Another Aala Reed Gentleman!

Once again we are celebrating the men who continue to beautify Milwaukee by sporting the latest fashions and religiously supporting their favorite local businesses. In our first "Gentleman's Manner Tribute" for the summer season, we are pleased to introduce you to Aala Reed's style savvy customer Justin Siehr!

• NAME: Dustin Siehr
• SIGN: Libra
• ABODE: Downtown Milwaukee
  
• COCKTAIL: Scotch
  
• JUNK FOOD: Pretzels
• RIDE: Acura
  
• FAVORITE MOVIE: Casablanca
• MOST PRIZED POSSESSIONS: Golf Clubs, "My Putter"
  

1. How do you describe your style? Preppy.
2. What's your favorite go-to piece? Sweater vests and flashy golf attire!
   
3. What can't you stand to see a guy wearing? Men who wear their socks with sandals. Why this ever caught on I will never know.
4. Why is customer service important to you? It makes the experience more personal and will keep me coming back.
   
5. Why do you like shopping at Aala Reed? I like the fantastic service and the always friendly staff. Its nice to have someone smile at you when you walk through the door.
   

Celebrating the Aala Reed Gentleman!

Here we are again, celebrating the men who continue to beautify Milwaukee by sporting the latest fashions and religiously supporting their favorite local businesses. In our first "Gentleman's Manner Tribute" for the spring season, we are pleased to introduce you to Aala Reed's longest-standing customer, Jamie Leick.

• NAME: Jamie Leick
• OCCUPATION: Territory Sales Mgr.,Altria
• ABODE: Brewers Hill
  
• COCKTAIL: Vodka Tonic
  
• GUILTY PLEASURE: Shoes
• RIDE: BMW 550
  
• MUSICIAN: Kanye West
• MOST PRIZED POSSESSIONS: Wife & House

1. How do you describe your style? Up-to-date and slightly edgy.
2. What's your winning combo? My favorite Agave jeans with boots.
3. What can't you stand to see a guy wearing? Dated jeans, sneakers with a tucked in polo shirt. Oh- and camo or blaze orange if they're not hunting.
4. Why is customer service important to you? Because fashion is complex and ever-changing, it takes help and honest feedback to make certain looks work.
   
5. Why do you like shopping at Aala Reed? Aala Reed carries designers I used to have to drive to Chicago for. Plus their customer service is second to none!
   

Spring is Sprung!

For those of you who have your clubs cleaned and ready to go, we've got a great new line of golf-wear that may not improve your swing but will certainly have you dressed to a tee.

Polos, vests, pants and jackets are versatile enough to wear off the course and add a splash of color to your summer wardrobe. AND the prices are unbelievable, with polos starting at $48 and jackets priced at $185.


The "Must Have" item of the summer is one of our handsome sport coats from San Remo. Choose the cool linen-blend pinstripe which is the perfect topper to dress slacks or jeans. We've also brought back the "two-fer" (as we call it) which is a modern cut black blazer with zip-out houndstooth vest so you can wear it two ways.

Celebrating the Aala Reed Gentleman!

As promised, we are celebrating the men who continue to make Milwaukee look good by wearing the latest fashions and having a certain "je nais se qua" in confidently putting their looks together. In this "Gentleman's Manner Tribute," we are pleased to introduce you to Milwaukee's hottest transplant, Marcus Bloodworth.

• NAME: Marcus Bloodworth
• OCCUPATION: Engineer, GenMet
• ABODE: Brady Street
• MOVIE: Revolver
• SIGN: Scorpio
• RIDE: MCTS
• MUSICIAN: Nina Simone
  
• MOST PRIZED POSSESSION: Passport

1. How important is dressing well to you? Very! People are visual.
2. What does great style say about a man? Style says a man is confident and attentive.
3. Are you willing to spend more on a unique item? Always. I have key items I wear often and I want them to last a long time.
4. What can't you stand to see a guy wearing? Skinny pants and massive jewelry.
5. Who is your favorite fashion icon? I like the way Sean Connory dressed: classic, modern fusion.
6. When you're shopping, do you like individual attention? Who doesnt? The women of Aala Reed are professionals who all feel like my sisters - they care about what you look like when you face the world.
   

