What are men wearing today?
So much depends on their lifestyle, both on and off the clock. I strive to create a closet where my clients can wear their clothing to more than one occasion and can mix and match. Suits still have their place in a man’s closet, but many are not wearing them as often. A general trend today is a smart sport coat with trousers or casual pants, paired with a collared shirt or T-shirt.
What are the advantages of using a Custom Men’s Stylist?
Custom-made clothing eliminates wardrobe decisions for busy men who have difficulty finding well-fitting clothing. I come to my client’s home or office, so it’s very convenient for them. You choose the colors and styles you like most, and everything fits perfectly!
How long does custom-made clothing last?
It depends on how much he wears each piece and the care of the garment. In general, custom-made pieces last longer due to the quality of the fabric and the production process. With custom, there is no mass production; each piece is made individually. I recently had a client share that he has had some collared shirts for over eight years, and they still look great!
What is the biggest challenge in getting well-fitting clothing?
Men often do not recognize the importance their clothing plays in how they represent themselves and/or their company. Recognizing his fit challenge is my first goal, and from there we move on to what clothing is needed for the life he leads, on the clock, socially, and on the weekend.
What about Off-The-Rack (OTR) clothing?
Off-The-Rack clothing is made for a fictionalized vision of a man’s ideal fit. Everyone has some fit challenges!
Does OTR ever work?
If you want to look your very best, no. Every man struggles with a fit issue of some kind.
How much guidance do you offer?
After a conversation about their work, social life, etc., I guide clients in making good clothing decisions and share how to use one piece in multiple ways.
Do men usually think this way?
Men typically do not think of their clothing as suitable for different circumstances. They don’t think to “break up” a suit by wearing the jacket as a blazer with other trousers or casual pants, or to wear the trousers with several different kinds of shirts and a quarter-zip or shirt jacket. Many do not know how to put an outfit together, but once they learn some basics, they find it changes how they dress daily.
What is the process?
For in-person appointments, we have a questionnaire and a pre-appointment call to determine his starting point and budget. Our in-person appointments include a closet assessment, measurements, fabric selection, and personalization selection. The order is processed, sent to me for unwrapping, and then delivered to the client for assessment and fit confirmation. We also cover post-delivery concerns, if any.
For virtual appointments, we use a virtual pre-appointment questionnaire, virtual measuring, a phone call, and a Zoom call to create his outfit(s) for selection and personalization. Then pieces are sent to him, and we have a Zoom call for a fit assessment. Delivery of most pieces is 4-6 weeks.
What kind of man benefits and appreciates custom?
- Busy men who do not have time to shop or hate to do it
- Those who want convenience and a personalized shopping experience (no more mall shopping)
- Men who want or need help coordinating outfits that work for their life
- Those who have challenges with O-T-R options
- Men who hate shopping online
- Men who are color blind
Is custom more expensive?
Yes, but one needs to remember that this is an investment in yourself. Custom-made clothing lasts longer than O-T-R clothing due to its higher quality. It also reduces the amount of fast fashion and clothing going to landfills.
What elements of creating custom clothing affect pricing and overall look?
Pricing is dependent on the type of fabric, as well as the thread count. Availability is also a cost factor; for example, cashmere comes from limited sources, so it is more expensive.
Just suits?
No! J.Hilburn creates more than suits. We have 11 categories of clothing from suits and shirts, business casual, outerwear, and custom golf wear. We also partner with luxury accessory vendors for shoes, belts, ties, and pocket squares. Post-COVID, business casual has increased significantly.
Are materials dependent on the time of year?
J.Hilburn releases new fabrics in various categories around every six weeks. This helps clients plan accordingly for each season, business or pleasure trips, etc. Released fabrics reflect the season, and we are always looking forward to the next. Since we are a national company, we strive to offer fabrics and styling for all seasons.
What kinds of choices do you offer?
Seasonal fabrics and all-year options are always available. If a client has skin sensitivities or dislikes the feel of certain fabrics, those can be eliminated as options, as can certain fabrics that may not be to his liking, i.e., linen for its wrinkle factor. As I get to know my client, I make intentional suggestions for him that are budget-minded and fit his life. For example: How much sitting you do during a typical week might lead me to suggest one fabric over another.
Is there any project you could not fulfill?
This has not happened frequently for me, I am glad to say. Usually, only when the client’s lead time was insufficient. For example, a client wanted a color-blocked shirt a few years ago, and at the time we did not carry that style. Come 2026, that style is now in our catalog of offerings.
What would you like every man to know about custom clothing?
Every man deserves custom clothing. It's an investment in yourself that pays off in many ways and costs less over time because:
- the clothing lasts longer
- less closet space is used
- the confidence factor it brings
- provides more options with less clothing needed
- everything can be mixed and matched
- the convenience factor of having a stylist that makes suggestions with your budget in mind
About Eileen Kevany
Eileen has been an Independent Personal Stylist for J.Hilburn for 8 years. Her passion for design and fashion is her driving force. She strives to help busy professionals look sharp and feel confident with a simple wardrobe. Convenience and a personalized experience are the focus of each client relationship. Eileen loves helping her clients look great and feel confident in the way they dress by providing the best-fitting clothes that meet their needs and budget. Her goal is a great fit and a wardrobe that works for their lifestyle.