Instant Alert: A former J.Crew exec just opened a menswear paradise for the modern guy who 'wants to look American'

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS   |   UNSUBSCRIBE   |   VIEW ONLINE   A former J.Crew exec just opened a menswear paradise for the modern guy who 'wants to look American' by Dennis Green and Sarah Jacobs on Feb 1, 2017, 11:30 AM Advertisement Todd Snyder wants to sell you his vision of modern American style. And he wants the average guy to be more comfortable choosing it for himself.  "Being an American menswear designer, I wanted to do something that represented me," Snyder told Business Insider during a tour of his eponymous brand's new store, which opened in New York City in December. "[The] brand really represents the guy who wants to dress better, who wants to look American." Snyder translates to "tailor" in Dutch, but this designer didn't always want to get into fashion. Snyder originally wanted to be a designer of a different breed — an architect — and only switched to fashion after becoming frustrated with the slow path a career in architecture would require. He went on to design menswear at Ralph Lauren, Gap, and J.Crew, where he eventually became a senior vice president. But what exactly is American style? To Snyder, it's the "eclectic mix of everything that we know," including British style, streetwear, and everything in between.  "Clothing is about a feeling," Snyder said. "Otherwise we'd all be walking around in gray sacks and not really give a hoot. We all dress the way we do for a reason. There's emotion built behind it. We want the store to feel that way." SEE ALSO: This tuxedo rental startup wants to completely change the way guys dress for weddings The new store, which opened in December, is a veritable paradise of menswear. Snyder said that the store was envisioned as a one-stop shop for guys looking to get fashionable clothing, plus anything else they might need. An on-site barbershop and bar area are opening soon, and there's also a space where purchased garments can be tailored. The store is similar to J.Crew's Liquor Store concept — a new kind of menswear store that Snyder created while he was head of menswear design for the brand. It includes the namesake collection in addition to hand-picked pieces from brands that complement the look. See the rest of the story at Business Insider   Share the latest business news with your network:    Email sent to:   |   Manage your email preferences   |   Unsubscribe Terms of Service   |   Privacy Policy Business Insider. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011