Where to shop DC: Paul Stuart

When CityCenterDC opened up, I was excited to see all of the high-end stores that were making their presence known right in the center of town. I wanted to see the place that had many of the luxury stores abandoning Chevy Chase for this new shopping mecca. When I got there I was surprised to find Paul Stuart, a new entrant to the Washington area. I didn’t know much about the company and was surprised that it had such a large space (about 10,000 square feet).

Background

Paul Stuart opened its first store in 1938, on Madison Avenue in the heart of New York. In 2012 Mitsui & Co., Ltd. became the 100% owner. In addition to its flagship store in New York and its DC location, the company has two other locations in Chicago. While the company has a solid reputation for its classic suiting (the New York location has that classic Old World feel) Paul Stuart is known for pushing the envelope in terms of mixing patterns and bold colors in its look combinations. That’s what sets it apart from its competitors.

Picture by Anthony Bolognese

The CityCenterDC location, although not as big as the flagship location, is one of the larger stores in the shopping center. Open and airy, the store has a modern feel and carefully exploits the bold colors and patterns through out the store. Upon entering one can’t help but marvel at the reproduction of LeRoy Neiman’s Big Band from the Smithsonian’s jazz collection. What was once supposed to be a temporary installation now seems to be a permanent and well-placed fixture.

Why Shop at Paul Stuart

Although there has been a steady movement to business casual, there’s still a large group of Washington men that still don suits on a regular basis. Paul Stuart men tend to also gravitate towards Brooks Brothers and Ralph Lauren. Both have a DC store presence. Meaning, prior to opening in DC, fans of the brand headed to New York to get their Paul Stuart fix. The opening of the CityCenterDC spot meant that guys could shop right here in their own backyard. Interestingly, one of the DC store’s longtime associates, Harley White, has designed slacks that are now produced company-wide. This modern fit slack has been a hit for the company and is a great looking pant.

Photo by Anthony Bolognese

While classic tailoring has long been a mainstay, the company’s Phineas Cole line is a slightly more youthful and edgier extension of the company brand. The line features more contemporary silhouettes and bolder patterns. It was this collection that really caught my attention. And it’s this line that helps broadens the appeal of the Paul Stuart to a larger population of men.

One of the draws to Paul Stuart is their made to measure program. Suits can be customized to your needs using quality fabrics from millhouses such as Loro Piano and crafted by Samuelsohn with much of the work done by hand. This program results in premium tailored look that would have any suit aficionados drooling.

What’s new for this year is the company’s new Custom Lab made to measure program. Now, guys can get a made to measure suit using some of the same premium and exclusive fabrics as their original program. The difference is the suits are manufactured in China with somewhat less fitting options while still producing a fantastic suit. The turnaround time is 3 to 4 weeks. What’s even better is these tailored pieces start at a lower price point!

Photo by Anthony Bolognese

Photo by Anthony Bolognese

I recently had the opportunity to craft my own Custom Lab suit and it was a remarkable experience. Working with Evan Vockley, the process was pretty easy yet very thorough. I never felt that my experience was anything less than what I would have received from their regular program. In fact, I had so many options and choices, it almost made my head spin. From design to fabric and even tiny details like button choices, I really felt I was creating something spectacular. And true to their word, my suit was delivered in 3 weeks. Once it was in, there were some minor alterations but the suit pretty much fit as designed.

Photo by Anthony Bolognese

Conclusion

Paul Stuart has become quite the lifestyle brand. In addition to its premium suiting, it has an extensive line of sportswear, a new denimBar where you can customize your own jeans and even a women’s line. Recently, the company has upped its shoe game bring over a new shoe buyer from Ferragamo. It also partnered with Bric’s to carry luggage. Naturally, the brand’s suit quality is outstanding. Plus, the new Custom Lab is an excellent option for a made to measure suit.

Paul Stuart is located at 906 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20001. In addition, there is an outlet location at Clarksburg Premium Outlets located 30 miles north of Washington in Boyds, Maryland.