Client Spotlight

At Savile Row, we have an extraordinary group of clients. Recently one of our clients, Steve Wedel, founding partner of Four Seasons Wealth Management, showed off his Savile Row style in a royal way and sat down with Wendy to discuss fashion, finances and much more!

Q: Are you a native of St. Louis?

A: No, I was actually born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa.

Q: Since you are not from St. Louis I can’t ask you the ever present question about where you went to high school, but where did you attend college?

A: I did my undergrad at Drake University in Des Moines. After receiving my degree I continued my education in finance at the University of Iowa. I was hired by a firm in St. Louis while on campus and that is what brought me here originally. 

Q: Once in St. Louis, where did your professional career take you?

A: Well I stayed in St. Louis with the firm that hired me out of college for three years, after those three years I went out on my own. In 2003, I became the founding partner of the Four Seasons Wealth Management.

Q: Would you mind telling me a little about Four Seasons?

A: Technically we are a complex and comprehensive fee-based financial planner. What we do is help people reduce taxes, assist in estate planning and help people retire. I like to focus on making sure my clients get to live the life they have dreamed of after working. 

Q: In your professional life, what are you most proud of?

A: There are several things to start with; there are two types of financial planners: ones that work for a firm and ones that work for a client. I am proud of the fact that I work for the client. Another thing I am proud of is the awards I received from Barron’s magazine.  Three years in a row I was named one of the Top 1000 Financial Planners of the Year for 2009, 10 & 11. As well as being named the Top Financial Advisor in Missouri. The last thing I am proud of is finding the very best clothing advisor.  (Thanks Steve, I’m blushing)

Q: Would you share with us a little about your family?

A: Sure. I am married to Lynn and we live in Town and Country. We also work together. Lynn handles the company’s finances and employee benefits. Aside from that she has impeccable taste and a great sense of style when it comes to designing and decorating our home and offices. 

We have two daughters; our oldest Lisa graduated from Vanderbilt University and works in the marketing department for Build-A-Bear International. Our youngest daughter Megan just recently graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in architecture and is on the job hunt journey with some very promising prospects. 

Q: Favorite hobbies or past times?

A: (Laughs) Well after our crazy work life I love to race cars, specifically high performance Dodge Vipers on road courses throughout the US in the summer. I also love to collect American muscle cars from the late sixties and early seventies, especially Dodges and Plymouths. Lately it has been Ferraris. 

Q: Do you and Lynn have a favorite vacation?

A: I think our favorite repeat vacation destination would be Maui followed very closely by a London/Paris combo; we like staying in one and taking the Chunnel to the other.

Q: Recently you were featured in Town & Style for a party you threw. Would you tell me how you came up with the idea and why?

A: We really enjoy entertaining friends and neighbors and we like to be creative when it comes to throwing parties. Earlier this year before all the hoopla started we thought it would be a fun concept to throw the US reception for Princess Katherine and Prince William so it spun forward into everything that is British.   Click the following link to see photos of Steve and Lynn's  Royal Party, skip to page 22-23. http://www.townandstyle.net/june1/

Q: Ideas on fashion?

A: I have two observations. In business life, suit and tie every day. I like to mix it up with the ties a little. Conservative suit and shirt but have a little fun with the tie. I do believe it is a special treat to wear custom suits and shirts. Socially, though, I like to change it up to a more fun style with colors and patterns. 

Savile Row and Wendy would like to thank Steve for taking the time to sit down and share a bit about his life. We always enjoy getting to know our clients better and we look forward to many more interviews in the future!

Q&A: How Do I Become a Travel-Savvy Dresser?

A: Whether it be for a business trip, a wedding, or even a family vacation, there will come a time when your finer clothing needs to take a trip. Take the time to pack smart and avoid wrinkled, worn-looking attire not to mention hours of steaming and ironing upon arriving at your destination. 

Choose the Proper Luggage

Soft luggage affords more flexibility and contains extra compartments, allowing room for more items. Additionally, soft luggage is usually less cumbersome to transport (but make sure it’s waterproof!). 

