Nothing says classic southern summer style like seersucker.
This Loring & Co. version features double a breasted front, peak lapels, side vents, surgeons cuffs, premium horn buttons, and full canvas details. We’ve added a 6 button vest with full collar to enhance the look. A vest is the new essential when ordering a custom suit, it adds a dimention to your look and also gives versatility. The coat can be worn separately with a navy, khaki, pink, yellow, or red chino. The pants can be paired with a navy blazer or pastel sport coat. Wear the vest with jeans, khakis, or any summer linen pant. To complete this look we’ve added the navy silk tie from our Otis James collection, a Loring & Co. vintage pocket square and a handmade boutonniere. The only thing missing is a mint julep! We have those too!Funeral Etiquette: What to Wear and How to Behave
The telephone rings early in the morning. It is your sister informing you that great Aunt Hortense has died. You like Aunt Hortense. She mixed you your first martini when you were sixteen and told you stories of dancing to dawn to the sounds of the Big Band orchestras.After you put down the receiver you […]
Way To Go Aaron!
Today, we want to recognize one of our friends in the Nashville community. Our good friend Aaron Grunke has been nominated in the prestigious Mary Catherine Strobel awards, which recognizes volunteerism in middle Tennessee across several categories.
Aaron was nominated as Volunteer Innovator of the Year, and has made it to the final voting round. His story? Pretty incredible.
A cancer survivor, Aaron discovered a niche in cancer recovery care that needed attention. He took it upon himself (with lots of support from his lovely wife Meg) to create the Survivor Fitness Foundation. They are devoted to helping people get fit and find a healthy lifestyle once they beat cancer.
Having witnessed the hard work Aaron has invested in to the Survivor Fitness Foundation, we truly believe he deserves this honor! Read more about Aaron and the work he does at survivorfitness.org, and don’t for get to VOTE HERE!
Andy Warhol
This is encouraging. Even the most successful people “fail” at times. What matters is what you do next!
The MoMa’s rejection letter to Andy Warhol for his piece “Shoe” .
Made South
Our Wednesday morning got off to a positive start when local business owner Chris Thomas stopped by for a visit. Even better, he brought us a gift. There is something special and nostalgic about receiving a mystery package and opening it to find the goodies that lie within.
Chris just launched Made South (www.madesouth.com). He shared with us his long time entrepreneurial desire, and how he was inspired by a mentor. He says he had to find the intersection of his talents and his passions. Chris, after sharing your first Made South box with us, we think that’s a great address for you!
His goal? To encourage and promote other local and southern businesses through his subscription based, once-per-quarter goody box. Chris and his team (wife and hard-working kids) seek out their favorite things in the South and share them four times per year in a box that is delivered straight to your door. Currently, each box features one food item, and two non-food.
He says it is important to support our own, and to help each other grow our businesses. True to his philosophy, Chris was hand delivering some Made South boxes to local businesses he trades with when he stopped in to see us.
The very first Made South box is already getting a lot of attention on twitter and instagram, a bandwagon we are hereby jumping on! This package contains a remarkably fresh-scented Sourthern Firefly soy wax candle from Brentwood, TN, an assortment of Ancesserie note cards with southern sayings (our favorite may be “Much Obliged”) from Edgefield, SC, and finally a delicious fudge cookie and PB&J Truffle from Blushing Berry in Nolensville, TN.
One of the best details is a card the tells each “maker’s” story. As the south is a tapestry of families sharing their stories, so is Made South and their endeavor to help fellow Southernors grow in their businesses.
Cheers Chris- We wish you the best!
-N.
Must-See Ties!
We generally try to steer clear of just plain peddling merchandise on our blog. That’s why we have our shop in Nashville and online store at loringandco.com. Shameless plugs aside, we do want to mention an incredible value going on right now.
If you follow our blog or have ventured in to Stitch It & Co. lately, you have surely seen the Otis James ties we have on display. We are proud to support another Nashvillian and local business in general. Because we have somewhat limited room, we are looking to move some of our other (also excellent) ties on out.
So this is the deal. Our silk and wool ties retail for $75/each. Currently, we are doing a “grab bag” of one wool and one silk tie for only $59.95 at LoringandCo.com. Check them out- yes it’s a little bit of a random pick, and we know you’ll love all of them!
Go ahead and get that extra tie you’ve needed (or wanted to give as a gift). Happy shopping!
-N
Ernest Alexander Bedford Overnight Bag Giveaway
Check out the giveaway presented by one the blogs we watch daily!