Celebrating the Aala Reed Gentleman!

Throughout the past eight years, Aala Reed has been privileged to dress Milwaukee's most stylish men. Therefore we are committed to paying tribute to ALL of you in our "Gentleman's Manner," allowing each of you to share your words of fashion wisdom with your fellow gents.

We've eased the pressure (similar to the inescapable question posed by your high school trig teacher, "Who wants to go first?") by presenting to you our first tribute.

• NAME: Stew Brase
• OCCUPATION: Business Development Exec, E&Y
• ABODE: East Side
• MOVIE: Raiders of the Lost Arc
• RIDE: Volvo S60
• COCKTAIL: Vesper
• MUSICIAN: The Boss
• JUNK FOOD: M&M's

1. How would you describe your style? Traditionalist, slightly conservative with a fun splash of color thrown in via socks or ties. Three-button jackets in tweed or flannel.
2. Are you willing to spend more on a unique item? Yes! I tend to choose custom suits and shirts believing there is value in the extra cost.
3. What's your favorite go-to piece? I love a good fedora. My tweed and corduroy sport coats are perfect with jeans or khakis.
4. Who is your favorite fashion icon? I like Ralph Lauren, and model my dress after some of his styles.
5. Why do you like shopping at Aala Reed? Aala Reed carries great casual shirts with fun colors and patterns. Their collection of ties and pocket squares are the best I've seen!
   

A Sneak Peek at Fall 2010!

One thing I've learned in the last 8 years since Aala Reed opened its doors, is that seasons fly by much more quickly for us retailers. I mean, we've just started bringing in new "spring transitional" merchandise and we've already selected your wardrobe for next fall!

Our first buying trip for the season took place at the Chicago Collective this past weekend, so we snapped a few pics to give you a glimpse into the future...

Along with picking up several new designers for Aala Reed, we revisited some "old friends" including True Grit (AMAZING outerwear & shirt jackets) and an all time AR favorite, Mod-o-Doc loungewear (it's more comfy than ever).

Outerwear has never looked so good with a broad range of styles and prices. Fabrics of choice include tweed, solid black or navy, with epaulets, metal buttons, and zipper pockets as details which really make Fall '10 fresh.

Sweaters abound with loose cotton weaves for a luxurious classic look. Is there anything sexier than a classic fisherman's sweater?

And yes, sport shirts are still your number 1 "go-to" piece, however say good-bye to embroidery and embellishments as they are a thing of the past. Now you will see beautiful colors, and whimsical details on button plackets, sleeves, cuffs and collars to make each shirt a piece of art.

After very LONG days packed with appointments, millions of fabric swatches ("Didn't we see that same shirt 3 times today?"), selecting the perfect style for each Aala Reed customer ("That's a total Bjorn shirt!"), it's always nice to catch up and unwind with our vendors who, in the last 8 years, have become dear friends.

That's Fall '10 in a nutshell, Gents! But spring is right around the corner, and Aala Reed is receiving new clothing weekly. Come on in and see what great fashion awaits you!
~ Laura

Happy New Year Everyone!

We are truly blessed to have made it through 2009 with our health, loving families, friends, and the belief that through every adversity comes equal or greater opportunity.

As many of you have read and we retailers personally experienced, it was not a year to brag about. We've all been affected by the worst economic crisis the country's faced in over 20 years, and it has touched many facets of business. It doesn't matter what field you're in: manufacturing, finance, real estate, retail, government, etc... It felt like a never-ending chain reaction of sorts.

That being said, we also have MANY friends who, when asked "How's biz?", were able to respond, "You know, I feel bad saying this but we had one of our best years ever!" Feel badly? About being successful? That's the most preposterous thing I've ever heard! After all the gloom and doom of the last year we LONG to hear a good success story -- especially from our friends.

Therefore, I've made a pact with myself and those around me to be more positive, optimistic, and look forward to the new year. I want to share the joy of my friends' success stories in the hopes of passing along some good karma and inspiration to others.

Jim Rohn said it best: "Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want."