22 | AUGUST 25 • 2022

OUR COMMUNITY

D

avid Elkus, owner of
Baron’s Wholesale
Clothiers and Todd’s
Menswear, had an idea for an
event that gave back to the com-
munity. However, he was miss-
ing a catchy name.
While driving to
Chicago with his
daughter Audrey,
who is an expert in
marketing, Elkus
told her about his
vision for a cele-
bration of suits — almost a “suit
holiday,
” he explains. He wanted
to create a shopping event that
achieved two goals: to help peo-
ple realize the benefits of wear-
ing suits and to give portions of
proceeds to local charities.
For Audrey, the name was a
no-brainer. “Suitember,
” she told
her father.
The name stuck, and Elkus
launched Suitember in partner-
ship with men’s suit shops across
the country. Now, during the
month of September, a portion
of proceeds will go back to the
community and various organi-
zations as they have for the past
three years.

HOW SUITEMBER WORKS
Currently in its fourth year, this
year’s Suitember shopping event
will give 10% of proceeds to
Friendship Circle, a Jewish non-
profit in West Bloomfield that
provides services, programming
and support for children and

young adults with special needs.
Participating are Jewish-
owned businesses Baron’s
Wholesale Clothiers and Todd’s
Menswear. Other men’s suit
shops across the country who
have joined the effort are select-
ing charities to donate to within
their respective communities.
All month long, customers
who visit Baron’s or Todd’s can
mention Friendship Circle to
have 10% of their purchases
donated to the organization.
A second shopping event at
Todd’s Menswear, Trade In Trade
Up, which takes place during
Suitember, will also allow cus-
tomers to receive rebates for a

fresh, new suit with each gently
used suit that they trade in.
These gently used suits will then
be donated to Vets Returning
Home, a nonprofit that helps
veterans transition into stable
lives.

GIVING BACK TO
THE COMMUNITY
For Elkus, being able to part-
ner with Friendship Circle on
this year’s event holds a special
meaning. “We have very soft
spots for Friendship Circle,
”
he explains, describing that his
aunt and uncle, who had special
needs and could have benefitted

from an organization like it if
something similar existed during
their time.
“It would have been a sensa-
tional vehicle for them,
” he says.
Plus, David Elkus’ father,
Philip Elkus, contributed to
resources that helped Friendship
Circle build its gym.
“I love their ability to be able
to not only be effective with all
of what they do,
” Elkus contin-
ues, “but also how they bring

in a community of able-bodied
people and teach them not to be
afraid of disabilities.
”
Levi Shemtov, executive
director at Friendship Circle,
is thrilled to be
included in this
year’s Suitember
event. It’s a way to
support a local busi-
ness, he explains,
while also giving
back to the commu-
nity at the same time.
“Baron’s Wholesale Clothiers
and the Elkus family are long-
time supporters of Friendship
Circle, and we are incredibly

grateful to partner with them
for their Suitember fundraiser,
”
Shemtov says. “The proceeds will
provide much-needed programs,
friendship and community for
individuals with special needs
and anyone who is isolated.
”

THE SURPRISING
BENEFITS OF SUITS
Elkus, who is affiliated
with Shaarey Zedek and
Congregation Beth Ahm, says
the benefits of Suitember go
beyond the help they can pro-
vide for the community. Simply
wearing a suit, he explains, can
make a difference in confidence
and productivity.
The third-generation men’s
clothier says suits can allow peo-
ple to better express themselves
and boost performance at work.
“If you’re putting on professional
clothing, you act more profes-
sional,
” Elkus describes. “There
have been studies about this over
and over again.
“You bring a different author-
ity and presence when you’re
dressed well,
” he adds. “Wearing
a suit can have a real effect on
your day-to-day life.
”

To read about the history of suits, visit

suitember.com.

Suitember shopping event will give
10% of proceeds to Friendship Circle.

Fashion Flair
for a Cause

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Rabbi Levi
Shemtov

David Elkus

A Tommy
Hilfiger suit
from Todd’s
Menswear

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