Month / August 2016

by Mike Strange

The New Expansion and Growth of the Menswear Fashion Market: An in-depth style that’s modern and in the moment.

According to Euromonitor International, “The global market for men’s designer apparel is projected to reach nearly $33 billion in 2020, up 14 percent from $29 billion in 2015.” There has been a growing paradigm shift in men’s fashion wear as many men are now paying more attention to the way they look and also going for comfort in the way they are dressing.

 

Men’s fashion brands and major publishing houses are now focusing on this new men’s fashion paradigm, and trying to keep up to fill the need for more versatile and stylish menswear geared towards this new tread.

“Expand the broader menswear market by educating consumers and pushing the boundaries of men’s fashion.” (Will Welch GQ Style editor).

 

Professional men in the workplace are readily abandoning the classic dress codes and business casual protocol of a button down shirt or knit shirt and khakis, opting instead to wear a nice high end dress shirt with jeans and deck shoes or even sneakers; a look that’s spreading like wild-fire in New York City; and other major urban cities. After the downturn guys started to dress up again, but with an emphasis on style and comfort, wanting to look good without the rank and file uniform feel, such as wearing nice jeans with a blazer and a stylish shirt or T-shirt.

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Today’s men are being more creative in the way that they think about what they are wearing, paying more attention to style and a more modern and relaxed fit. The style for men in this present period is more creative in sense of smart stylish looks that are very versatile.

 

Don’t get me wrong, men’s suits are still integrally vital to menswear, it is just how men choose to wear them is changing, (think high end designer suit with a silk screened T-shirt with stylish casual shoes!) Stylish Creativity and relaxed comfort is the new name of the game in menswear, and men’s fashion brands are scrambling to keep up with the growing demand for more versatile stylish apparel in menswear.

 

One of the fastest growing areas in menswear now is, believe it or not men’s shoes.  As many men now are looking for well made fashion forward footwear that is more stylish, and moving away from the more boring traditional styles, as well as willing to spend more money in this area to find them.  Many men are spending more time and money on the way they look to project a more confident and stylish image. The global growth of the men’s clothing market according to a January 2016 Barclay’s report is expected to be up to $40 billion by 2019.

 

 

 

 

by Mike Strange

Spectre & Co: High End Men’s Fashion Wear at Affordable Prices.

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Back in the early summer of 2013, I came across the men’s apparel online website  Spectre & Co and really liked what was being offered by this hip but unknown brand, thinking, “This Company really gets me!” As far as the fabric and style of the shirts were concerned, was all that I could hope for in men’s stylish shirts, and best of all under $45.00-$65.00.  In the next three years, being busy with studying in the medical field, I am ashamed to say lost touch with this phenomenal company and dressing myself with the more, well known label brands.

KIMG1178But like fine wines, this company more than improved their stylish men’s wear while still keeping their commitment to high quality fabric and craftsmanship. I was walking through the “Turnstyle Shops” at Columbus Circle in Midtown Manhattan and walked by the newly opened Spectre & Co storefront and the memory of this stylish and quality brand came flooding back to me, so I had to walk in and inspect the goods.

KIMG1181Spectre & Co was created by young entrepreneur Jeffery Zhang who got the idea while trying to find a good quality shirt to attend a friend’s wedding, and was outraged that he had to spend $150.00 for a decent shirt. Jeff Zhang decided to take matters into his own hands and opened up an online retail store for men, catering to young professionals who appreciate superior quality fabrics and fashion style.

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(Jeff Zhang Owner of Spectre & Co)

In May 2013 Spectre & Company was born and in a very short time became a game-changer in men fashion. Jeff worked in consulting and finance in New York for five years after graduation from New York University, and used his own personal savings of $40,000 to start his new venture in men’s fashion retail all on his own, well sort of.

KIMG1174Jeff’s father Jue Wei Zhang (“Joe”) who owns and operates J.W.E, a uniform manufacturer based in New York boasting about 20 Million in yearly sales, helped out by allowing Jeff to use his warehouse located in Port Washington NY and production line in his factory just outside of Shanghai in China, and a former designer from six decade old Ascot Chang in Hong Kong that makes upscale shirts oversees the production. Jeff designs as well as choosing all the fabrics of his shirts, insuring the style and quality is of high standard.

Jeff is also at the helm of the company web-site and of course the Facebook page, in which he has a blog giving out fashion advice, which serves as a good strategy to maintain customer loyalty.

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    (Sales associate Ryan greeting customers with a smile)

(G. Joseph Torogiwa wearing blue and grey sports jackets by Spectre & Co)

Spectre & Company while trying to get the word out about his men’s clothing line does not spend much on advertising, but uses word of mouth from his customer base and having “pop up” stores in Chelsea and Soho, to expose his fantastic men’s fashion line.

The store opened in April of this year, and the Shirts, ties, shorts, trench-coats, accessories are now all in the store at the Columbus Circle “Turnstyle” marketplace for inspection, and of course to try on. You will be glad you did

 

 

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by Mike Strange

Where to Drink Series: Sottocasa Harlem’s imported Italian Beer’s and Wine’s

Sottocasa is an excellent choice for dinner in Harlem, but this Italian restaurant also has a full service bar serving up imported Italian wine’s as well as beer’s on tab like Moretti, a pale lager brewed in Italy, which has an alcohol content of 4.6%. This well balanced lager is smooth with a crisp malt flavor and has a pleasing aftertaste, which is amazing when paired with pizza.

 

 

KIMG1147While I’m a Chardonnay lover at heart, Matteo Prospiti introduced me to Muller Thurgau’s 2012 Sudtiro, an amazing white wine which is a hybrid crossing of Riesling and Madeleine Royale. This wine has a refined aromatic scent of nutmeg and a refreshing after finish reminisced of elder blossoms. I highly recommend this!

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The P45 (Doc Lison Pramaggiore) Merlot is sure to become a favorite on Lenox Ave, from north-eastern Italy. The full-bodied red wine carries aromas of deep red berries with subtle but marked notes of spice. A perfect match when paired with Lasagne.

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Sottocasa is always serving the best quality wines, and will be be having more of Italy’s best imported beer’s and red/white wines on the way, so stop by and hang out at the bar with friends or that special someone and indulge in a couple of glasses of superior libations found no where else in Harlem.