“A WELL-TIED TIE IS THE FIRST SERIOUS STEP IN LIFE.”
—OSCAR WILDE
In today’s world of business casual and weekend wear, dressing well is becoming somewhat of a lost art. Fedoras and wing tips, three-piece suits and pocket watches—the basic building blocks that were, once upon a time, wardrobe staples—have become rare sightings as society has embraced social norms that make such outfitting seem out of place and antiquated.
Yet to those who appreciate them, they’re not old-fashioned. They’re timeless.
As a career professional in menswear boutiques and high-end department stores, Frederick Jabber considers dressing well more than a look; it’s a way of life. “I’ve worked for years as a manager, retail director, buyer and sales professional,” he says. “Seeing collections at menswear shows always inspired me, and I knew that I had a vision for what to bring my clients.”
Like so many, Jabber took the lessons of the pandemic lockdown as a prompt, a nudge to do something more with his life—something that truly fulfilled him. “It reminded me that life’s too short not to do what you truly love,” he recalls.
Using the knowledge and experience he gained in those years, Jabber decided to launch himself into life as an entrepreneur, doing what he knew best: bespoke clothing. What resulted was J. Fredric, a derivative of his name that embodied his passion and vision for what a boutique men’s clothier could be. “Starting small, I knew I had to be special and unique to set myself apart from other retailers,” he says. “My vision was a boutique where I could provide one-on-one attention to customers. Serving as a made-to-measure specialist for Ike Behar and Neiman Marcus, as well as previous stores, I knew there was a special clientele that craved customization. So, I focused on custom tailoring with ready-to-wear accessories.”
At its core, J. Fredric is a brand that strives to continually provide its clients innovation, quality, style and well-fitting clothing—whether the pieces are off the rack and ready-to-wear, custom or made-to-measure. Custom-tailored and made-to-measure, however, are two areas where J. Fredric truly shines. “Fit is paramount, so we offer both custom and made-to-measure items,” says Jabber. “Custom pieces are a stock fit that we tweak to create a garment tailored to your body. Our MTM service provides clients with a garment that is constructed by hand, using a pattern and garment exclusive to their body.”
Interestingly, J. Fredric’s clientele is as varied as their measurements—the only commonality is that each client wants to feel good and look polished. “We service the professional who wears suits or jackets daily, ministers dressing for church, clients looking for wedding and special event statement looks,” Jabber notes. “We also have clients who simply like a J. Fredric unique sportswear look.”
As competitive as the clothing industry is, Jabber has to stay on his game when it comes to the pieces that hang in his boutique. “We scour the markets looking for brands and products unique to our region,” he says. “I travel to trade shows domestically, and once a year, I travel to Italy to discover what the Italian brands, factories and fabric houses will offer next.”
In addition to made-to-measure, the boutique also offers ready-to-wear clothing, sportswear, shoes and accessories—though it prioritizes offering exclusive labels when available or simply a different look from its competitors. “We strive to provide luxury fabrics that drape and appeal both to the eye and to the touch,” Jabber says. “The clothing we wear touches our bodies, giving us a layer of protection and a chance to relay our personal styles to the world. I love the cloth from Italian mills like Loro Piana, Vitale Barberis Canonico and Ariston, and the elegance of the English houses like Holland & Sherry.”
The way Jabber describes the J. Fredric look is with a word as bygone as the effortless style that defines it: sprezzatura, an Italian concept popularized in 1528 by Baldassare Castiglione in his book, The Book of the Courtier—the art of appearing naturally stylish, refined and confident without seeming overly contrived or self-conscious. “Our Fredric jacket epitomizes that look—the silhouette features a peak lapel, soft shoulders and patch pockets, and is usually partially lined,” Jabber says. “It is meticulous work creating clothing that drapes and fits a client beautifully, but first impressions are important. My passion is to present and create clothing that makes a statement.”
The process of creating a name for himself has been as intensive as that of constructing a made-to-measure suit, but Jabber considers it worth the effort—and the risk. “Creating a business model focusing on made-to-measure requires faith, patience and perseverance,” he says. “Unlike most larger retail stores, our business is centered around men and women with discerning taste. In fact, we’ve expanded our offerings to include custom shirts and suiting for women, ensuring the same level of craftsmanship and personal attention for every client. We are continuously evolving due to changes in client lifestyles, requests, industry trends and personal taste. I do my best to stay on top of trends while knowing our core look and values.”
Over the next few years, Jabber hopes to open a second location offering “the unique JF experience.” As he continues serving the discerning dressers of Charleston, Jabber and his team at J. Fredric remain committed to delivering craftsmanship, elegance and a personal touch that’s increasingly rare in today’s fashion landscape. “A presence in Charleston is an honor and a privilege that I don’t take for granted,” Jabber says. “My village is so supportive, and I look forward to many successful years.” With each stitch, each fitting, and each carefully curated collection, J. Fredric isn’t just keeping the art of dressing well alive—it’s redefining what it means to show up in style. *
Liesel Schmidt lives in Navarre, Florida, and works as a freelance writer for local and regional magazines. She is also a web content writer and book editor. Follow her on X at @laswrites or download her novels, Coming Home to You, The Secret of Us and Life Without You, at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.
