The Men's Wearhouse Experience

In conjunction with the National Suit Drive, Men's Wearhouse invited The Urban Gentleman to spend a little time in one of their stores for an exclusive shopping experience.

We visited the Buckhead store off Peachtree Rd. in Atlanta, and were very kindly greeted by the staff upon entering.

Buckhead store manager and Louisiana-native, Larry Hubbard, charmed us all afternoon, while giving us a few clothing facts and advice along the way-- I'll sprinkle in a few of his words throughout. Let me start off by saying we truly had the complete Men's Wearhouse experience. We began in suits and sport coats, hit up pants and dress shirts, then worked our way around to accessories, shoes, and casual wear. Check it all out below:

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From Steve Martin to Will Smith: The Jean Shirt and Suit.

A little over two weeks ago, I found myself watching the first 30 minutes or so of Steve Martin's Father of the Bride. Yeah, it's not my first choice in movies, but it happened to come on right after Happy Gilmore (or some other common TBS Adam Sandler movie), and the remote control was too far away to immediately turn the channel, lol.

While watching I couldn't help but notice Steve Martin's jean shirt, suit, and tie combination. He sported a baggy jean shirt, slightly over-sized blazer, double-pleated pants, and a fat tie that looked like it was made from my grandmother's drapes. And though the look wasn't the very best, it was a very common casually dressy look for the 90s. I've seen the look plenty of times when watching repeats of Living Single, Friends, Seinfeld, and even some of the later episodes of The Cosby Show.

Then last week (more like a week and a half ago) I watched an episode of Oprah that featured Will Smith. I silently chuckled to myself when I saw Will's ensemble-- it was literally the modern version of Steve Martin's jean shirt and suit.

This picture really doesn't reflect how good Will's ensemble
looked on the show. (It was taken with my phone, lol)

Will wore a khaki colored cotton jacket and pants, jean shirt, black tie with silver clip, flowery pocket square (looked like it may have been by Duchamp), striped socks, and black bucks. He looked great.

Not everyone can pull off a jean shirt and suit because the look is still very 90's-ish, and if paired incorrectly you'll just look like you got stuck in a 1995 episode of Frasier. But if done right, then it can be very stylish. The hands down best pairing of a suit and jean shirt would be: a well-fitting light summer suit that's cotton or linen, the jean shirt of course, a pair of bucks (bucks are a gentleman's summer dress shoe), and a pocket square. If the occasion calls for it you can also add a fedora and/or a skinny tie and tie-clip.

Get the Updated Jean Shirt and Suit:

More Brooks Brothers...

Check out Matthew Goode's GQ jean shirt&suit looks

Cotton-blend suit, $1,790, by Prada. Shirt, $98, and belt, by J.Crew.
Pocket square by Jack Spade. Sunglasses by Ray-Ban.

Wool suit, $1,295, by Versace Collection. Shirt, $65, Martin + Osa. Tie, $60, by J.Crew.

More on the jean shirt here.

The William Malcolm Collection

"Classic Menswear with a modern twist" is how one would describe The William Malcolm Collection. Created by, well, William Malcolm, the collection focuses on custom suits, tuxedos, overcoats, and accessories. Every garment is designed and hand-crafted for each individual client based on their specifications.

Upon entering his website, its feels like you're stepping into the lobby of a luxury hotel or high end boutique-- the jazz puts you in quite the relaxing, luxe, and ready to shop mood.

But before you begin shopping, stop by the museum, yeah that's right-- the museum, lol. It's filled with custom William Malcolm suits (that may give you an idea of what you want) and inspirational quotes. After you have perused the gallery for awhile, you're ready to design...

You're able to create a custom suit from his Black Label, WM Monogram, and Formal Wear Collections; you feel like a designer as you pick and choose between the hundreds of fine fabrics that are offered. Once you're done creating, lounge around the website to learn more about designer William Malcolm.

William Malcolm doesn't just stop at designing modernly classic suits, he's also a guy that's working to uplift young American men. He's the founder of The Suit Project, a program that focuses on self empowerment, educational advancement, presentation skills, and entrepreneurship, among other things for young men that are 18-22 years of age. Many mentoring programs tend to focus on teenagers and young kids, but most people can admit that ages 18-22 are crucial development years for those preparing to enter the "real world". It's great to see someone recognizing that there is a need and is poignantly responding to that need. Learn more about The Suit Project here.

Be sure to support Urban Gent William Malcolm as he continues to design elegant suits and works to change young lives. See more of The William Malcolm Collection here.

An Urban Gent Basic: How to Fold a Pocket Square or Handkerchief

I happened to be going through a few of my old magazines this weekend and came across a page featuring pocket squares. I decided to share the page with you guys along with a few other photos of men wearing pocket squares:

I couldn't post the pictures above without giving directions on how to properly fold a pocket square, so I've listed 4 popular ways to fold it, plus one "special way". Alot of men tend to fold their pocket square or handkerchief using one technique every single time, without switching it up. That's usually because they only know one technique- most likely taught to them at a suit store. Although it certainly is fine to have a signature folding style, it's important to atleast know how to fold in other ways; so that you can switch it up every now and again. The next time you go out try folding your square using one the techniques below:

(follow the directions step by step, click to enlarge photo)

THE PUFF

1. Lay your pocket square flat with the two top corners horizontal. Pinch the middle of the pocket square and pick it up.

2.As you pick up the pocket square tuck the sides in as in the diagram. Don't worry it may take a couple of tries to get it just right, but soon you will have it perfect.

3. With one hand firmly holding the pocket square, use your other hand to gently gather it closed.Now gracefully gather up the bottom of the pocket square.

