Tom James
Tom James is an American custom clothing company that sells made to measure suits, shirts and outerwear through clothiers who visit clients in person. It has been in the clothing business since 1966 and serves clients in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.
| Founded | 1966 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Spencer Hays |
| Sales model | Clothiers visit clients in person |
| Markets | USA, Canada, UK, Australia |
| Website | tomjames.com |
What is Tom James?
Tom James is a custom clothing company built around a personal service model. Its clothiers meet clients at their homes, offices or other convenient locations for consultations, measurements and delivery, rather than waiting for customers to visit a shop.
History
The company has been in the clothing business since 1966. It was shaped by Spencer Hays, the self made businessman who created its "We Come To You" concept and who died in 2017. Over the decades Tom James built a vertically connected group through acquisitions, including English American (1974), Oxxford Clothes (1994) and the cloth merchant Holland & Sherry (2003).
Products and positioning
The range covers custom suits, sport coats, dress shirts, casual shirts, tuxedos and outerwear, as well as womenswear, ready to wear items and accessories. Related businesses in the group include:
- Oxxford Clothes, a maker of hand sewn suits
- Coppley and English American, custom suit manufacturers
- Gitman Brothers shirts and Corbin trousers
- Brown & Church neckwear
Distribution
Tom James reports around 90 locations worldwide serving clients in the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Why it matters
Tom James is an example of a clothing business that combines manufacturing ownership with direct, appointment based selling, a model that bypasses traditional retail and wholesale entirely.
Frequently asked questions
What does Tom James sell?
Tom James sells custom suits, sport coats, shirts, tuxedos and outerwear, plus womenswear and accessories. Its clothiers measure and fit clients at their home or office.
Who founded Tom James?
The company is associated with Spencer Hays, the businessman who created its "We Come To You" concept. It has been in the clothing business since 1966.