Deceptive Pricing Lawsuits

This morning on The Today Show, there was a story that caught my attention. Kohl's and Penny's are being sued in a class action lawsuit that alleges a deliberate attempt to deceive the public about the prices they charge. It's going to be an interesting story to watch. Penny's just retreated from a valiant effort to move away from the stupid practice pf claiming something to be priced higher, available now for a "reduced price". Penny's was saying enough of this, let's just charge a fair price and be done with it. The public HATED it. That's right, they reacted VERY badly, stopped shopping there, caused Penny's to abandon the effort to STOP deceiving. Penny's said (for example) this sweater is a great value at $80. The public liked it better when Penny's said "this $175 sweater is available now for you at $89". They gave up. The public is so completely dependent on believing whatever the merchant tells them, that all logic is ignored, and when the perceived savings comparison is removed, they are too often unable to apply their own sense of value. Joesph A Bank does it all the time: Take a suit that may be worth about $200, CLAIM it to be worth $1199, and then tell us that if we buy one, they'll give us 3 free. Great deal? For four crappy suits that would have cost $800 total, that we paid $1199 for? Yet they do very well with this strategy. The lawsuit calls attention to the issue, and it will be fun to see what happens. Again, Penny's tried to get away from it and had to retract. We'll just have to see what happens when the law is applied. For our part, we're just not good liars. Chelsea and Willow Tree charge fair prices (compare brand-to-brand pricing any time, anywhere, and you'll find us to be within a few dollars, often lower), and we add on the level of service and product knowledge one just can't get at places such as are mentioned. Macy's is also listed as a retailer to watch as well in this lawsuit, although they are not a part of the lawsuit. Stay Tuned!

Does Anyone Wear a White Dinner Jacket Anymore?

A traditional white dinner jacket is the same style as a black dinner jacket -- in white! The thing to remember is that it should only be worn between Memorial and Labor Day. It's also not appropriate for all occasions. It great to take along on a cruise but not so good for a business meeting. Feels nostalgic, doesn't it?

What About Patterns?

Patterns are another way to personalize your look. It's recommended that you limit them to tone-on-tone or a simple two-color design with one color being black.

Can You Personalize Your Tux?

Color is the simplest way to customize. The recommendation is that you use only use only one color surrounded by black. In other words, limit the color to vests, cummberbunds, pocket squares and ties and don't mix colors.

One Button Tuxedo Jacket

The single-breasted model remains the most popular type of tuxedo jacket and its classic one-button interpretation is still the most formal.

Time To Talk Jacket Styles

There are many different styles of tuxedo jackets to choose from. It's good to choose one that works best with your body type. For example a shorter person probably wouldn't want to wear a long coat style. Or, a man with a larger build in the chest or stomach might do best avoiding a style with a lot of buttons. The classic two button style is usually a good choice for anyone because as it fits all body types.

Black Tie

Black tie formal wear is considered semi-formal evening attire. It is appropriate for many social events. Consisting of a dinner jacket in any of a number of colors along with a white, cream or black shirt. Black tie attire can be worn in a variety of ways when it come to the accessories. The wearer can choose to wear either a vest or cummerbund in the color they choose and whatever type of tie they prefer which usually matches the vest or cummerbund.

White Tie

White tie is the most formal attire. Meant for such events as the opera, formal balls or galas, and formal dinners that take place after six o´clock. Men's white tie formal wear consists of a dress coat, waistcoat or vest, and white tie.

Morning Dress

Old fashioned and traditional daytime men's formal wear attire consisting of a tailcoat or cutaway jacket, waistcoat/vest, and striped trousers, typically worn with an ascot. It's really the least common type of tuxedo but still a valid option for late morning or early afternoon wedding. Probably not something we'll see a lot of in Wyandotte...

Tell Me About Tuxes

Men's formal wear is attire for occasions like proms, weddings, black tie events, commodores balls, dinners, etc. Here you see three "basic types" of men's formal wear -- Morning Dress, Black Tie & White Tie. Over the next posts, we'll get to know more about them all.