Hard luggage, however, is much sturdier and provides ample protection from traveling dangers, such as rough baggage handling and the elements. It’s usually stain-resistant and the better choice if you’re traveling with anything fragile.

Think Before You Pack

To avoid over packing, make a list of everything you’ll need. Take weather conditions, length of your trip, and planned activities into consideration. It’s good to be prepared, but even the most skilled packer can’t cram half his wardrobe into a carry-on suitcase.

1. Begin with the heavier items, such as sweaters, athletic attire, and jeans. These items are bulkier and less prone to wrinkles, thus can better withstand being placed on the bottom.

2. Invest in travel trees and cloth bags for your shoes. These items will keep your shoes intact and prevent scuffing. Arrange with the soles out around the edge of your suitcase.

Travel tip: Take advantage of soft accessories like socks and handkerchiefs to pad the rest of your items.

Next come the dress shirts. Roll them from the bottom to the top.  Place tissue paper behind the shirt before rolling it to prevent wrinkles.  Alternate the top of each shirt at either end of the suitcase.

When packing dress pants and trousers, make sure the pleats are aligned before rolling them at the knee to prevent wrinkling. 

5. Jackets are last to be packed and can either be turned inside out and folded lengthwise or folded above the waist, depending on the size of your luggage. 

Travel tip #2: Buy a small can of aerosol to loosen wrinkles upon unpacking. They cut down static and keep shirts looking fresh.

Travel Tip #3: Put all liquids in ziplock bags.

Owner Spotlight: David Shockley

David Shockley sits down to discuss the Savile Row approach and what makes custom-made garments so special. 

Q: What is the Wardrobe Management Solution? 

A: I developed this process while working with hundreds of successful people during the past 25 years. We help them assess their current wardrobe--choosing the clothes to keep and which to discard. We help them develop a vision of an ideal wardrobe--for both business and casual situations. Then we look at different wardrobe options and choose the most appropriate clothing and accessories. Finally, we develop a long term wardrobe management plan. By following this process, our customers develop a wardrobe which makes them feel increasingly more confident and comfortable.

After this process is completed, our client will have a wardrobe that fits well, and includes clothing appropriate for any situation. You will be more certain you look your best at all times. You’ll feel more significant and successful, most importantly; your increased confidence about your wardrobe will help you become even more successful in your life.

Q: You feel that a man’s appearance is really that critical to his success?

A: You bet it is. As we all know, there are many elements of success. Most are difficult to control like talent, timing attitude, motivation—luck.  Only one - our appearance - counts at first sight. 

Q: How does Savile Row differ from traditional men’s clothing stores?

A: (Chuckle) First, it’s not a typical retail store atmosphere. It’s a tastefully appointed showroom where a client may select fabrics and be fitted for garments in quiet comfort. Secondly, as wardrobe consultants we are able to advise the client on proper styles appropriate for his particular body size, profession and lifestyle.

One of the truly exceptional qualities of custom clothing is that they fit the individual perfectly. No one person is exactly the same as another. That is where the custom comes in.  When you wear your custom shirt, suit or sportcoat it will fit you better than any clothing you could buy off the rack. 

Q: How long does it take for a typical fitting?

A: On the first visit, it might take 30 minutes to an hour. Subsequent visits can take much less time, because we have in hand all of the persons fitting specifications.  Choose a fabric and go.  Create a wish list and an order could be placed either over the phone or by email.   In fact, if a spouse wants to order a custom garment as a special present, he or she could literally do so by phone--as long as our client has had that first fitting. 

Q: Do you have only custom clothing and custom shirts?

A: No, I am glad to say that we have a terrific collection of sportswear, furnishings and accessories that consists of silk neckwear, cashmere sweaters, outerwear, rainwear and a complete line of dress and casual shoes, as well as ready-to-wear line of suits, blazers and slacks.

Q: Can you tell us about your pricing structure?

A: Well, we feel we must offer a wide range of pricing. We want to be competitive with the traditional, off-the-rack stores. And I think you will see that we are--this is to appeal to everyone from the junior executive right up the ladder to the CEO.

