Wednesday, March 31, 2010

OUR BLOG HAS MOVED

We have a new blog! Please visit www.astorblack.wordpress.com to check it out. Sign up for our new blog and receive new posts. as well as exclusive offers via email.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Your friends at Astor & Black

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

A&B Blog 2.0!!!

Hey Astor & Black fans! Hope everyone is enjoying the start to their Spring! It is a great time to start fresh, and that is exactly what we have done with the blog. You can find our new blog at http://astorblack.wordpress.com. New content, new articles, new look! Be sure to become a follower so you can stay up to date with the latest from A&B!




Thursday, March 11, 2010

Leaning More Towards Custom



Today's population is leaning more towards custom clothing, but they may not have always had the budget to buy bespoke. In today's WWD, Brenner Thomas interviewed David Schottenstein and examined the value that Astor & Black brings to it's customers and how that has played a part in increasing the demand for bespoke and custom clothing at a competitive price. Not only that, but Brenner gives a sneak peak of the Astor & Black Visualizer. Check it out at http://www.wwd.com/menswear-news/from-savile-row-to-main-street-custom-suits-go-mass-2542505?browsets=1268346414067#/article/menswear-news/from-savile-row-to-main-street-custom-suits-go-mass-2542505?full=true. (You must have a subscription to WWD.com to access the full article or you can sign up for a free 7-day trial.)

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Esquire's Best Dressed Men at the Oscars


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Quinton Aaron has officially been named one of Esquire's Best Dressed men of the 2010 Oscars. Outfitted by Astor & Black's Aaron Benami, Quinton looked stellar on Sunday's red carpet in this 2-button, wide-peak lapel fully canvassed tuxedo complete with side vents, slanted pockets and a ticket pocket. At 6'10" and 350 lbs, Quinton looked like one lean football pro, or someone who plays a lean football pro on the big screen.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Sean Dunn in Vegas Magazine

Astor & Black's very own Sean Dunn was asked to do a Q&A with Jon Gray for Vegas Magazine. Gray, the vice president of brand and revenue development for the Palms Casino Resort, finds out from Sean how to bring the style and swag of "Old Vegas" back.

To view complete article visit Vegas Magazine Article

Monday, March 8, 2010

Astor & Black on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno


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Last night we watched the biggest award show of the year, as The Blind Side's Quinton Aaron towered over the red carpet looking dapper in his custom Astor & Black tuxedo. Tonight, we'll be tuning into The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as "Ross the Intern" joins Quinton at his tuxedo fitting with Astor & Black's LA clothier Aaron Benami. This was Quinton's first appearance at the Academy Awards, so not just any tuxedo would do.

If you saw the movie, you know that Quinton, who played Baltimore Ravens' offensive lineman Michael Oher, is definitely not small in stature. At 6'10" and 350 lbs, Quinton needed on the best in custom clothing. Aaron worked closely with Quinton's celebrity stylist, George Blodwell, to create the perfect 2-button, fully-canvassed, wide-peak lapel tuxedo completed with side vents, slanted pockets and a ticket pocket.

So be sure to tune into The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:30 ET/8:30 PT.

Quinton Aaron at the Oscars!

Astor & Black would like to congratulate Quinton for his outstanding performance in the "The Blind Side" (Oscar nominee for Best Motion Picture) and let him know he looked extremely dapper in his A&B suit on the red carpet. Even Esquire took notice and picked him as one of the best dressed men of the Oscars. Congrats again Q!

http://www.esquire.com/the-side/style-guides/2010-oscars-best-dressed

For more information on Astor & Black, or to schedule an appointment
please visit www.astorandblack.com or call 877.ASTOR.18

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

The Cloths of Summer...

There is little question that the best dressed men are in Italy. If you walk around the Italian piazzas, in and out of coffee shops, you will see impeccably dressed men who understand how to dress in different fabrics for summer.

Italian men seem to naturally understand how to take a "soft" linen jacket and coordinate with other textures more so than our American wrinkle-free culture. Think about this, the "no-iron" look is found in almost every outlet mall and discount clothing chain throughout the US. It is really a common and unsophisticated look that doesn't say much about one's fashion sensibility. It is fine if your job is to fix the office computer or copy machine for a living, but if you are running the company or aspire to do so, we can take a little lesson from our Italian friends.

The cloths of summer, such as linen, cotton, seersucker, silk, and my personal favorite, bamboo, should be embraced by your sartorial side and are certainly more sophisticated looking than a non-wrinkle shirt and pant combo.

Let's take linen for example. Italians wear 80% more linen than Americans because they understand it and know how to finish the look of a linen jacket with different pants and shirts to not only create an outfit that is stylish, but also cool and comfortable. Linen is made from the flax plant and is actually lighter than cotton. It draws moisture away from the body and is a welcome cloth of summer when the mercury and the humidity rises. The look of linen is best described as "soft" with all the crinkly wrinkles in the elbows. The trick is to dress in different textures, like the Italians. When wearing a coat made of linen, we recommend that you blend it with a shirt made of summer poplin and a pant made from a peached sueded cotton. This will give you the look of the "soft" linen with a natural looking, but well pressed, shirt and pant. Magnifico! Allow us to dress you for the summer and experience the Astor & Black difference. Our professional clothiers are available nationwide and come right to you in the convenience of your own home or office by appointment.


