Hi everyone, I wan't to get this thread up to chronicle my experience ordering my first "bespoke" suit. I wanted to actually include photos of the process.
I've only ever bought suits off the peg, which has worked out pretty well for me. I don't have a hard body to fit at all. But I wandered in to Garrison Bespoke out of curiosity more than anything. I had read another thread on here about Garrison, but it was mainly about their level of service over the telephone. I'm not interested in that. All I cared about was the product.
July 25, 2011 - The Walk In.
I wandered in to Garrison Bespoke to check it out. I was created by Davy, a nice guy, and very helpful. I didn't feel "sized up" like others had mentioned on the other thread. Maybe it was because I was already wearing a Paul Smith suit, who knows. Davy let me know the pricing of MTM starting at $1100 and bespoke starting at $1600. Options for MTM were limited, basically you could choose the lining, ticket pocket or not, and I think thats about it. I had a quick flip through the books of fabric, and Davy had shown me some of the suits they had made recently. They all looked very nice. I liked that Garrison wasn't as stuffy as some of the other Bespoke places, and the magazines there were very current and fashionable. Even the other salespeople were very well dressed in slim suits. Historically I've been nervous about bespoke because I didn't want to look like I was wearing my Dad's suit. To put myself into context, I'm a 23 year old financial advisor, 6'0 and 165 lbs. I usually wear a 38. So I definitely wanted something slim and fashion forward, but also be something of quality.
July 28, 2011 - First Appointment
I came in to pick my fabric and options. I came in a bit early and had a flip through the magazines on the table. I was offered a glass of water while I wait. I was taken to a private room where I could pick my options. It was pretty swanky, my only complaint would be the light was a little dim to be picking fabrics. Luckily I pretty much knew what I wanted going in. I settled on:
Charcoal Loro Piana Super130 fabric
4" Peak Label
Single Breasted 2 button
Double Vented
High rope shoulder
Ticket pocked
Hacking pockets
Purple houndstooth lining
Purple felt under the collar
Purple grosgrain under the buttons on the sleeve
I put down a 50% deposit and book my appoint for my first fitting of a muslin jacket.
August 4, 2011 - Second Appointment
I came in to try on the muslin jacket, which I was under the impression from the first meeting was this sort of tan windowpane fabric that they use to make sure everything was even. But It was this dark sort of herringbone fabric. Davy told me that the tailor didn't do a peak lapel for the test jacket but made it the same width that I asked for. When I saw the jacket It was most definitely not the width I asked for.
IMG_0483 by taylorstav, on Flickr
I apologize for the crappy picture.
The tailor came in and marked in the 4" peak lapel that I asked for. Overall I was pretty happy with the way things were shaping up, the jacket was very slim.
Next fitting is apparently in 3.5 - 4 weeks where they will have the jacket and pants done in the fabric asked for. So far so good!
I've only ever bought suits off the peg, which has worked out pretty well for me. I don't have a hard body to fit at all. But I wandered in to Garrison Bespoke out of curiosity more than anything. I had read another thread on here about Garrison, but it was mainly about their level of service over the telephone. I'm not interested in that. All I cared about was the product.
July 25, 2011 - The Walk In.
I wandered in to Garrison Bespoke to check it out. I was created by Davy, a nice guy, and very helpful. I didn't feel "sized up" like others had mentioned on the other thread. Maybe it was because I was already wearing a Paul Smith suit, who knows. Davy let me know the pricing of MTM starting at $1100 and bespoke starting at $1600. Options for MTM were limited, basically you could choose the lining, ticket pocket or not, and I think thats about it. I had a quick flip through the books of fabric, and Davy had shown me some of the suits they had made recently. They all looked very nice. I liked that Garrison wasn't as stuffy as some of the other Bespoke places, and the magazines there were very current and fashionable. Even the other salespeople were very well dressed in slim suits. Historically I've been nervous about bespoke because I didn't want to look like I was wearing my Dad's suit. To put myself into context, I'm a 23 year old financial advisor, 6'0 and 165 lbs. I usually wear a 38. So I definitely wanted something slim and fashion forward, but also be something of quality.
July 28, 2011 - First Appointment
I came in to pick my fabric and options. I came in a bit early and had a flip through the magazines on the table. I was offered a glass of water while I wait. I was taken to a private room where I could pick my options. It was pretty swanky, my only complaint would be the light was a little dim to be picking fabrics. Luckily I pretty much knew what I wanted going in. I settled on:
Charcoal Loro Piana Super130 fabric
4" Peak Label
Single Breasted 2 button
Double Vented
High rope shoulder
Ticket pocked
Hacking pockets
Purple houndstooth lining
Purple felt under the collar
Purple grosgrain under the buttons on the sleeve
I put down a 50% deposit and book my appoint for my first fitting of a muslin jacket.
August 4, 2011 - Second Appointment
I came in to try on the muslin jacket, which I was under the impression from the first meeting was this sort of tan windowpane fabric that they use to make sure everything was even. But It was this dark sort of herringbone fabric. Davy told me that the tailor didn't do a peak lapel for the test jacket but made it the same width that I asked for. When I saw the jacket It was most definitely not the width I asked for.
IMG_0483 by taylorstav, on Flickr
I apologize for the crappy picture.
The tailor came in and marked in the 4" peak lapel that I asked for. Overall I was pretty happy with the way things were shaping up, the jacket was very slim.
Next fitting is apparently in 3.5 - 4 weeks where they will have the jacket and pants done in the fabric asked for. So far so good!