Our custom shirts start at $100 and a custom made suit may run $700 and up depending on the fabric and the amount of hand work a client may choose. Surprisingly, custom needn’t cost you any more than comparable ready-to-wear clothing, and if I might add, you don’t end up with a closet full of compromises you don’t wear. 

For more information call (314) 567-8500 or visit www.savilerowstl.com.

Welcome to the Savile Row Client Spotlight

Dr. Matt Matava has been a valued client and friend of Savile Row for many years and has graciously agreed to take a moment and talk with David in our first client spotlight.

Q: As a native of St. Louis, the inevitable question has to be answered, where did you go to high school?  
A: (Laugh) I attended St. Charles High School.

Q: After high school where did you go to college?  
A: I went to University of Missouri at Kansas City for my under grad and my graduate degrees.  I moved to Atlanta and did my post grad as well as my residency at Emory University. Before coming back to St. Louis I did also did a fellowship In Cincinnati at the Cincinnati Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center. 

Q: Since returning to St. Louis you have been busy.  You are an Associate Professor for several departments, Co-Chief of Sports Medicine and Fellowship Director of Sports Medicine Fellowship Training Program all at Washington University as well as a practicing Orthopedic Physician.  We know there is still more?  
A: I am also the Head Physician for the St. Louis Rams for the last 11 years and for the St. Louis Blues for the past 14 years.

Q: Wow you are busy, so outside of work what are a couple of your favorite past times?  
A: I enjoy cooking and we joined Meadowbrook County Club where I am learning the game of golf.

Q: That is a diverse couple of hobbies.  When you are not cooking where do you enjoy going out to eat?  
A: A couple of my favorites are Monarch Restaurant on Manchester and Niche Restaurant on Sidney.  

All of us at Savile Row wish to thank Dr. Matava for his time and thank him for being a great representative of The Savile Row Style. So the next time you see a tall good looking guy running out on the football field in a Rams shirt and khakis to assist an injured player, you know who that doctor is.  (We have heard that the players think he is the best-dressed doctor that they know.)

3 Ways to Pants

We at Savile Row take pride in our ability to satisfy any customer. For some this means providing a hassle-free, top quality garment on the spot, for others a minor cuff adjustment and for some a one-of-a-kind piece hand-made from scratch. We offer top-of-the-line service in each of the following areas: 

Ready-wear

Just because a garment is not custom made doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice fashion or comfort. Savile Row carries a wide variety of ready-made pants and shorts available for immediate purchase. These exquisite garments come in an array of fabrics and range from casual to dress to fit any occasion.  Anything that we don’t have in store can be ordered and tailored for the perfect fit. Whether you’re in a last minute rush or are working with a budget, you should be just as happy in your ready-wear garments as you are in your custom made clothing...and now you can be. 

Semi-custom

Semi-custom combines the economical ease of ready-wear clothing and the close attention to detail of a full custom garment. If you have trouble fitting into ready-made and your trousers just need a bit of tweaking, semi-custom is the way to go.  Whether flat front or pleats, cuffs or no cuffs we can adjust your garment quickly to fit any specifications. Choose from dozens of fabrics and benefit from the highest quality tailoring without breaking the bank. 

Full custom made

Full custom garments are the creme de la creme and Savile Row is the well-respected authority. We know it can be difficult to find the perfect fit, but each custom made garment is designed with only you in mind. You choose the color, the fabric, the style and we’ll take care of the rest. Savile Row uses the most sophisticated measuring techniques and the finest materials to make each garment 100% unique and 100% chic. Each custom garment is a hand-made, one-of-a-kind masterpiece held up to the highest standards and treated with the utmost care. No detail is overlooked and no considerations are spared. Custom made is our specialty for a reason. 

Q & A: Cleaning Custom Made Garments

Q:  Should I launder my new custom shirts before I wear them?

A:   Yes. Your new custom shirts, if cared for by the instructions sewn on the shirt tail, will last longer and perform to the high standards by which they were made.  All natural fibers will shrink to some degree and that shrinkage allowance is built into each shirt.  

Please allow 3-5 launderings for shirts to shrink to the size ordered.

