Thanks Kingstonian - they'd be perfect, but their sizes start at 32" and I'm a slim 30". Gaaaah, curses foiled again! May have to resort to the tailors.....

Thanks - I'll check out the Bean.


Ahhh - they start at 34"! Any advance on 34"?

Last edited by Harpo (2010-08-13 09:03:58)

Maybe Jason could help you out : http://www.thickasthievesla.com/fabrics.html

Hitting 30" depressed the fuck out of me...

The RL bit in Harrods the other day had some great buckle back flannels. great colour and cloth too.

To be honest I didn't look them over that much - I couldn't torment myself with them!

Probably the same as the cut here
http://www.ivy-style.com/ivy-trendwatch-ralph-laurens-updated-sack-suit.html

Price wise I imagine you'd be better off seeing your tailor...could always try outlet stores though?

30 huh?  Chinos, flannels, jeans, jackets  - whatever you buy has to be altered when you're 35" waist and 33" in-seam, 43" chest and 35" sleeve.  The far East sweatshops assume all us westerners conveniently come in 'even' sizes and grow / expand / downsize in 2" increments! 

See my tailor, he's called Simon, I know it's going to fit

Thank you chaps - Spencers looks good - but if I do go tailor made I'll go to my usual chap and see what heavy weight flannel he has to offer - I can probably get them for a ton or thereabouts - but it's got to be the right grey - not too dark, not too light....

On the subject of strides, I was in Brum on Saturday and had a look in M and S where I found some lovely proper twill trousers, anybody seen these? Pure merino wool, with a decent wide twill and lapped outer seams - great tapered cut too. I was a bit pissed off 'as they only started in a 32", but on trying them on, they fitted perfectly - so you can size up by 2". I got a pair in charcoal and a dark indigo - they're well worth checking out. One drawback however, guess where they're made (it's a place famed for a massive wall - and I'm not talking about the Scottish borders.....)

Oh, I've been tempted Bish., sorely tempted - but it's the postage with O'Connels that I find hard to stomach.... I did buy some NOS Brooks shirts from them a while ago but the shipping charge was so outageous compared to other similar I've bought from the States, so I kind of swore I wouldn't use them again - but, of course, I may crack.

Excellent, thank you your Bishopness, most helpful.

The Fox grey flannel looks just the ticket - will give them a whirl I think.

Last edited by Harpo (2010-08-15 16:05:39)

Manufactum remain unaffordable and their sizing is incomprehensible, Bookster is not taking orders, Pakemans and Hiltl both look very slim and I'm looking for some wide enough to have cuffs, and Spencers (where I used to get hipsters made almost 20 years ago) does not have flannel. I can try to buy some flannel then get my tailor on the case, however I would prefer a quicker option. O'Connell's will very probably have the perfect cut, and ivy back pockets, however their flannels are pretty steep ($300 plus shipping and customs).

Any other options?