Inside N.Y.C.’s First Tailoring Shop for Grooms
Why should brides have all the fun? Now, a one-stop shop for the groom has launched in the Big Apple.
Located in Chelsea, The Groom Shop by Michael Andrews opened doors on Thursday with a focus on made-to-measure suiting for the leading man and his groomsmen. The former corporate attorney launched his namesake tailoring business in 2006, which specializes in bespoke attire for men and women. While Michael Andrews Bespoke will also take orders for wedding-ready tuxes, The Groom Shop focuses on getting men dressed for the occasion in ready-to-wear and made-to-measure tailoring with that same excitable pomp and circumstance you’d find at the nearest bridal shop.
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“The Groom Shop was an idea that had been percolating for several years,” Andrews tells Robb Report. “We had a lot of requests for ready to wear, from guys calling a week before their wedding.” Which begs the question, do guys still care so little about what they look like on their wedding days? To put that into perspective, Brides suggest women start looking a year in advance for their dress and lock in their decision nine months from the big day. Set across the street from Kleinfeld Bridal, a 30,000-square-foot utopia for brides, the Groom Shop aims to help men get organized in style—ideally a little earlier.
“There’s about 50 different designs on display in store, most of which have two variations,” Andrews says. The ready-to-wear collection offers classic black and midnight-blue tuxedos, available as separates in sizes from 36 short to 50 long. Over 40 signature looks can also be made to measure with delivery in under four weeks, including mohair tuxes, brocade dinner jackets, and liquid-velvet smoking jackets, which all stood out on our walkthrough of the 1,000-square-foot shop, ahead of the grand opening. “In total, it’s about 100 different pieces and that’s a number that we’re looking to grow continually.”
The experience starts the moment you step into the retail space, inspired by the golden age of Hollywood. An ornate chandelier in the center of the room catches your eye off-top, while the 12-foot bar outfitted in antiqued mirrored panels, fluted brass, and natural green stone is where you’ll likely end up. Dani Andrews, the founder’s wife and director of operations, helped with the interior design, full of accessories such as a model boat, Ralph Lauren books, and black-and-white imagery.
While, as the name suggests, the Groom Shop’s offerings are aimed squarely at the groom and his party, “most of it would be appropriate for any black-tie affair—certainly a cocktail party, festive black tie,” say Andrews. And unlike most tuxedo rental spaces, The Groom Shop can accommodate groups of up to 10 for fittings—and use of the bar.
“Years ago, there were tons of formal wear stores, and they all kind of disappeared,” Andrews says. “But there are bridal stores everywhere. So, it really it tells you that how well served the bride is and the groom is so often an afterthought… We want to make sure the groom is getting the same consideration. I think it’s long overdue. And I have I have a hunch if this is successful, we’ll have a lot of imitators.”
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