Wednesday, December 17, 2014

3 Ways to Amp Up Your Suit Game feat. Cory Sylvester



The baseball player, turned actor, turned clothier is now the man in charge of measuring & fitting at one of NYC’s premiere custom menswear shops; Michael Andrews Bespoke. I have to respect Cory’s hustle since I was his predecessor in that position (before AofS I apprenticed under Michael; learning the ins-and-outs of the tailoring business while simultaneously working-off my bespoke suit balance).

When your job is making guys look their best in tailoredwear, you learn how to wear a suit with ease, comfort, and confidence.

Here Cory shows us a few ways to take your suit game to the next level.

MICRO PATTERNS


Pattern-mixing doesn’t have to be all bold and in-your-face.

Try shrinking down your patterns for effect, like this micro shadow plaid on tight polka dot.



The fit is on point and the Ariston fabric is gorgeous, but it’s the details that make this suit a real killer. Little touches like the jean-style pockets (one of Cory’s signatures) make it a one-of-a-kind piece.

This is also a perfect example of how much waistcoat should be visible under a jacket.


LAPELS ON LAPELS


Adding lapels to your waistcoat is a throwback move that can bring some life and dimension to your three-piece. It also makes the waistcoat more substantial on its own.

I usually stick with notch lapel under notch lapel, or peak under peak, but there are no hard and fast rules to this. Here’s a super luxe shawl under peak, for example.


If you look very closely, this is also another example of micro pattern-mixing: houndstooth suit, hairline stripe shirt, and pindot tie.

I love it when pieces look solid-colored until you get up close to see the texture and creativity. There’s taste in subtlety.


BADASS BOOTS


We’ve done some pretty serious suited and booted looks, but never with a riding boot this sharp.

Nobody makes a sexier harness boot than Saint Laurent. These are rugged enough to finish-off a black leather jacket and waxed jeans on the weekend, and sleek enough to keep up with the most luxurious of tailored suits (like this double-breasted Dormeuil shadow stripe).