Thursday, October 21, 2010

Just went to visit some of our great shops on King Street today. I was amazed at the number of off-the-rack shirts that had a price of at least $125 (and more) that were fabricated with he exact same fabrics that J.Hilburn uses for CUSTOM shirts! You can go to J.Crew and purchase a shirt with fabric from Thomas Mason for $125...off the rack, mind you...OR you can call me (or another J.Hilburn partner) for a custom shirt with fabric from the Thomas Mason mill for $99. Yes, that is right...$99! CUSTOM!
How do we do it??? We are compressing the supply chain to make luxury goods more affordable for everyone. We are able to offer better quality for a better price - you get a better fit and ultimately a better product.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

J Hilburn - Event Details View - Colonial Lake Collection

J Hilburn - Event Details View - Colonial Lake Collection
join us! it will be an amazing event! one day only - some of your favorite local shops will be setting up at 64 Rutledge Avenue for your shopping convenience.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Cashmere is Coming!











Amazing cashmere coming your way!
















Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Not exactly conservative...

Today was a great day! Pro bowler, Courtney Miller has chosen to use J.Hilburn Custom Clothiers as his exclusive provider of shirts that he will wear in tournament play and on tour.

We met and discussed his needs in terms of style, the drape of the fabric, ease of wear and of course, the cool factor. Courtney's first shirt will be an amazing lavender and blue sky windowpane, made with short sleeves and a vented bottom. No pockets or plackets for this man - he is fit as a fiddle and his shirt will not be too loose or too tight while tossing back pins.

We choose six other fabrics and will have each shirt sent to our embroidery shop to have his name tastefully embroidered on the back. Who knew that pro bowlers got to put their names on all of their tournament shirts?

Another client, a local chef and restaurant owner has given me carte blanche to choose his new shirts. I can't reveal what I chose for him, as the first one is still in production. I will say it will be HOT~
And his friend, a nightclub owner will receive his first shirt this week. I am really looking forward to this delivery, as this shirt will be something else! We choose a very fashion-forward fabric and paired it with not only a contrasting fabric for the interior of the cuff and collar, but we also used a contrasting thread! It will truly be one of a kind.

So, this brings me back to the original point of custom shirts - they DO NOT have to be conservative! Of course, I have many clients who only purchase solid blue or white or mild stripes for their daily office and church wardrobe needs, but they can certainly shake things up with patterns, bold stripes, textured solids, contrasting fabrics and stitching. It is wonderful to create shirts that fit the man in both size and style. By utilizing the fabrics and options that are available through J. Hilburn, men are now able to define their style in the office, while playing sports, out on the town and in the backyard.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

The word "haberdashery" would appear to suggest speediness, yet many of the leading retailers of customwear take months and months to deliver to the client.
J. Hilburn, the newest bespoke clothier in Charleston happily breaks the trend of long wait times for custom clothing by delivering shirts in three weeks. The Italian spun 100% Egyptian cotton is magically transformed by master tailors in Hong Kong into the finest custom made shirts that have clients coming back for more.
If that doesn't make you want one immediately, then the prices will. With four price points ($79, $99, $129 and $149) you will not find a better deal anywhere. Even better, once your measurements are obtained by Style Advisor, you can make a wish list and place an order from your Style Advisor at any time.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Katherine Mengedoht at 843-478-0495

Monday, June 14, 2010

The Secret Life of Shirts

The garment industry is an amazing way for designers to perfect their craft. However, for many large name makers, it is also a way to stick it to the customer. The time has come to unveil the secret life of shirts...
Ready to wear, or bulk made shirts cost on average, $5 to $7 to make, excluding fabric. The shirts are created with one style and 10 sizes ranging in neck and sleeve length. Gobillions of shirts are made at the same time using dye-cut techniques and automated machine sewing. It will take between 11 to 14 months for the shirt to get from the design house to the marketplace f0r purchase by the consumer. The shirt that was made for less than $20 will be marked up to very high levels that will sell in few numbers. After several months, the overpriced garments will be marked down to levels that will entice buyers to purchase even if it is a poor fit. Excess inventory finds its way to TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and the outlet centers. Generally these shirts will be the styles and fabrics from 16 to 24 months ago.

