Style Profile: Where to Buy Your Custom Suits in RVA
Who: Benjamin Barbour
I see Mr. Barbour sometime around once a month and every other month it seems. He is an active member in a professional group I belong to called the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Ben works with most of the great charities and nonprofits in Richmond with the Better Business Bureau. This gentleman is never not put together from head to toe in some of the finest clothing I have ever seen.
Where: November 17 was the Central VA AFP National Philanthropy Day. It was a gathering of hundreds of local nonprofits leaders, fundraisers and other smart, sassy, trend setting do gooders. Some of the glasses I posted about were from this event.
Benjamin Says:
“Being nicely-dressed is something that can demonstrate professionalism and respect for those around you. Aside from that, it’s fun. Many men dread having to put on a coat and, heaven forbid, a tie – but I enjoy it! … I cannot remember not having a blue blazer and suits in the closet; in my first grade school picture, I have on a three-pieced suit. Clothes have always been something I’ve enjoyed from a very early age, and it’s one of the ways in which I express myself.”
Go on, Shakespeare.
Suit, Commonwealth Clothiers
His eloquent description of the company: “An independent, local business offering made-to-measure and bespoke clothing for men as well as ladies.”
“Aside from being one of my favorites, I thought the dove grey suit would complement the tie. The blue and yellow stood out against that neutral background. I needed a lace-up with the double-breasted suit, and those ‘British tan’ cap toe wingtips were an obvious choice.”
Bowtie, Gift
“The tie belonged to a very close friend of my family. He passed away when I was in college, and his widow gave me several of his bow ties.”
“I often pick a tie and ‘dress around’ it. I chose the tie because it was in AFP’s colors – blue & yellow.”
“There are well over 100 bow ties in my closet and plenty of long ties (I really have no clue how many altogether). I have so much fun deciding which tie I’m wearing on a given day or to a given event, and then pulling together the suit or blazer, shirt, cuff links, pocket square, socks, and shoes for just the right look.”
Shoes, Allen Edmonds
Cheers, Benjamin!
