From Flock to Fabric: The Story of American Wool Farmers 🐑
American wool farmers play a crucial role in preserving both the land and the craft of producing one of nature's most versatile fibers. Scattered across the country from rolling hills in the Midwest to rugged ranches out West, these farmers shepherd sheep that contribute not just to fashion, but to sustainability.
The Jolly Journey of the Santa Suit 🎅✨
The iconic red-and-white Santa suit is as timeless as holiday cheer itself, but its history is a colorful patchwork of tradition, pop culture, and clever marketing.
The Black Tie Rulebook: A Sophisticated Yet Playful Guide to Formal Elegance
Black Tie should not signal a chance to “get away with” that dark suit you have hanging. A Black-Tie event is an opportunity to shine, use it. Here are some engaging rules to use.
The Flannel Shirt: A History as Warm and Rugged as the Fabric Itself
The American flannel shirt is more than just a piece of clothing; it’s a cultural icon. It’s worked hard, rocked hard, and stayed soft. Whether you’re chopping wood, jamming out, or just trying to stay warm, the flannel shirt proves that some styles never go out of fashion—they just get cozier with time.
Small Business Saturday
This Small Business Saturday, step away from the faceless giants and into the warm, quirky embrace of your local shops. Spend your dollars where they matter, support dreams instead of dividends, and give your neighborhood the love it deserves. After all, you can’t spell community without U. Well, you technically can, but you get the point.
New Haven, Tailored
New Haven's long history with tailoring is marked by pioneering establishments, contributions to iconic fashion styles, and a sustained commitment to quality craftsmanship. This legacy continues to shape the city's cultural and economic landscape.
Presidential Fashion in America: From Colonial Coats to Tailored Suits
Presidential fashion has come a long way since George Washington donned his stately, colonial ensembles. In fact, the attire of American presidents provides a fascinating reflection of the nation's changing values, tastes, and social norms. Over the centuries, presidents have alternated between formality and approachability, with each era’s styles saying as much about the country's evolving identity as about the personal tastes of its leaders.
Suit Up: The $400 vs. $4000 Showdown
Let’s face it—when it comes to suits, the range of prices can be dizzying. You walk into one store and snag a suit for $400, and in the next, you’re told it’s $4,000 to even consider looking dapper. What gives?
A Stitch in Trade: Section 304 of the Tariff Act of 1930 & The Substantial Transformation Rule in Apparel Manufacturing
A product begin its life life in one country, say a sweat shop in Bangladesh, and flown to Italy where it legally get a “Made in Italy” tag.
Connecticut’s “Thread City”
From its rise as a global thread powerhouse to its frog-filled folklore, Willimantic's "Thread City" story is one of innovation, quirky charm, and lasting legacy in the heart of Connecticut.
How to Tell Your Story with Style
Shopping is just that, shopping. Which is a nightmare. Let's focus on telling a story, whittle down the players, hone your skills, and spend less time shopping and more time being you.
Bespoke Clothing for Women
Oh you make clothing for women? Why yes, yes we do! Let's highlight some of the garment we have made over the years.
Clothing in New England: From Sheep to Street Style
Long before fast fashion, New England had slow sheep. Yes, sheep—those woolly wonders were the OG influencers of New England style.
Crafting Change: Clothing Made in America
Beyond the craft, there’s a deeper significance to supporting American-made clothing. Choosing these pieces means backing local industries and sustaining communities. When you wear American-made clothing, you aren’t just making a fashion statement—you’re making an economic one.
The Fabric of America
On The Fabric of America podcast, join Matthew Banever of Bards Clothing and Melissa Lynn Oddo of deMelis Atelier, as they shine a light on the fashion industry, small businesses and the threads that bind us together.
Custom Tailor & Designer Association, NY 2024
The Custom Tailor & Designer Association is the longest running Trade Association in the country, come with me on my trip to New York.
Custom Wedding Outfit: 5 Things to know
How to prepare yourself for your wedding with custom clothing.
Checking In
The status of Bards as we slide into the second half of the year.
Do I Have To Dry Clean It?
Dry Cleaning was as difficult as putting gas in your car. Now it’s on the same level as getting an oil change, most people don’t understand the process, we outsource completely, and maybe just maybe, some of us ignore it completely and hope the blinking light just goes away overtime. Lets talk about it….
Wedding Attire
How to find the right look for your wedding day! Here are some of the most popular options.