Over the years Davelle Clothiers has had many meaningful partnerships with several nonprofit organizations, including Youth for Tomorrow and Operation Homefront.  Last fall we were considering a new nonprofit beneficiary for our fall Trade-In Event, and took a closer look at Goodwill of Greater Washington.

They initially caught our eye because we were following the Goodwill Fashionista Blog.  Even though her focus is on vintage and contemporary second-hand clothing and ours is high end designer and custom clothing, we both fundamentally share the goal of educating and empowering people to look their best.

And we share a passion for value- getting the most return on your investment.  As the fashionista says, “It’s about shopping smart.”  From there we began learning about the work of Goodwill, and we realized there was a lot we didn’t know!

We quickly learned that Goodwill is very effective in helping people find jobs.  Their primary mission is to provide job training and employment services to people with disabilities and disadvantages.  Everything that is donated to Goodwill supports their job training and job placement programs.

And we found out that they get results-

• In 2012 over 3,200 people received these job training and placement services.

• DC Goodwill successfully placed 228 people into new jobs in 2012 and employed over 600 people in its retail stores, contract services and administrative support divisions

• Over 91% of DC Goodwill’s funding goes directly towards our job training and employment services.

• DC Goodwill donated almost $70,000 in Good Samaritan vouchers to other nonprofit agencies in 2012.

Learning this, it was an easy decision to partner with Goodwill.  As a family owned small business for over 22 years, we believe strongly in the dignity of work and the power of providing a helping hand for all people to find employment.  We know that job training and job placement services are an important part of a strong community and a strong economy, things that benefit us all.

Since then, we’ve continued to be impressed by the work of Goodwill of Greater Washington.  And we want to do more. Right now, during our Investment Sale, we’re inviting customers to purchase a $25 SmarTrip Metro Card for job training program graduates, and we’ll match every purchase card for card.

Watch this video, just one of their many success stories:

A Full Time Job Gave Frederick His Independence

We encourage you to learn more about Goodwill of Greater Washington, please visit www.dcgoodwill.org.

Read the full blog post here and be sure to leave a comment with your thoughts!

David, who is a Certified Master Designer awarded by the Custom Tailors and Designers Association, created his shoes with comfort and style in mind, selecting soft, supple Italian leather.  These shoe’s are made in America, as are all of David’s designs.

The three shoes range from dressy to dressy casual to casual.  First, the black shoes are to show everyone you mean business!  Wear these stylish shoes with crocodile accents with your in your grey, black or blue suits and stand apart from the crowd.

Next, the grey pair was selected to feature an interesting shade of grey, something a bit different from what’s out there.  This unique granite grey shoe can be worn with slacks and a sports coat and then transition to dressy casual by pairing with jeans and a jacket.  This makes this shoe as versatile as it is comfortable.

Finally, the dark chocolate boot is perfect for after work and all weekend long.  Pair with jeans and a sweater or button under shirt and you will look comfortable but still polished and well put together.

Since these shoes carry the Allen Edmonds label, you know they have undergone the 212 steps that goes into crafting every pair of shoes they manufacture.  And, we share the same values in believing in “Made in the USA”.  What more could you ask for- David’s style with the unparalleled quality of Allen Edmonds- what a great pairing!

Allen Edmonds is undeniably the premier brand for men’s dress and casual shoes.  Davelle Clothiers’ Founder and CEO David Eisele, is the master of personal style and presentation. Now they’ve come together, with the introduction of Allen Edmond shoes designed by David Eisele.

This the first time Allen Edmonds has invited an outside designer into their studio!  Last summer David went to Wisconsin, the home of Allen Edmonds, to create his distinctive designs.

David notes, “I’m thrilled to have my designs come to life in these Allen Edmonds shoes. It is truly an honor to be part of a company with a century-long tradition of excellence.

Their attention to detail, craftsmanship, and pursuit of excellence make them the best in their field.

Now, along with my Master Collection suits, shirts, ties and slacks, I can truly create a unique style for my clients from head to toe.”

Davelle Clothiers has carried Allen Edmonds products for over eight years, and this opportunity to work together at an even higher level is exciting for both companies.  “We selected David because of his unique outlook in menswear and his sophisticated taste level made him the ideal candidate,” states Timothy C. Cronin, Sr. Vice- President of Sales for Allen Edmonds.

David’s three designs have just arrived in the store, and to celebrate their arrival Davelle Clothiers is holding a naming contest!  Simply pick your favorite pair from the three designs and give it a name.  Submit your idea in the store and if you win, you’ll receive a free pair of Allen Edmond shoes!  Contest ends March 31st, so come in today!

What’s hot in menswear this spring?  Fashion magazines are reporting trends like double breasted jackets, metallics and cotton suits.

As a designer myself and someone who has worked in the menswear industry for over forty years, looking at the runway pictures and reading fashion articles is great fun.  But are any of these trends really for you?  What’s practical, and what will look good on you?

It isn’t easy to for men (or women) to find the right balance between trendy and traditional.  If you are always chasing the latest fads, your wardrobe quickly becomes outdated and useless.  Many trends just won’t look good on you- the cut is wrong for your body type, and the style isn’t a good fit for your personal image and personality.

