Hey all,
(1) where is it in London that one can find some nice fabrics for suitings or coatings at economical prices?
(2) What do you guys think of Charles Clayton fabric???
Last edited by formby (2010-02-22 13:57:54)
What do you think of Shaukat if you know them?
http://www.shaukat.co.uk/
Last edited by formby (2010-02-22 14:49:40)
thanks for the tip, I already know these places though...
I am more like looking for places where I could find some really cheap stuff, like clearance things...
Last edited by zebear (2010-02-22 14:58:59)
I wanna buy some cheap lightweight crap for a summer suit...
Have a friend in NYC go to Tip Top in Brooklyn. They stock Charles Clayton, and can ship UPS worldwide. The prices will be better than in the UK. Have your friend send you some swatches of whatever you're interested in, or alternatively, if you have a reference number for the cloth, have the friend see if they have it.
Tip Top does not do email. They're not really equipped for phone orders. I doubt any source in the UK will match Tip Top's selection. They buy up discontinued cloth from mills, woolen merchants, manufacturers, etc. Therefore, the selection varies. Charles Clayton was one of the few constants in their stock. They also did Woodhouse suitings, but they are pricey.
I believe they also have a warehouse in Poland, but I don't know the stock there. The owner is a very savvy buyer and constantly brings in new cloths. If you know your cloths you can do very well. Goods should be inspected for imperfections, but I've not had any problems. Your mileage may vary.
Textile King used to be good years ago, but the brothers sold it a few years ago. The women who run it haven't brought in anything new from what I can see, but did raise the prices. Nothing much good there anymore.
This solution would cost 4 times the cost of cloth in transport fee. Saw some not so expensive supers from Scabal at Textile king today...
Last edited by tteplitzmd (2010-02-23 17:41:05)
The transport over the pond by USPS Express Mail for a suiting lenght of worsted is around $36 airmail. I've done it many times.
As for customs if your friend sends you a gift, with a minimal commercial value it will go thru customs at little to no cost. Your price in London will be double the trade's price, plus tax, carriage: Brooklyn wins.
See if Minnis are having a sale soon. Picked up 5m of houndstooth Rangoon last year for £30.
http://stores.ebay.com/BRITISH-FABRICS?_rdc=1&afsrc=1