Like all writers who work from home, I love nothing more than dressing immaculately every day. When I’m writing about something fancy, I wear a tuxedo. When I’m writing about the workplace, only a custom suit will do. And when I’m writing about something casual, I wear casual wear.
You’re probably wondering how I find the time to shop for premium men’s clothing and still write such scintillating magazine articles. I will let you in on my secret, but please try and keep it to yourself. I don’t want to attract large crowds of people to the store where I find everything I need in one place, including elegant footwear, stylish sportswear, and professional alterations.
I shop … at Bills Toggery.
Perhaps you have noticed the Twin Cities’ premier men’s clothier already. It is located in downtown Shakopee, where it was founded by Bill Wermerskirchen in 1931. The Great Depression was not good for Bill’s business, if you can believe it, but the entrepreneur knew what he was doing. Twin Cities men have always been renowned for cutting a respectable figure. Depression or no, they would have to get their suits somewhere.
Bill was so committed to authenticity that he made certain only Bills would own Bill’s Toggery. His son, Bill Wermerskirchen, Jr., ran the store for several decades. So too has his grandson, Billy – the very same polished gent who greets guests at Bill’s today. Billy wears a tape measure around his neck like a doctor does a stethoscope, and one can only dream of matching their necktie to their pocket square as deftly as he.
Of course, Billy has no secrets to keep when it comes to men’s clothing.
“Like anything else in this world, the secret to selling men’s clothing boils down to the Golden Rule,” said Billy. “Treat people the way you want to be treated yourself. Our customers come from all over the Twin Cities because we do things the old-fashioned way: clothing men take pride in wearing, provided with the expertise they need to look their absolute sharpest.”
Dress clothes have always been the backbone of Bill’s. With formal wear by Jack Victor, Hart Schaffner Marx, David Donahue, John Forsyth, and other reputable American and Canadian brands, they can dress any man for success in the boardroom. And because Bill’s offers a full catalog of tuxedos by Jim’s Formal Wear, you can finally find the perfect accompaniment to your favorite cummerbund.
Worried that a suit from Bill’s won’t complement your Zeus-like physique? Don’t be. They offer a vast selection of suits and sport coats from 34S to 60XL, and their full-time tailor Shelly can make any alterations jackets and pants need to conform to the man who was always meant to wear them.
Are you attending a golf tournament, barbecue, beach party, or other social occasion where camel hair and Oxfords would look out of place? Then Bill’s is still your personal clothier.
“We carry a wide variety of high-quality casual wear,” said Billy. “We have active apparel by Vuori, 7Diamonds and Tasc Performance. We have comfortable yet fashionable jeans by 34 Heritage, authentic Norwegian wool sweaters by Dale of Norway, refined sportswear by Peter Millar, a great selection of footwear by Johnston & Murphy, all of johnnie-O’s SoCal fashions, and Swiss-made running shoes by On.”
I am especially fond of Howler Brothers of Texas. Whenever I don one of their Western-inspired button-downs, I feel like the kind of rugged cowboy sage who would dispense sparsely worded yet deeply philosophical advice to city slickers, silhouetted by the setting sun, before galloping off to lasso errant cattle. Wear one yourself and you’ll feel the same exact way.
Ladies, I know what you’re thinking. “What does Bill’s offer me?” Only the greatest thing in the world: the ideal place to shop for the men you buy clothing or gifts for. My wife always says I look fantastic when I’m dressed in clothes from Bill’s, and it’s not just because I categorically refuse to accept criticism in any form.
“Owning a third-generation business like mine feels as much like I’m passing down a legacy as I am working a job,” said Billy. “I’ve read that the odds of a business lasting as long as Bill’s are ten against one. And I expect we’ll last much longer. William the fourth will enter second grade this fall, and he’s already showing a preternatural aptitude for men’s fashion.”
Bill’s Toggery is located at 138 Lewis Street S in downtown Shakopee. They are open Monday through Saturday, as well as by special appointment. You may learn more about the historic men’s clothier at billstoggery.com.
Twin Cities men have always been renowned for cutting a respectable figure.