Off the Rack

Dressing Up Columbus

by John Ross

WILL SHILLING PHOTO

It's Friday afternoon, and Troy A. Robinson is having a late lunch in his shop, T. Jazz Fashions, which sits in an upscale but inviting Downtown space directly west of the Hawk Gallery.

Robinson is surrounded on all sides by racks of high-end suits, beautiful dress shoes (even the shoe trees are gold-plated) and casual wear for those who never dress too casually. He sits in an overstuffed chair, and a nearby coffee table holds a fast-food meal the clothier has slipped into a busy day.

When I knock on the door, he rises to greet me in person, one of his many professional habits, and passes the ultimate test of the well-dressed man: If you look good having a few slices of pizza and a Coke, you will look good everywhere else.

"Being in this business," he says in his quick and straightforward manner, "I'm dressed full-tilt every day."

WILL SHILLING PHOTO

Today, that means square-toed brown dress shoes, a silk tie with a wide, thick knot, cufflinks emblazoned with gold and silver and a brown pinstripe three-piece suit from one of the Italian collections offered in the store.

"The three-piece suit is in big time," he says (only days before marquee players attending the NFL Draft prove him correct). "If a guy has to take his jacket off, he can do that and it's still a clean look."

Most of the items in the store offer clean looks. The off-the-rack suits, dress shirts by Phat Farm and Assante and other fancy trimmings are flashy but not gaudy, sophisticated but never staid.

In addition to retail offerings, Robinson will custom-make or tailor outfits for any occasion.

That's likely what has won him business from professional athletes, regional tastemakers and Columbus elites. Robinson has been at his present location for three years, and during that time, he's done custom work for Nate Clemens, Antoine Winfield, Antonio Pittman, Michael Doss and other big names in the world of sports.

T. Jazz Fashions

143 E. Main St., Downtown

614-224-9220

When it comes to the average Joe, however, Robinson finds his wares a bit harder to sell.

"Columbus is a discount city, so to do what I do in this city is hard," he says. "Most people here, if they don't have to dress up, they don't. I'm challenging the city of Columbus to dress up."

If you'd like to share your fashion sense with Off The Rack, e-mail mstarker@columbusalive.com

May 3rd, 2007