I find this a very hit & miss area.
'Hine', late of Oxford, I first heard about from a bloke in a club up West who looked good.
'George' of Harringay I heard about from a guy who knew his onions and and had used him with very good results.
'Colin Wilde', formerly of Newburgh Street, London, W1, I heard about from a bloke in 'The John Snow' who was well turned out but just about to pass out.
... But what if you're not as sociable as me?
How do you find a good tailor?
Without reliable word-of-mouth from those who's opinions you value I can't imagine where to start.
Any help?
Another internet message board, the London Lounge, Robb Report, Forbes.com
Good luck Terry and be sure to post pics when you're done!
I talk to more tailors than I ever do business with...
Maybe that's my mistake.
I need some kind of leap of faith to actually get going.
Lots of English tailors sound a little... I don't know... 'uptight'?
Why that matters to me I don't know, but I don't want to spend money and have some kind of working relationship with somebody I don't much like.
A suit from Mark Powell (sp? Too lazy to check...) might be fun. I went to 'Violets' twice back in the day! But I fear he's too cool for me.
Ahhh, Life!
Last edited by Terry Lean (2007-01-12 12:19:53)
Thanks to all for advice and recommendations.
Getting that Trad/Ivy League cut in the UK is the problem. Having old clothes copied seems to be a good idea but somehow this keeps getting seen as a bit of an insult to the tailor.
Plus, sadly, the old classic American cut I like & think suits me is looked down on a lot by the English tailors I've chatted to so far.
'George' of Harringay seems to be the first guy I've heard of who is happy to work in most styles.
Horses for courses, I guess.
I walked in "off the street" when I was using Harvie & Hudson. I was a lot younger and less experienced, and they probably thought me a freak for wanting the BB BD collar, but I did like the shirts and they were very pleasant to me. I regret that I didn't go really wild then because prices were never so good for the dollar. Someone recommended ascot chang, and I really liked their stuff. My father "introduced" me to two of his tailors, one of which I really liked. The first time I went in, I had this huge checklist and was probably a pain in the ass. But they were good about it.
Yeah, I ought to be more like St.Paul.
I really ought to get out more...