Attn: Capitol Community! Special offer for California legislative members, lobbyists, and staff!
Start 2010 Legislative Session with the perfect fit and perfect style. Schedule your R. Douglas consultation by Feb. 15th for a free custom dress shirt with order! ($129 value)
Association of Bridal Consultants :: January 18th Event :: “All About the Groom”
Location: Antiquities Maison Privee - 2114 P Street
I recently had the unique privilege of speaking for the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) January 18th event in downtown Sacramento. What a great group! So much creativity and expression all in one place! I immediately felt comfortable with this exciting group.
The event was titled, “All About the Groom”, and my presentation was to involve the style of a man, specifically relating to the wedding day. Items of discussion included: the various garment options available to grooms and groomsmen, style specifications often missed or overlooked, various fabric types, current trends and forecasts in the fashion industry, and how suits are becoming more common than tuxedos in American weddings.
Additionally, we discussed customization of the groom’s clothing items that represent his personal style and individuality and also make the wedding day memorable. Garment features that we discussed included jacket lining color selection (as the accent wedding color), customized jacket and shirt monograms (wedding date or note to bride), special pockets for ring and iPhone, and more.
The meeting also involved a special presentation by Matt Brys, of Extreme Productions Entertainment, on how to involve the groom in the wedding day. The amazing photos by lifestyle photographer Carmen Salazar tell the story of the amazing talent that contributed toward the great event: The cake was done by Carissa Jones of Sugar and Spice, table linens and chair coverings by Darcie Swedelson and amazing dinner catered by Tre Events.
Special thanks to Lora Ward for the invitation to speak at this event!
When Bill Majernik discovered R. Douglas Custom Clothier, he immediately decided to abandon his Brooks Brothers attempt at a suit and give me a try. What he was in search of: a unique olive fabric with a nice kick to it. What he didn’t want to settle for at the department store: a muted, non-textured typical olive suit.
When I first met with Bill in his midtown 15th street office, I was much impressed with his niche type of law practice. Bill is a managing partner at Lenahan, Lee, Slater & Pearse, LLP law firm and he specializes in representing employers in the defense of worker’s compensation claims and subrogation reimbursement. His attorney profile can be viewed at http://lenahanlaw.net/attorneys/william-majernik.html. What I also discovered a bit later: Bill has worked as a member of S.W.A.T. team, holding positions of sniper, range master, and advanced firearms instructor. Not your typical attorney!
As a result, he did not wish to settle for the typical off-the-rack suit. What Bill selected for his first R. Douglas suit was a super -120s, 8 oz. luxury cashmere wool from a textile mill in England. The fabric was intense olive-forest and involved a subtle ¼” herringbone pattern.
As for jacket style features, we opted to use a somewhat-high placement lapel of standard width, 2-button jacket closure, functioning buttonholes, and double-vent. The pants were constructed with two pleats, 1 ½” cuff, and 7” slanted pockets. All R. Douglas standard features were also included in the suit: wool underarm guards, exclusive iPhone (or other cell phone) pocket inside jacket lapel, rubber waist grippers inside pant waistband, lining in pants to knee, coin pockets inside front jacket and pant pockets, and interior fabric strip at back of pant cuff for wear / tear protection.
R. Douglas Featured Client :: Bill Majernik
R. Douglas Featured Client :: Bill Majernik
Enjoy the suit, Bill! I look forward to seeing you again soon!
R. Douglas Featured Client :: Cos Pittner
The Suit Details | Chocolate Glen Plaid fabric in Super 150s wool. Single-breasted, 2-button jacket with high-notch lapel, slanted flap pockets, double-vent, functioning sleeve buttonholes, contrasted lining, and CTP monogram. Pants were designed flat-front with slant pocket and no cuff.
Shirt Details | Sea Island cotton, slim-cut shirt with 3 1/2” x 2” semi-spread collar, French cuffs, no pocket and no monogram.
R. Douglas Featured Client :: Cos Pittner
When I was first contacted to create a suit for Cos, I was thrilled to find out that Scott Andrew, (one of my long-time friends) would be the wedding photographer. Thanks Scott for capturing the fine details of the suit in these images! The wedding was also featured on Style Me Pretty, America’s top wedding blog. http://www.stylemepretty.com/2009/12/18/26918/
R. Douglas Featured Client :: Cos Pittner
R. Douglas Featured Client :: Cos Pittner
I couldn’t have been more impressed with this amazing couple. They are such wonderful people and a perfect match! Congratulations on your wedding!
R. Douglas Featured Client :: Cos Pittner
So who said the double-breasted suit wouldn’t ever reappear in a cool way? Everyone knows that clothing items that have faded from the trend-setting spotlight will somehow find their way back…
In anticipation for the trend, I decided to experiment with my favorite double-breasted button combination: the 4-to-2. The suit would incorporate modern design elements (such as lapel dimensions, type of vent and pockets, etc.), leading to a reinvention of the classic look that was quite popular from the 1930s to 1950s and again in the 1980s.
R. Douglas :: 4-2 Double Breasted Suit
The suit fabric selected is an R. Douglas exclusive navy with bronze pane, in super-120s wool. The 3/4″ distance between lines is somewhat smaller than the typical window pane pattern, and is ideal for all heights and sizes.
R. Douglas :: 4-2 Double Breasted Suit
The peak lapel was designed with a 3 1/2″ width and positioned 2 1/2″ from shoulder seam, allowing for a greater gorge distance. Machine-stitch surrounds the edge of lapel and pockets.
R. Douglas :: 4-2 Double Breasted Suit
The front exterior flap pockets were made 2 1/2″ tall, slightly larger than the standard. A ticket pocket accompanies the set of flap pockets. The back of the jacket features a double-vent and the four sleeve buttons were made functional (of course!).
