The owner of a bespoke clothier in West Des Moines did not set out to have celebrity athlete clientele. But now his client list spans from college athletes to an Olympian.
Colby Elmitt, who owns Langel & Woods Clothiers at 1903 EP True Parkway, said he’s motivated to give his clients a good experience — from their reaction to seeing themselves in a mirror for the first time to wearing the custom items that meet their needs and boost their sense of self-expression.
“I want to treat people the right way and it’s awesome I get to do that through clothing,” Elmitt said.
Langel & Woods, in business since 1991, offers custom suits, dress shirts and more for men and women.
Why make a career pivot into fashion?
Elmitt, 38, of Johnston, said he bought into Langel & Woods two years ago. He first met original owners Pat Langel and Tony Woods in 2010.
Elmitt left a job in IT sales to do what he does now.
“When you wake up every morning, you’ve got to be excited about what you do,” he said.
And he has always been passionate about fashion. At his previous white-collar job, he wore ties at the office when he wasn’t required. And back in the days when he worked at an Abercrombie & Fitch, he spent more on jeans and shorts than what he earned.
Who has Langel & Woods crafted for?
Langel & Woods’ recent clients have included Julian Sayin, the Ohio State University Buckeyes quarterback who in 2025 was a Heisman Trophy finalist; Ben Zobrist, who was the 2016 World Series MVP for the Chicago Cubs; Mike Eruzione, who captained the 1980 U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning men’s hockey team; and Iowa State University Cyclones men’s basketball forward Milan Momcilovic.
Elmitt said he would love to work with players from the Bears, having been born in Chicago. He moved to Johnston when he was 5 years old.
But what he is really focused on is growing the Langel & Woods brand in Iowa, and in the long-term he may launch a magazine.
What makes a good suit?
Elmitt said it’s all about the fit and fabric.
The fabric options include the source of the wool that most suits are made of — some wool is milled in Italy, others in England — and what other materials are blended with it, such as silk and linen.
Beyond the jacket, customization options expand with shirt fabrics, ties and buttons. Everything in his shop is customizable from head to toe. Clients can have unique patterns, sayings or religious phrases stitched into their clothing, perhaps where only they would see them.
For a good fit, Elmitt said the chest and back should be flat on a man’s body. Sleeve length is a matter of personal choice but the ideal is for them to hit at the base of the wrists.
If you go
Langel & Woods is open by appointment seven days a week. Find the store at 1903 EP True Parkway in West Des Moines and online www.langelwoods.com.
Phillip Sitter covers the suburbs for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at PSitter@usatodayco.com. Find out more about him online in the Register’s staff directory.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Bespoke clothier works to treat people right through fashion
Reporting by Phillip Sitter, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
