Company Spotlight: Glass House Shirtmakers

Today's post is another from my friend, Xochil. She's got a killer fashion sense and is deeply committed to American clothing manufacturing, especially in her hometown of Chicago. She has some great insight as an insider in the fashion industry and will likely be contributing every now and then.

Finding clothing I love and that my husband loves is a hard task on its own, no matter the item. He’s picky about colors and how things feel, and I’m into the styling, quality, and of course the fit. If I can satisfy the checklist for both of us, plus find something that is both Made in USA and sustainably made, it’s a match made in heaven.

Glass House Shirtmakers Camel Micro Gingham Shirt

Glass House Shirtmakers Camel & Blue Stripe Shirt

These are two shirts by Glass House Shirtmakers, based here in Chicago. The designer Daniel Bernardo is a client turned industry friend, and has a great vision for his company and it shows in his products. He selects the best materials, which are natural (cotton, Lyocell, hemp) and often organic, or reclaimed fabrics, which are “end of the lot” or even goods that ended up left over at the factory and forgotten about. These shirts definitely bring new life into the material, cut slim and sewn precisely for a timeless look any guy would be glad to have in his wardrobe.

Tim in the Camel Micro Gingham shirt

My husband, Tim is pretty minimal when it comes to prints and pattern on his shirts, so my first
purchase for him was the Camel Micro Gingham – the gingham is so fine it almost looks like it’s a solid color from afar, but up close you can really see the detail. Enter the line’s signature corozo nut buttons, perfect French seams and single needle top stitching, and this is one fine shirt. Tim likes how it feels, the cotton is super soft, but not too thin, and the fit is great for his tall slim build (he’s 6’2”).

After the first shirt was in rotation quite a bit, I decided it was time for a second shirt when we had a wedding coming up to attend this summer. I got Tim to try a pattern with the Camel and Blue Stripe shirt (shown on him above), and it’s subtle enough that it earns his stamp of approval.

Xochil and Tim, the fashionable couple

Glass House Shirtmakers was recently nominated for a Rising Star award by Fashion Group International of Chicago and was also a finalist in the Martha Stewart American Made Awards.

Thanks, Xochil. Thanks, Tim, for being such a great model! 

Xochil Herrera Scheer works as the Product Development Manager at The Apparel Agency in Chicago. She is very interested in all aspects of the development and manufacturing process, and is passionate about companies and products Made in USA. Xochil is an active member of the local fashion community, and serves on the board of Fashion Group International of Chicago. In her spare time she enjoys reading, sewing, shopping and Instagram-ing.

@xochilurbanswan (Twitter) / @fashionx (Instagram) / +XochilScheer (Google+) / www.pinterest.com/xochilh/

(Photos of Tim courtesy of Xochil, taken with her Moto X phone -- also Made in USA!.  Stock photos courtesy of Daniel Bernardo of Glass House Shirtmakers.)