O’Connell’s Clothes Call

Although I would prefer to shop at Brick and Mortar stores, living in a mid-size city with no independent menswear store makes it hard. Sure I make the hour trek to the nearest Brooks Brothers store, but I would say that 9 out of 10 of my purchases are made online. Due to this I do a lot of online window shopping, but I still appreciate a good old fashioned catalog and O’Connell’s “Clothes Call” is by far my favorite.

A copy of the Clothes Call

If you have never heard of O’Connell’s I will give a bit of background. O’Connell’s Clothing company is an independent menswear store that is located in Buffalo, NY. The store was started in 1959 by three Buffalo Bill’s players (Thomas O’Connell, Richie Lucas and Don Chelf), but was bought that same year by Bernie Huber and is still in the Huber family today. They specialize in classic American clothing and all the wonder that it entails. I have actually never been to the store, but because of their seasonal publication I feel as if I have.

Magee Tweed Jackets

The Clothing Call is one of the few pieces of mail that I look forward to receiving. I often wait to read it until I have some time to sit and enjoy it. The simple layout and the beautiful clothing transports me back to a time which I never lived. A time when people shopped using mail order catalogs and I would bet that one could not only fulfill all of their wardrobe needs, but also their desires using only this publication. In the summer they feature terrific poplin suits and maybe a lightweight hightwist wool sport coat in blue and in winter they carry lambswool flannel and cavalry twill trousers. In short, they have you covered.

Hightwist Wool JacketChrysalis ChatsworthThe Clothing Call is not an antiquated document, but keeps one informed what is happening at O’Connell’s whether it be reading about trunk show week featuring H. Freeman, Southwick, and Samuelsohn or Alden shoe week and allows those of us who are not fortunate enough to be able to attend to turn green with envy. I keep every Clothing Call I get and revisit them often to learn and dream of the day that my closet is filled with its contents.  If you don’t receive the Clothes Call and aren’t able to visit them in person then check out their new website and don’t forget to peruse their renowned new old stock section ( O’Connell’s Clothing).

oxford cloth button down
Jerrod Swanton is a simple man interested in simple, classic, and traditional style.

8 Comments on "O’Connell’s Clothes Call"

  1. Richard E. Press says:

    Well done!

  2. Boston Bean says:

    How does one subscribe to Clothes Call?

  3. oxford cloth button down says:

    @ Richard Press – Thank you, sir!

    @Boston Bean – I believe that I started receiving them after a small purchase, but I bet that shooting them a note on the contact us form would get it done. They have been very responsive to any inquiry that I have ever had.

  4. Steve E says:

    Best B&M men’s clothing store in the US, without a doubt. They’re not inexpensive though, so I wonder if they are in good financial shape, as their high prices limit their customer base to those who are either affluent or eccentric. Maybe if they have problems Eric Clapton will bale them out, as with Cordings; doubt it. as they are not English.

  5. Steve E says:

    @OCBD: Did you know that they used to have a store in Cincinnati, just down the road from you?

  6. oxford cloth button down says:

    @Steve E – I did not know that! How I lament the past.

  7. Curt says:

    There’s still a great store in Cincy, in Hyde Park, called Khakis. You should plan a trip down there; you’ll like it a lot. Get a burger at Terry’s Turf Club, which isn’t too far away, and check out Delamere & Hopkins right around the corner.

  8. oxford cloth button down says:

    @Curt – Thanks for the tips! I will take our advice and head that way in the near future. Thanks for stopping by and a leaving a comment!

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