Those new cuts may remind you of a certain suit maven of note, but Farah, who worked with Thom Browne designing Black Fleece, embraces the similarities. “There are lots of people that aspire to that look, but can’t afford it. Everyone should be introduced to classic suiting techniques.” And for under $500, suits with these details—grosgrain taping, mother-of-pearl buttons, and working buttonholes at the cuff—are a steal. (For even more value, some are sold as “four-pieces”: jacket, pants, and waistcoat with a tie made of a matching fabric.) The proportions are more forgiving than Browne’s, but still pretty forward. That appeals to this fashion editor and likely to other city dwellers, but will it sell in flyover country? Farah, a Michigan native, thinks so. “People are hungry for it,” he says. “Mad Men plays everywhere.”
Minnie
JD, do you watch “Mad Men”? If not, you should check it out, great writing and inspired by the 60’s.
Heatha77
You should get BOW on this! I’m lookin at the style not the price and this is top notch! Ocean boys better get on this!
MR901Washington
JD—-This might be BOW WOW speed if he still wanna have the young look and still be dressy… having fun with ya clothes……
NYC ICON
Very classy!
KenniMac
Hey JD, try to find some Lady Lifers clothing for less too lol!
Johnta Fan
Nice of you to think of those that make a regular pay check. Very affordable
C. Quillen
Framed images of Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, and Nat King Cole aptly adorn B. Oyama Homme, the men’s boutique in Harlem that sells tailor-cut suits; an assortment of shirts; and haberdashery items such as ties, pocket squares, gloves, cuff links, and suspenders. “I love to see a well-dressed man,” beams the proprietor, Bernard Oyama.
His background, experience, passion, and current location have all converged at quite an opportune time. He concurs: “I didn’t plan it, but the timing is perfect.” Not only is Harlem enjoying a resurgence, but so is the suit. Oyama is often regaled with stories by older Harlemites of how being well appointed was at one time more than a fashion statement: it was proper etiquette. It was once considered inappropriate for a man to walk the streets without a hat. Oyama intends to be an integral part of once again raising the standard.
He has been influenced by fashion since childhood. Raised by his grandparents in the West African nation of Gabon, Oyama learned the details of men’s grooming from his grandfather, who was a tailor. “That’s where I learned the trade, and about color and fabric.” Oyama eventually left to study in Paris and opened his own Parisian boutique in 1990. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1997 and worked as a security guard while studying for a master’s degree in banking. He eventually used his experience as a business development officer to launch his boutique in Harlem in November 2002. Sales topped $175,000 in 2004.
Oyama enjoys not only styling men, but educating those who need help with details like selecting complementing colors or tying an effective Windsor knot. His biggest challenge is getting men to break bad styling habits. “It’s not about matching; it’s about coordinating. The tie and the pocket square do not have to match,” he offers. “Neither do the suit and the shoes.” He finds too often that many aspire to fashion their look after television or film personalities. “They want pants with wide legs and long jackets. It may look good on [celebrities]; it may be appropriate for what they’re doing at that time, but it doesn’t mean that it suits you, or that you should walk down the street like that.”
Suits sold by Oyama are classically tailored. “The best[fitting] suit is an English cut with Italian finishes,” he explains, one that conforms to the body, with hand detailing in areas like the pockets and the lapels. Oyama caters to an array of celebrities including Malik Yoba and Freddie Jackson.
As much as he believes dressing well is a learned art, he is also convinced that it can be achieved by applying two basic principles: “Style is a combination of attitude and color. With the right attitude, even a cheap suit can be worn well,” he says. “The right attitude with the right clothes is a great combination. Style always changes, but your attitude is yours forever.”
Nakita Benjamin
I HOPE ALL THE GUYS IN THE RAP INDUSTRY START DRESSING LIKE MEN; NOT BOY.
j.tyjuan
now thats me all day. still above my price range. shit times r really hard.
P.J
J.D. first and foremost, I am a big fan and I appreciate what you are doing for the game of music and fashion. I love this look, as I fan of bowties and fly sweaters this is certainly something I will be checking out! I even shared this on my blog! Two fingers!!!!