QUESTIONS & ANSWERS.

HOW DOES YOUR WARDROBE PLAN PROGRAM WORK?

Our client chooses one of several selection schedule’s and budgets and pays monthly by credit card. It’s like a retainer, (but not fully paid) to provide regular attention to a client’s needs for his or her wardrobe. It’s similar to an accountant who is paid monthly to review financial statements, or a gardener to maintain a property before the lawn and trees begin to show signs of being ignored for lack of regular attention. A person wanting to appear to be successful should maintain their personal “presentation” , before it shows signs of being ignored, at least as well as their property.

WHAT IS THE MAIN ADVANTAGE TO THE CLIENT?

Besides rewarding them with savings in exchange for a predictable relationship, it increases our efficiency in servicing each client.  By organizing them on a regular schedule, it allows us to periodically present and discuss ideas to enhance their wardrobe ideas that they would likely never think of.  Rather than leaving new ideas for clothing to them, we are able to periodically discuss and present ideas for their consideration.   As they add new items to their wardrobe, it enhances their appearance with a variety of different outfits and at the same time, spreads the wear over more items which extends the life of all of their clothing.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU DISCUSS AND PLACE NEW ORDERS?

We have a number of schedules which are discussed then decided upon with each client.  As their budget accumulates, their Selection schedule “invites us” to call and to recommend new ideas in a way that assures that they’ll respond.  It sets them apart on a schedule within our large clientele, and  “signals” us when to call each client and for them to expect our call and to respond to discuss ideas for new clothes, which otherwise, is not likely to happen with any degree of certainty or regularity.

Q. HOW AND WHEN DID THIS PLAN COME ABOUT?
A. Forty seven  years ago, 5 years into our business, a former LA Rams client , Phil Olsen, who loved my clothes was beginning a second career and asked if I might help him to build a wardrobe over time.  I had noticed, that clients that ordered clothing on a regular basis rather than multiple orders all at once, were far better dressed in the long run.  So, literally overnight, I worked out different schedules and budgets for Phil, and today, thousands of Wardrobe Plan clients later, many are in their 20^th to 47^th year of ongoing Plan participation without interruption!

Q. HOW DO CLIENTS MAKE THEIR SELECTIONS?
A.  If they are local and want to visit our shop, they often make several selections in one sitting, at the beginning of each Wardrobe Plan Cycle. We have the entire fabric collections from the most prestigious woolen houses in the world: Holland & Sherry of London, Loro Piana, etc.  We also design and make up “sample styles”, probably 100 numbered samples in the shop, the most current ones displayed on mannequins: jackets, suits, tuxedos, leather and suede etc.  So, whether from fabrics swatch books, our sample style collection or our collection of fabric bolts; fabrics are chosen, are written up, and are reserved and put into process over the course of the year on their particular schedule of additions. 

Q WHAT ABOUT YOUR CLIENTS FROM OUT OF TOWN OR OUT OF STATE?

A: We have a “digital” and “actual” made up collection of 200 numbered swatch sheets from which more than 75% of our repeat orders are discussed and ordered by phone.  As we think of and discuss ideas by phone for new clothes, while reviewing a client’s file, complete which swatches of their previous items ordered, we present one swatch sheet at a time, from swatch sheets which address every category of idea for a wardrobe, in 3 to 12 colors per sheet.

As the conversation unfolds, we instantly email, and discuss page by page ideas from an infinite collection of swatch sheet pages of every kind: suit  fabrics in 3 to 6 colors of chalk stripes, windowpanes, plaids,  nail heads, , hounds tooth, and more.  Jackets fabrics include swatch sheets in windowpanes, wool tweeds, woolen flannels, velvets, cotton pin cords to name a few.  Our collection of some 200 numbered pages, includes every pattern of suit, jacket, tuxedos, topcoats, cashmere peacoats, slack/shirt combinations and much more.

