I started writing a blog called The Rift in 1998, which I later renamed The Dicky Bow in 2006. My content focused on the insights I gained from years of buying and shopping for classic men’s wear. I began purchasing well-made suits and ties in 1987, but even as a young person, I always had a penchant for nice clothes.
I have a deep appreciation for classic men’s wear, including beautifully cut suits, jackets, trousers, and bench-made or hand-crafted shoes. I admired the elegance of the ’30s and ’40s when men dressed for every occasion, and even casual attire was smart-looking.
However, in 2021, after slightly emerging from the pandemic, I decided to shut down the blog. From 2015 to 2019, I started an event company called EDB Cravatta and its forerunner, Papillon Cravatta (with a few partners). These web-based companies allowed me to host live catered events for providers of bespoke and made-to-measure men’s wear.
I still offer my services to bespoke or made-to-measure men’s wear makers when needed. EDB’s success enabled me to showcase bespoke and made-to-measure clothing made from fabrics produced at mills like Dormeuil, Reda, Thomas Mason, and Vitale Barberis.
Organizing these events required renting spaces from warehouses, private showrooms, public areas, and art galleries. I hired staff, catered the events, provided security, designed and printed marketing materials, placed banner ads, created email blasts, purchased keywords, curated wines, and oversaw the event while wearing a made-to-measure or bespoke suit.
Handling these events is always exciting, and while I don’t do as many as I once did, I’ve learned a great deal about the bespoke and made-to-measure men’s wear industry. I now work as a corporate marketing specialist, applying the same skills in a B2B environment.
I hope to host or sponsor an event in Connecticut, likely in May 2025, featuring a firm that offers made-to-measure clothing at an ideal price point for those new to understanding their wardrobe.
This brief history of The Dicky Bow hopefully gives you some insight into my passion for men’s wear. I will continue to write tips and post images on this new site, and I’ll still share the occasional rant since it’s my platform.
I’ve been passionate about classic clothes long before the era of social media and the rise of so-called influencers. For over 40 years, I’ve enjoyed curating an extensive collection that includes over 50 suits, nearly 700 ties and bowties, more than 300 shirts, and 40 pairs of shoes.
Recently, my wife and I took inventory and donated dozens of shirts, ties, and suits to a single location due to the sheer volume I’ve amassed. I am not counting cuff links, sneakers, coats, jackets, suspenders, and bags.
