A Little Girls' Journey to Men's Suiting

As a little girl I can remember dreaming of my happily ever after adult life. My dreams consisted of never ending sunshine, two perfect kids (a boy and a girl of course), a large home in suburbia, an awesome job, a red Ferrari, and a brown Ken doll husband look a like that dressed in Italian imported suits. It's funny how dreams are formed. What 7-year old girl fantasizes about suits and wing-tips that doesn't go butch? Perhaps it was God preparing me for the fashion road ahead.

I can recall basking in the delight my father expressed as he prepared for his work day. I remember early mornings waiting outside his bedroom door smelling the shoe polish and hearing the sounds of the shoe brush as it steadily whisked across each shoe. The smell and sounds were both captivating and exciting. The strong leathery aroma signified whether it would be a suit day or something casual and the even-paced brush strokes confirmed a suit debut was mere seconds away. He would open the grand french doors, stop, and look down at me. As my eyes traveled up his 6'5 stature admiring the stitch and precision of his suit my widening eyes were met with his smile. I would shyly giggle. The routine, always the same. The suit, always different. And the cut and style, forever sleek and timeless. He looked confident, tall, and successful. The suit brought my father alive!

Forever and always men's suiting will evoke feelings of admiration, success, and confidence. Hello, WALL STREET.

Suiting has stayed consistent over the years, aside from the recent American adaptation to the sleeker slimmer European cut. Not every man can get into a suit these days. It's a slim men's only club, no fat kids allowed. It's not fair, but such is life. The ageless Euro suiting ensemble never fails in providing a sophisticated and classic look. What wife could ask for more in a man's wardrobe?

With my settle back to Middle America, I'm constantly in search of the next best thing. The next best boutique, fashion affair, or designer. My recent search afforded me an enchanted find - a luxury men's apparel shop. Situated on the eclectic Mass Avenue in Indianapolis, IN, this gem whispers metropolitan city with a suiting twist. J.Benzal is oh so sexy, and I mean sexy. The vibrant colors, artwork, and quality of merchandise is …hmmm, how do you say heavenly in Italian?




And a fashion bonus, everything in the store is a J.Benzal creation. Can you say downtown New York/SOHO transplant? The owner, Mamadou Diallo, designs everything from the suits, neckwear, to the shirts, cuff-links, and outerwear. Diallo is originally from West Africa and came to the states in pursuit of happiness, success, and wealth. He's definitely on his way. The great thing about J.Benzal is how he serves up suiting. Classic, but with an edge. J.Benzal plays with color, fiddles with embellishments, and runs away with fabulous textures and fabrics. The store dares men to have a little fun with suiting. It's a professional man's outlet into another world of classic men's furnishings. Move over New York and L.A., Middle America may just be putting a little piece of style on the map.

This shop satisfies my yearning for delicious men's tailored suits. It takes me back to the days of admiring my father and his fancy clothing. Now I'm all grown up living my version of happily ever after minus the everlasting sunshine, kids, suburbia, or red Ferrari. But, I do however have a husband that puts my adolescent Ken doll fantasy to shame. His real life body wears custom blend Italian suits daily. Or shall I say he will--once he finishes law school, get's a job and pays off his debt. There's another 15 years. Damn childhood fantasies.