New Bespoke Menswear Leader Expands to Naples with Opening of Fifth Store in Five Years
Naples, FL: (October 29, 2024) . . . TWEEDS, a custom suit and clothing store, has officially opened its doors in downtown Naples, marking the brand’s fifth location in just five years.
With this latest expansion, TWEEDS brings a shopping experience that blends traditional tailoring techniques with modern style. Custom clothing options include men’s and women’s suits, dress shirts, sport coats and jeans, with suits starting at $1,850.
“We are thrilled to bring our bespoke menswear experience to Naples,” says Donald Carlson, 32, TWEEDS founder and CEO. “If you’ve never done custom before, it’s a cool experience,” he promises. “Not only will your suit fit perfectly, but there are hundreds of fabric colors and patterns. Then you pick the lining, the buttons and the stitching. It brings your vision to life -- a suit is an extension of your personality.”
TWEEDS crafts each piece from scratch for the perfect fit that reflects the client’s personal taste and lifestyle. Each suit is meticulously shaped to the individual’s exact measurements, ensuring an exceptional fit and feel. TWEEDS also offers full bespoke for women, often working in soft fabrics like velvet or lambswool bouclé.
Mobile suit shop launch
Carlson comes from a family with a background in the dry-cleaning business. After spending eight years in that industry, he sought a new venture and was inspired to start a custom clothing business during a road trip with his fiancée in 2019.
It was the perfect pivot for Carlson, having spent decades learning about styles, fabrics and fits of high-end menswear. Upon returning, he sold his car, bought a 16-foot box truck and converted it into a mobile suit shop.
“For the first two and a half years, I was by myself: parking in downtown Sarasota, trying to get people to hear about TWEEDS, knocking on doors and selling custom suits and tuxedos,” Carlson said. He earned his first few bespoke commissions, aided by his Instagram presence as @TWEEDSsuitshop.
“Then, I decided I wanted to try to actually scale and grow the business.”
Carlson opened his first TWEEDS store in Sarasota in 2022. Since then, he opened a downtown Tampa location near Oxford Exchange in 2023; a third showroom in St. Petersburg was added in June 2024; a fourth location opened in Orlando’s Baldwin Court in October 2024; Naples is the fifth location.
“Every TWEEDS location is designed as a place where clients can mingle, relax and have a memorable in-store experience,” said Carlson, adding custom experiences for clients extend far beyond the walls and reflect local interests. “There’s a poker table in Sarasota, a basketball court in St. Pete’s and a pool table in the Orlando store,” he adds.
Naples expansion
From the moment one steps into TWEEDS’ art-filled atelier at 955 5th Avenue North in the Naples Design District, it’s apparent that Carlson has created a world of his own — and his bespoke clothing is very much an extension of his vision.
The new Naples store exudes a blend of luxury and casual sophistication. The design also includes a putting green, adding a playful touch while paying homage to the city’s “golf capital of the world” moniker. It's a perfect complement to the leisure-driven vibe, allowing customers to take a break and enjoy some light recreation during their shopping experience.
An overstuffed leather sofa anchors the space while offering comfortable, relaxed seating. In the background, sailboats are subtly incorporated into the decor, evoking a sense of coastal adventure and freedom. A stately wooden armoire, filled with a full range of fabric books and accessories, offering a glimpse into bespoke craftsmanship. Above, the open, industrial-looking ceiling gives the space a modern feel. Exposed beams, ductwork and natural finishes provide a sense of raw style, balancing the comfort of the interior with a contemporary, urban edge.
The industrial aesthetic is softened by touches that add warmth and texture to the space. Two standout features include the private dressing room, draped in a rich, textured hunter-green fabric, offering an inviting contrast to the open ceiling and exposed elements above. A stylish bar area invites clients to relax with a drink, adding another layer of hospitality and refinement to the customer experience. This fusion of industrial design and luxurious details creates a harmonious environment for both relaxation and style, where clients can feel at home.
The Naples store will be managed by Connor Muldoon, an experienced style consultant who has been working with TWEEDS for more than six years. Muldoon and his wife, along with their two small children, relocated to Naples from Sarasota to manage the new location and client needs.
Why Bespoke?
“A bespoke suit is a second skin because it was made just to fit you, in taste as much as in proportions,” says Carlson, adding the foundation of a great suit lies in the precision of its measurements. In order to achieve the glove-like fit, TWEEDS takes over 30 detailed measurements to capture every nuance of the customer’s body shape – wide-fitting or slim, single-breasted or double breasted.
“It’s important to be able to take a series of measurements and turn them into a pattern,” says Carlson. “It’s like dot-to-dot, but it’s the artistic eye of the cutter that allows the pattern to be turned into a beautiful piece of clothing.”
This attention to detail ensures an exceptional fit and feel which typically begins with a temporary “basted” fitting held together by string. A basic form of the suit will then be made and tried on at the first fitting. It’s here that the tailor will make the all-important adjustments to get the suit right before a second (and sometimes even third) fitting is carried out. A fitting arrives four weeks after an order is placed and pieces can be finished in six weeks.
Fabric choice is equally crucial when it comes to creating a bespoke suit. TWEEDS sources from prestigious mills around the world like Dormeuil, Scabal and Zegna, offering a wide range of luxurious fabrics that cater to both classic and contemporary styles. Whether it’s a lightweight wool blend for year-round comfort or a rich velvet for a special occasion, the right fabric can elevate a suit from good to extraordinary.
Carlson says the clientele at TWEEDS varies from business professionals to individuals preparing for weddings or special events. He also notes a shift in how people view dressing up, with more personal expression involved now compared to the past.
“Twenty years ago, you had to wear a suit to work, but now it’s much more of a decision to put on a suit rather than something you’re forced to do, so I believe that allows for a lot more creativity and it makes it seem more special,” he comments.
The TWEEDS showroom accepts walk-ins Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am until 7 pm. Sundays and Mondays are open by appointment only. Mobile tailoring services are also available. Call (941) 241-3203 or visit www.TWEEDSsuitshop.com.
About TWEEDS
TWEEDS is a leading bespoke menswear brand, offering fully customized suits, dress shirts, sports coats, tuxedos and accessories tailored to each client’s exact specifications. With five locations in Southwest Florida, U.S., the company is committed to delivering exceptional craftsmanship and style to discerning men and women. Every piece is made from scratch using the finest fabrics and hand-finished details, ensuring that every client leaves with a suit that is uniquely their own.
Photo credit: Kayla Avirett @kdacreative
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