The backbone of a man’s wardrobe for Shabbat and Yom Tov is a good quality, well fitting suit. Construction and fabric are just as important as style. Urbano at Brook Haven Mall in Passaic opened just after Purim and is now gearing up for Yom Tov with a full line of quality men’s suits, shirts, pants and accessories, including Borsalino hats. On-site tailoring has just been added.
What makes a good suit? Avi Koplowitz, co-founder of Urbano, explained why a quality suit is a better choice than a cheaper one. “A suit constructed with a half canvas drapes nicer on the body than a fused suit,” he said. “It lasts longer, is softer and more comfortable.” In a canvassed suit, the jacket has an interlining sewn in so it moves with and conforms to the body. Lower quality suits are fused, which means they are held together with glue so there is little flexibility and minimal longevity. In other words, a good quality suit is an investment that will last longer in addition to giving you a better fit. Urbano has a range of styles. Choose a suit with a notch or peak lapel, in black, charcoal or different shades of blue. Suits are available in men’s sizes, including sizes for growing teens and smaller sized adults.
For the ultimate fit, Urbano makes custom suits. The suit is made to your measurements. There are dozens of fabrics, thread colors and styling options to choose from and hundreds of ways to customize. Custom suits are becoming a popular choice for wedding parties. Multiple family members can get the same fabric and then they all have premium suits that they can wear after the wedding. Urbano also offers custom tuxedos.
Urbano carries Charles Tyrwhitt shirts, including super slim fit, which is not available online, and Atica shirts which have a polished look with non-iron care. Complete your look with a fashionable tie in a regular or high-end Italian silk. For casual wear, Urbano has its own line of polo shirts and button downs with a super comfortable stretch fabric, as well as flex pants very similar to a well-known brand for nearly 50% less. Outerwear is coming in for the cold months — fashionable raincoats with a down lining and dressy wool winter coats for Shabbat.
Koplowitz felt strongly about including hats at the store, especially since Borsalino hats are no longer available in Monsey. “Before we opened, I thought it was important to get hats,” he said. “By offering hats, a customer can come to Urbano for one-stop shopping.” Borsalino is the brand of choice for many. Panama hats are also available in a variety of colors and make a great look for summer.
Koplowitz added that the mall management approached him about opening a men’s suit store as he had a background in retail clothing and manufacturing. His wife,Chanie runs Flair in the mall, with beautiful fashions for women and juniors. “There was no men’s store in the community,” he said. “Many people in the community are very appreciative that there is now a local store they can go to without having to go to Monsey, Brooklyn or Lakewood. Plus, we have plenty of customers coming to us from Essex and Bergen counties in New Jersey.”
Visit Urbano at Brook Haven Mall, 217 Brook Ave., Passaic. Hours are: Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m.- 8 p.m.; and Friday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Bracha Schwartz is the special sections editor at The Jewish Link.
