Written by Steven Elliott

A Timeless Entrance to New York's Menswear Legacy

Notched in between the famous Carnegie Hall and a few absurdly priced skyscrapers sits a bastion of menswear superiority for more than a decade. I’ve just arrived and am kindly greeted by a doorman who lets me in. I explain why I’m here and he points me to the direction of a gilded elevator straight out of the 1940s. I press the worn plastic buttons FOR 11B and wait. You’re always struck by how much the history of New York is present by riding an elevator.

I arrive at my floor, a hallway of aged penny tiles guiding me to a rather modest entrance. A small placard on the door lets me know I’m in the right place. I childishly ring the doorbell on the outside and wait for a response…The door slowly creaks open and I’m greeted warmly. Stepping in, I immediately notice 2 well-dressed mannequins, one wearing a beautiful peak lapel tuxedo and the other an interesting tweet jacket. I walk past them, envious but hopeful that when all is said and done, I’ll be walking out just as sharp.

Cad & The Dandy's Modern Take on Timeless Tailoring

Dubbed the ‘Tower of Tailors’, 130 West 57th address has been synonymous with some of New York’s finest clothiers current and past. Amongst them, one of today's most successful names, Cad & The Dandy.

Started in the UK in 2008 by Ian Meiers and James Sleater, this young, Savile Row tailoring house has quietly built one of the most successful modern tailoring brands to date. With an aim on exceptional handmade garments, Cad’s vision on a more contemporary silhouette has catapulted them into favor with today’s more active and casual minded consumers.

When it comes to delivering on a comprehensive fitting experience, Cad has been at the top of the list. Their ‘penthouse’ located in midtown is one of the most beautifully designed spaces in New York, a welcoming haven for customers new and old to pull up a seat, pour a drink and be inspired.

“For many, visiting our penthouse is a great respite during their day where they can unwind and focus on themselves for a bit. We try our best to always make it a really pleasant experience for our clients, so that not only are they getting a great garment that fits properly, they've had a great time doing it.” says Steve Knorsch, the brand's managing director.

Inside Cad & The Dandy’s Midtown Masterpiece

Knorsch, who joined the brand in 2019, was also a big help when designing the brand’s space and attributes it to building a top-tier client experience. “We are fortunate to be housed in a landmark building dating from 1908. It has exceptional architectural details and classical elements from the period such as staircases, fireplaces and massive two-story windows. We inherited an impressive crystal chandelier when we moved in and chose to contrast those elements with modern furnishings and art. We partner with several NY artists and galleries to create ongoing exhibitions that bring a contemporary feel to the space. Our mannequins are always dressed for the current season and there is always a carefully curated selection of formalwear as well.”

Cad’s showroom has also become one of the most important locations for the occasional sartorial gathering. Regularly hosting meetups and small events, Mr Knorsch talks about a recent partnership with The Sartorial Club, “ We have enjoyed partnering with The Sartorial Club. It is a great organization and we share many of the same goals of highlighting craftsmanship, sartorial elegance and knowledge. We are always happy to welcome the club into our “home” and share all of those common traits. It is a perfect way to continue to support the brands and individuals who make this community so interesting.

Cad & TSC team in the attire of “Winter Soirée”"

Blending Tradition with Convenience

While Cad’s primary focus has been their bespoke clients, the brand has been quietly adapting to the evolving needs of today's modern consumers. A seamless transition between tradition and convenience would be tough for any brand, but because Cad manages their own workshops, pivoting to address a new market has now taken center stage.

It came as no surprise when Cad & The Dandy announced a RTW retail space just last year. As luck would have it, their new store would be opening up just below their current location on 57th Street. “Our ready-to-wear collection is the perfect compliment to our complete bespoke experience. Bespoke is not always the best option for clients due to either the pricing structure or the timeline (8-10 weeks)” Knorsch comments.

A New Era of Ready-to-Wear

A soft opening this October revealed a beautiful, modern space, filled with a wide variety of RTW pieces, from outerwear, suede chore coats and wool jumpers. “Our RTW is a great resource for our current clients, offering them a broader range of options that are not available at the penthouse. Every Cad & The Dandy Garment is in fact, made by hand, something you don’t often see with most ready-to-wear clothing. Gentleman now have two options tailored to fit their needs, budgets and timeframes.” Knorsch says.

Grand opening of the ready-to-wear space

With tailors like Cad & The Dandy seeing success, one might ask: Is there a revitalization for men dressing well again?

Knorsch explains, “We have seen more clients fully returned to the office these last few years and while they are not necessarily back in “banker pinstripes” the trend is a much more formal, put together look than in recent years. Clients are opting for a slightly more casual way of “dressing up” which includes simple suiting, separates and unique pieces such as safari jackets that look put together and professional without looking too formal and stuffy.”

As one of Saville Row’s only brands to now offer both bespoke and RTW here in the US, It's clear that Cad & The Dandy has solidified its position at the forefront of the market by both exceeding expectation and adapting to the needs of a contemporary clientele.

We’re very excited for our members of The Sartorial Club to visit and experience Cad & The Dandy for themselves. When you attend this upcoming event you’ll get to see a little behind-the-scenes look at their process and learn from their tailoring experts. After the presentation you’ll have opportunity to mingle with other attendees and ask Managing Director Steve Knorsch any questions you have.

We’re looking forward to seeing all of our well-dressed members soon in NYC!

(1) A Midtown Haven for Elegance