Interviews
Custom suit retailer Tom James celebrating 45th year
18 Oct '11
5 min read
Staggs asked him why. “I lost my largest account,” he replied.
“I asked them why they switched vendors and they told me, 'These other guys called on us. They came in looking sharp, their pencils were sharp… and every time we see you, you look like you're headed to the golf course.'”
Staggs says there still might be places in California where they bring their dogs to work, but suits are still the preferred mode of dress for most of her customers. She just sold 47, $1000 custom suits to employees of one of her clients. They earned them in a contest.
Up the road in Newport Beach, Orvey Hampton's client watches out his Fashion Island office at the lunch traffic going back and forth between the mall and office buildings. “The other day I counted 12 people and 10 of them were in suits. It's also happening here, in Orange County. “
He says a suit is his choice because “When I'm wearing a suit, there's no question who the boss is. When you're dressing with the crowd, are you fitting in or reflecting your position? With a suit on, you send a message.”
Paul Aldo, Ph. D., a customer of Tom James clothier April Johnson makes his living coaching professionals on Executive Presence. “There are all kinds of studies that say that appearance affects success.
“People take what they see, and they fill in the rest.”
Tom James founder, Hays, says “It shouldn't be this way, but people do judge us by our appearance.”
Aldo's book, Understanding Executive Presence, due out in November, recommends professionals should 'dress to the next level.' “It's just one more way to suggest that you'll fit in.”
Hays added, “Our appearance should denote strength and stability, someone people can put their confidence in.”
According to Browne, projecting confidence and competence are more important in this economy. “Companies have down sized. Businesses are more competitive.
“If there ever was a time to invest in value. It's now.”
Miller continues to channel his mother's wisdom. “I've started 6 companies and invested $2 million of my own money in them,” he said, “But the best investment I've ever made is that first $1000 Tom James suit.”
Hays banks on the power of dressing professionally. “We want you to be able to walk down the street and people turn and say, 'there goes one of the brightest, smartest, most talented people in our city.'
“Then we'll know we've had some small part in your success.”
Tom James is the world's largest custom men's suit manufacturer and retailer. It operates 103 offices in 36 US states and 5 countries, internationally. It owns and operates 3 woolen mills, 8 factories and is proud to say over 70% of its products are made in the USA.
“I asked them why they switched vendors and they told me, 'These other guys called on us. They came in looking sharp, their pencils were sharp… and every time we see you, you look like you're headed to the golf course.'”
Staggs says there still might be places in California where they bring their dogs to work, but suits are still the preferred mode of dress for most of her customers. She just sold 47, $1000 custom suits to employees of one of her clients. They earned them in a contest.
Up the road in Newport Beach, Orvey Hampton's client watches out his Fashion Island office at the lunch traffic going back and forth between the mall and office buildings. “The other day I counted 12 people and 10 of them were in suits. It's also happening here, in Orange County. “
He says a suit is his choice because “When I'm wearing a suit, there's no question who the boss is. When you're dressing with the crowd, are you fitting in or reflecting your position? With a suit on, you send a message.”
Paul Aldo, Ph. D., a customer of Tom James clothier April Johnson makes his living coaching professionals on Executive Presence. “There are all kinds of studies that say that appearance affects success.
“People take what they see, and they fill in the rest.”
Tom James founder, Hays, says “It shouldn't be this way, but people do judge us by our appearance.”
Aldo's book, Understanding Executive Presence, due out in November, recommends professionals should 'dress to the next level.' “It's just one more way to suggest that you'll fit in.”
Hays added, “Our appearance should denote strength and stability, someone people can put their confidence in.”
According to Browne, projecting confidence and competence are more important in this economy. “Companies have down sized. Businesses are more competitive.
“If there ever was a time to invest in value. It's now.”
Miller continues to channel his mother's wisdom. “I've started 6 companies and invested $2 million of my own money in them,” he said, “But the best investment I've ever made is that first $1000 Tom James suit.”
Hays banks on the power of dressing professionally. “We want you to be able to walk down the street and people turn and say, 'there goes one of the brightest, smartest, most talented people in our city.'
“Then we'll know we've had some small part in your success.”
Tom James is the world's largest custom men's suit manufacturer and retailer. It operates 103 offices in 36 US states and 5 countries, internationally. It owns and operates 3 woolen mills, 8 factories and is proud to say over 70% of its products are made in the USA.
Tom James Company
Popular News
Leave your Comments
Editor’s Pick
Esteemed Clients
-Ltd..jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Thermore (Far East) Ltd.")
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TSllC Ltd)")
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF)")
