Today we’d like to introduce you to Darryl Tyler.
Hi Darryl, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I have a banking background and started purchasing custom clothing in 2007. My main reason for buying custom suiting and shirting was my height and built (6’3″, slender frame). I always needed help finding items that would fit me off the rack. I instantly fell in love with the ability to not only have professional attire that fit but the ability to curate my wardrobe. Fast forward to 2013, as I was a client of a newer custom clothing company out of Dallas, TX. My stylist then invited me to join her team and sell custom clothing, to which I agreed. At the time, I could buy my garments at a discount and sell them to some of my friends, family, and professional network. After joining, I instantly became obsessed with learning the measuring process as the styling portion came easy. After two years with this company, I grew my book of business to be one of the top 10 male stylists by volume of the company (roughly 500 male stylists, 2000 female stylists). After being recognized by our firm at our convention in 2015, I then knew that I had something and wanted to form my own company in which I could source my fabrics, linings, etc., and create my look. After 12 months of R&D with domestic and foreign factories, I secured partnerships to construct my suiting, shirts, leather goods, and accessories and officially launched Tailored Gents Custom Clothiers in July 2016. From 2013 to 2018, I leased a small office in Clayton, MO, to meet clients after hours and on weekends. During the summer of 2018, an operator of a women’s boutique storefront on the first floor of my building moved and vacated her space. Around this time, the seamstress in the building with which I had a great working relationship bought the building and invited me to occupy the space. I agreed and took possession of the 1,000sf storefront operating nights and weekends outside of business hours as I was still a commercial banking officer and partner at a local community bank. In 2020, COVID impacted my business positively, which ultimately allowed me to grow and leave my banking position in February 2022. In late summer 2020, our phone started to ring, and it was grooms still getting married but with limited options available to them locally or online due to manufacturers scaling back on making suits. We doubled down, overhauled our website and overall marketing, and went all in with the wedding business. This change increased our overall business drastically, and we realized our biggest year in 2021. I resigned from my banking position in February 2022 and went full-time with Tailored Gents. We have one full-time sales associate, one part-time sales associate, and an administrative assistant.
You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
2020 was a struggle from March – July, but things picked up late summer, and we were able to capitalize. Covid impacted the supply chain and overall availability of workers during 2020-2021, so we had to forecast appropriately and manage expectations (while also having a Plan B just in case orders did not come in on time). I also struggled to manage the demand while working full-time—many late nights and weekends leading up to my going full-time. I had to miss many family things, which was difficult.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Tailored Gents Custom Clothiers is hyper-focused on helping men feel their absolute best. We use custom, hand-finished suiting in the finest quality fabrics to create one-of-a-kind pieces that last for years; designed with the wearer in mind, every suit is custom-made for a look and silhouette that exudes excellent craftsmanship and style. Our specialty is offering handmade bespoke suiting with a multi-fitting process, a unique product in our region. We are most proud of fitting all body types and having a vast styling platform to attract the most conservative taste to the flamboyant peacock. We are full-service, offering suits, tuxedos, sports coats, trousers, shirts, and leather goods, including shoes/boots/belts, knitwear, and accessories. We’ve been humbly featured in St. Louis Magazine, Ladue News, Gazelle Magazine, Delux Magazine, Brides.com, and Martha’s Weddings.
Please talk to us about happiness and what makes you happy.
We sell confidence in the form of wardrobing. Seeing clients look and feel their best is my Why. We strive to make the best-fitting and styled clothing in our client’s wardrobes.
Pricing:
- Made to Measure 2pc Suit opens at $1,295
- Made to Measure Sports Coat opens at $995
- Handmade Bespoke 2pc Suit opens at $1,895
- Handmade Bespoke Sports Coat opens at $1,295
- Made to Measure Dress Shirts open at $209
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tailoredgents.com
- Instagram: the_tailored_gent
- Facebook: tailoredgentscc
Image Credits
Misty Marie Photography – wedding client
