Local haberdashery supports slow fashion

In a handsome, tastefully appointed space at the corner of FM12 and RR3237 in the Keller Williams building is Wimberley’s very own haberdashery, Felix T. Jack. Since opening in November 2021, the shop acquired the handsome patina of a destination, where choosing quality clothing and accessories is part of an unhurried, intentional experience.

Co-owner Heath Tolleson says the store pays homage to his grandfather, for whom the store is named, and his father, who liked to conduct business over a cup of coffee and conversation. “For me, it’s all about the connection,” said Tolleson.

Inside, you’ll find denim lines from Glenn’s Denim, Left Field, Taylor Stitch, Tellason, Jack Donnelly, Ginew and other small manufacturers who are all about the quality of the material, how it is sourced, and how it is made.

You’ll hear the term “selvage” more than once while looking at denim to try on and buy. The selvage (or “self-edge”) is the tightly woven edge of a fabric found in quality clothing meant to last. The fabric won’t fray because the edge is woven in. You can recognize it because colorful threads announce its presence when you look inside the garment at the seams. It was the original way to loom denim.

In addition to denims of various weights, like 11.5 ounce Japanese denim, you’ll find Solid State brand t-shirts made from organic cotton, waxed canvas jackets, Oxford shirts from Wythe New York, lightweight gauze shirts, West Major western shirts and other quality shirts, flannels and chambrays meant to be worked in and valued over time. Eighty-five percent of the clothing you’ll find in this haberdashery are small batch goods made in the U.S.

These brands have loyal followings, and Felix T. Jack often serves as the only distributor in the area to carry them. The Victory Sportwear line of classic athletic sneakers, for example, are made by a third generation cobbler in Massachusetts. They offer custom and non-custom shoes made to last for years. Victory’s custom-designed trek shoes for Felix T. Jack’s are only available in Wimberley.

“You might say we have a world exclusive on those,” Tolleson said.

Behind Felix T. Jack’s business philosophy is a very big idea. It is the idea of “slow fashion.”

Slow fashion is an approach to clothing that considers the processes and resources required to make it. Proponents focus on timeless, high-quality designs over trendy pieces that end up in landfills after a few times out of the closet. The idea is a timely one. Huge garment landfills of discarded fashion and clothing litter our planet. One of the biggest is in the Atacama desert of northern Chile, a dump so vast that it can be seen from space.

“We want to see American clothing makers return. That’s why we are so passionate about supporting these small manufacturers who want to hold on to quality and heritage as much as we do,” Tolleson said. “The clothes we sell adhere to ethical, responsible practices that I’m proud to get behind.”

The shop is the combined endeavor of Tolleson and co-owner Kristin McDermott. McDermott is an entrepreneur and certified professional building designer who has worked in the field for 20 years. She began opening businesses at the age of 19 and is an art broker and former gallery owner. She was also one of the co-founders of the Root Cellar Café in San Marcos. Her eye for exceptional design is a perfect match for Tolleson’s deep appreciation of quality and craft.

For more information about Felix T. Jack, what it offers and why, visit its website at felixtjack. com.