Moderator: Welcome to Viewpoint with our guest, Marvin Schiff. Marvin, thank you for joining us. Tell us about the November Men's Wardrobe Sale.
Marvin Schiff: Thanks, it is nice to be here. The November Men's Wardrobe Sale offers savings from 40 to 55 percent on our entire stock of men's suit separate components, sportcoats, blazers, and dress slacks. This applies to all of our brands except Hart Schaffner & Marx. The sale runs from Nov. 5th through the 18th.
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Beulaville, N.C.: How can a businessman add color and interesting features to his business attire?
Marvin Schiff: The simplest way to add color and interest is through your accessories, shirts and ties. The new colors, whether bright or tonal, add interest to any man's wardrobe. The latest trend in neckware is stripes of all types.
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Oklahoma City, Okla.: Not a question, per se, but an observation: I think "business casual" has turned into an unmitigated disaster. Not to sound condemnatory, but few men can pull together the look -- other than the ubiquitous "uniform" of golf shirts, khakis and loafers. Are we going to see a return to "business classic" and the decline of "business casual"? (Okay, I guess there was a question there ...)
Marvin Schiff: In the past six to 12 months, we have seen a definite trend to classic business attire. The days of "dress casual" have declined, being replaced with classic suits.
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Portland, Ore.: Could you address "dressing for success" on a tight budget?
Marvin Schiff: Addressing "dress for success" on a tight budget can be achieved by focusing on a couple of classic suits such as a navy solid and a grey pinstripe. These suits can be purchased at Hecht's or other retailers for approximately $200 each. New shirts and ties will also enhance your wardrobe.
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Alexandria, Va.: Can I wear braces on pants with belt loops?
Marvin Schiff: You can absolutely wear braces with pants that have belt loops.
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Marvin Schiff: To expand on that last answer, just don't wear a belt at the same time!
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Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.: My husband has recently lost a lot of weight and he looks great! He now needs to replace much of his wardrobe. Is there a good time of year to get good deals on clothing? He wears suits four days a week -- what basics should he have in his closet?
Marvin Schiff: The Men's Wardrobe event that I mentioned is an excellent time to enhance your husband's wardrobe. The savings on men's suits are 40 percent off plus extra storewide savings. The foundation of a man's wardrobe should include navy solid or stripes as well as grey solid or stripes.
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Bethesda, Md.: Are pant cuffs more or less formal? Which is considered the most tasteful?
Marvin Schiff: Men's pant cuffs are recommended versus hemmed bottoms in men's suits. Generally, if a pant is pleated, the bottom is cuffed; for flat front pants, the bottom should be hemmed.
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Silver Spring, Md.: I love solid color ties. Are you featuring them?
Marvin Schiff : Yes, we are featuring solid color ties. Hecht's/strawbridge's feature Van Huesen solid ties in eight colors.
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Reston, Va.: When wearing a blue suit with black shoes, does it matter if I wear black socks? I was always told that the socks should match your pants.
Marvin Schiff: It is perfectly okay to wear matching color socks, but when wearing a navy suit you could also wear charcoal grey. The same thing holds for earth colors such as brown or green. The sock choice could be switched for either of those colors.
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Washington, D.C.: Is it okay to wear a black blazer with olive suit pants? I like the way it looks but a friend said it's not proper. Thanks.
Marvin Schiff: Olive slacks with a black blazer will look terrific especially if you coordinate a top, shirt, or sweater under the blazer to pull in the olive and black colors. Wearing a suit pant more frequently than the suit coat will cause the trouser to wear out more quickly.
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Arlington, Va.: I hear that two-buttons are making a comeback. True?
Marvin Schiff: Two-button suits are definitely making a comeback. They represent approximately half of the suits we sell at Hecht's/strawbridge's. To give you a comparison, a year ago the percent was 42 percent versus the current 50 percent.
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Rockville, Md.: Marvin, which lines of suits are currently on sale? Which lines do you carry? Thanks.
