Store Review: The Vestry Fine Clothier
Posted: 3/25/2008

For someone who has worked in men’s fashion since 1992 and used to sell suits out of the back of his car, Kevin McKithen’s owner of The Vestry fine Clothier has come a long way. In its location for five years now in a small strip mall on East Jefferson in Detroit, The Vestry Fine Clothier serves as a one stop shop for quality men’s clothing and custom tailored suits. They have managed to establish themselves as a credible, reliable place to find quality clothes in a market of tough competition of similar business that have been around for over 50 years.

Atmosphere:

For someone who has never bought a custom suit before walking into The Vestry could be a little intimidating. Lush jackets and ties of all colors fill the store. Huge angled mirrors reflect sides of your body you most likely don’t look at too often. However once you start looking around and talking to Kevin about what you are looking for you will know you came to the right place. The environment in the store is very open and welcoming. The lighting is also very bright which is good for seeing all the little detail in the fabrics.

4 out of 5 fashion points

Customer Service:

That’s what this place is all about. Kevin has not spent a dollar on advertising since he opened and his very loyal customers spread the word for him. His customers trust him so much that they will place orders over the phone and never see the suit they are getting until they pick it up. The Vestry considers themselves stylists rather than just sales people. Prepare to be educated on how to dress, how things should fit, and how to accessorize. They develop personal relationships with the customers; which was evident by the people being greeted by name as they walked in the door. They were all fashionably dressed and had nothing but good things to say about The Vestry. Whether you have $300 or $2000 customers are treated to the same quality service.

5+ fashion points

Selection and Affordability:

Custom suits don’t come cheap but are well worth the expense, they start at $950 and up. Once you get a suit that is unique to your personality and fits you like a glove you may never buy a suit off the rack again. They also have a selection of casual wear and suits you can purchase off the rack if you don’t have the budget for a custom designed suit. They do have a master tailor who can tailor things you already own to fit you better. Kevin’s specialty is accessorizing. He has an excellent eye for color and pays close attention to detail from the button hole stitching to the pocket square and tie, the suits flow perfectly from top to bottom. He won’t sell you anything he wouldn’t wear himself.

5 out of 5 fashion points

Hipness Factor:

The Vestry’s mission is to educate customers and provide excellent customer service. The style is very fashion forward and unique. This isn’t your purple suit with matching purple shoes and hat kind of place. Expect to find a luxurious selection of fabrics and patterns to accentuate all styles and personalities. Because of this, prominent business men, athletes, and pastors often frequent the shop. The Vestry will soon be offering a concierge service where they will help you organize the clothes you have, get rid of things you shouldn’t wear anymore, and help you look at the clothes you do have in new ways. “It’s not about what you wear; its how you wear it,” explains owner Kevin McKithen, “people spend a lot of money on clothes but aren’t educated on how to wear them. Education is very important.”

4 Fashion Points

Overall Score 4.5 fashion points

The Vestry Fine Clothier is located at 2638 East Jefferson in Detroit. (313) 567-4700 Website coming soon.

- Toni Cozad
Toni@detroitfashionpages.com

 

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