GIVEAWAY: Ernest Alexander Bedford Overnight Bag
Enter To Win This Bag In Your Color Choice
I’ve teamed up with the kind folks at Ernest Alexander to give away one of their new Bedford Overnight Bags ($395 Value). Made out of a water-resistant cotton canvas with leather handles and brass hardware, it’s sturdy and stylish enough for even the most adventurous travel plans. Going on a weekend getaway? This bag is just the right size to hold all your essentials with ample room in the main compartment and additional exterior and interior pockets to keep smaller items organized and accessible. Follow the instructions below for your chance to win this bag in your color choice of Navy, Olive, or Black.
Use the widget below to enter. Open to residents of the contiguous US, 13 years of age and up only. The winner will be announced next Tuesday so good luck!
A Gentleman's Profile: Rick Hart
Our good friend and customer Rick Hart just picked up these fantastic Loring and Co. Bespoke shirts we made for him. Rick selected some vibrant colors, ready for Spring.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to meet Rick, you should. He is Executive Vice President and Tennessee Division President of Renasant Bank. One of the few true relationship bankers in the business, Rick takes his time with all his customers and truly gets to know them. It’s the “old fashioned way” of doing business, and WE LOVE IT!
In a world of corporate driven computerized decision makers, it is encouraging to see Rick lead his organization by example. He is active in the community, and spends time getting to know the business leaders in our area. Ask around and you will hear people rave about rick and Renesant Bank.
Stop in and see Rick when you have a chance. He will be happy to see you.
Thanks Rick, for being the best part of what we do at Stitch It & Co. See you soon!
Suits and mens fashion inspiration for gentlemen
Suits and mens fashion inspiration for gentlemen http://the-suit-man.tumblr.com/
Loring & Co. Travel Blazer
Our own Suiting Specialist Casey Dowdell models the new Loring & Co. Travel Blazer.
Did Someone Say Steeplechase?
May 10, 2014. Just 60 days from now, Nashville will don its best spring apparel and head to Percy Warner Park for the 73rd running of the Iroquois Steeplechase. Each year, we spend hours carefully calculating logistics of prime tailgating spots, over-the-top food, and of course, adult beverages.
Steeplechase is what you make of it. Frankly, many people never even see a horse. If you are the rowdy type you may find yourself in Centerfield every year. If you prefer a calmer experience; check out Topside or the Stirrup Club. Of course, you could always go with the box seats and avoid the crowds altogether!
Just as you can choose your best view (or non-view) of the races, you can choose just how bold you want to be with your Steeplechase fashion. Ladies range from the classic Lilly Pulitzer to neon pink feather boas. Gentlemen come in everything from pastel shorts to full seersucker suits and bow ties.
Our advice? Glad you asked. Keep it classic. There are lots of options when it comes to second-weekend-in-May wardrobe, but there IS a wrong answer. You will know every wrong answer the moment you see it stumbling to the port-a-potties. Or worse, when it shows up on YouTube (see Steeplechase 2013. - Or don’t).
We encourage you to visit us at Stitch It & Co. for the assist on your Steeplechase attire. We will happily alter your new purchases or existing clothes. For the gentlemen looking to look their very best, we encourage you to look at our Loring & Co. Bespoke suits. With our new Spring fabric collection, we will make a suit from scratch to fit your every measurement. Check out these seersuckers!
We also have a wide variety of linen fabrics to choose from. Things to know:
1) We take your measurement in-store before we begin construction of your Loring & Co. Bespoke suit. Come in, choose a perfect fabric and one of our bourbons from which to have a drink.
2) It will take 5-6 weeks to complete your suit, so the earlier you come in, the better. (Pro Tip: Call us and set an appointment so that we may dedicate time to you uninterrupted 615-292-3008)
3) As soon as your suit is finished, we will invite you back in for a final fitting (rarely do we need to make any adjustments at this point), and you get to take it home.
This year, you will truly stand out. Make the right decision.
Bespoke neckties and bowties
New Loring & Co. Bespoke neckties and bow ties by Otis James
Loring & Co. Collaborates with Otis James
We are so excited to present our newest Curated Collection of handmade ties. Loring & Co. Bespoke in collaboration with Otis James (tie maker extraordinaire) has selected from the finest wool and silk fabrics to create a collection of limited edition heirloom neckties and bow ties. All handmade, hand stamped, hand signed by artist and craftsman Otis James, these ties are created from limited fabrics and are only offered in this collection. Please drop by and choose one of these extraordinary ties!
So Many Choices....
Let’s face it, when you shop for a suit off the rack, the fit isn’t the only challenge. Your choices of fabric are very limited- even in a larger store. One of the best attributes of creating a bespoke clothing is the myriad of fabrics from which to choose.
