Ike Behar, Hickey Freeman, Robert Graham, Report Collection, Corneliani, Harris Tweed, Saks 5th Ave/Black, Etro, Zegna, Piombo, Missoni, Samuelsohn, Carr, Reda, Cole Haan, Bugatchi, Neiman Marcus, Prell, XMI, Sand, Lang, Campbell, English Laundry, Jos A Bank, Brooks Bros, Lands End, London Fog.

Over the last few years, i have been steadily acquiring a collection of dress clothes that fits my preferences for quality, color, refinement, style and taste. The labels above represent the heart of my ‘collection’, which is now comprised of 7 suits, 1 tux, 7 sport jackets, 17 dress jackets, 5 tweeds, two rain coats, two overcoats, 63 ties, 6 leather shoes, 8 summer-weight jackets, two camel-hair jackets, 1 down-filled leather jacket, three cotton summer slacks and 9 wool slacks, 6 belts and a variety of dress socks

The list-retail price of my collection was $35k, i spent $11k. I purchased almost all items online. My top brand choices are:

jackets and coats = Hickey Freeman, Ike Behar, Saks 5th Ave Black, Corneliani, Zegna

shirts = Ike Behar 120’s, Robert Graham, Saks 5th Ave, Neiman Marcus

shoes = Cole Haan, Saks 5th Ave Black (made in Italy)

Suits = Hickey Freeman, Saks 5th Ave. Black (made in Italy), Ike Behar

ties = Saks 5th Ave Black, Missoni, Jos A Bank

materials = Corneliani, Zegna, Piombo, Missoni (the Italians)

top choices = Ike Behar (shirts), Hickey Freeman (jackets), Saks 5th Ave Black/Italy (suits), Cole Haan (casual shoes), Saks 5th Ave Black/Italy (dress shoes).

Over the course of 2+ years (ordering, trying on, returning, keeping), i have evaluated many brands and styles (and product lines within brands). For my sense of style (refined colors and patterns, sport-casual and business dress), i have settled on these labels. Ike Behar has consistently fine shirts and sportcoats, Hickey Freeman has great dress jackets (fit, style, color, material, pattern), Jos A Bank’s premium tie collection is exceptional (patterns, colors, styles), and the Saks 5th Ave suits (made in Italy) are impressive.

in future blog posts i will explore further each brand and category in-depth, as well as other facts and details that will help you build a collection that reflects your personal sense of taste and style. You can have top quality products, without breaking the bank. Stop wearing the cheap crap from local retailers, when for only a few dollars more you can have top quality products for a fraction of list price.

Ike Behar.