Step into Nashville’s newest men’s clothier, Simon Says, and you’ll find yourself immersed in a curated collection of stylish, high-quality pieces that tell a story. Located in the trendy Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood, the shop offers a carefully selected mix of clothing from designers who blend personal narratives into their creations.
At Simon Says, fashion is all about balance. The store offers a range of one-of-a-kind items that are not only unique but also comfortable and durable. “I want people to have access to things they haven’t heard of or seen before,” says owner and founder Stephanie Simon. “But I also want it all to be wearable.”
Inspired by cowboy culture and rock ‘n’ roll, the store’s aesthetic speaks to the distinctive style of Nashville men. “Nashville reminds me of New York and LA,” says Stephanie. “Not just because people are hustling and doing their thing, but because they want to look good while doing it.”
Simon Says aims to create a stress-free shopping experience. The store is designed to flow with ease, featuring natural lighting, cozy rugs, plush couches, and the friendly faces of Stephanie, COO Andy Burns, and in-house hatmaker Jacob Hillenbrand. Since opening in November, the store has already made a name for itself by offering a welcoming atmosphere and curated pieces that reflect Stephanie’s vision.
Before launching Simon Says, Stephanie honed her expertise in design, management, and brand promotion at the legendary San Francisco Western shop H Bar C Ranchwear. She also had the opportunity to dress musicians like Robert Plant, Marcus King, and Midland for red carpets and award shows. “When we met Robert, we had just remade a shirt that he had worn onstage in the ’70s all the time, and he walked into the store,” Stephanie recalls. “I don’t normally fangirl, but I immediately knocked over my cup of tea.”
Over time, these musicians became like family to Stephanie. “You watch them fly, and your heart is so happy for them,” she says. “And seeing them proud of me is a freaking trip.”
When Stephanie moved to Nashville, she joined the well-known boutique Two Old Hippies. After the COVID-19 pandemic, she noticed a gap in the local fashion industry, particularly in the lack of high-quality menswear stores. Determined to fill this void, Stephanie took matters into her own hands, overseeing everything from construction to curation. “I didn’t think I could accomplish this, and I did,” she says. “It’s been probably the most joyful thing I’ve ever done.”
Stephanie’s vision for Simon Says is elevated by a selection of high-quality brands and designers that hold personal meaning for her. A signature John Varvatos T-shirt, for instance, takes Stephanie back to the time she first moved to Nashville. Custom embroidery by the mother-daughter duo Dixon and Jack, seen at major concerts and award shows, reminds her of her love for working alongside her mom. United Rivers, a brand owned by Colombian immigrants, beautifully blends Colombian cowboy culture with the American South, showcasing the power of storytelling through clothing.
Stephanie acknowledges the importance of teamwork in bringing her vision to life. “It does take a village to do anything, and I would have been a lot more stressed-out if I didn’t have the team that I have,” she says. “Even the contractors, my designers, all of them — everybody has a value that is indescribable.”
The staff at Simon Says is known for their refreshing honesty with customers, always eager to celebrate when someone finds the perfect piece. “Some people just don’t realize how much they need that little boost of confidence,” says Stephanie. “And it’s not even me giving it to you — it’s the clothes doing it. I’m just reiterating what the clothes are doing.”
Stephanie’s passion for every item in the shop shines through in her work, and her dedication to improving the shopping experience continues to drive her forward. “When somebody walks out with a smile on their face, it’s like you just finished your second dirty martini, and you’re like, ‘Yeah. Now, that’s the good stuff,’” she says.
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