The idea of online custom suits can be a daunting and confounding prospect. Several readers and friends have told me as much. So I thought I’d share my own experience with online made-to-measure suiting, including how I started with it, some of the issues I’ve had and, ultimately, the overall benefit for men like me who are not rich but want to look good.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate. And THANK YOU for listening!

This is the second half of an interview I had several months ago with my friend and podcast co-host Amy Eddings. Specifically, Amy was curious about the origins of my personal style and about the blog. This interview was the first time anybody really asked me about how it all started, who were my idols and influencers, and such.

In addition to being a dear friend and my co-host of The Downtowner, a podcast about Downtown Cleveland, Amy was the host of All Things Considered for many years in New York on WNYC and, since moving to Cleveland, has worked primarily as the host of Morning Edition on WCPN. Basically, she’s a serious news person. Being on the receiving end of questions from such a serious news person was a really fun first.

Our conversation clocked in at a full hour. So I did some editing and turned it into a two-parter. This is part two. Enjoy!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgehahnnyc.substack.com/subscribe

Several months ago, my friend and podcast co-host Amy Eddings sat me down for an interview to talk about… well… me. Specifically, Amy was curious about the origins of my personal style and about the blog. This interview was the first time anybody really asked me about how it all started, who were my idols and influencers, and such.

In addition to being a dear friend and my co-host of The Downtowner, a podcast about Downtown Cleveland, Amy was the host of All Things Considered for many years in New York on WNYC and, since moving to Cleveland, has worked primarily as the host of Morning Edition on WCPN. Basically, she’s a serious news person. Being on the receiving end of questions from such a serious news person was a really fun first.

Our whole conversation clocked in at a full hour. So I did some editing and turned it into a two-parter. This is part one. Enjoy!

https://georgehahn.com

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgehahnnyc.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I ponder the question: is it better to own or to rent? Each option has its benefits and bummers. But as I get older, having been a guest and keen observer of many owners over the decades, I’m less attracted to the idea of “ownership” and more interested in traveling light as the renter I’ve always been.

I’m very lucky to live in an apartment in Downtown Cleveland that feels more like a customer service arrangement than the typical landlord/tenant relationship. Whenever I need something, it’s taken care of at no extra cost, leaving me to get on with the business of living and to focus my time and energy on things I’d rather do.

The same idea works for my approach to things like a car or media. Where I once prided myself as a collector of vinyl records and CDs, I much prefer access to everything I already owned plus much more music than I can wrap my head around let alone afford to buy with services like Spotify and Apple Music. And the space I save without dealing with the physical media? Fuggedaboutit. And the car? Nah.

Also in this episode, I give a little shout-out to my new podcast venture called The Downtowner, a new show about Downtown Cleveland that I co-host with the amazing Amy Eddings, our local host of NPR’s Morning Edition who also happens to be a native Clevelander who returned home after decades in New York City. She and I also live downtown, giving us much to discuss in this brand new production from ideastream, Cleveland’s public media company.

I jumped back onto the saddle this week after a brief but fantastic trip to Palm Beach, Florida last weekend. I have a client down there who showed me the ropes in their little universe both in Palm Beach and in the charming town of Lake Worth.

Also in this episode, I talk about helping my nephew, a recent college graduate, with his first suit. Following my advice, he got a terrific navy suit from Suitsupply’s Blue Line, which comes at a very reasonable $399. For that price, they will send you three suits in different sizes just to make sure you get the right one. My nephew ordered a 38R, a 40R and a 42R. As I predicted, it turns out my nephew is a 42R. Now it’s off to the tailor.

With lifestyle, I go over my morning ritual, which started this morning with a selfie posted on Instagram, indicating exactly what I look like when I get up. It ain’t pretty. Along with warm water with lemon followed by sufficient cups of coffee, it takes a village, spackle, sand paper, varnish and a soft buffing cloth to prepare me for the day.

To conclude the episode, I launch into a petty tirade about the hideous parking lots that scar Downtown Cleveland’s otherwise beautiful cityscape. I have ideas and solutions for these ugly black eyes on our urban center, and I let it rip.

Thanks for listening!

I’ve said it 1,000 times, and I’ll say it again: Nothing makes a man look better than a well-tailored suit. A recent article in the Washington Post mused about the “death” of the power suit, making me dread yet another excuse for men to frump out and be as casual as humanly possible. The simple truth is that no other garment in menswear elevates any man (fit or fat) like a well-tailored suit. Period.

And speaking of elevating every man… In this time of unprecedented political and cultural upheaval in our country, it is more important than ever to double-down on living as consciously, conscientiously and ethically as possible. In many areas, the bar has been pulled down dangerously low. It is up to each of us to maintain higher standards.

Thanks for listening!

I recently bought a pair of espadrilles online. They were too small. In order to exchange them, I had to return them for a store credit, then use the store credit to re-purchase them in the right size. Since this particular brand does not include a return shipping label, I had to go to their website, download a shipping label and print it. Unfortunately, I don't have a printer. This wonky return/exchange process was an unnecessary kids' table pain in my ass.

Also in this episode, I talk about the terry cloth bathrobe experience and give a brief update on life in Cleveland. I'm pleased to report that things are getting better.

I recently bought a pair of espadrilles online. They were too small. In order to exchange them, I had to return them for a store credit, then use the store credit to re-purchase them in the right size. Since this particular brand does not include a return shipping label, I had to go to their website, download a shipping label and print it. Unfortunately, I don't have a printer. This wonky return/exchange process was an unnecessary kids' table pain in my ass.

Also in this episode, I talk about the terry cloth bathrobe experience and give a brief update on life in Cleveland. I'm pleased to report that things are getting better.

For the first time on this podcast, I have a conversation with someone other than myself. In this extended episode, I spoke with a young man named Steve Wright who has a unique and inspiring approach to editing his home and - more specifically - his wardrobe.

As we move through life, we become virtual lint rollers, accumulating huge levels of stuff without really thinking about it. Steve Wright thinks about it, and he’s determined to avoid the common trap of stuff-overload, curating a very edited design for living that enables him to live quite effectively and efficiently without sacrificing his style.

For the first time on this podcast, I have a conversation with someone other than myself. In this extended episode, I spoke with a young man named Steve Wright who has a unique and inspiring approach to editing his home and - more specifically - his wardrobe.

As we move through life, we become virtual lint rollers, accumulating huge levels of stuff without really thinking about it. Steve Wright thinks about it, and he’s determined to avoid the common trap of stuff-overload, curating a very edited design for living that enables him to live quite effectively and efficiently without sacrificing his style.