From Burrow to Kelce, get acquainted with the individual responsible for outfitting these stars.

March 10, 2024

From Burrow to Kelce, get acquainted with the individual responsible for outfitting these stars.

Following the Cincinnati Bengals' securing a position in Super Bowl LVI, Tom Marchitelli had a singular focus.

"I spent the initial 24 hours after he secured the AFC title reaching out to everyone I could, figuring out how to get in touch with Joe Burrow," Marchitelli shared with ESPN. In 2014, he transitioned from a role as a hedge fund accountant to becoming a custom menswear designer for athletes. By the time Super Bowl LVI arrived, Marchitelli had collaborated with notable players like Travis Kelce, Dak Prescott, and Rob Gronkowski, establishing himself as one of the most sought-after designers in the industry.

For Marchitelli, dressing is a competitive sport, and as he sat in his penthouse apartment's home office in Hoboken, New Jersey, he was determined to collaborate with Burrow. Recognizing that his typical strategy of direct messaging athletes might not work, he discovered that Burrow shared the same agent as Prescott, a client who already owned about 150 suits designed by Marchitelli.

Leveraging this previous connection, Marchitelli aimed to increase his chances of working with Burrow, and it proved successful. His contact asked how soon he could travel to a snowy Cincinnati. Without hesitation, Marchitelli responded, "Tomorrow."

"When I make the connection, my goal is to get in front of them as soon as possible, like the next day. Because I want to show them how seriously I take their business and the relationship," explained Marchitelli. He emphasized his proactive approach, stating, "Some people may wait a week or whatever. No, I strike while the iron's hot every time."

During the meeting, Burrow expressed interest in having two suits instead of one, and Marchitelli, eager to collaborate, offered to make even more. Burrow's requests included a black and silver striped suit and another with a purple velvet style. Although Burrow initially planned to receive the suits in Los Angeles, Marchitelli, committed to perfection, returned for a personal fitting three days later.

On the morning of the Super Bowl, Marchitelli anxiously awaited to see if Burrow would choose one of his suits. Burrow ultimately opted for the now-viral black-and-silver striped suit. Reflecting on the moment, Marchitelli said, "When we saw the first video of him getting on the bus, my wife and son were jumping up and down. I was relieved, to be honest."

Marchitelli currently boasts around 404 clients spanning the NFL, NHL, MLB, and NBA. His styling journey commenced with athlete Chase Daniel as the inaugural client, evolving to collaborations with notable figures like ESPN's Shannon Sharpe and crafting 30 suits for Ric Flair.

Clients such as Prescott designate dedicated spaces, like the "gents room," to house Marchitelli's suits. Notable names like Josh Allen, Justin Jefferson, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Jimmy Garoppolo have all been outfitted by Marchitelli.

Operating without a physical store, Marchitelli conducts his work from a home office in his penthouse apartment, affectionately calling it the "house that suits built." Suits are tailored outside Los Angeles, with major suit mills producing materials in Italy and England. While the standard turnaround time is three weeks, Marchitelli emphasizes his flexibility, with the ability to complete orders in two weeks, one week, or even just a day.

Marchitelli's trajectory into custom suit design wasn't initially planned. As an Italian-American youth inspired by films like "Goodfellas" and "Casino," his passion for suits was nurtured. Post-college, he consistently chose to wear suits at events, aspiring to be the best-dressed individual in any setting. Frustrated by the lack of tailors who could meet his meticulous specifications, Marchitelli found a local New York tailor who mastered his measurements.

Recognizing his discerning taste, his wife suggested he start an Instagram page, @GentsPlaybook, to showcase his tailored outfits. Within a year and a half, the page garnered over 100,000 followers, attracting athletes who reached out to him directly. This prompted Marchitelli to pivot, leaving his job to pursue his burgeoning business and learning tailoring on the go. Despite skepticism from family about leaving a "cushy finance job," Marchitelli's self-belief, fueled by his wife's confidence, steered his course.

