If you walk into a high-end department store lately, you’ve probably noticed something's missing. Everything feels a bit... disposable. The fabrics are thin, the sales associates are looking at their phones, and the "custom" suit you bought feels like it was made for a mannequin, not a human being with shoulders and a life. This is exactly why The Foursome Men’s Apparel and Shoes remains a bit of a local legend in Plymouth, Minnesota. It’s one of those rare places that actually survived the retail apocalypse by refusing to act like a giant corporation.
They’ve been around since 1935. Think about that for a second. That's through the Great Depression, a world war, the rise of Amazon, and the weird era where everyone thought wearing cargo shorts to weddings was okay.
What Actually Sets The Foursome Men’s Apparel and Shoes Apart?
Most people think a suit is just a suit. It's not.
When you head into a shop like The Foursome, you aren't just buying a piece of charcoal wool. You're basically buying into a legacy of fit that started with the Engel family. It’s still family-owned, which is kind of wild in 2026. Usually, these types of legacy shops get bought out by private equity firms that gut the quality and keep the name. But here, the third generation is still running the floor.
The big draw is the shoes. Honestly, finding a place that understands the "difficult foot" is getting harder. They carry brands like Allen Edmonds, Johnston & Murphy, and Alden. But the secret sauce isn't just the inventory. It's the fact that they actually measure your feet. Like, with a Brannock device. Remember those? Most teenagers working at the mall don't even know which end is up on those things.
The Big & Tall Problem
If you're a guy who played linebacker in college or just happens to be 6'5", shopping is usually a nightmare. Most "Big & Tall" sections are just rows of polyester tents that make you look like you're wearing a sail. The Foursome carved out a massive niche here because they treat "big and tall" as a style category, not an afterthought.
They stock Peter Millar and Tommy Bahama in sizes that actually fit human giants. It's about proportion. A 3XL shirt shouldn't just be wider; it needs the armholes moved and the length adjusted so it doesn't ride up when you reach for your keys.
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The Shift to "Casualization"
We’ve all seen it. The office dress code died somewhere around 2020 and never really came back. So, how does a store built on suits stay relevant?
They pivoted.
You’ll see a lot more "performance fabrics" on the racks now. We’re talking about blazers that look like traditional tweed but have the stretch of a gym shirt. It’s kind of a cheat code for looking professional while feeling like you're in pajamas. Brands like Faherty and Duck Head have taken over the floor space once reserved for stiff tuxedos. It’s a smarter way to dress. You can wear a 34 Heritage jean with a crisp button-down and a soft jacket and look better than the guy in a cheap, poorly fitted three-piece suit any day of the week.
Quality matters more now because we buy less.
If you're only going into the office two days a week, you don't need ten mediocre shirts. You need three incredible ones. That’s the philosophy here. They lean into the idea of the "capsule wardrobe" before it was a TikTok trend.
Tailoring: The Dying Art
Let's talk about the tailors. Most shops outsource this. They send your pants to a dry cleaner down the street and hope for the best. The Foursome kept their tailor shop in-house.
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This is huge.
When the person pinning your sleeves is the same person who will be sitting at the sewing machine, the margin for error drops to almost zero. They understand "break." They know how a trouser should sit on a pair of loafers versus a pair of oxfords. It’s that nuance that separates a guy who looks like he’s wearing his dad’s clothes from a guy who looks like he owns the room.
Why Local Retail Actually Matters in 2026
There’s a lot of talk about "shopping local," but let’s be real: people shop where it’s convenient. The reason The Foursome Men’s Apparel and Shoes stays busy isn't just because people feel bad for small businesses. It's because the experience of being "known" by a clothier is a luxury that an algorithm can't replicate.
When you walk in and they remember that you prefer a shorter rise in your trousers or that your left arm is a quarter-inch longer than your right, you save time. Time is the one thing we’re all running out of.
They also do this thing called the "Trunk Show."
For the uninitiated, this is when a brand like Byron or Coppley brings their entire fabric book to the store. You pick the lining, the buttons, the thread color—everything. It's essentially semi-custom (made-to-measure) clothing. For guys who have a specific vision or just want something that no one else in the boardroom has, this is the gold standard.
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Common Misconceptions About High-End Menswear
- "It’s too expensive." Actually, if you buy a $100 pair of shoes every year because they fall apart, you're spending more than the guy who buys a $400 pair of Allen Edmonds that lasts fifteen years with a couple of resoles. It's simple math.
- "I'm not a suit guy." Nobody is anymore. But everyone is a "looking good" guy. Whether it's a high-end polo or a well-structured vest, it's about the fit, not the formality.
- "I can just order it online." Sure, you can. And then you can deal with the return shipping when the "Navy" turns out to be "Bright Purple" and the "Slim Fit" fits like a garbage bag.
The Practical Path to a Better Wardrobe
If you're looking to refresh your look, don't try to buy a whole new closet in one Saturday. That's how you end up with "buyer's remorse" and a bunch of stuff you never wear. Start with the foundations.
First, get your feet measured properly. Your shoe size changes as you age—gravity is a jerk like that. A properly fitted shoe fixes back pain and makes you walk with more confidence. It’s the literal foundation of your outfit.
Second, invest in a "Third Piece." This is an old styling trick. A shirt and pants is an outfit. A shirt, pants, and a vest (or a light jacket) is a look. It adds depth. The Foursome carries a lot of technical vests that work perfectly for this, especially in the unpredictable Minnesota weather.
Third, find a brand that fits your "block." Every clothing brand uses a different base model. Some are built for thin, European frames; others are built for the American dad bod. Once you find a brand at a place like The Foursome that fits your shoulders perfectly, stick with it. It makes shopping for the rest of your life ten times easier.
Forget the trends. Forget what's "viral" this week. Focus on the stitch count, the feel of the leather, and how you feel when you catch your reflection in a window. That’s what actually lasts.
Next Steps for Your Wardrobe:
- Audit your current shoes. If the heels are worn down or the leather is cracking beyond repair, get rid of them. A bad pair of shoes ruins a $2,000 suit instantly.
- Visit a professional clothier. Even if you don't buy anything that day, get measured. Know your actual neck, sleeve, and waist measurements so you stop guessing.
- Prioritize natural fibers. Look for wool, silk, linen, and cotton. They breathe better, age better, and won't smell like a locker room after a long day of meetings.