What is the consensus on Tom James? They seem to offer a fair bit, but the brand never receives much attention on here. Are they similar to Astor & Black in that they have a local salesman who takes your measurements and sends them off to a factory?
Tom James
hockeyinsider
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What is the consensus on Tom James? They seem to offer a fair bit, but the brand never receives much attention on here. Are they similar to Astor & Black in that they have a local salesman who takes your measurements and sends them off to a factory?
They have a jillion sales reps who may or may not know how to take good measurements; those measurements are then sent back to the mother ship. The consensus view is that they tend to be somewhat more expensive than equivalent-quality custom/MTM clothiers. What they are really selling is convenience (they come to you) and consultation (they offer to inventory your clothing, give you advice on what you need, etc.). Most clothing enthusiasts don't consider shopping for clothes/visiting a tailor to be a nuisance, and most enthusiasts keep their own counsel about what to buy. So most enthusiasts don't see the value in paying more for clothing to pick up those services. They might be a decent choice, if the sales rep is good, for a man with a lot more money than time and who must look presentable to please others but doesn't care about it himself.
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Where is everything made? There seems to be some sort of relationship between Tom James, H. Freeman, Holland & Sherry, and Individualized Shirts.
I don't know where they're made, but CuffDaddy nailed it on the head. I work with quite a few guys that use Tom James and every one of them is in banking/finance, have multiple suits that are basically identical, only wear white pinpoint button downs, and have two pairs of shoes: black cap toes and black tassels.
The suits seem pretty decent and their rep is actually super knowledgeable and extremely well dressed, but they certainly pay for the convenience. We're talking about guys who aren't into clothes at all. Some of the guys I know have used TJ as an unintended starting point and figure out what fits them, what looks good on them and what the are comfortable in, realize they actually really like fine clothes, and promptly take their business to the local haberdasher.
The suits seem pretty decent and their rep is actually super knowledgeable and extremely well dressed, but they certainly pay for the convenience. We're talking about guys who aren't into clothes at all. Some of the guys I know have used TJ as an unintended starting point and figure out what fits them, what looks good on them and what the are comfortable in, realize they actually really like fine clothes, and promptly take their business to the local haberdasher.
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Tom James is made at the EA factory in Westminster, Maryland (H. Freeman made there as well) They have a relationship with Holland and Sherry to buy fabric. Individualized Shirts is under the Individualized Apparel Group and the shirts are made in Perth Amboy, New Jersey I believe.
IAG owns Oxxford as well and does some private labeling for some larger Brands and specialty stores. The Tom James reps are pretty aggressive and sometimes are just not that Knowlegable. They get you on an entry price, then up sell you from there. Not a bad product, but I believe there are better out there!
IAG owns Oxxford as well and does some private labeling for some larger Brands and specialty stores. The Tom James reps are pretty aggressive and sometimes are just not that Knowlegable. They get you on an entry price, then up sell you from there. Not a bad product, but I believe there are better out there!
One other thought. If you are in a city that is bereft of good men's stores and has no real tailors, and you can't/won't/don't travel for shopping, then they may be a more attractive option. Just recognize that you'll pay more for the same goods because you're in a restricted/underserved market.
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The typical Tom James customer is someone who is in a high income career and wants to spend as little free time as possible worrying about his clothes. By and large, if you are the kind of person who posts on an internet clothing forum, you would be better to visit your local men's shop.
I've seen results ranging from much better than average to quite poor. Like most MTM, the quality of the end product depends largely on the person taking your measurements. In terms of construction quality, TJ runs from good to excellent, though not necessarily in terms of a quality to price ratio.
I've seen results ranging from much better than average to quite poor. Like most MTM, the quality of the end product depends largely on the person taking your measurements. In terms of construction quality, TJ runs from good to excellent, though not necessarily in terms of a quality to price ratio.
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I picked up some Tom James stuff from a member on another forum. He found them in a thrift shop and they seemed to be my size.
Turned out that the only thing that was my size was the sleeve length and shoulder width. I decided to try one suit (hem jacket, take in the sides and back, taper sleeves, hem pants, take in waist, taper pant legs) and a sport coat (take in sides and back and taper sleeves). My tailor seemed to be confident it was worth the investment, so I took the plunge. If it works out, i've got two more suits to work on. If not, i'll have to try to flip them. Fabric and construction seemed to be pretty decent quality, although I saw no recognizable fabric brand labels inside.
Of course, I didn't pay retail for these, so their value to me is all in the tailoring. I'll spend in tailoring about 1/4 to 1/3 what I would spend on my usual made to measure guy, but I think i'll end up with some great utility suits.
-James
Turned out that the only thing that was my size was the sleeve length and shoulder width. I decided to try one suit (hem jacket, take in the sides and back, taper sleeves, hem pants, take in waist, taper pant legs) and a sport coat (take in sides and back and taper sleeves). My tailor seemed to be confident it was worth the investment, so I took the plunge. If it works out, i've got two more suits to work on. If not, i'll have to try to flip them. Fabric and construction seemed to be pretty decent quality, although I saw no recognizable fabric brand labels inside.
Of course, I didn't pay retail for these, so their value to me is all in the tailoring. I'll spend in tailoring about 1/4 to 1/3 what I would spend on my usual made to measure guy, but I think i'll end up with some great utility suits.
-James
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Think I have responded to other Tom James threads that for a company with little to no overhead, their prices are very high.
