Milan might seem a long way from Saint Paul’s University Avenue, but Vince Jenny, custom clothier at Milbern Clothing Company, regularly visits the city virtually via Pitti Uomo, an Italian website devoted to the very latest in men’s fashion. A follower of other European fashion blogs, Jenny, who is also a fan of menswear from the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s, brings these trends and his own impeccable sense of style to customers looking for a classic navy blue blazer or an elegant bespoke suit, and everything in between.
“When a customer comes in looking for a suit, I always start by asking him what the purpose of the suit is—a job interview, a formal event, whatever it might be,” says Jenny. “A good suit is a tool in the toolbox.”
Milbern Clothing Company has been dressing men for success since 1946, when owner Steve Bernick’s grandfather Milton purchased a building in downtown Saint Paul and opened a men’s store, Milton Clothing. (The building would also be known as the Milton Building). Over the years, the store moved several times within the downtown area; to the Endicott Building, Galtier Plaza and the World Trade Center. Of the moves, Bernick says, “We would just roll hampers of clothing down the street like they do in New York’s garment district. There were suits flying everywhere.”
Bernick, who started working with his grandfather in 1983, moved to the University Avenue store in 2000 after they closed the World Trade Center store. Since 1956, Bernick’s father Herbert had been running another Milbern’s location in the Griggs-Midway building on University. The store moved to its present location in 1980 and underwent a remodeling in 2000.
Milbern Clothing also experienced another remodeling of sorts during the three-year period when the Green Line was being installed on University before opening in 2014. “Most of our customers are pretty loyal and they continued to support us,” says Bernick. Whether they are loyal second-generation customers or new clients, Bernick says, “We’re a store for everybody.”
“If you want a suit for $125, we have it. If you want a custom made suit for $1,250, we have it,” says Jenny. Opening one of a multitude of fabric swatch books, Jenny points to an elegant purple and gray plaid recently used to make a suit for a soon-to-be groom. The gentleman ordered it to his specifications, right down to the monogrammed wedding date on the inside of the jacket, lined in rich purple paisley. Using a computer program, Jenny can sit down with his clients and show them how their chosen fabric and accompanying details will come together to create the perfect suit.
The wedding business at Milbern’s continues to grow. “We did 175 weddings last year,” says Jenny, adding that rentals aren’t the only option they offer. “We’re finding that more grooms are electing to purchase a suit.” Bernick adds they’ve noticed that millenials seem to be “anti-tuxedo” and prefer the look of a suit on their wedding day.
Jenny says that once a customer has purchased a custom suit, he might find it hard to go back to off-the-rack. “Custom suits have that bit of zip and pop to them,” he says.
While Bernick says the advent of social media and the store’s online presence helps an independent business such as Milbern Clothing succeed, Jenny adds he believes the best form of advertisement is a sale done properly.
“The way men talk to each other…they’ll say, ‘I got a guy’,” if they are asked for a recommendation,” says Jenny. “Well, we’re your guy.”
