, a little more functional than they are fashionable (*cough* “ugly” *cough*). But DP shoes always look on point, from leather dress shoes to canvas slip ons. 

See for yourself with these photos of our current Donald Pliner selection:

Come try a few pairs on and experience the beauty  of Donald Pliner for yourself. Find us here.

Get Ready for Summer.

Weather forecasters are predicting a hot, sticky summer for Fort Wayne and Christopher James Menswear wants to help you prepare.

Now through May 31st we’re having a buy one – get, one free offer on our 2 must have summer items- Chris Lambert’s Lemonade and our Silk/Linen/Cotton Blend Khaki Suit.

Buy a bottle of Chris Lambert’s Lemonade for $525 and we’ll give you a Khaki Suit ABOLUTELY FREE!

*BOTTLE IN PICTURE IS FOR MARKETING PURPOSES ONLY.  ACUAL SIZE IS 12 OZ.

Your comments are welcome on Facebook.

Spring is here (or on it’s way, at least) in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and thus it’s time to have a little more fun with accessories. Two hot accouterments this season are pocket squares and pocket rounds, both perfect for adding a little fun to your tux, suit jacket or sport coat.

What’s the difference between a pocket square and pocket round? Well, simply put, one is square and the other is round. (They don’t call me “Captain Obvious” for nothing.) The former puts a bit more of a traditional accent on your look, and the latter a slightly more casual, and social tone (but still refined–it is a jacket pocket accessory, after all).

For example, Robert Talbott has made some exquisite silk pocket squares for this season, all highly-detailed and colorful. Here are just a few:

Robert Talbott Spring 2014 Pocket Squares

For pocket rounds, CJM is currently loving those by Edward Armah. Edward Armah is a king in the world of menswear accessories, especially pocket accessories. The trim on these pocket rounds are fantastic:

Edward Amah pocket rounds. The colors and detail are incredible.

A round will look a little less structured in your breast pocket than a square, hence the more casual look. Here’s a helpful You Tube video on how to fold a pocket round.

Both pocket squares and pocket rounds are perfect for adding a touch of sophistication and personality to your look. Plus, they’re just kinda fun, being that they come in an endless array of colors and patterns.

Finally, these accessories are just what a man in Fort Wayne needs to usher himself into the much awaited spring, and out of this seemingly forever winter. So come in and see us at Christopher James Menswear in Covington Plaza, in Fort Wayne, and will help you pick out the perfect pocket squares and rounds.

View more photos of our shoe selection on Facebook

One thing many people don’t know about Christopher James Menswear is that we have the best shoe selection in northeast Indiana. It is a bold statement, but CJM owner, Chris Lambert, has the confidence to back it up. “One day, a gentleman who shops all the big cities–Las Vegas, New York, etc.–came in and was amazed that we had Donald Pliner shoes in stock. People are always amazed at how many styles we carry.”

For even more photos of CJM’s shoe selection, view our Spring Shoes album on Facebook.

CJM carries the acclaimed Allen Edmonds, Cole Haan (for Spring 2014 only), Martin Dingman, Wolverine, and the aforementioned Donald Pliner.

We have an array of wingtips, slip-ons, drivers, saddles (several with Nike sole technology, no less), buckles, tassels, and in a variety of colors and high-quality leathers. We guarantee we have your next favorite pair of shoes–whether they are for the office, the weekend, or even a hot date (ladies always look at the shoes, gentlemen).

Also, science says that the more shoes you buy, the sooner spring will come and this polar vortex business will be over with. And you can’t argue with science. So, come into Christopher James Menswear today and try on a few pairs from our unparalleled shoe selection.

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.