Commonwealth Proper: Redefining Men’s Fashion
Written by: Bella Saponaro
Images courtesy of Ryan Neeven / Commonwealth Proper
Craig Arthur von Schroder on what makes his brand, Commonwealth Proper, the standard for high-quality menswear in Philadelphia.
For the man who works the 9-5, a suit is a necessity, but finding that perfect-fitting yet stylish suit has always been a challenge. Addressing this challenge is Commonwealth Proper, a Philadelphia-based menswear company. The name “Commonwealth Proper” stems from Philadelphia’s role as the center of garment production and impeccable style in the 1800s. “Commonwealth” represents the progressive Philadelphia tailors that formed a labor union to improve working conditions, and “Proper” reflects the need that men’s clothing should always fit properly before anything else. Craig Arthur von Schroder founded Commonwealth Proper in 2008 and has been creating custom suits for men, sourcing top-tier fabrics and making sure all garments are made in the U.S. ever since.
Von Schroder’s father was an architect and strongly impacted his interest in design, primarily stemming from trips to places like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water rather than Disney World. His brother, who modeled and always had cool clothes, also heavily influenced him. Despite these interests, he did not always set out to work in design. “I’ve had a few different careers, the first as a professional soccer player in Europe and South America. When I stopped, I went to law school and thought it would keep me level-headed to do something fun while I was studying, and the first inclination was designing a menswear collection. So, it’s been an evolution, but a natural one,” von Schroder recalls.
Commonwealth Proper is in the Rittenhouse Square area in Philadelphia, and their success has prompted them to open showrooms in Pittsburgh, PA, and Atlanta, GA. Von Schroder works out of the original Philly location, but travels for trunk shows and other events. The Philadelphia showroom has a polished yet rebellious feel, just like its clients. In the store, you can browse their most recent ready-to-wear collections, get a glimpse into their in-house tailor’s workshop, and help design a custom suit. A separate room branches off the fabric room with an oversized leather couch and Hollywood mirror, where an advisor will take your measurements as you sip on a glass of whiskey. While Commonwealth Proper is known for their custom suits, they dabble in men’s ready-to-wear as well.
“We create small capsule collections of ready-to-wear in order to fill the gap in a modern man’s wardrobe. Men don’t just wear dress clothing; they wear casual items like sweatshirts and tees. So, we offer those on a limited basis, although we take a lot of time, effort, and energy sourcing the right partners to bring these to life. There’s no sense in making a crappy T-shirt. Let’s do the best we can. We must.”
Von Schroder keeps tabs on the general menswear sector as well, stating, “There are so many new brands, new designers, and looks, the space is fractured. Yet, for some reason, a lot of the stuff looks the same. I think that’s because men don’t take as many risks as women in fashion, so the evolution is slower.” Von Schroder believes that substance will continue to overpower hype in the industry and that “utility, durability, and meaningful details will define the future of menswear.”
One thing that Commonwealth Proper prides itself on is that all its garments are made in the U.S. The advisors always keep utility in mind when helping clients choose the fabric used in their custom shirts and suits. The fabric needs to have performance qualities like wrinkle resistance and stretch for travel. If it’s for a formal event, the weather must be considered. It’s all about the end-use. On a wall of the fabric room, they have displayed the many fabrics clients can choose from for their custom shirts and suits. “We don’t just offer everything — no. We curate the fabrics that our clients see, be that from our mill partners or fabrics that we hand-pick like vintage finds and deadstock specialty fabrics,” von Schroder informs me, “We don’t sell pink or yellow. Our wardrobe advisors are like stylists, tailors and designers rolled into one — that’s how we train them. They give great advice. The clothing is only as good as the people dispensing the advice on what to get and how to wear it.” Commonwealth Proper prides itself on its knowledge and ability to know what a client needs and wants. Their clients keep coming back for more because of their vision and dedication to keeping their impeccable style consistent.
“We’re a contemporary brand with an eye toward keeping things relevant for as long as you’ll own the clothing, which is about a decade.”
Says von Schroder, “Our signature suit has a natural shoulder, peak lapel, one-button, side vented coat with interior cigar and stash pockets. The pants have an extended waistband and angled side pockets. It’s a hybrid of a traditional Ivy League blazer fit with a modern twist.”
After 14 years of being in the menswear business, there are many things von Schroder can be proud of. Building a sustainable brand is at the top, and other principles include excellent quality, fit, and style, all things that the company and everyone that works there embodies. Commonwealth Proper also offers its employees healthcare. “I think that’s the least a company can do in order to take care of its people,” says von Schroder. Commonwealth Proper is a brand that has proven over time to take pride in everything they do and cater to their client’s specific needs. When getting a suit from Commonwealth Proper, you are not just putting on something that a million other men have. A suit from Commonwealth Proper is made and tailored specifically to you.
