By Nick Grant
These Sir & Madame Tailored Polka Dot shirts are nearly perfect. They’ve got an immaculate slim fit. They’re cut and sewn in Chicago out of medium-weight Japanese twill and chambray fabrics. And, they’re a great weight for these brisk days that are upon us. So, why not totally perfect, you ask? Read More
Photos by Nathan Michael
Thinking back on this past Saturday’s NorthernGRADE Chicago pop-up, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude. Gratitude to the vendors for participating in it. Gratitude to the bloggers and publications that helped promote it. And, above all, gratitude to every person that came to be a part of it. I’ve always liked NorthernGRADE more than the other menswear events because of how laid back it is. It’s an easy place to strike up a conversation with a stranger, and actually enjoy it. And I think that carried through in Chicago. It seemed like everyone was having a pretty good time. I know I was. A few of the many people and products that made the day what it was are after the jump. Hat tip to Nathan Michael for the photos.
For as long as there’s been a NorthernGRADE, I’ve been a fan of it. Launched back in 2010 by Pierrepont Hicks and J.W. Hulme, the Minnesota-based event has grown from an intimate gathering of American-made-o-philes to a full-on menswear mecca. And now, it’s coming to Chicago. I’ve had the great privilege and pleasure of working directly with PPH to co-produce the Chicago premiere of the pop-up, and if I do say so myself, it’s shaping up to be quite an event.
What’s on sale RIGHT NOW.
The good folks from Chicago’s Sir & Madame (you remember them from last week, right?) are knocking 15% off their entire stock from now through Sunday. Choice US-made goodies include outerwear from 3Sxiteen, boots from Red Wing, jeans from LVC, leather goods from Tanner, and of course, S&M’s own in-house line (those bags!). Enter code “15OFF” at checkout to get the discount. Read More
I’ve lived in Chicago since ’04. My relationship with the city has definitely been a love / hate one. To be fair, most of that hate isn’t really Chicago’s fault. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, and like most native New Yorkers, I have a terrible habit of comparing every place I visit with the city of my birth – and Chicago is absolutely nothing like NYC. But, as I said, there’s been a good amount of love these last seven years too. And a lot of that is thanks to the independently owned businesses here. It’s not just that they offer great product / services, they’re also run by great people. Many of whom, I’m happy to call my friends.
I’ve decided to spend the next four weeks spotlighting some of these businesses. In keeping with the local theme, I’ve asked Chicago-based photographer, and all around stand-up guy, Nathan Micheal to handle the visuals. My goal here is twofold. Firstly, with the holidays coming up, I’d like to remind all Chicagoans to please, if you can, shop locally. Without your patronage, these businesses wouldn’t exist. Secondly, these posts are my way of saying thanks to the people and places featured for keeping this city fun. I couldn’t imagine living here without you. First up, clothing boutique Sir & Madame.
I don’t know how many times I walked past Sir & Madame before finally going in, but I do know the number is far too high. Located just a few blocks from my apartment in the primarily residential Ukrainian Village area, the shop’s storefront always stood out amidst the drab facades surrounding it. However, almost every time I passed, I was en route somewhere else, and thus never ventured inside. But then, I heard from several trusted sources that it was actually worth a look. So, one afternoon, with my girlfriend in tow, I paid a long overdue visit. Immediately upon walking through the door, I realized how foolish I had been to not have gone in sooner.
New from hometown heroes Sir & Madame, the Junior Shorts are cut and sewn in Chicago from 100% cotton canvas. A slightly subtler take on the now omnipresent slim-cargo short, the bottoms feature a single accordion pocket on the the thigh (instead of two), rounded slant pockets in the front, welt pockets in the pack and a reinforced seat (making them ideal for biking). There are two colors to choose from (olive and navy), and the price per is downright decent. Read More
A new brand on my radar (thanks Ryan), Chicago’s Sir & Madame is part boutique, part clothing label, and all Chi City. Crafting the bulk of their in-house collection in Chicago, the store’s owners take a locavore approach to their wares, making them one of a small handful of brands that not only design here, but also make here too. The new-for-summer Rafterman Shirts are made from an array of 100% cotton Japanese fabrics. Read More
