The old adage that “clothes make the man” is a philosophy that’s been at the center of Rush Wilson Limited’s operations since the haberdashery first opened its doors in Greenville, South Carolina, seventy-five years ago. And in an age where Crocs and sweatpants are more ubiquitous than ever, the team is on a mission to prove that essential menswear is still very much essential.
Two days after his wedding in 1950, then twenty-three-year-old Rush Wilson II opened his eponymous clothing store in downtown Davidson, North Carolina. That location would eventually close in 1969, but a second storefront opened in Greenville in 1959 after Wilson relocated his young family. “[My father] loved to dress well,” says Rush Wilson III, who now runs the shop with his son, Jay. “He worked at Belk in high school and developed a taste for clothing and a sense of style and color.”
From the start, the store focused on classic clothing and suiting with soft shoulders and conservative patterns. “We’re still doing business under the same premise,” Wilson says. “Above all, my dad’s emphasis was on properly fitting the clothing to the customer, almost giving a custom fit for ready-made, off-the-rack garments, which we still do today.”
Here are seven style rules that Wilson believes will continue to stand the test of time.
Buy the highest quality clothes you can.
Only spend what you can afford, Wilson emphasizes, but get the best quality clothes your money can buy. “You do get what you pay for,” he says. “Details in fine clothing—the way they’re sewn together—give a softer drape and mean [the pieces] stay looking newer longer than less expensive or cheaply made clothing.”
Tailor your clothes.
Your clothes shouldn’t be too long, too short, too baggy, or too tight, Wilson says, which is why Rush Wilson offers alterations for all of their customers. “Fine tailored clothing stands the test of time.”
Dress your best for every occasion.
“Being well dressed—whether it’s casual or for work or for formal events—is your calling card,” Wilson says. “It’s your brand.”
Wearing a tailored pair of five-pocket pants with a tucked in polo shirt, for instance, will blend seamlessly into a casual setting, while still feeling put together. Add a quarter zip in cooler months, and don’t ruin the look with a pair of beat-up sneakers. And for Wilson, dressing your best means always remembering to iron your clothes.
Own your own tuxedo.
“Having a tuxedo is important, especially with all the events we have [in the South],” Wilson says. Stick with the standard black bowtie and cummerbund for your most formal events, but he says you can “get jazzier” for things like weddings or charity galas. Try a colorful Brackish bowtie, juxtaposed with the restraint of a standard black cummerbund.
Make sure you have appropriate shoes in your closet.
While most suits should be paired with proper lace-up leather shoes, seersucker or navy blazers go particularly well with penny loafers. Wilson is partial to the Alden brand for both.
Use a cedar shoe tree to ensure your footwear keeps their shape. If you wear dress shoes every day but rotate through three to four pairs, Wilson attests your shoes should last thirty to forty years.
Stick to classic colors for your suits.
While sports coats can be a bit flashier, Wilson believes suit colors should remain conservative. Men should always have a navy suit in their closet—plus a navy blazer and gray slacks. “You want to have your words speak louder than your clothes,” he says.
Own—and use—a raincoat.
It’s essential to protect your clothes in the rain by using a raincoat and umbrella, something Wilson wishes more Southern men would do. He also says a topcoat that is longer than your suit jacket is a staple every “well-dressed man has in their wardrobe.”