Q: How often should I dry clean my new suits/sportcoats?

A: Contrary to popular belief, the only reason to ever dry clean your tailored clothing is if you have dirt or food stains on the garments that won’t come out with a little water and brushing. Dry cleaning chemicals are very harsh and can cause damage by stripping the fibers of their natural oils and luster.  

We can help prolong the life of your garment by providing a safe and effective alternative to dry cleaning. We advise our customers to bring their wrinkled suits, sportcoats and trousers into Savile Row where we will freshen them up with pressing and spot cleaning when necessary. 

Kick the Dirt Off

Let’s face it, St. Louis is a baseball town. In the Gateway City, we bleed red so show your Cardinal spirit this season with a pair of Sandlot moccasin shoes by Allen Edmonds. 

Strut your stuff at Busch Stadium in these one-of-a-kind distressed leather shoes. Notice the exquisite detail on the red baseball stitched seam and tonal team logo on the outside of the shoe. 

Special order Cardinals accessories start at $25.00 and include a variety of branded cedar products, cufflinks and ties.  Allen Edmonds offers official MLB merchandise for many other baseball teams as well.

Making the Most of Casual Wear

At Savile Row, a ‘casual’ shirt is often anything but. In addition to receiving a custom fit and excellent tailoring, our customers have the ability to transform the each shirt into a work of art. 

By contrasting and combining a wide variety of stripes and patterns, you finish with a one-of-a-kind style that caters to you. For a classic look, choose coordinating colors for the inner cuffs and collar. And for a bold style select a contrasting pattern that will make your look stand out. 

Our casual wear can also double for the office; simply button up the cuffs and slip on a tie at work for a more formal statement and after hours loosen the collar and roll up the sleeves for a whole new look with the same garment. 

The goal of casual wear is comfort, but who says comfort can’t be fashionable? At Savile Row we can help you build a shirt that’s unique, sophisticated and stylish, not to mention looks and feels great on. 

Dressed to a Tee

Now that Spring has officially sprung, it’s time to pull out the golf clubs and hit the greens.  For those of you digging out those worn khakis or trying to fit into last year’s threads, we’re hear to help. 

In addition to constructing exquisite, well-fitting suits, Savile Row can also custom build your casual wardrobe as well, starting with made-to-order, sophisticated golf pants and shorts for the new season. Unlike the traditional golf wear boutiques, Savile Row offers hundreds of different fabrics in a variety of colors, patterns, textures and styles. 

From flexible cottons and breathable tropical weight wool to athletic microfiber, we’ve got you covered in both comfort and style. We even carry the fabric Nike developed for Tiger Woods’ golf pants! (How’s that for a recommendation?)

Don’t settle for the last pair on the rack because they’re your size, and don’t accept your favorite style in anything less than the perfect fit. At Savile Row we can give you the best of both worlds; it’s easy for us to guarantee satisfaction because we’re helping you build the perfect garment from scratch. 

Savile Row: the fabric you want, the style you love and the fit you need.

Buy 3 or more pairs and receive 20% off your order!

Dressing for the Weather: Spring Fabrics

Apart from blooming flowers and open windows, one of the most noticeable changes during the spring season is your wardrobe. Topcoats, scarves and gloves become sunglasses and cool lightweight fabrics. With the arrival of warmer weather comes a handful of fabrics designed to keep you feeling cool, fresh and fashionable. 

Rivoli Linen- This airy, breathable fabric is wrinkle resistant. Linen is blended with tropical lightweight wool.  It looks and breaths like linen but you retain that crisp look throughout the day and into the evening.

100% Linen- This classic, comfortable fabric is light and airy making it perfect for warm weather. It’s good for all occasions and can be kept casual or dressed up with a pocket square and necktie.

Blends- You can get the benefits of linen, silk, cotton and tropical weight wool with a versatile blend of these lightweight, spring-friendly fabrics.

Seersuckers and madras plaids-These fabrics are made with cotton and hang away from the skin, providing a cooling effect with air circulation while offering style in a variety of colors and patterns. 

