Senator John H. Daniel founded a men’s custom tailor shop in Georgia in 1928 and, with his partner, W.C. Bryan, moved to Knoxville in 1932. For almost a century, this renowned custom house has hand-tailored apparel for presidents, congressmen, professional athletes, entertainers, and for generations, their own hometown citizens.
Like West Knoxville Lifestyle publisher Marc Rochelson: “We were helping sponsor a gala and I really wanted to look sharp for the event. I’d never had a suit custom-tailored for me. The whole experience: fitting, choosing fabrics and lining, was great and completely personalized. A few weeks later, I had a bespoke suit that looks amazing. Having experienced the difference in how a custom suit makes you look and feel, I don’t think I’ll ever go back to off-the-rack.”
Because of his experience, Marc wanted to include them in the Style issue. The John H. Daniel experience is an individualized process where sight, touch, texture, pattern and color make it multi-sensory. Wardrobe consultants guide you through choices of style, fabric, and lining. General Manager George Altom explains, “In department stores, you see black, navy, and grey with seven suits in your size. Our palette of colors and combinations is an extensive selection of 1,500-2,000 fabrics, 300 linings, 35 button styles and coordinating thread colors.”
The consultant takes 25 measurements and puts the customer in a ‘fit’ coat and pant and takes photos to check details like shoulder slope. A pattern is created to custom-tailor each piece. When he returns for another jacket or pant, his pattern is on hand to assure another perfect fit.
Director of Sales Joe Taylor sums up, “And, it’s topped off with a Custom Tailored for…. label. So, every time you slip it on, you’re reminded of the personalized experience of our craftsmen customizing a suit, sport coat, blazer, or slack that suits you perfectly. You look and feel better, get more compliments, and wear it more often. We have regular customers from across the Southeast and the country who value what that means.”
What’s on trend right now?
For fall, it’s olives and greens, purples, golds, browns and rust. George adds, “Dressy casual is in. Sport coats are huge, and we have the finest fabric collection in the country. A sport coat – perhaps in a wool/linen/silk blend, or cashmere, or 100% bamboo – can be paired with blue jeans or slacks and a dress shirt or polo shirt.”
Laura Bryan, Bryan family member and Vice President of Operations, recommends how to put it all together.
“Often, customers order several pairs of slacks (from our selection of 44 colors) to coordinate with sport coats, maybe ordering two patterns, with options like plaid, window pane, or houndstooth.” Laura notes that vests and waistcoats are popular. “Customers order a three-piece suit and a sport coat to coordinate for weekend wear with a pair of slacks and the vest as an accent piece.”
As far as the gentleman’s staple, Joe says, “There’s a myth guys don’t wear suits anymore, but I beg to differ. I know the number we produce. New generations, including Gen Z, are finding us – totally on board with the opportunity to customize a signature look for career and casualwear.”
Significant to John H. Daniel’s business is their private-label apparel for premier clothiers across the country.
Joe explains what that means for Knoxville customers: “We want our customers here, including newcomers, to understand the value they get – a top-shelf custom experience and garment that on either coast typically costs three to four times what our customers pay here. It’s such a smart investment in your wardrobe.”
Book an appointment online at JohnHDaniel.com
“New generations, including Gen Z, are finding us – totally on board with the opportunity to customize a signature look for career and casualwear.” Joe Taylor