R. Douglas :: 4-2 Double Breasted Suit
The interior jacket lining was made from bemberg in bronze with navy iridescent; a compliment to the wool fabric colors. (Note the R. Douglas exclusive iPhone pocket on the inside of the lapel)
R. Douglas :: 4-2 Double Breasted Suit
R. Douglas :: 4-2 Double Breasted Suit
The suit pants were designed without pleats and were cut low on the waist. Design features included an extended waistband, slant pockets, and 1 3/4″ cuffs.
R. Douglas :: 4-2 Double Breasted Suit
Okay… now its time to let me know what you think. Do you like the experiment? Will the double-breasted suit make a comeback? Are you willing to take the risk?
Ryan and Jessica Rix were married August 15, 2009. They are such a beautiful couple and I was excited to be making Ryan’s suit for the wedding day. (He has such a cool name, doesn’t he?!)
R. Douglas Featured Client :: Ryan Rix
I have known Jessica for quite a few years, but was introduced to Ryan in April 2009 at our first consultation. The wedding was to be classy and elegant. Golds, lavenders, and purples were to compliment a black and white timeless look. Ryan and Jessica wanted a suit that was both modern and classic. A black super-150s wool with cashmere fabric was selected. We decided on a 2-button jacket with a high-notch lapel and double vent. A champagne-gold lining was selected to compliment the wedding accent color and, to make the suit even more memorable, the monogram “August 15, 2009″ was used inside the jacket lapel. Flat-front pants were constructed to sit just at the waist, and the pant legs were finished bootcut without cuffs.
R. Douglas Featured Client :: Ryan Rix
R. Douglas Featured Client :: Ryan Rix
These awesome images, courtesy of Joel Batts with Batts Photography, show just how well Ryan carries himself in a suit. Congratulations Ryan and Jessica! You guys look so happy together!
R. Douglas Featured Client :: Ryan Rix
Elk Grove Bridal Show :: R. Douglas
This past weekend (October 25th), R. Douglas was a featured vendor at the 2009 Elk Grove Bridal Show. It was my first bridal show experience, and I was very impressed with the outcome of the event! So many brides and grooms had never considered a custom suit, and many realized the benefits over a rented tuxedo. It was great observing their expressions as I explained the R. Douglas experience.
Elk Grove Bridal Show :: R. Douglas
Special thanks to Natalee Percorelli, who conducted the event! I feel that many local brides and grooms left the event inspired and excited about the details of their upcoming day.
Elk Grove Bridal Show :: R. Douglas
Elk Grove Bridal Show :: R. Douglas
The next Elk Grove Bridal show will be January 31, 2010. For more information, visit www.elkgrovebridalshow.com
Everyone… meet Tony Sarrico from Yuba City. At 86 years of age, he is perhaps one of the world’s most kind and tender-hearted men. Not to mention, he has so much class and dignity.
R. Douglas Featured Client :: Tony Sarrico
When I first met Tony and his wife at Morrow’s Tailor Shop, I was so thrilled to be making him a suit and shirt. He explained to me that, after many attempts, he was unable to find a ready-made suit to fit his smaller build and body-type. He was shocked to learn that he could have one hand-tailored for about the same price!
Tony selected a great year-round, super-150s wool in medium grey for his 2-pc suit. Style features included 2-button notch lapel, double vent, working buttons, and flat-front pants with cuffs. He paired the suit with a soft-blue Sea Island cotton shirt, which included an oversized semi-spread collar.
When I delivered the suit to him, I was so impressed with how well he carried himself in the garment. It was as if he was made to wear suits. His brown Johnston & Murphy oxfords were a great match for the outfit. What a classy guy! And.. something for all of us youngsters to take note of: When Tony left the appointment, he took time escorting his lovely wife to the car and politely openened the door for her. After 86 years, he’s still quite the gentleman! Take care Tony! See you soon.
R. Douglas Featured Client :: Tony Sarrico
R. Douglas Featured Client :: Tony Sarrico
R. Douglas will be a featured vendor at the Elk Grove Bridal Show on October 25th! The event will be held at the Holiday Inn Express (Laguna Blvd / Hwy 99) from 2pm -6pm. It is a free event! You won’t want to miss. You’ll be inspired with new ideas for your upcoming wedding, meet great vendors, and earn a chance at the raffle and door prizes! For more information and a list of participating vendors, visit http://elkgrovebridalshow.com/.
Michael Pizarro is one of the most fashion-forward individuals that I know. He is always pushing fashion trends to the edge and is fearless in his style. For this reason, I knew I would much enjoy making the suits for his August 2009 wedding.
Mike wanted himself and his groomsmen to be outfitted in a super-150s navy solid fabric. Not black… NAVY. How cool! Next, he requested each groomsman to choose a unique lining color for the inside of the jacket. No one was allowed to choose the same color. Mike and I were barely able to keep a fight from breaking out as some “favorite” colors were to be argued over. Just kidding… these guys are adults.
Each groomsman was able to decide his own unique style and fit of the suit, as well as his customized monogram. Two-button jackets with double vents and functioning buttons were common to all groomsmen. However, type and position of lapels and jacket fit preferences varied. For shirts, the groomsmen were outfitted in white Sea Island cotton, slim-fit with an oversized European-spread collar and double-barrel cuffs. Mike, however, chose to create a unique shirt style which involved a 1 1/2” x 1 1/2” semi-spread collar and covered buttons in front. Notice the unique tie creation as well!
Enjoy the photos, courtesy of Denise Neufeld Photography! Congratulations Mike and Racheal Pizarro!
