Audio: J.Hilburn CCO Simon Kneen on personalization with monograms and embroidery
I find that the custom-made experience is such a modern way for a guy to build his wardrobe. Purchasing thoughtful, well-fitting, quality clothing is the antithesis of fast fashion’s disposable and destructive character. The J.Hilburn premise gives you the opportunity to build a timeless wardrobe of clothing that works well beyond a season. We enable this longevity by choosing superb cloth, setting exacting standards for the construction of all our products, and not following unwearable trends with short lifespans in fabrics that don’t last.
When building our collections, I think of them more as updates and I try to let harmony of color and tasteful selections guide the evolution of our seasons. I want to build collections that guys want to wear always, well beyond the current season and year. This doesn’t necessarily mean that we only cover the classics; on the contrary, I like to ensure that we’re always offering emotional, aspirational items you literally can’t resist.
The element of the personal touch—being able to select options and personalizations with a Stylist—allows you to build something really unique that’s just for you and express yourself, if you so choose. That could be the collar and cuff styling of your shirt, a patterned lining for your sportcoat, or even a signature button thread color for your polo knits. Within every category, we work arduously to bring updated options for adding these personalizations, and sometimes we dust off what we already offer and show it added to garments in new ways.
Monogramming is perhaps one our offerings that is too often overlooked, and not every Client chooses this option as part of his wardrobe setup. That said, we offer, at no additional charge, monogramming of your initials on the inside label of sportcoats and inside the back collar of shirts. It seems to me a lovely way to recognize the importance we place on the Client who opts for a custom-made product, showcasing our personal touch in everything we do for him.
Recently, we updated our embroidered monogram options to include sleeve placement on polos and a traditional diamond-shaped monogram that some Clients have been requesting. As we’ve expanded our casual offering, particularly in knits like hoodies, full zip and mock zip styles, I find it such a handsome add to have a chest monogram on these pieces. This touch makes each knit piece a conversation-starter: People notice when the understated, perfectly fitting hoodie or mock zip you’re wearing has your initials tonally embroidered on it. The monogram can be in different fonts, colors and positions, with up to five letters and numbers, so with a little imagination, you can add a team name, a lucky number or an important date.
Monogrammed knits make amazing gifts for birthdays or the upcoming Father’s Day, for which we actually have a special heart logo that can be monogrammed with a personal message. With the warm-up of summer approaching and guys wearing polos more and more, what a perfect opportunity to personalize with your own brand, rather than an off-the-rack piece with a brand logo. I have always considered this to be free advertising, and never enjoyed wearing horses or crocodiles myself.
Late last year, we added chest embroidery for those wanting to make a more overt personal statement. This option plays nicely to the team and sport fans, with the ability to add in two font styles and up to 5 letters, numbers and characters of your choice. This larger embroidery option uses the same thread colors we offer for monograms. Both options are technically perfected for a polished appearance, with a machine cover stitch technique that embroiders directly onto the garment to cover exactly the right amount of fabric.
I’ve included monogram and chest embroidery ideas in some of our Key Looks this season, hoping to spark your imaginations for ways to personalize your knits. Knowing that you aren’t following a faddish, seasonal trend, but actually making a personal statement, further acknowledges the garment as uniquely built just for you. I’ve found that these personalized pieces, meant to last well beyond a season, are all the more likely to become some of your favorite things to wear.