AND IF I DON’T SELECT MY SELECTIONS ALL AT ONCE?
A. You can either come into the shop by appointment during the month of your selections, or whether you’re local or from anywhere around the country we can discuss ideas while putting swatch sheets in front of you. If you’d like to see the “actual” fabric, we’ll send “actual” swatches out by UPS which we’ll discuss by phone a day or two later while we’re referring to duplicate sheets. With your file of previous orders, complete with swatches and the measurements of each item in your wardrobe, we can refer back to any order for size, style, fabric reference, etc. and discuss and write up orders just as though you’re across a table with us!

WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW WHAT I WANT TO ORDER FOR THIS “SELECTION”?
A. Knowing that you’re going to order gives us an opportunity to prepare ideas for you to consider. After quickly reviewing your file, we call and can make suggestions, then quickly target a category, then on the spot discuss and instantly email you swatch sheets to immediately discuss: anything from another suit to a specific kind of sport jacket, a few pair of slacks, a batch of shirts, a leather jacket, a cashmere peacoat, or any number of ideas. Most clients place orders by phone while discussing these ideas we put in front of them by email.

Q. WHAT IF SOMEONE WANTS  TO SEE THE FABRIC?
A:  We narrow down ideas to specifics, then can send out actual swatches, usually by UPS, to discuss and write orders a day or two later.

WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO PLACE AN ORDER ON MY SELECTION DATE?
A. You can roll your budget into your next selection date, although, you may give up your “Bonus “Selection advantage which is the reward to actually place an order with us to keep our tailor’s making clothes, rather than waiting for orders.

Q. HOW DO I KNOW WHAT MY BUDGET SHOULD BE?
A. Initially, we discuss what are likely to be your needs, and a comfortable monthly budget, whether just some occasional slacks and shirts, or, a larger budget for a new suit or sport outfit periodically.

DO I SAVE MONEY ON THE WARDROBE PLAN?
A. Absolutely!  You either receive reduced prices or a complimentary custom shirt and ties with each suit or jacket and slack, as well as a periodic “Bonus”;  Total savings can reduce your average costs by anywhere from 15% to 33%!  You can save an extra $1000, $1500 or $2000 on an extra suit , sport outfit, of a batch of slacks and shirts if you have a suit budget for as little as $333 per month, (plus tax). That’s an amazing savings!  33%!

Q. HOW DO I KNOW HOW MY MONEY IS BEING APPLIED?
A, Every month, by the 15th of the month, you’ll receive a credit card receipt with a copy of your Annual Selection Schedule, and a checkmark next to that month’s payment, showing you how your payment was applied.

Q. SO, YOU’RE NOT TAKING ALL OF MY MONEY IN ADVANCE BEFORE STARTING AN OUTFIT?
A. Quite the contrary. Even though there is no interest, you’re receiving your clothes before they’re paid for, often a month or two before!

Q.  HOW MANY “SELECTION BUDGET” OPTIONS DO I HAVE?
A.  A wide variety of schedules from 1 to 6 Selections annually, anywhere from $200 to $2000 per month. and recommended packages in each category.

Q   WHY THE PLAN?  WHAT IF I JUST WANT TO ORDER ALL OF MY CLOTHES AT ONCE.  CAN I SAVE MONEY?
A. We’re happy to make your clothes as you wish and without a schedule, but regarding savings; it’s the Plan that saves money, by organizing our client relationships enabling us to know whom and when to direct our efforts. It eliminates the wasted time for us to call randomly, and the distraction of our calls to our clients, wondering when and if our they’re ready for new clothes.

This “planned” approach is efficient and works miracles over time!

Q. IS THE  BONUS SAVINGS AUTOMATIC?
A. No,  It was “added as a “reward” an “extra” savings 30 years after the Wardrobe Plan was developed.  It actually doubles the overall combined Wardrobe Plan savings, but requires 1) payments to kept current without allowing a single payment to be delayed. 2) Charge cards are to be kept current, as well as Selections to be made during the months of Selection.  Budgets can be carried over and accumulated with the next budget,