http://www.dbgcc.com

http://www.grapevideo.com

Brentwood Press - Index

Brentwood Press - WeddingPlanner_6.27.08 - Index

2B | THEPRESS.NET WEDDING PLANNER JUNE 27, 2008
His and Hers Formal Wear a cut above
by Ruth Roberts
Staff Writer
On a sultry summer morning along First Street
in Brentwood, a customer in a state of panic comes
through the doors of His and Her Formal Wear. Besieged
with second thoughts about the color and style of her
gown, the frantic maid-of-honor needs a new dress
– along with extensive alterations – and she needs them
in two hours.
It turns out she has come to the right place. Owners
Annette Beckstrand and Susanne Larson never break a
sweat. Calmly and effi ciently they offer up a possible replacement,
and with a pinch here and a tuck there, the
customer is promised her new dress by the appointed
time.
“When we’re able to help someone get exactly
what they need, it’s a great feeling,” says Beckstrand. “I
couldn’t wait to get here this morning.”
And it shows. Open since early May – and in the
midst of their offi cial grand opening now through the
weekend – Beckstrand and Larson are whirling dervishes
of energy, enthusiasm, savvy and style.
Beckstrand, who has enjoyed a long career in the
banking business – and continues to work in the fi eld
part time – had been thinking about owning a formal
wear shop for years. When the opportunity arose to
take over the former location of the formal-wear establishment
Amon Amour, she immediately approached her
fashion-savvy, sewing-expert cousin Larson.
“Here was my cousin, dangling this carrot in front
of me, and I love carrots,” said Larson. “I knew as soon
as I saw the place that this was it.”
“I just knew that I couldn’t do it without her,”
added Beckstrand, who said Larson has a “bolder fashion
sense,” while she has the more practical business
background.
A few months later they opened their doors, and
today Beckstrand and Larson have not only changed
the name, they’ve reinvented the store. Spacious and
bright, with large black and white photographs of brides
in gowns, men in tuxedos and children bedecked in
accompanying designs, the feel of the shop is that of a
toney, San Francisco salon.
Plenty of mirrors – set at complimentary angles
– and racks upon racks of gowns and garments in a
plethora of colors and style all combine to create a welcoming,
low-pressure environment.
Featuring formal wear and accessories for all occasions,
including weddings, proms, quinceaneras and
even cruises, His and Her Formal Wear stocks a variety of
garments, but what they don’t stock, said Beckstrand,
they’ll get.
“We had one young man come in looking for a tie
that he needed for a work promotion, and he needed
it right away,” said Beckstrand. “We didn’t have it in
see His and Hers page 3B
Madison
Morrison, 3,
enjoys the
ambience of
His and Hers
Formal Wear
in downtown
Brentwood.
Photo by
Richard Wisdom