I was a TJ customer in my 40s and still have some of their suits and sports coats that I wear.
Good quality fabric, fit is true and they have held up well.
My problem was that each year the cost went up.
I was a TJ customer in my 40s and still have some of their suits and sports coats that I wear.
Good quality fabric, fit is true and they have held up well.
My problem was that each year the cost went up.
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I have 3 suits and an odd jacket I have had made by Tom James in the last 2 years, and I have been very pleased. I have seen their services panned on this and other sites, but my experience has been good. They offer an entry-level MTM suit for $595 (at least that's the price offered in Richmond, VA) and I have two of them. The fit and build quality are great. I also have a slightly higher-end suit from them made with a Holland and Sherry fabric ($795), which I am also very pleased with.
I don't particularly take their advice on what to order, as I already know what I want before I make the appointment with them, but they do a good job executing on what I ask for.
I say all this with the caveat that my rep is an older guy who clealry knows what he is doing with respect to measurements and adjustments. I don't really mind them trying to up-sell me. If I dont' want it, I just say no.
I don't have any experience with their really high-end offerings, but the stuff they have made is great and fits my budget.
I don't particularly take their advice on what to order, as I already know what I want before I make the appointment with them, but they do a good job executing on what I ask for.
I say all this with the caveat that my rep is an older guy who clealry knows what he is doing with respect to measurements and adjustments. I don't really mind them trying to up-sell me. If I dont' want it, I just say no.
I don't have any experience with their really high-end offerings, but the stuff they have made is great and fits my budget.
The knowledgeable TJ rep I mentioned earlier manages the Richmond office. Nice thing about Doug is that he walks the walk, always wearing what he sells, and seems well-versed in all manner of good style.
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Interesting. It sounds as if their strategy is similar to Astor & Black. I ran into an old college friend, who frankly knows nothing of sartorial matters, and he's taking a Tom James sales job in Chicago. It surprised me because he doesn't know anything about clothes and I would have guessed they already had a plethora of salesmen in Chicago.
I think there is a lot of inconsistency in the company's representatives. I would imagine that a style-illiterate, svelt, early 30's blonde TJ rep could outsell the smartest, most style-savvy male TJ salesman out there.
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I agree. I think would just flat-out refuse to deal with a rep who hadn't been with the company for at least a couple of years. Like any other sales organizations, many of their new people don't make it.
The good thing about my dealings with them has been that once they got my measurements right, it has made ordering additional garments a breeze. Just pick the swatch and pick the model of jacket, trousers, vest, etc. that you want.
The good thing about my dealings with them has been that once they got my measurements right, it has made ordering additional garments a breeze. Just pick the swatch and pick the model of jacket, trousers, vest, etc. that you want.
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I have noticed that a fair number of Astor & Black clothiers, as they call their local salesmen, are in fact ladies, who just happen to be rather attractive. Of course, this is a smart business strategy because most men cannot refuse the compliments and suggestions of a beautiful young lady. As a result, the ladies are probably the top salesmen even though they may lack actual knowledge of menswear beyond whgatever rudimentary training they may receive.
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Although they can of course be just as good at it as the men, right? And in fact may be top sellers due to simply being better at it.
I wouldn't trust a man more than a woman regarding menswear simply because he is a man. Anyone who applies themselves to learning something, can.
Seen and heard it all
After being in the direct business for over 20 years I don't think anything would be a surprise. I remember a rep in my office calling in one day and asking where they find the broadcloth suits in our line. What most retailers don't see is the direct business accounts for 350 to 400 million in sales every year and most I talk to are having a good 2012 so far. Just between TJ and A&B might get close to 200 million this year just in office and home sales. Also there are tons of single guys and gals that have formed small companies that do a good job, let alone all the Hong Kong hawkers across the country.
The entry level person is strapped with hitting the pavement after only a short training time, some cases only a few days. I hear slogans like "Master Clothiers" or "Tailors" in their titles and never have threaded a needle. Disgraceful at best..Still there never ceases to be a market and the buying public is just a bit less experienced than the salesperson. With that said if you know what a make consists of and buy a quality fabric like Scabal or Dormeuil or the high end Holland and Sherry from England then custom or MTM is a great way to buy clothing. Gas is pretty high these days.
Jmho for what it's worth..
After being in the direct business for over 20 years I don't think anything would be a surprise. I remember a rep in my office calling in one day and asking where they find the broadcloth suits in our line. What most retailers don't see is the direct business accounts for 350 to 400 million in sales every year and most I talk to are having a good 2012 so far. Just between TJ and A&B might get close to 200 million this year just in office and home sales. Also there are tons of single guys and gals that have formed small companies that do a good job, let alone all the Hong Kong hawkers across the country.
The entry level person is strapped with hitting the pavement after only a short training time, some cases only a few days. I hear slogans like "Master Clothiers" or "Tailors" in their titles and never have threaded a needle. Disgraceful at best..Still there never ceases to be a market and the buying public is just a bit less experienced than the salesperson. With that said if you know what a make consists of and buy a quality fabric like Scabal or Dormeuil or the high end Holland and Sherry from England then custom or MTM is a great way to buy clothing. Gas is pretty high these days.
Jmho for what it's worth..
Sure, but I'd rather have cute, busty, blonde Andrea measure my inseam than slightly pudgy, balding Andrew.
That's where it really comes into play.
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