Marvin Schiff: Our entire stock of suits are currently on sale. These brands include Jones New York, Chaps, Evan Picone, Nautica, Brandini, Bill Blass and Cesarani (made in Italy), and Hart Schaffner & Marx.
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Alexandria, Va.: Is it your understanding, as I read somewhere, that businesses are generaly reverting back to more formal attire, moving away from "business casual?"
Marvin Schiff: Businesses are indeed moving back to business attire. Sales in men's suits have been on the upswing for more than 18 months which supports the information being broadcast to the general public.
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Washington, D.C.: Even though you see it in this town all the time, I was taught that a button-down shirt should never be worn with a suit, that it's for casual wear. I'm interested in your thoughts on that.
Marvin Schiff: I would agree with what you were taught about not wearing button-down shirts with suits, but it is a fact that trends are set by the consumer. Within this region, button-downs are frequently worn with ties.
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Landover, Md.: What is your top-of-the-line brand?
Marvin Schiff: Hart Schaffner & Marx is the top-of-the-line brand. In addition, we carry Cesarani and Bill Blass (made in Italy) which are made with superior fabrics and quality Italian manufacturing.
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Washington, D.C.: Are "long" suits in style more than "regular" sizes, and how tall should you be before wearing a long?
Marvin Schiff: "Longs" and "regulars" are sizes rather than fashion styling. It is a fact that coat lengths have gotten longer, but that trend seems to have peaked. I am approximately six feet tall and I wear a long size. Whether or not you wear a long will depend upon the length of your torso. A good way to determine the proper length of your coat is by cupping your fingers and seeing if your coat fits to that length. The other way is to make sure that the back of your coat covers your rear.
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Washington, D.C.: Are cuffed pants back? I've always preferred to cuff my pants but have noticed the younger men wearing uncuffed slacks. I don't want to look like an old fuddy-duddy. What say you?
Marvin Schiff: Cuffed pants have never gone out of style. The plain bottom pants you are seeing on younger guys are generally flat front versus pleated. The flat front pant is a current trend, which is the reason why you are seeing more of them. Pleated pants will not make you look old.
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Crofton, Md.: I have an interview coming up with a high-tech firm. It will be my first time in, so I don't know what the dress code/culture is. I'm inclined to wear a suit, thinking it's better to err on the side of being over-dressed than under-dressed. Do you agree?
Marvin Schiff: Yes, I think wearing a suit indicates that you are serious about the position you are interviewing for. I also think that putting your best foot forward will be received in a positive fashion.
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Upper Marlboro, Md.: I Love Hecht's and their wonderful sales, but I am married to a large man. It is hard for me to find a 42 in Hechts. Do they sell larger sizes for men?
Marvin Schiff: I am assuming when you talk about a "42" you are referring to the pant size in a suit. Generally, 42-inch waist comes with a 48 suit size. Hecht's/strawbridge's carries up to size 50 suits which come with a 44-inch waist. If you are unable to find your size in the store you shop, please ask the sales associate to check on special ordering the size your husband needs.
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Marvin Schiff : Thank you very much for expressing your interest in men's clothing. It has been a pleasure to spend the last hour answering your questions. I am sorry we did not have an opportunity to answer all of them and I look forward to another chat session in the near future. Our sales professionals at Hecht's/strawbridge's are knowledgeable about the current trends, fabrics, and fitting needs of our customers. Please do not hesitate to give them the opportunity to serve you.
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Moderator: Our thanks to Marvin Schiff, Hecht's and all who participated.
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What is the latest style in men's suits? Two-button, three-button, four-button or double-breasted? Should suit pants be plain-bottom or cuffed? What type of suit is appropriate for an interview? How often should a suit be dry-cleaned? Marvin Schiff of Hecht's and strawbridge's was online to answer these questions and more, and offered style advice as well. He also provided information about their November Men's Wardrobe Sale, beginning Wednesday, Nov. 5. 
