I want to reply to jsprowls9, re: the cuff width issue. I have had trousers made with 1 1/2, 1 5/8 and 1 3/4 inch cuffs. The latter two are acceptable, the first not. That's my privilege as an American. I know the intent was for proportionality, scale, and so on, for "recommending" the 1 1/2 width, but I think it looks silly. Yes, I am 5'5" and so on. I'm a reasonable man, but to be told NO for a lousy 1/8 inch indicates the depth of psychopathology I was dealing with. Of course, I suppose I should have "asked" this question before putting down the deposit??? All sales are final is not what you expect at these rarefied levels of artistry.

This article provides insight into the tailor's disposition...

http://www.smartmoney.com/esquire/index.cfm?Story=20050902-tailors

First of all Terry I am sorry to hear about your failed suit from the made tailor.  As I told you in a pm, the new one that Corvato is making for you looks truly superb.

I have not (yet) been fired by a tailor.  I would not consider myself overly demanding of anything but updates, and realize that this could be annoying.  I think that the main thing to realize is that tailors are going to make mistakes.  Collars are going to be set slightly off, sleeves will be fractionally too long or short etc.  I make mistakes in my business all the time.  As long as they take an attitude that the customer should be satisfied and that they will fix what is wrong (not what is imagined to be wrong), I see no reason to be a ballbreaker in any way.  I sure hate when my clients complain too much...

Last edited by iammatt (2007-02-27 21:44:03)

Actually, what really bothers me is the wasted time and money, having come up several times from Washington. I don't think the guy ever understood that I live 225 miles away. Besides the wide shoulders, I got this tiny collar, very wide lapels, VERY long roll (of course because the coat is 5 or 6 inches too long), etc.

I wonder if you can draw conclusions based on the number of times a client is fired by their makers? Imagine going through enough tailors in New York, for example, that you then were forced to go to Naples or Savile Row for green pastures. But, is keeping the same maker for years a sign of an ability to get along and be liked or that you possess the character traits of stability and reason? Think of companies that have huge turnover vs. those who basically keep the same staff year in year out. Which one of those would you decide had the fairer and more agreeable management?