Initially, Marchitelli himself harbored some reservations, having heard skeptical voices. However, his wife, whom he regards as the smartest person he's ever met, exuded unwavering confidence, assuring him of his potential success. He recalled, "And she's like, I'm telling you, you're going to kill it."

During the nascent stages of his business, Marchitelli dedicated hours each day to reaching out to players on Instagram. One notable contact was fellow Boston College alum Justin Simmons, a relatively new player in the NFL at the time.

Marchitelli initiated contact with Simmons, expressing his interest in meeting and showcasing his catalog. Simmons agreed, and within two days, Marchitelli was at his Denver residence.

According to Simmons, Marchitelli's standout quality was his meticulous attention to detail. Simmons emphasized Marchitelli's focus on nuances like the fit around the wrist, tightness around the ankles, and the overall fit around the thighs for his shirts.

Marchitelli attributes his competitive advantage and what he considers his superpower to his meticulous attention to detail, setting him apart from his rivals.

Although his physique doesn't match that of the majority of NFL athletes, Marchitelli acknowledges that he possesses an athletic build. Leveraging this understanding, he tailors suits with an awareness of how they should fit individuals with such body types, making specific adjustments for larger players.

According to Marchitelli, athletes worldwide recognize the distinctive end result when they view suits on his Instagram, whether worn by his clients or himself. This recognition, he notes, motivates more individuals to express interest in joining what he figuratively calls "the club."

While Marchitelli observed the growth of his business as athletes began reaching out with requests, he highlights two pivotal moments that transformed everything. The first occurred in 2016 when Kansas City Royals All-Star Eric Hosmer wore one of Marchitelli's suits to the White House. Following this, Travis Kelce contacted Marchitelli, expressing a desire to be suited up. They met in New York the next day, and Kelce had a new ensemble for the upcoming 2016 season.

The second transformative moment occurred at the NFL Honors ceremony during the 2016 season in Houston. Marchitelli, present at the event to dress someone from the New York Giants, unexpectedly encountered Prescott in the hotel lobby.

Curious about the origin of the suit he was wearing, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback inquired with Marchitelli, who revealed that he was the creator. In response, Prescott extended his hand and declared, "I'm ready to buy."

Marchitelli reflected on this encounter, noting that it took place during Prescott's rookie year, and since that day, Prescott has exclusively worn suits crafted by Marchitelli for seven consecutive years.

Prescott expanded Marchitelli's clientele significantly. At a certain juncture, Marchitelli had between 10 to 15 clients from the Cowboys, with Ezekiel Elliott among them. The unique and innovative approach seen in Prescott's suits has contributed to making Marchitelli a preferred choice among athletes.

https://teekaholic.com/product/south-carolina-gamecocks-2024-sec-womens-basketball-regular-season-champions-classic-t-shirt/

https://teekaholic.com/product/south-carolina-gamecocks-2024-sec-womens-basketball-regular-season-champions-classic-cap-snapback-hat/

https://teekaholic.com/product/queens-of-the-stone-age-broadwater-parklands-gold-coast-australia-24th-february-2024-all-over-print-shirt/

https://teekaholic.com/product/sydney-australia-qudos-bank-arena-february-24-2024-all-over-print-shirt/

https://teekaholic.com/product/the-unstoppable-nova-boys-josh-hart-jalen-brunson-donte-divincenzo-all-over-print-shirt/

https://teekaholic.com/product/miley-cyrus-unvelis-cover-artwork-for-pharrel-williams-collaboration-doctor-work-it-out-unisex-t-shirt/

https://teekaholic.com/product/21-savage-american-dream-machete-premium-t-shirt/

https://teekaholic.com/product/official-poster-pantera-centre-videotron-quebec-city-february-27-2024-all-over-print-shirt/

https://teekaholic.com/product/album-kanye-west-graduation-home-decor-poster-canvas/

https://teekaholic.com/product/album-mumford-sons-sigh-no-more-home-decor-poster-canvas/

https://teekaholic.com/product/album-travis-scott-utopia-home-decor-poster-canvas/

https://teekaholic.com/product/aftershock-festival-2024-october-10-13-2024-discovery-park-sacramento-ca-unisex-t-shirt/