The Elegant Man offers a cut above in men’s clothing

The first thing customers notice when they walk into the door of The Elegant Man in downtown El Cajon is the European look of the place. The shop is bold, bright and light. Owner Mike Odeesho greets customers with a dashing smile, offering help or advice with size and style.

His wife Elena greets customers, too, from the desk in the back where she helps with the paperwork. Their 4-year-old Lynette sits quietly nearby, playing games on her own little IPad.

The first thing customers notice when they walk into the door of The Elegant Man in downtown El Cajon is the European look of the place. The shop is bold, bright and light. Owner Mike Odeesho greets customers with a dashing smile, offering help or advice with size and style.

His wife Elena greets customers, too, from the desk in the back where she helps with the paperwork. Their 4-year-old Lynette sits quietly nearby, playing games on her own little IPad.

The Elegant Man shop is not a typical men’s clothing store. A closer look at the suits and pants on the racks reveals a very different style.

“It’s the European look,” said Mike Odeesho. He pointed to the sleeves of the shirt and jacket that he was wearing. They were considerably shorter than the classic American suit.

The European style, he explained, is shorter pants, skinny jackets and short sleeves. The ties are also worn differently, more elaborate and fuller in its knot. The shoe style is narrower with a pointed toe.

“In Europe, these clothes are much more expensive,” he said. “I provide the clothes at a better price.”

Odeesho paged through a men’s fashion magazine called BAGGI Men, Turkish for elegant man.

“Look at the line and pocket in the vest and jacket,” he said, pointing to a picture of the curve seams in a man’s vest and jacket. “Different than American, yes? The style is from Turkey, Italy and France. And it will become more popular here now.”

For three years now, the Elegant Man has graced the corner of Magnolia and Main Street. Mike Odeesho had been looking for a good property for his store ever since he moved to the United States from Iraq six years ago.

“Too many problems there,” he said. “And now I have my parents, many cousins and friends here in El Cajon.”

While in Iraq, Mike Odeesho gained 25 years of experience working for a men’s shop similar to the one he owns now. He learned tailoring as well, and now offers alterations at his shop.

So familiar is Odeesho with the European manufacturers of men’s suits that he is at ease placing his own orders to have suits made exactly like European name brands such as the very expensive Vitarelli.

“It’s my dream to eventually have The Elegant Man as my own brand,” he said.

His wife looked at him and smiled. “That will take a few more years,” she said.

But it will most likely happen, as The Elegant Man has grown in popularity among customers so much that a year ago Mike Odeesho bought the space from the former bookstore next door. That space now has shelves of ties, shirts and racks of shirts.

Odeesho pulled a black velvet and chiffon shirt off the rack and showed it to Rijad Asho, a regular customer of his.

Asho fingered the shirt, considering it for a party he would be attending. He was on his third visit to the shop. He visits family in the area when he comes in from Canada where he lives, and he always stops in to the Elegant Man.

“This is where I come when I am looking for dress pants and shirts. It’s a style I like, the slim fit,” Asho said.

His friend Randy Shamo, a resident of El Cajon, was shopping for a tuxedo to wear at the party.

“I come in here twice a week.  There’s a wide selection to choose from,” Shamo said.

After Mike and Elena Odeesho attend the next fashion show in Las Vegas, they will bring back even more great looks and style of men’s clothing for The Elegant Man.  

The Elegant Man, located at 102 E. Main Street, is open six days a week, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Odeeshos take Sundays off to enjoy family time with each other, going to eat at Ali Baba in El Cajon and maybe going to see a movie at Parkway Plaza.