The secret life of a custom shirt from J. Hilburn is much more exciting!

J. Hilburn delivers a better product in half the time. Our current delivery time from the client's order is three weeks and this is how we do it:

Pre-production (5 days) - this is to check inventory for fabric and prepare the work order
Pattern Making (1 day) - each shirt requires a custom pattern for fit and style
Fabric Cutting (1 day) - each shirt requires a single person to hand cut each piece of fabric
Sewing (4-5 days) - all shirts are hand sewn by a master tailor.
Inspection & Packaging (1-2 days) - quality control on each piece, hand ironing and folding for shipping
Delivery to Dallas (4-5 days) - packages are sent from Hong Kong to Dallas via overnight carrier, but customs can take an extra day or so
Packaging to Client (1 day) - The J. Hilburn team in Dallas examines the pieces and ships to either the Style Advisor or Client

The difference in quality of workmanship and price is quite amazing.
As of this post, there is an Armani Collezioni Twill Dress Shirt on the Saks website for $315! The exact same fabric and options are available for $99 from J. Hilburn and ours it is a CUSTOM FIT.

J.Hilburn is giving men the ability to have the finest handmade luxury clothing for prices that are unbeatable.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

A Dad's Day Deal | NBC Dallas-Fort Worth

A Dad's Day Deal JUST FOR HIM: Wouldn’t Dad love a handsome, custom-made shirt from J. Hilburn for Father’s Day? (And wouldn’t Mom love finally tossing out that orange pin-stripe number from 1974?) Now through June 20th, you can give him the gift of impeccable style and save $25 off your purchase of $150 or $50 off your purchase of $250 from this up-and-coming men’s clothier. Oh, and don’t forget trousers, belts and polos to round out Dad’s new look! GET IT: Visit JHilburn.com to explore the collection and connect with a personal style advisor."

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Bespoke clothing

The terms "bespoke" and "made to measure" are not the same. Bespoke is taken from the 17th century when tailors held bolts of fabric in their shops and the fabric was "spoken for" by a particular client. When the tailor made clothing specifically to the client's wishes, it was "bespoke".

"Made to measure" is a term that is used to create clothing that is created from a basic pattern and is roughly adjusted to the client's measurements.

With J. Hilburn custom clothing, the client chooses the fabrics best suited for them. Your Style Advisor takes at least 10 measurements in order for the designers to create a marker or pattern for that client. Our tailors hand cut each piece of fabric. A single tailor is then given the task of sewing each part of the garment together. Each piece of your shirt is handmade - from the initial cutting of the fabric, down to the buttonholes. With J. Hilburn, your shirts are truly bespoke.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Get the Right Fit

One great way to improve your image is to take a good long hard look at the way you look IN your clothes. Do not wear anything that does not fit you correctly.
Many men are walking around in ill-fitting clothes and we need to put a stop to it! So, the campaign of fit awareness is on.

I am a real stickler for the proper fit for my clients because I know what a difference it can make in the apperance, confidence and image portrayed. Clothing that is properly tailored can make the difference between looking like a slob and looking like a fabulous, well-groomed man.

Most dress shirts are baggy, have ballooning sides and back and entirely too much fabric between the armholes and the bodice of the shirt. Just because a shirt's neck fits, does not mean that it fits the rest of the body. Tailored, custom fitted shirts fit the neck, torso, arms, body, cuff and waist. A shirt sould not be too loose or too tight - it should skim the body. The perfect fit of a custom shirt means the right amount of fabric that stays tucked in without bunching up at the waistline.

Trousers are another problem area for many men. Always purchase your actual size, where the rise is close to the family jewels, but not too close to be constricting. Your trousers should hug your rear end - if you don't have much in the way of a rear end, larger trousers will make it worse. If you wear baggy trousers for some sort of style effect, it is time to give them to charity or use them to wash the car or boat.

