The Classic Man Capsule featuring Mike Banks

When Mike Banks, a long-time client from Phoenix, AZ, came to us for a Fall/Winter capsule wardrobe, we knew we had to get creative.

Phoenix is one of the hottest cities in America, but Mike has a classic, East Coast sense of style—think suits, tailored jackets, and high-waisted trousers. So, the challenge was clear: how do we give him the texture and elegance of traditional winter garments while making sure everything is breathable and comfortable enough for Arizona?

Mike’s a sharp dresser, always has been. “I was the kid in the suit,” he told me. “I’m the guy that wears a suit to work when everyone else has jeans and a t-shirt.” He isn’t new to the capsule wardrobe concept, either—this is not his first capsule with us. But for this one, he had a specific goal in mind: he needed something for an upcoming black-tie event, and he wanted those pieces to integrate seamlessly with the rest of the capsule, so he could create a range of formal and semi-formal looks.

So in addition to "classic Fall/Winter in a hot climate" this capsule was also about providing "levels of formality."

With that in mind, we put together a 14-piece capsule that reflects his love of classic menswear while being practical for his lifestyle. Lightweight wools, silk blends, and merino knits that mimic the feel of heavier winter fabrics but are much more breathable - and can be worn for formal, semi-formal, business, and smart casual occasions.

Our Super 180s Flannel & Silk Suit is crafted from Ariston's Super 180s Flannel & Silk - a truly exceptional lightweight fabric that combines the timeless texture and softness of flannel with the luxurious sheen and breathability of silk. This is the lightest-weight flannel fabric we've ever seen; it's designed for customers in warmer climates who are looking to add some texture seasonality to their wardrobes, while remaining cool and dry.

Our Summer Tweed Herringbone Jacket is crafted from our famous "Summer Tweed" fabric. This one is for the guys who live in warm places, who don't get to enjoy the joys of wearing heavy tweeds. This fabric - a blend of tropical wool and silk - has all the texture, character, charm and versatility of a traditional tweed - but is lightweight, breathable and designed for warm climates. If you're looking for a go-to jacket that can do it all - this is an excellent choice. 

The Johnny is a timeless long-sleeve polo shirt updated with the perfect fit and made from a super-finItalian merino wool that is famous for its soft hand and supreme comfort. 

Our Bengal Stripe Shirt is cut from a beautiful 4-season pure cotton fabric rendered with the perfect bengal stripe. This classic stripe is just subtle enough to be understated and just bold enough to add some style to any outfit. 

Our Wool, Silk & Linen Hopsack Jacket is crafted from a luxurious blend of wool, silk and linen with distinctive hopsack weave that offers a contemporary twist on classic tailoring. The unique hopsack structure adds textural composition to the fabric, while the blend of natural fibers ensures breathability and comfort.

The Stretch Cotton Trouser is a modern twist on a classic cotton trouser. This 4-season Italian fabric gives you incredible comfort and a full range of motion without sacrificing quality, drape or style.https://articlesofstyle.com/products/signature-stretch-cotton-trouser

The Crawford is a chunky cardigan sweater in a beefy 2x2 ribbed merino wool that is warm, elegant and delightfully cozy. It's slightly oversized, making it perfect for wearing on its own or layered under a coat or jacket. With both function and style, it will be hard to find a sweater that can do more than this.

The Sean is a classic turtleneck with an updated fit made from a super-soft, lightweight fine Italian merino yarn that is extremely comfortable and versatile.

The Signature Velvet jacket is a classic "smoking jacket" - or "dinner jacket". Cut from a plush crushed velvet, it has a cloud-soft hand and is simply a joy to wear. Originally designed as a formal or semi-formal garment, the velvet dinner jacket has become a go-to for parties, night clubs, fine restaurants and any kind of festive or celebratory occasion. 

Our Signature Formal Crossover Shirt is a beautiful 4-season Sea Island cotton, with a point collar, hidden-placket front and french cuffs. We call it the "crossover shirt" because it can be worn for black tie (with a tuxedo), for business (with a suit) and for smart casual (with a jacket).

A classic formal bowtie traditional fabrics and colors. The ultimate "black tie" - designed to pair with our tuxedos and dinner jackets. Don't forget the matching cummerbund to complete the look.

Our Classic Tuxedo Trouser is made of barathea: the most traditional tuxedo fabric in the long and storied history of menswear. This unique blend of premium wool (70%) and crisp mohair (30%) is designed to keep a beautiful clean drape, long after you've busted some moves on the dance floor. The mohair's natural "spring" helps to naturally avoid wrinkles and gives the cloth a subtle luxurious sheen that is perfect for formal attire.

Our Classic Tuxedo Trouser is made of barathea: the most traditional tuxedo fabric in the long and storied history of menswear. This unique blend of premium wool (70%) and crisp mohair (30%) is designed to keep a beautiful clean drape, long after you've busted some moves on the dance floor. The mohair's natural "spring" helps to naturally avoid wrinkles and gives the cloth a subtle luxurious sheen that is perfect for formal attire.

The ultimate necktie. 

A classic silk grenadine tie has been worn by stylish gentlemen for more than a hundred years. 

It's world-famous for its versatility, timelessness and sumptuous texture that creates a beautiful shape with a knot that holds the perfect dimple.

If you're looking for a go-to tie that works with everything - this is it.

Using only these 14 items, here are some of the 50+ outfits Mike can create...

The garments are designed to be mixed-and-matched, to give him a wide range of outfits fromal, to business, to casual. 

This allows him to get the most out of each item and keep a cohesive, streamlined closet. It also makes it really easy to get dressed.

Mike’s experience with Articles of Style speaks for itself. “I’ve been working with Dan and AOS for almost five years now, and it’s essentially the only place I buy clothes,” he told us.

What stood out for him in this capsule wardrobe was the seamless process of building a cohesive collection. “Dan always makes it easy to piece together a ton of items and understand how they’ll fit together,” Mike said.

He also appreciated the custom fitting process, which is a hallmark of what we do here. “It’s amazing how well AOS fits with just a couple of photos and some honest feedback,” Mike shared, adding that his advice to future clients would be to spend some time in the try-on garments to really understand the fit.

The fabrics we chose for his Fall/Winter capsule were another win. “I love that we picked materials that work for Arizona but could easily adapt to a place like New York or Chicago,” he said. When asked to sum up his experience, Mike didn’t hold back: “Start to finish, this was the best experience I’ve ever had buying or wearing clothes. I’d recommend it to anyone.”

Thank you for reading - and special thanks to Mike for participating!

Yours in style,

Dan Trepanier & AOS

There are a lot more outfit combinations that Mike could create using only these 14 items (there is no way we could photograph them all).

For more information, including pricing, customization options and more - click here:

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I look forward to working with you!

Yours in style,

Dan Trepanier