Suitmaker tailors reach

Ranking as the largest maker of men's suits and sport coats in the country at one time was something to crow about.

[Jim]

This article is very comprehensive, yet it also omits a huge reason Chicago's Hartmarx has had tough times: the takeover of Marshall Field's by Macy's. Hartmarx was a major supplier of suits to Marshall Field's. Despite Macy's claims that it was simply a name change, more than a few vendors and brands were dropped including Hartmarx. Macy's replaced these with other suits from non-local and over seas businesses. That's when Hartmarx's challenges began.

The conversion of Field's to Macy's has been much, much more than a name change. It's had a big, negative impact on other Chicago businesses as well. Hartmarx is one Chicago business that has suffered because of Macy's folly.

[joe]

Remember when Hartmarx owned Sansabelt? As Americans' waistlines continue to grown, maybe they should adopt elastic waistbands again!

[joe]

correction -- Hartmarx still owns Sansabelt.