Is there a conservative alternative to Mens Wearhouse?


It pains me to write this, because most of my professional wardrobe was purchased at Mens Wearhouse. However, after reading this, I’m willing to look for another clothing store:

Last night, a reporter for the Contra Costa Times and Oakland Tribune photographed a surprising sign in the window of the Men’s Wearhouse Oakland store.

The sign reads “We stand with the 99%. Closed Wednesday November 2.”

That’s the day the Occupy Wall Street movement in Oakland called for a general strike.

Men’s Wearhouse is a publicly traded corporation (MW on the New York Stock Exchange) that takes in over $2 billion a year selling suits, with a net profit of over $67 million last year. So a company that caters to capitalists and businessmen chose to strike against its customers in support of the socialist, communist, anarchist movement that has violently clashed with police in Oakland and has had scores of reports of degenerate behavior across the country, ranging from numerous rapes to defecating on a police car.

It’s highly doubtful that Occupy Oakland’s hippie protesters have caused Men’s Wearhouse’s business to boom. Yet, these are the people with whom Men’s Wearhouse has chosen to stand, in opposition to their customers. On the bright side, should riots break out, the store won’t have to fear looting from the hippies and hipsters.

Note that this is not the first time that Men’s Wearhouse has, as a corporation, supported left-leaning politics. In 2009, the company removed its ads from the Glenn Beck show on Fox News.

Perhaps Men’s Wearhouse would be more comfortable selling tie-dyed t-shirts and Nehru jackets, because those Occupiers throwing rocks and bottles at the Oakland police weren’t wearing their product.

UPDATE:

Men’s Wearhouse has now released a statement on their Facebook page. It reads in full:

We closed our store near Oakland City Hall today, for one day, to express the company’s concern for the issue of wealth disparity in our country. The issue affects our employees and customers across the political spectrum.

(Thanks to “The Prudence Paine Papers” for that content, and Instapundit for the hat-tip.)

I was a committed Mens Wearhouse customer. They offer a great service: if you buy an item of clothing from them, they’ll press it for you anytime, free of charge. On many a business trip, I have stuffed Mens Wearhouse clothing into my carryon, secure in the knowledge that the MW store at my destination would make sure my professional clothes were ready for whatever work assignment I faced.

But, when someone sticks a stick in your eye (“these are the people with whom Men’s Wearhouse has chosen to stand, in opposition to their customers”), it’s hard to ignore that.

Mens Wearhouse has to know that they have many, many conservatives, Republicans and businessmen among their clients.

Yet their Oakland store did this. And, based on the Facebook posting mentioned above, their corporate office stands with them.

OK, then. As a conservative and Republican, I’ll now look for another place to shop.

Redstaters, where should an insulted Mens Wearhouse customer go?



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12 Comments Leave a comment

Time for the custom fit...

audax (Diary) Thursday, November 3rd at 6:57AM EST (link)

If you live near Houston, recommend Vincent Ford Custom Apparel. For Western Wear try Pinto Ranch and the Hat Store.

Audeamus pro audere est facere

 

Too bad there weren't a bunch of messages taped up in reply

bk (Diary) Thursday, November 3rd at 8:26AM EST (link)

“I came here to buy a suit tonight, but will go somewhere else instead.”

that sort of thing

And BTW if they REALLY wanted to show solidarity, shouldn’t they have given away clothes at cost (or less) instead? Or maybe they could indicate how many American jobs their clothes create in the garment mfg industry. I’m guessing it’s zero, since no doubt they all come from China, Mexico, India, Viet Nam, etc.

 

Joseph A Bank?

Darin_H (Diary) Thursday, November 3rd at 8:40AM EST (link)

I don’t know though, I’ve never shopped there. I own one suit (from MW, but I don’t wear it often).

Nordstrom is another place I’d look at, they’re usually a bit on the pricey side.

A visionary coward says that anger can be power, as long as there’s a victim on TV – Flat Top, Goo Goo Dolls

I love Jos. A. Bank.

jackdaniels11 Thursday, November 3rd at 12:26PM EST (link)

But their prices are too high, even on sale.

Go to 3 Day Suit Brokers and get the finest Italian-made suits they sell. It will set you back about $400/suit but they are nicer than the ones that Jos. A. Bank sells for $500/suit.

Having 2 or 3 great suits in your wardrobe is an investment that will pay dividends for years.

No, I don’t work for Jos. A. Bank or 3 Day Suit Brokers. I just know a lot about suits having talked to the very astute sales staff at both Jos. A. Bank and 3 Day Suit Brokers on several occasions.

