Cordings of piccadilly

I was in Cordings earlier today. Their suits are great, but I think the same stuff can be found on Jermyn for less £££, albeit without the wood panelling!

The wood panelling goes a long way.

Originally Posted by brokentelephone

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I was in Cordings earlier today. Their suits are great, but I think the same stuff can be found on Jermyn for less £££, albeit without the wood panelling!

Nonsense. Cording's is far better quality (cloth, construction, cut) than Lewin or Tyrwhitt.

Originally Posted by Bishop of Briggs

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Nonsense. Cording's is far better quality (cloth, construction, cut) than Lewin or Tyrwhitt.

Haha! Since when are cheap shirtmakers competing with the likes of Cordings? There are many independent stores on Jermyn (and in the area) which sell comparable clothing at big discounts.

Originally Posted by brokentelephone

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Haha! Since when are cheap shirtmakers competing with the likes of Cordings? There are many independent stores on Jermyn (and in the area) which sell comparable clothing at big discounts.

Like who? Austin Reed sells over-priced tat. I also buy from Ede & Ravenscroft but their prices, with a few exceptions, are higher than Cording's.

Originally Posted by Bishop of Briggs

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I tried on some chinos that Incotex made for Polo Ralph Lauren - very small sizing, low rise and not a patch on Cording's drills. And double the price of Cording's too! It's a choice between Italian (poofy Prima Donnas in tight trousers at half mast) or Cording's (true Brit style for real men).

Indeed it's a choice. I love both styles so I might end up with one pair of fine Italian wool trousers for nice urban autumn/winter days, and one pair of Cordings moleskin or corduroys for bad weather.

I notice that "brokentelephone" has not supplied the name of the London firms that sell half-canvassed suits at much lower prices than Cordings (£325 and £600 for two).

Harvie & Hudson, another shirtmaker, sells fused Berwin & Berwin suits. They are competing Lewin and Tyrwhitt that I mentioned earlier. Hackett's suits have declined in cut and quality and are fused too. New & Lingwood charge £500 and above.

N&L suits are quite decent in my experience. Unless all of my probing questions received lies when I bought one.

Originally Posted by CashmereLover

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OK, thanks, sounds promising. However, just the other minute I found some interesting trousers (mostly Incotex) on Yoox. Might go that way instead, we'll see. I love both British and Italian style, it's hard to chose.

It's all a question of rise, really, isn't it? Both my Incotex (Chino Lino) and Cordings' moleskins have similar rises--around 8 inches. I'm not sure I would consider either "high wasted." I measure both openings at around 8 inches as well. Come to consider it, Incotex's Chino Lino and Cordings' Moleskins/cords have more than a little in common regarding fit. Application, however, is another story: The former rarely engages in anything more strenuous than a garden party, whereas the latter see me through entire Saturdays spent shooting clay. I can't speak to which make me feel more like a "real man" though.

I have a pair each of their moleskins (grey-green), thick cords (bottle green), needlecords (bright red), cotton twills (pale khaki, not shown on the website). I am extremely happy with all of them.
The moleskins and thick cords come with braces buttons and Daks adjusters. All of them have button flies. The fabrics feel substantial and should last a long time. I still have a pair of cotton twills bought in the mid eighties which are still wearable, although the bottoms are a bit frayed.
I think of Cordings as the kind of shop one can definitely trust, given their history, reputation and my personal experience with them.
I remember walking in one day to buy trousers and the man there correctly eyeballed my waist size!
Frog in Suit

I don't think their trousers are fully lined.

I didn't know they did shoes - I'll have to take a look. It always seemed odd that a traditional men's country outfitter didn't do at least one boot or brogue.

Excellent quality, Cordings.

In the interest of not beginning another thread-

I would love to hear a reccomendation for, or comparison made between the quality of Bruar, Glengarnock, Cordings as I am looking for a suitable heavy weight pair of English Country corduroys for Fall to pair with the C&J Snowdon.


Patrick

I've long been a fan of Cordings ... but I'm also a fan of country clothing (pay no attention to that avatar).

That said ... I find myself in agreement with most of what Bengal-stripe has to say.

They do not offer men's shoes, unless I am mistaken, only women's (and Hunter wellies for both sexes).
On our latest visit (early last week), with my Dear Wife and our 16-year old son, not the easiest age to shop for , we bought a crew neck navy lamb's wool long-sleeved jumper and two pair of trousers (faded red twills and a pair of blue pin cords) for the boy, one pair of navy pin cords and a gingham oxford shirt for the old man (me). Very good service (they know what they are about) and good quality. I am always happy to visit Cordings (and have no interest in the business).
Frog in Suit

While I will readily admit I have no direct experience regarding Cordings I feel that one can safely assume that any shop selling traditional English country attire in Piccadilly is there to rip off tourists using the old England image.

I would be surprised to find any country gents there- so yes by all means go there if u have the money, are in a hurry, and want the fake Englishness

Things get more complicated when you think that maybe this is really what is left of the English brand, i.e, as if all pizza restaurants in Italy were Pizza Express- and so it is not fake at all since it does not exist anymore except for the tourists sake. Like the Monarchy