Naturally, however, you still want to look current and stylish.  We can help you do both- be up to date while investing wisely and looking your best.

Start by building your wardrobe with high quality, versatile and long lasting garments.  The best designers create classics with a modern flare, as their clothing will last you for many, many years.  Think quality over quantity- less is more, so buy fewer pieces at the highest quality you can afford.

With your wardrobe foundation in place, now turn your attention to what is coming down the runway.  Incorporate the trends you see in accessories, such as ties, shoes, belts, and even socks or watches and hats.  These items will add pop and flair but you can replace them easily when they go of style.

Using color is another easy way to look current.  This season, the biggest colors are orange and turquoise.  This is great news for you gentleman, as orange is a color that looks great on everyone, and it is easy to coordinate with both warm and cool colors.

Orange is actually one of my favorite colors!  I love the richness and vibrancy.  A stylish orange tie will make your classic suits look great!  Add a pocket square with touches of orange to really complete the look.  Or pick up a new dress shirt with orange accent stripes or patterns to go with your classic suit.  Finally, add cognac colored shoe and you’ll present and image that is both classy and on trend!

With the change of seasons the fashion world is full of energy and excitement over new fashions.  Infuse your wardrobe carefully and thoughtfully with a few select trends and you’ll feel fashionable and confident in your style!

Securing your date for the evening and making a reservation isn’t enough for this or any other special occasion.  The same rules we preach about dressing for the workplace apply!

Don’t think that how you look doesn’t matter.  In the workplace, you might think that if you are highly qualified for the job you can wear whatever you want.  Not true, and neither is it true that just because you “got the girl” doesn’t mean you can cut corners on your appearance.  Show your confidence and how invested you are with a well put together and stylish look.

Or perhaps you aren’t going out or are keeping it low key.  This is akin to the “my office is casual” trap.  Don’t let casual equal sloppy!  Instead, make sure your casual attire is infused with some polish with high quality clothing and some accessories.

Finally, there is the “but my significant other/romantic interest/co-workers/boss will treat me the same no matter what I wear” myth.  True, those around you professionally and personally care about more that just how you look.  But if you care about your appearance it will reflect positively on you- showing you have self confidence and take pride in yourself, your relationships and your work.

We all know that most men go for the lowest common denominator- comfort!  But if you care about the way you look you have an impact on your life and those around you.  People respond to you differently in every setting, and it shows you care enough about yourself and other to put in the extra time and energy.  So rise to the occasion of this special day.

Women love to dress up and look great.  Honor them by doing the same and together you will look and feel great.  Have a great time and enjoy the compliments you will receive as one good looking couple!

You can read the full post here .  And leave a comment!  As a Davelle Clothiers client, how have you left behind these common misconceptions, and how have you benefited?

Stay tuned for more future guest blog posts!

Quality is a word thrown around a lot in marketing, so what do we really mean?  Let’s look at it just from the angle of longevity.  When we say something will last a long time, we mean a really long time:

• A pair of fine leather shoes from Allen Edmonds: 10-15 years
• A Bespoke hand mastered suit from David’s Master Collection: 10-13 years
• An Eton shirt with fabrics made from the finest yarns: 5-7 years
• 100% silk tie from Italo Ferretti: forever!
• Hand finished denim from Alberto: 10+ years

Really think about what that means!  How long do you keep your car?  Your appliances?  Your furniture?  Could be less than the above.  But you look at these purchases as investments.

Does quality cost more?  Yes.  We aren’t here to give you the cheapest products, we are here to give you designers and products with the best value for your investment.  If you have the right pieces in your wardrobe, a little can go a long way.

So please, before you buy several items (whether they are on sale or not) that will not last, take that money and put it into attire that has true staying power.  The quality will show and you and everyone else will know it!

Special promotions can be a great opportunity to purchase things you need.  But no matter how good the special offer, you are wasting your time and money if you aren’t a savvy sales shopper.

Guidance in this area all boils down to one cardinal rule.  Don’t buy a garment item just because it is on sale.

Let’s say you need a new sports coat.  You can find a sport coat on a sale at a number of places, with so many that you are getting overwhelmed by the choices!  You’re afraid you will make the wrong decision.

So you decide to use price as your guide.  If you go wrong, at least you got a good “deal” to compensate for making an otherwise poor choice.

This deal of a sport coat isn’t your first choice in terms of style.  It doesn’t fit quite right.  You can tell right away that the fabric is low quality and the construction is poor.

Despite this, you still buy it because it is cheap.  And that is what you end up with- cheap clothing!  Over time, you add more and more items like this to your wardrobe.  Put them together, and you’ve spent a fair amount of money- more than you would have to just buy one quality piece.

You probably never wear these garments, and they are cluttering up your closet.

We aren’t against running sales- we have large annual events like our upcoming Dot Sale, Investment Sale and our Trade-In Event.  Buying at the end of the season can afford you some tremendous value.  But that is what it should be all about- value.  Everything we do is based on building value for our clients.

So ask yourself, “Would I pay full price for this item?”  Is it worth it?  That is the line between finding a great value and getting a cheap deal.

And remember, don’t buy it just because it is on sale!  If it is high quality, the right fit, and the right style for you all at a discounted price then great!  If not, discipline yourself to wait for the right opportunities.