Astor & Black has become a well-recognized name amongst fashion experts and well-dressed men alike over the course of the past few years, emerging with great market strength as well as a sizeable swatch portfolio that has attracted a very diverse clientele.
Quality Materials, Workmanship, at Just the Right Price
Astor & Black has an excellent reputation for quality, especially given their attractive pricing (fully-optioned handmade suits begin at about $500) that does not disappoint.
For the price of a designer label off-the-rack suit (or in many cases substantially less), Astor & Black provides a fully-canvassed garment complete with surgeon's cuffs (working buttonholes – a rarity if not an impossibility amongst storebought suits) as well as handpicked stitching and silk linings provided by the Bemberg Lining Co.
While suits are of course a mainstay amongst handmade clothiers such as Astor & Black, their range of handmade dress shirts and neckties has also made an impression in the fashion world. Priced competetively against storebought designer labels at Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom's, these custom garments are substantially more personal and stylized.
Trim, slim, cosmopolitan ties that bespeak a professional image are blended with European flair and bold patterns that draw the right kind of attention. Paisley is juxtaposed against vibrant power stripes, geometric patterns diverge in new and unexpected angles of visual attack. The design aesthetic of the Astor & Black collection gestures towards sophistication paired with a youthful, effusive energy.
Superbly tapered shirts that fit like a glove exhibit tailoring prowess that is impossible to achieve in mass-produced goods are de rigeur at Astor & Black – whether one prefers sleek and trendy tonal striped shirts or more conservative and classic tops.
Youthful, Modern Design Influence with Classical Mystique
David Schottenstein and company have done an excellent job in providing such a variety of well-chosen fabric swatches and materials to interested consumers – a growing segment of men who are taking great enthusiasm in owning a suit of clothes or a well-crafted shirt made specifically for them.
Base fabrics trend towards a stylish, urbane quality that will certainly appeal to both businessmen and those looking for an unmistakable statement at an after-hours nightclub – the design influence appearing approachable, aesthetically striking, and yet collected and sharp enough to be worn in nearly every circumstance.
Perhaps one of the most unexpected things about Astor & Black's line of custom made suits is the pocket square placed discreetly in the breast pocket – large enough to be tugged out at a moments notice and yet compact enough to be placed back within the pocket when deemed unnecessary. This silk pocketsquare matches the particular Bemberg lining of the suit jacket or sport coat in question, adding that extra sartorial edge to an already sharp image.
Gentlemen looking for an exceptionally well crafted handmade suit, shirt, or necktie would do well to consider Astor & Black when planning their next wardrobe renaissance. Quality of this calibre is hard to find at such an appealing price point.
Other Articles Pertaining to Men's Fashion and Lifestyle by Nicholas Morine
Readers interested in Astor & Black might like to check out an interview with David Schottenstein, founder of the label. Men looking for some style basics might like to read up on how to dress smart casual, or perhaps how to tie a necktie.
Nicholas Morine - Nicholas Morine Bachelor of Arts, English Language & Literature Master of Philosophy, Humanities (Candidate) Memorial University ...