4. Tuck as needed and place your pocket square in your jacket pocket.

THE PRESIDENTIAL POCKET SQUARE
(also known as the Flat pocket square, Straight, Architect, or TV fold)

1. Lay your pocket square flat with the two top corners horizontal.
2. Fold the the left side over the right side.
3. Fold the bottom up just short of the top.
4. Tuck as needed and place your pocket square in your jacket pocket.

ONE POINT/PYRAMID POCKET SQUARE
(also known as the one corner)

1. Lay your pocket square flat with one corner facing up and one corner facing down.
2. Fold the bottom corner up to meet the top corner.
3. Fold the left corner to the right.
4. Repeat and fold the right corner in to the left.
5. Tuck as needed and place your pocket square in your jacket pocket.

FOUR POINT POCKET SQUARE

1. Lay your pocket square flat with one corner facing up and one corner facing down.
2. Fold the bottom corner up to the top just to the left of the top corner.
3. Fold the left side towards the right, and up to the right of the "middle peak".
4. Fold the right side towards the left, and up to the left of the "second peak".
5. Tuck as needed and place your pocket square in your jacket pocket.

DUNAWAY POCKET SQUARE
(combo puff and point)

1. Lay your pocket square flat with the two top corners horizontal.Pinch the middle of the pocket square and pick it up.

2. As you pick up the pocket square tuck the sides in as in the diagram. Don't worry it may take a couple of tries to get it just right, but soon you will have it perfect.

3. With one hand firmly holding the pocket square, use your other hand to gently gather it closed.

4. Now gracefully roll the top of the pocket square in the direction of the arrow.

5. Carefully lift the bottom points up.

6. Flatten the points.

7. Tuck as needed and place your pocket square in your jacket pocket.

There are many different ways to fold a pocket square. To perfect the art of folding I suggest perfecting the five folds listed above then begin mixing styles and techniques-- be creative and think outside the box. Yes there are common and culturally proper ways to fold your handkerchief, but there is technically no wrong way; so grab your pocket square and suit jacket and just play around until you find a style that fits your personal look.

*directions courtesy of samhober

Captain Kirk is so GQ: Urban Gentleman Chris Pine in Summer Suits

Captain James T. Kirk
Original and New: William Shatner and Chris Pine

Do I dare admit this? ... I think I shall, okay here it goes.... I'm not the biggest Star Trek fan in the world... and I don't get excited about it- at all. Sorry if that hurt anyone's feelings, buuut on a positive note I have seen quite few of the movies and they always entertain me. And I've also been hearing alot of buzz about how good the new Star Trek is, so I went over to The Spill and checked their review (posted below)- click the 'Movies' icon on the top left corner and scroll to Star Trek:

These guys are hilarious, I have NO idea how I came across them, but I check them out every once in awhile when I want to get a random outside review of a movie. Usually I don't agree with movie critics (that includes these guys), but the difference with them is that they make me laugh, lol... (though they can be offensive at times, that's another story though).

But anyway, in his breakthrough role, Chris Pine looks pretty good playing Captain James T. Kirk. He also manages to look equally as jaggedly handsome in his latest GQ Summer Suits spread.

The Linen Suit.

Nothing says summer more than linen. Except do you want to say summer 2009 or 1989? Avoid those billowy, pleated linen suits and hunt for a slimmer, more modern-cut one like this. And no cigars, no sandals, please.

(Suit, $825, DKNY. Shirt, $370, by Thom Browne New York. Tie, $85, by Black Brown 1826. Hat, $110, by Biltmore at J.J. Hat Center. Tie bar and pocket square by Paul Stuart. Watch by Hamilton.)

The Dark Cotton Suit.

You can wear a dark suit in summer (especially in the evening), but it should be lightweight. A steel blue cotton suit fills the bill for work and postwork.*

(Suit, $1,450, by Calvin Klein Collection. Shirt, $195, by Theory. Tie, $60, by Gitman Vintage. Belt, $89, by J. Lindeberg. Shoes, $398, by John Varvatos. Watchband by Smart Turnout. Watch by Burberry. Socks by Falke.)

The Whipcord Suit.

Like corduroy, whipcord is ribbed, but minus the fuzziness—and heaviness. Two-tone versions, like this suit in blue and white (also availablein black and white), project a subtle seersucker vibe without that southern lawyer/Ivy League bow-tie-guy oppressiveness.

(Suit, $120, by Uniqlo. Shirt, $40, by H&M. Tie, $135, by Rag & Bone. Tie bar by Kenneth Cole New York. Pocket square by Brooks Brothers.)

The White Suit.

Pulling off a white suit is easy—as long as you dress it down. You are not Tom Wolfe or Mr. Roarke, so skip the silk pocket square and firm tie knot. Keep it as relaxed and fun

(Suit, $895, by Boss Black. Shirt, $100, by Save Khaki. Pocket square, $30, by Turnbull & Asser. Belt, $33, by Paul Stuart. Shoes, $98, by Banana Republic. Sunglasses by Tom Ford.)

The Warm-Weather Plaid Suit.

You’ve got your single-malt, quail-hunting wool plaid, and then you’ve got plaid suits like this one—lightweight, sharply defined pattern, more midtown hustle than country bramble. Like a muted seersucker, it gives your business wardrobe an unexpected—but thoroughly appropriate—edge.

(Suit, $1,900, by Black Fleece by Brooks Brothers. Shirt, $150, by Thomas Pink. Tie, $98, by Theory. Bag, $515, by Porter. Pocket square by Brooks Brothers. Watch by IWC.)

photos by: Tom Schierlitz,Ben Watts
suit verbiage from: GQ Magazine