No surprise. Nice threads, but not really in...

acat (Diary) Thursday, November 3rd at 12:42PM EST (link)

the same league as Men’s Wearhouse. You’re comparing the St. Louis Cardinals to the Joliet Jackhammers…

My suggestion for someone on a seriously tight budget is to get a good set of measurements by a professional tailor, then haunt resale shops looking for classic lines and materials. Also, ask your local dry cleaners what’s in their “clean but unclaimed” bin.

Finally, it’s important to dress right for the environment. The circles I travel in, I don’t need more than a decent jacket and a pair of khakis. Anything more and I look out of place. I finally donated my “nice” suits because I never had a reason to wear them.

Mew

——
self-portrait

Caveat Suffragator

 
 
 

I have bought from MW in the past, but no more

Kyle-MI (Diary) Thursday, November 3rd at 8:50AM EST (link)

They will have my business no more.

 

When Mens Wearhouse has lost "Captain Ed" Morrissey...

smagar (Diary) Thursday, November 3rd at 10:32AM EST (link)

…they need to do some serious damage control:

Over the years, I’ve spent quite a bit of money at Mens Wearhouse, in the low four figures. They generally have a good selection of clothing at pretty good prices, and in the Twin Cities have conveniently-located stores. Overall I’ve been a pretty satisfied customer. After this week, though, they won’t see a dime from me, thanks to their support of the anti-free market mobs in Oakland that ravaged the city over the last couple of weeks.

I don’t need to give my money in trade to people who despise my ability to make free-market choices. There are plenty of other businesses that sell good quality men’s clothing at reasonable prices who don’t put signs in windows that cheer on the mobs that do this to their neighbors and fellow businessmen:

(Ed then shows pictures of the damage done by Occupy [Insert Name of Unfortunate City Here] thugs:

Mens Wearhouse had a choice to stand with the market that made them a success and with their fellow businessmen in the community. They chose to stand on the side of the mobs. I won’t stand in one of their stores again. I guarantee it.

Mens Wearhouse has a choice to make: Do they want to reverse Ed’s newly-minted perception of them, or not?

They should think seriously, very seriously, about just shrugging this off.

Those of us who follow Ed Morrissey know him to be a thoughtful, easy-going, not-easily-angered commentator. He’s not prone to issuing ultimatums or “never again,” line-in-the-sand pronouncements.

Easygoing Ed Morrissey has been moved to draw a line in the sand. (” I won’t stand in one of their stores again. I guarantee it.”)

When people known for not throwing down the gauntlet, throw down the gauntlet, people—or businesses—should take note. And do something about it.

Mens Wearhouse, are you willing to alter Ed Morrissey’s perception of you? Are you willing to convince Ed to erase the line he drew in the sand?

No answer or action from you, Mens Wearhouse, means no.

“Who will stand/On either hand/And guard this bridge with me?” (Macaulay)

Oops---forgot the link to Ed's Hot Air article

smagar (Diary) Thursday, November 3rd at 10:34AM EST (link)

George Zimmer, CEO of Men's Warehouse is a hard left democrat

izoneguy (Diary) Thursday, November 3rd at 10:43AM EST (link)


George Zimmer, CEO of Men’s Warehouse is a hard left democrat. I stopped buying from Men’s Warehouse over a decade ago. Take a look who has given to.

The point cannot be made often enough: Modern liberalism, as embodied in the Obama presidency, is the defender of the status quo. And the status quo is a road to economic ruin. Political forces cannot redistribute the wealth that the economic system does not produce.

 
 
 

My husband has recently spent a fortune at Men's Wearhouse

earlgrey (Diary) Thursday, November 3rd at 12:31PM EST (link)

because our cat has ruined his dress pants with her claws. I think I will have her declawed before I let him go into Men’s Wearhouse again.

We do have a new men’s store here. The New York Suit Exchange. I will encourage my husband to go there.

 

smagar--you don't mention where you live

westcoastpatriette (Diary) Thursday, November 3rd at 1:28PM EST (link)

but here in California we have Burlington’s Warehouse and they have decent suits in the under $200. range. I like shopping there as they have good designer labels for less.

 

I know I shouldn't enjoy it...

Cargosquid (Diary) Thursday, November 3rd at 11:31PM EST (link)

but the word schadenfreude exists for a reason.

http://www.punditpress.com/2011/11/one-day-after-supporting-ows-mens.html

Men’s Wearhouse Vandalized by OWS Oakland Protesters