SOUTH LAKEVIEW — For a long time, the coolest fashion e-commerce trends were all about the ladies: ModCloth. ShoeDazzle. Birchbox.
Lately, though, men have been getting in on the fun, too, with some sites like Birchbox adding a men's line and other new services like Trunk Club popping up.
In Lakeview, Cynthia Xerogianes has crafted a career out of Trumaker, a built-to-fit menswear online shop that employs stylists like Xerogianes across the country. Based in San Francisco, Trumaker launched in 2013 to offer a personalized tailoring experience made easy with the marvels of the Internet.
Xerogianes is one of dozens of Trumaker outfitters in Chicago, but has expanded her work through a bustling social media presence, particularly on Twitter and Instagram.
As for her new career in fashion, Xerogianes said she'd never pictured it for herself, "but I never expected to be in the transportation industry, either. You just don't know where life is going to take you, and you have to stay open to the possibilities."
When a customer arranges a meeting, either through her style blog or a randomly assigned Trumaker appointment, she has an initial consultation meeting before scheduling a fitting session that lasts about half an hour.
Measurements are taken, fabrics are chosen, and the guy picks details for monograms, cuffs, collars, pockets and plackets.
"I enjoy the process a lot. The men love the process, and that's what my aim is: to make it as simple as possible for them to get clothing that fits beautifully," Xerogianes said.
While there are other websites that offer tailored menswear, the key to Trumaker is two-fold, with both the personal touch of a real-life stylist and the fine fabrics making for a classier experience, Xerogianes said.
Trumaker takes stylists through a lengthy training process to make sure their skills measure up. After several days of training and shadowing a manager, the outfitters also learn how to measure for blazers. Rumor has it pants will also be available starting in the fall.
Casual shirts start at $98 for cotton oxfords, while dress shirts go for as much as $248 for a cashmere-twill blend. The price is "purely fabric-driven" and includes the outfitting session and all other costs aside from shipping, she said.
It's a great option for a last-minute Father's Day present; gift card orders before Sunday can be downloaded as e-cards and include free brass bottle opener and copper collar stays. It's also a way for men to get exactly what they need without the hassle of shopping, Xerogianes said.
"My clients are people who hate to shop or guys that have trouble with fit. They don't have to fill their closet, but they might want to have a couple of really good shirts that they know they can always reach for and know they're going to look like a million bucks every time," she said.
Xerogianes likes to mother; she rescued five black kittens last Halloween and still has two. Recently, a bird died after it smashed into her window, and she gave it a lakeside burial. She's personable (as an actress, it comes with the territory), and she's very aware of "what looks good on a man."
"My father, growing up, always dressed to the nines, and over time, I've dated some guys that really liked to dress well," she said.
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