Five questions with Commonwealth Proper’s Founder and Creative Director, Craig Arthur von Schroeder @vonschroeder
When and why was CMMP created?
I created Commonwealth Proper way back in 2008 as a reaction to my inability to find a tailored-fit dress shirt.The dearth of well-fitted options intrigued me and I went on a quest to develop better men’s clothing. The shirt led to suits and then to outerwear, etc.
Who is your style icon?
Tom Ford. His style – be it clothing, furniture or movie-making – is a study in how sexiness can be created through simplicity and texture. It’s something I try to emulate in ways.
Three CMMP items any proper man should own. (1) Navy Travel Suit – it can be worn over and over again, staying fresh & relevant (2) White Royal Oxford shirt with our True-Strength Collar – this option has just the right polish and weight to be appropriate for any setting (3) Black Tech Assassins Raincoat – we developed and imported a performance fabric from Switzerland that is water-whicking, stretchy, bacteria resistant and protects from all kinds of elements like wind and UV rays and put it together in a sleek silhouette that is redefining classic rain gear.
What is your absolute men’s style pet peeve?
Suit coat/blazer that doesn’t fit in the shoulders. The shoulders are the soul of the coat, and if the fit is incorrect the entire garment will look odd. The shoulder seams should fall just past the cap of the shoulder. Men often aren’t able to see the issue because the indicator of a bad fit is that it bunches behind the shoulders. Men can’t see that looking in a mirror. But a good tailor can always tell. For some reason most beautiful women see it too. Sorry guys.
Autumn is quickly approaching. Which CMMP item do we need to prepare for the cold?
The Assassins Top Coat. This year we have it in the classic Harris Tweed Black & Grey Herringbone as well as a blue/black cashmere. They are ready-to-wear, so guys can just stop by our shop, purchase and leave wearing the coat. #Cmmp #custom #menswear #dieproper
