Recently, I got an opportunity to visit Bellevue, WA, where I was asked if I wanted to paraglide. Now, I am at a place in my life where I am looking for new ways to push myself and face my fears. So, especially when my first instinct is to say no, I just say yes. This was one of those moments that seemed like a good idea until I started to think a little more about it. What was this about? Strapping a parachute to your back and running off the edge of a mountain until you don’t feel the ground under your feet any longer.
Sure, facing fears sounded great and all, but this was a whole new level. I had to try to think back to Bonair when I faced my fear of water. And then I realized that there was a way I could do this without thinking too hard about it: Test a suit. Yes, anything worth doing is worth doing stylishly, so I reached out to State & Liberty and decided to put their stretch fabric to the test.
The suit
The first way I could distract myself was to focus on what I was going to wear on this ridiculous mission to test gravity’s effect on me. So I took a subway into Manhattan and did some shopping. I stepped into the State & Liberty store on 5th Ave in the Flatiron District and started checking out what they had available. I told the specialist what I was planning to do with the suit, and he enthusiastically pointed me to a few options. What I walked away with was an Athletic Fit Stretch Wool Suit in a blue plaid colorway. He also said I couldn’t wear a stretch suit without a stretch shirt. Good sales tactic, and he was right, so I tossed that in the bag and booked a flight. Just to make sure the suit was good for the usual suit places, I wore it to dinner and drinks first, testing it in a normal environment with steak, potatoes, and an old-fashioned. You know, for science. I have to say, I was encouraged by the prospect because the suit sure felt like it was built to move.
“Most guys think of suits as stiff and uncomfortable, but our performance stretch fabrics change that,” says Lee Moffie, Co-founder and CEO of State & Liberty. “You’ll look sharp and feel comfortable all day. While other brands offer stretch, none focus on the athletic build the way we do. Paired with our commitment to quality and customer experience, that’s why more and more men are choosing us for their everyday workwear, weddings, date nights, and special events.”
“We designed our stretch suits with the athletic build in mind,” Moffie says. “Our blazers have added room in the chest, shoulders, and biceps, while our pants offer more room in the seat and quads – all balanced with a modern tailored fit that highlights the physique.”
The jump
With all the distractions and procrastinations out of the way, the only thing left was to jump. When I arrived at Poo Poo Point just outside of Bellevue, WA, (trust me, all the jokes were made), I met with the pilot who would be taking me on this journey. He told me it was simple; all I had to do was run off the edge of the mountain. No big deal, just keep running until I could no longer feel the ground under me. Easy peasy, just disregard all instincts of self-preservation and trust the parachute had me.
I don’t mind saying, it wasn’t as easy as that. I had to trust the gear, breathe, and relax. But I also just focused my mind on the primary purpose for this, I was testing the suit. I focused on the fit and the function of State & Liberty’s Athletic Fit Stretch Wool, and when I ran off the mountain, the moment my feet no longer felt solid ground, I started thinking about the fabric and the seams. “Please don’t rip, please don’t rip.”
“What sets our suits apart is the combination of 4-way stretch performance fabric and athletic-focused silhouettes,” Moffie told me. “We’re hyper-focused on both fabric and fit – every piece is designed to offer a comfortable yet sharp fit, with more room through the chest, shoulders, and biceps in our tops, tapering at the waist. Our bottoms follow suit — more room in the seat and thighs, tailored down to the ankle — all made to complement an athletic build without sacrificing appearance.”
I am happy to report that I made it to the ground safely, obviously. Even though the pilot did everything he could by the end with some crazy figure-eight turns, I landed well, and I didn’t even vomit (trust me, it was a concern). The suit held up pristinely. I simply went over to the bench, changed my shoes to something more suit-appropriate, and went for much-deserved drinks. Sure, everything worth doing is worth doing stylishly, but it also helps to distract you from fear on occasion.