Get this season’s signature look: Skip the flat chocolate brown or the quintessential tan suit and pair a french blue or lavender dress shirt with a light, tobacco shade for a striking and stylish look that’s perfect for spring.

Spring Fashion Tip #1: An affordable way to add vibrance and color to your suits and sportcoats is to add a boldly colored or patterned pocket square.

Tip #2: A year in the closet can take a toll on even the most well-made clothes. Take an inventory of your warm weather wardrobe and if you’re missing a button or two or just happened to lose or gain a few pounds come in and see our master tailor. He can give you back the perfect fit. Bring in your favorites now so you’ll be prepared before the warm weather rush. 

Whether your suits need sprucing up or you’re looking to add new attire, Savile Row can accommodate all your needs for the spring season.  

Employee Spotlight: Mandy Boncek

Mandy is the friendly face that greets most Savile Row customers. A St. Louis native, she graduated from Lindenwood University in 2008 with a degree in Fashion Design. She started at Savile Row as an intern in May of 2007 and went on to become operations manager within a year. As the business end of Savile Row, she processes orders, handles shipping and receiving and personally assists with each sale. She is an integral part of our company. 

In her free time, Mandy enjoys spending time with her dogs “Bulle” and “Daisy” and planning her upcoming wedding on May 28. Congrats!

Q & A: How can I maintain my clothing at home?

A: It is important to note that fine fabrics need to be handled with care to preserve their integrity. Simplify wardrobe maintenance and get years of enjoyment out of your fine clothing with these simple tricks that you can employ to keep your clothes looking fresh and save on trips to the cleaners. 

1. A simple wooden hanger with formed shoulders, that properly fits the shoulder proportion, can preserve a suit jacket while wooden pinchers are best for trousers.   If you do not have pinchers draping is fine too.

2. A natural bristle brush and tape rollers can be used in all directions on clothes without nap, while a "go with the grain" approach should be taken on clothes with a napped surface, such as flannel, to remove most dust, pet hair and dried stains. 

3. A little steam can go a long way if your suits, trousers or sportsjackets are slightly wrinkled.

4. If you spill an oily substance on your clothing, don't immediately go for the club soda, as this will usually worsen the problem and can destroy the finish of a fabric. Instead, blot, do not rub, with a white paper towel or clean white cloth and take to the cleaners as promptly as possible.  This also goes for heavy perspiration.

5. Don't over clean. Dry cleaning is a chemical process and should be used only on the toughest stains, whereas spot cleaning and pressing is sufficient for most everyday wear. 

Savile Row offers convenient spot cleaning and pressing services with a quick turn around time.  

Suits $10.95, Trousers $4.95, Coats $8.95

Staying Fashionably Dry with Sanyo

Some men may view purchasing a coat as a chore, a necessity rather than an opportunity. You may think it needn’t be the most stylish piece in your wardrobe, or even shrug it off when you get a little wet. Where one would never settle for an umbrella with a hole or an ill-fitting tux, mediocre rainwear should be just as unacceptable.

At Savile Row, we think that although it may not be for a “special occasion,” you deserve to feel just as good in your rainwear as you do in your formalwear. And not to mention your outerwear does a lot more work. 

Sanyo has taken the guesswork out of selecting rainwear by providing both superior function and classic form. All the benefits of heavy duty outerwear with the crafted sophistication of a custom-made garment, also known as “the coat that does it all.”  Life is a downpour of business meetings, social events, travel engagements and everyday hassles. That’s why Sanyo makes coats with men in mind. Not a lot of muss or fuss, just something sleek, sophisticated and durable that makes a confident statement. 

Sanyo offers all the added protection and benefits without the added bulk with BREATH THERMO, a revolutionary thermal insulation that absorbs moisture and provides body warming technologies to keep you stable when the weather isn’t. Add to that lightweight synthetic interlining that protects against the wind, removable liner for added comfort and a slew of other benefits including a multi-function pocket system, durable under seams and a button stay. 

A coat is just a coat, but a good coat is an investment. The wet look is out this year, so don’t get caught in the rain without Sanyo.

Prices begin at $295 and range up to $495.