• Hi, I am the owner and main administrator of Styleforum. If you find the forum useful and fun, please help support it by buying through the posted links on the forum. Our main, very popular sales thread, where the latest and best sales are listed, are posted HERE

    Purchases made through some of our links earns a commission for the forum and allows us to do the work of maintaining and improving it. Finally, thanks for being a part of this community. We realize that there are many choices today on the internet, and we have all of you to thank for making Styleforum the foremost destination for discussions of menswear.
  • This site contains affiliate links for which Styleforum may be compensated.
  • We would like to welcome House of Huntington as an official Affiliate Vendor. Shop past season Drake's, Nigel Cabourn, Private White V.C. and other menswear luxury brands at exceptional prices below retail. Please visit the Houise of Huntington thread and welcome them to the forum.

  • STYLE. COMMUNITY. GREAT CLOTHING.

    Bored of counting likes on social networks? At Styleforum, you’ll find rousing discussions that go beyond strings of emojis.

    Click Here to join Styleforum's thousands of style enthusiasts today!

    Styleforum is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Custom Briefcase from Cleverley or WS Foster?

Eustace Tilley

Timed Out
Timed Out
Joined
Sep 27, 2007
Messages
6,441
Reaction score
323
I am thinking of ordering a custom made top frame briefcase from either Cleverley or Foster. If anyone has experience ordering luggage from these firms, I would appreciate your input on the process, flexibility offered and quality of end product.

Thinking of something along these lines:

PapTopFrameTrans.gif
 

Will

Distinguished Member
Dubiously Honored
Joined
Jun 15, 2004
Messages
3,138
Reaction score
54
I never asked Cleverley but I know Foster sends theirs to a contractor to be made. The processes are completely different from shoemaking.

Like their respective shoes, the Foster bags I have seen have in my opinion had a little more of a bespoke look to them. Cleverley uses more exotics, and probably fits better :).
 

Lord Nonsie

Active Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2010
Messages
42
Reaction score
2
I have never bought a customer briefcase from Cleverley. However, I have a gorgeous document case from WS Foster! Its amazing. As soon as I figure out how to post pictures, I will. Its done up in their faded black leather.

I found the process to be pretty good, I had some ideas as to what I was looking for. After working with some of the staff and approving drawings the project began with no problems. The only issue is that it took a lot longer than I anticipated, however, the wait was well worth it. While not as light as an Italian product, I think the quality is unbelievable and it is truly original!
 

Pantisocrat

Distinguished Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2010
Messages
1,762
Reaction score
7
I find it odd that someone would buy luggage from shoemakers. I mean there are SAB, Tusting, Glenroyal, and many others for that. You're more than likely getting a private label rather than an in-house product.
 

The Silverfox

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2010
Messages
392
Reaction score
113
Originally Posted by Pantisocrat
I find it odd that someone would buy luggage from shoemakers. I mean there are SAB, Tusting, Glenroyal, and many others for that. You're more than likely getting a private label rather than an in-house product.

Think the picture he posted actually is of an SAB model, Whitehall if I remember correctly.
 

BlackShoes

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2010
Messages
252
Reaction score
3
If it's the sort of thing that you like, the high end stuff at Foster is made in the workshop over the shop, they would be happy to show you the work up there. Personally, I like that sort of thing.
 

shoefan

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2003
Messages
853
Reaction score
203
Originally Posted by BlackShoes
If it's the sort of thing that you like, the high end stuff at Foster is made in the workshop over the shop, they would be happy to show you the work up there. Personally, I like that sort of thing.

I don't believe this is true with respect to the luggage. It is my understanding that, once upon a time, Foster was one of, if not the largest, customers of Tanner Krolle. I don't believe they ever made luggage themselves.
 

Eustace Tilley

Timed Out
Timed Out
Joined
Sep 27, 2007
Messages
6,441
Reaction score
323
Originally Posted by The Silverfox
Think the picture he posted actually is of an SAB model, Whitehall if I remember correctly.

That's a Daines & Hathaway.
 

Eustace Tilley

Timed Out
Timed Out
Joined
Sep 27, 2007
Messages
6,441
Reaction score
323
Originally Posted by Pantisocrat
I find it odd that someone would buy luggage from shoemakers. I mean there are SAB, Tusting, Glenroyal, and many others for that. You're more than likely getting a private label rather than an in-house product.

Yup - I know. But I have a good working relationshp with both these firms and know they'll go out of their way to fix any issues. I have heard some poor customer service stories about SAB and the others.
 

imatlas

Saucy White Boy
Joined
May 27, 2008
Messages
24,699
Reaction score
28,399
Are you thinking about getting it done in Catherina von Flensburg reindeer calf?
 

Eustace Tilley

Timed Out
Timed Out
Joined
Sep 27, 2007
Messages
6,441
Reaction score
323
Originally Posted by imatlas
Are you thinking about getting it done in Catherina von Flensburg reindeer calf?

Nope. Regular dark brown calf.
 

Lord Nonsie

Active Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2010
Messages
42
Reaction score
2
Originally Posted by Pantisocrat
I find it odd that someone would buy luggage from shoemakers. I mean there are SAB, Tusting, Glenroyal, and many others for that. You're more than likely getting a private label rather than an in-house product.

I am not sure if its odd! But then I had Fosters make me a wonderful bag. Over the years, I have bought various briefcases. I have the SAB wrap around document case, that I think is gorgeous but weighs a ton. My wife bought me a Goyard case which is nice, but not appropriate for all business functions. I have bought a couple of lighter SAB bags over the years. Then one afternoon I was talking to the folks at fosters and we touched on bespoke luggage. I had mentioned that I was looking for a smaller document case that could carry a few files and either a laptop or now my Ipad. I had mentioned that I love their faded black look. And after a few weeks of discussing and emailing drawings I had them make up a bag. I did not find it weird at all. Really it was a chance for me to finally get the document case I have always wanted!
 

kolecho

Distinguished Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2004
Messages
4,048
Reaction score
866
OP,

You should also consider Pickett for bespoke briefcases, should you decide to go beyond the shoemakers you mentioned.
 

fritzl

Stylish Dinosaur
Joined
Apr 19, 2006
Messages
12,266
Reaction score
268
Robert Horn's, not only cause it brings you closer to your grail shoemaker - Scheer.
 

Featured Sponsor

How important is full vs half canvas to you for heavier sport jackets?

  • Definitely full canvas only

    Votes: 55 35.5%
  • Half canvas is fine

    Votes: 60 38.7%
  • Really don't care

    Votes: 17 11.0%
  • Depends on fabric

    Votes: 27 17.4%
  • Depends on price

    Votes: 28 18.1%

Forum statistics

Threads
505,203
Messages
10,579,254
Members
223,891
Latest member
Robertiweyer
Top