A great jacket should not look like it belongs on someone else. YOUR jackets should slightly hug your arms and shoulders, yet be comfortable enough to move around.

Start with YOUR wardrobe - discard anything that does not fit well or you have not worn in the last two years. If you need assistance, don't hesitate to contact us!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Image Consulting

Today I met with an amazing woman, Shauna Mackenzie Heathman. She is an Image Consultant (Mackenzie Image Consulting) who reminds people to consider their image if greater business success is a goal. It takes a brief second to make an impression, and if it is the wrong one, you can work for quite a long time to reverse the initial opinion.

Ms. Heathman specializes in personal branding. She assists her clients in the fine art of style, professionalism and manners.

I specialize in helping important people look terrific. Custom, tailored shirts, trousers and accessories are an absolute must for a gentleman's wardrobe.

Please contact either of us for your personal consultation.
Katherine Mengedoht - katherine.mengedoht@jhilburnpartner.com
Shauna Mackenzie Heathman - Shauna@mackenz ieimage.com

Monday, March 22, 2010

Facebook | J. Hilburn Charleston

Facebook J. Hilburn Charleston: "The Animas Shirt Our new Limited Edition is reminiscent of a wilderness trek, big game hunt, or roll casting on a trout stream. It features a soft classic collar with epaulets, sleeve roll-up tabs, and two box pleat pockets. It works well as a stand-alone sport shirt, or worn under a sport coat to dress it up. The real versatility comes into play when the coat comes off, the sleeves roll up, and the tail comes out."

Sunday, February 28, 2010

fashion today

J. Hilburn is offering a beautiful line of spring and summer fabrics. Created by Liberty of London, Thomas Mason and Albini. The performance polos will be available in March! We are all so excited about the latest offerings. Call me for an appointment!

Friday, February 5, 2010

Products from J. Hilburn

Products from J. Hilburn: "Welcome to the world of high quality, custom-tailored apparel at boldly lower prices! Walk into an average store and you'll get a shirt that's, well, average. If you aspire for exceptional shirts with your choice of options, without paying extra, J. Hilburn provides luxurious materials and superior construction the way you want it.
With 3 attractive pricepoints: $79, $99 & $149 for a custom made shirt, J. Hilburn undercuts traditional retailers while not compromising on quality. We have sourced the very best in Italian shirting fabrics from Tessitura Monti S.p.A, and the majority of our fabrics are double-twisted high Egyptian cotton, considered the finest in the world. Tessitura Monti has been producing fabrics in Italy since 1911 and today is renowned as a premier supplier to leading luxury brands globally.
Our mission is to revolutionize the shopping experience for men. With help from our J. Hilburn partners we provide unrivaled customer service, knowledge and expertise all from the convenience of the customer's home or office. Our talented personal style advisors are there to help guide clients through the design process and recommend styling that reflects their personal taste."

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

a few easy steps

1. No matter where you are going or what you may do, create an appearance each morning that makes you feel confident and strong.

2. Kick laziness to the curb.

3. Organize your closet so it works for you.

4. Stay consistent with the image you want to portray.

5. Take care of your entire wardrobe.

6. Edit your closet every 6 to 12 months.

7. When in doubt, make it work.

8. Get in the habit of tailoring your clothes for a perfect fit.

9. Don’t settle for less than excellent when buying wardrobe pieces.

10. Make an effort. Small steps have a big impact.

Monday, February 1, 2010

welcome to 2010!



Wow! 2010 is in full swing and I have lots of news from the world of custom clothing for men! J. Hilburn is launching several new pieces this spring. We will carry outerwear in 4 styles, linen blend slacks and a very exciting new polo.



Slacks will now be offered in a new fit - Athletic. This is perfect for the sportsman with a trim waist and strong, muscular legs.



Polos will be made with moisture wicking fabric woven into the cotton for a shirt that will take him from the golf course to the clubhouse.



The outerwear is amazing - the cutting edge technology of the Performance Collection provides the ultimate in style and function.






As always, a client's first order is always exciting and I can offer $20 the initial order.