As the cofounder of Bespoke Edge, Ryan Wagner has been transforming the way Denver dresses—one custom suit at a time. With his family-run business recently moving its headquarters to the Highlands, Wagner leads the charge in helping clients craft the perfect suit, whether for a wedding in Crested Butte or a day at the office. While Bespoke Edge specializes in men’s custom tailoring, they serve women and nonbinary individuals as well. Wagner sat down to share his insights on the art of a bespoke suit, how Denver’s unique style influences his designs, and the importance of finding a fit that works just as hard as you do. Here’s what he had to say:
“The real value of a bespoke suit is the fit.”
“For many guys, an off-the-rack suit might fit great in one area but is too big in another. With a custom suit, we can accommodate the fit and proportion for an overall very thoughtful and considered-looking suit.”
“The vast majority of people who want to work with us have never purchased a custom suit before. So it’s really important to me that I’m a thoughtful sartorial guide for our clients.”
“A local restaurateur doesn’t have the same needs as a commercial banker who visits clients in Boulder. A groom getting married in Crested Butte might want a textured green suit that they can wear as a blazer down the road.”
“I try to gauge just how big of a dancer a groom might be, and I’ll increase the allowance on the pants so he can hit his favorite moves with confidence.”
“Geometry plays a big role in how a suit looks. Selecting the appropriate width of a jacket lapel to a client’s chest size or the overall length of jacket might not be things many people think about, but when done well, they make a big difference.”
“Walking around RiNo or the Highlands 10 years ago, I wouldn’t see a single person in a suit or jacket. While it’s still rare today, it’s more common to see folks dressed up a bit. The recent growth on the Front Range has brought a healthy diversity of styles and ideas.”
“Denver style is more focused on practicality than other cities. Jeans paired with sport coats are more common here than on the East Coast, and tweed and textured fabrics feel more appropriate near the mountains.”
“Like many guys here in Denver, I don’t often wear a necktie and neither do my partners. But we’re always sporting a pocket square.”
“Big picture, I think that when someone chooses to wear a suit or even a nice dress shirt, it’s signaling respect.”
“An all-season wool in a dark navy or charcoal color with a subtle sheen is always going to look nice and be most versatile. Wool is wrinkle resistant, and in an all-season fabric, it will work nicely for all but the warmest days in the summer.”
“Pleated pants are trending again, as are wider lapels.”
“The cut of a suit is more of a personal choice. Many of our clients still request quite a trim fit, but now we’re slowly seeing the pendulum swing back towards a more comfortable style—but that doesn’t mean a loose fit. With any suit, we want to achieve a great fit in the shoulders and chest, to really let the fabric drape nicely.”
“There’s a common perception that suits are serious and they are always dark navy or charcoal or black. While that can be true, suits and formal wear can be much more. Jackets can be colorful, they can be a mix of linen and wool even for summer or a burgundy flannel for winter.”
“We want our clients to wear their Bespoke Edge clothing as much as they can. And when a guy puts on his suit and feels like a million bucks, I want him to realize that he can wear his suit more than he might realize.”
“Not all wedding suits can easily be worn separately, but for many of our clients purchasing a fun color or textured suit, teaching them that they can wear their investment as separate pieces really resonates.”
