I’ve learned about your style and eventually, you might trust me enough to say, ‘I need a new blue suit, give it some color and flair. I trust you.’ A lot of our clients are doing that now, we’ve built our relationship enough that they trust us to find them clothes. It’s exciting for them because they don’t know what to expect, but they know they are going to like it.
2015 is a strange time to be alive. We have a walking head of hair running for a presidential nomination, one whose sense of political savvy comes strictly from screaming insults at people on reality television. We have a NBA team that is currently 22–0, led by a flamethrowing superstar that looks more parts little boy than grown athlete. We have an internet that can capture somewhat normal moments and turn them into something spectacular. Times are strange and getting stranger.
This is especially true in regards to fashion, where a person’s daily attire can include such atrocities as Google Glass, v-neck shirts, skirts with leggings, and sweatpants only reaching mid-calf. Despite this uptick in bizarre fashion, there still exists a safe haven where people can dress luxuriously and easily, while still feeling fly as a….well, I’ll let you finish the sentence.
Trapper Roderick started True Gentleman to concentrate on this market, custom-fitting suits that are sleek but avoid the general stuffiness associated with traditional custom-design companies. Interested in both architecture and entrepreneurship, Roderick began tailoring suits for close acquaintances that quickly generated positive reviews. Boosted by the experience, True Gentleman was created near the end of 2013.
“We have the cost-effective suit for the college student or the guy that is just starting his career, so he can build his way up,” Roderick said. “But we also love working with the multi-millionaires where they go in and do a complete wardrobe wipe, update their whole entire closet.”
In today’s world, going places is overrated. We order everything from the comfort of our homes and offices, Amazon and eBay the couriers connecting us to the outer world. True Gentleman takes this into account, coming directly to the consumer when interest is shown — you sign up for a fitting and a TG representative will come knocking at your door.
“We’ve developed an app that you use with the sales rep where you basically build your suit,” Roderick said. “It’s not like NIKEiD yet, the idea where you can actually see it build itself, but it presents all the options. Do you want a piece lapel? Do you want this color of button holes? Do you want these kind of pockets or this kind of liner? You go through all these options and when you’re done with that, we take about 28 different measurements.”
After locking down all the options, measurements, and cloth preferences, the suit is ordered. Four weeks later, you try on the suit, any necessary adjustments are made, and the world becomes your playground. All relevant information is retained by TG, simplifying the process for repeat buyers.
“If I suit you up today, I’m going to be the guy who does that for the rest of time,” Roderick said. “I’ve learned about your style and eventually, you might trust me enough to say, ‘I need a new blue suit, give it some color and flair. I trust you.’ A lot of our clients are doing that now, we’ve built our relationship enough that they trust us to find them clothes. It’s exciting for them because they don’t know what to expect, but they know they are going to like it.”
Published 12/8/2015