On the streets of Italy from "The Sartoralist"





Post written by Christian Boehm- President of Astor & Black
To schedule an appointment, please call
877.ASTOR.18
or visit
www.astorandblack.com

For career opportunities, please email
careers@astorandblack.com


Who is ready for a Spring Fling?

READY CHIC-Whether traveling to Europe this summer or spreading the panache in New York, these looks will keep you fashionable and sharp in the peacock of all seasons.
It is time to make the transition from heavy fabrics to something more lightweight like seersucker, cool wool, or linen.


Wedding Parade- Dapper made easy, just for you...





Time to Relax- Spring and summer are all about leisure and play, which is when it's even more important to look stylish and swank. Notice the ticket pocket and peak lapels. Notice the jeans. Notice the sex appeal (well, the ladies will) exuding from the combination of formal and casual.



Written by Jessica Peters, NYC.
To schedule an appointment with Jessica,
please call 917.698.3563
or email her at
jessica@astorandblack.com

For appointments with representatives in other locations,
please call 877.ASTOR.18
or visit www.astorandblack.com

Friday, February 26, 2010

Nobility by Astor & Black...

Astor & Black has announced the release of Nobility, the finest garment we have yet to produce. All garments are made in a separate tailoring facility, employing only master tailors with over 30 years of experience. Below is the latest ad in GQ featuring the introduction of Nobility. On the stands now, pick one up today!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Shawne Merriman- Rockin' the Plaid

We just can't get enough of this shot with Sean Merriman of the San Diego Chargers looking super-fly in this all plaid number.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

A&B Custom Velvet Loafers!

These handmade Italian loafers are crafted with luxurious velvet and stitched with the Astor & Black lion crest in our signature baby blue. They are made with a Super-Flex Sole and trimmed in silk grosgrain. Comfort and style, what more could you want?


Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Two-button or Three-button, that is the question...

Whether you have a twenty-suit rotation or you are purchasing a suit for the first time, the decision between two or three buttons is bound to arise. The answer depends on your lifestyle, body shape, and how trendy or traditional you want to be. To ensure you are purchasing the perfect suit for your body and current wardrobe needs, Astor & Black has broken down the who, what, when, and where of both types. By following our simple guidelines, you are sure to pick the suit that is best for you.


The Three-button Suit


The three-button suit gives you a longer, leaner look because the buttons on the jacket reach higher up on the chest, making it comfortable and visually appealing. This style looks best on gentlemen that are 5'8" or taller.

How to wear it: Most three-button suits are cut with a lapel that rolls to the top button. This enables you to fasten the top two buttons for a modern look. If your taste level leans towards the traditional side, close only the middle button for an elegant look. Whatever you do, never close the bottom button; doing so will distort the drape of the fabric and is considered a fashion faux pas.

When/where: Three-button suits are a good alternative to two-button suits for office wear. They are stylish and will give you a vigorous look. Additionally, they are great for dressing down. A good black or dark charcoal in a solid or textured solid, such as a herringbone or tic weave, can do so many great things for your wardrobe. We consider it a must have!

A&B's Pick- A three-button charcoal gray suit cut with roped shoulders for a strong presence; side vents, lapel rolled to the top button, but only fastening the middle button with a thin 2 3/4" notch lapel
.




The Two-button Suit





The two-button suit is the universal standard because of its enduring, classic appeal and the ability to complement any build. If you have a short torso, two-button suits are the best way to go.

An impeccably tailored two-button is timeless and will be your best bet to beat the inevitable style clock. You'll want to replace it every five years to make sure you look stays current. Button placement, lapel widths, and shoulder expressions change over time and will date your suit.

How to wear it: Only the top button is fastened when dawning this cut. That's it! There's nothing more, nothing less.

When/where: Two-button suits are all about business. They are best to wear at the office with a dress shirt and tie, and will always give you a professional, smart, and confident look.

A&B's pick- A two-button medium grey sharkskin suit cut with a peak lapel, higher button placement, and side vents.




Have a sartorial comment or question? Please visit our website www.astorandblack.com

Friday, February 12, 2010

Super Bowl Festivities!

A&B made the rounds down in Miami this past week-end to hit up some of the hottest Super Bowl hot spots and then scooted over to Dallas for the NBA All-Star Game. Check the entire album on our Facebook page!




And now some looks by our favorite Italian Stallion, Gai Gohari......















Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Super Bowl Super-stud

Check out Dallas Clark looking amazing in his A&B suits!


Monday, February 8, 2010

Moves Magazine Spread

Astor and Black styled 3 of the hottest athletes around for an article in Moves Magazine. New Orleans Saints players and 2010 Super Bowl Champs Marques Colston, Pierre Thomas, and Will Smith rocked their A&B and showed everyone how smooth they really are.