When you come to Stitch-It & Co., you get to select from over 3,500 suiting fabrics and over 1,900 shirt fabrics. You will truly have a one-of-a-kind look with your Loring & Co. Bespoke suits and shirts.
The current warm-weather tease we have been having in Nashville is a reminder to consider the weight of your suit fabric when shopping. There are two general categories: seasonal, and year-round. As the names imply, year-round fabrics are light or medium weight, which can be comfortable for all or most of the year. The seasonal fabrics are generally for extreme cold, like cashmere and heavy wool, or for extreme heat, like linen and seersucker.
Think of when and how you want to wear your suit. Will you be inside or outside? Are you warm or cold-natured? Perhaps our best service (besides the perfect fit, of course), is the plethora of knowledge of fabrics that our suiting specialists have acquired. Make sure to ask lots of questions when you come by the shop. We want the most comfortable and best looking suit for you!
Loring & Co. Spring 2014 Curated Collection
We are proud to introduce our first installment of the Loring & Co. Curated Collection. While we always offer bespoke menswear, we wanted to try something a little different this year. We began by designing a limited run sport coat and two custom shirts.
The coat is a staple of every man’s wardrobe- the masculine version of the “little black dress,” if you will. For our first Curated sport coat, we designed a basic Navy Micro-Textured Travel Blazer. We created this Loring & Co. coat to be durable for the man who expects his clothes to work as hard as he does. It will compliment your style at the office, on business travel, or at happy hour with friends.
The style, fit, and durability make this a great graduation gift for the young man on his way to college. We will customize your student’s college blazer with their school colored lining and monogram.
Order your coat by Friday, February 28 for only $795, and as an added bonus, we will include your choice of one of these two limited run Loring & Co. Bespoke custom shirts ($225.00 value). Shirts are also available for purchase individually.
Here’s how it works:
- Schedule an in-store fitting online or by phone at 615-292-3008.
- Come in our studio for your custom fitting.
- In 5 weeks you will be wearing you custom travel blazer.
Technology Meets Tradition
Countless articles in men’s magazines and blogs talk about the relationship a man (or woman) has with their tailor. It is something unique, especially in the fast-paced modern era. Just the way one may find that they can share openly their most personal thoughts with their barber, the trust that exists behind that confidence is even stronger with the one who make sure you are dressed well.
An experienced tailor understands the inner workings of a garments, and the inner workings of you. Rather than merely pin, deconstruct, and sew, they are able to understand you and make you feel understood. Thus your trust when they help you select a piece of clothing or determine how it should best fit.
Step in to our shop at Stitch-It, and we hope you instantly feel that link to a time when it was commonplace to come see your tailor to share your life events and create a new suit. In fact, that still goes on here every day. The good news? We are not so set in our ways that we don’t like technology. While some are attempting to replace the tailor with technology that can scan and inventory your every body part, we believe in utilizing technology to enhance the traditional experience. After all, I still don’t know a computer that will share a drink with you after your appointment!
When you order a Loring & Co. Bespoke suit, we keep a digital record of you and your suit. We keep your measurements, but also a visual record of the clothing we have made for you. In short, we can show (or even email) you a visual of your wardrobe. We can also propose new outfits to compliment your existing collection.
All of this is to alleviate the nervousness of wondering if you selected the right fabric or if it will go with that shirt you already own. Now, you can see it before we make it. It’s simple yet impressive.
Spring Stitch-It
Spring has arrived early at Stitch-It! Our hand-picked collection is displayed in the front of our Green Hills store. Come by and see!
Loring & Co. Curated Collection
Loring & Co. Curated Collection
It Takes a Special Man
Rarely do I get the opportunity to do the Costco grocery run with my wife, but Sunday the stars lined up just right. Had I known the amount of free samples they are handing out to the after-church crowd, I would have been a lot sooner!
As we made our way to the register, a well-dressed gentleman approached us and said, “It takes a special kind of man to dress like that!”
I paused, not knowing exactly how to take the comment. Did he mean “special” as in above-the-rest, confident, out-of-the-park outfit? Or, did he mean “special” the way one might describe a co-worker who’s attention is less than desirable?
He then made note of the red wool lapel flower I was wearing. I was then sure he meant well. I politely said “Thank you,” and we completed our shopping trip.
As I reflected on the interaction, I realized he was right. It does take a special man to dress well. It requires someone who wants to look their best, who wants to represent the best version of himself. In retrospect, I am humbled by the compliment!
-N
Jeffrey P Loring artwork
Beautiful artwork by P. Jeffery Loring, owner of Stitch-It & Co.