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The Andover Shop

post #1 of 17
12/6/11 at 10:40am
Thread Starter 

While I am aware that the Andover Shop in Cambridge has been discussed at some length on this forum and on Ask Andy, I am still curious about certain aspects. 

 

I have been to the shop itself, and while I was not in a position to inquire in earnest about suits and sport coats, I liked what I saw. They have a cache of wonderful fabrics, and their shirts and sweaters are very nice as well.

 

Does anybody have experience with their tailored clothing? The quality looks good, and while the cut seems very traditional, this interview with Dr. Cornel West in which he notes that he is wearing an Andover Shop suit makes it look more flattering than I had previously been led to believe. 

 

(Taking into account, of course, what Dr. West says about the suit being 10 years old. I assume the vest did not fit him quite as tightly when he first bought it.) 

 

I have also seen photographs of sportscaster Bud Collins in some very interesting trousers, which he says are made for him there.

 

I would be interested to hear about experiences with the staff (I know Charlie is a character, but he was all right when I visited, and the other gentleman was extremely kind and helpful), the process (is it MTM/CMT/bespoke...garments are made in-house, if I am not mistaken), and perhaps most importantly the pricing for custom items. 

 

The Andover Shop website lists RTW prices, but I would like to know how their custom prices compare to Brooks, PRL, et cetera.

 

Any pictures of garments from the shop would be appreciated as well.

 

-VF

 

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post #2 of 17
12/6/11 at 12:44pm
Miles Davis used to be a regular at the Andover Shop. I read somewhere that he used to hang out with the owner and critique customers' tailoring decisions. Obviously, this was back in the 50s when Miles was a paragon of Ivy style and long before he morphed into the black Elvis in a gold cape and wig.
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post #3 of 17
12/6/11 at 2:24pm
I have a custom Chrysalis coat on order at the Andover Shop so I can't comment on the final product but customer service has been very good so far.
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post #4 of 17
12/6/11 at 2:46pm
AFAIK, nothing is made on premises. The MTM stuff is made by Samuelsohn and Southwick/Brooks. The Southwick/Brooks stuff is half-canvassed (Douglas, Plymouth, etc.) When they had a shop in Back Bay, they also carried Oxxford, but no more.

This setup is pretty much the same as with all the ye olde campus-y shops still around...O'Connells, Eljo's, Cable Car, etc., although I think that Charlie's tastes are more inspired than the other guys. Andover has nice accessories.

Have you tried PMing L. A. Guy? He's very familiar with them.
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post #5 of 17
12/6/11 at 3:11pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by F. Corbera View Post

Andover has nice accessories...
Have you tried PMing L. A. Guy? He's very familiar with them.


 

I haven't, but maybe I'll give it a try.

Thanks.

 

They certainly do have nice accessories, too.

The patchwork tweed items are especially appealing.

 

Edit: 

I PM'd LA Guy. 

 

Touche, Corbera.

 

-VF


Edited by Von Franz - 12/10/11 at 8:06am
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post #6 of 17
12/6/11 at 3:13pm

Dr. West is leaving Princeton. I'm going to miss seeing him around town, dudes got an aura.

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post #7 of 17
12/6/11 at 6:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JakeLA View Post

Miles Davis used to be a regular at the Andover Shop. I read somewhere that he used to hang out with the owner and critique customers' tailoring decisions. Obviously, this was back in the 50s when Miles was a paragon of Ivy style and long before he morphed into the black Elvis in a gold cape and wig.

Vox can expand a bit more on this but I understand that he had a special cut of coat made where there were no seams at the sleeves/back?

milesDavis.jpg

tumblr_lg9e08XBLy1qbfoleo1_500.jpg

miles-davis-double-breated-suit-black-white.jpg

not posting this one for the clothes but for the gorgeous woman:

milesdavisgarmsvillepic7.jpg
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post #8 of 17
12/6/11 at 6:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by edmorel View Post

Vox can expand a bit more on this but I understand that he had a special cut of coat made where there were no seams at the sleeves/back?

There actually were seams, but they were impossible to spot because of the expert serging.
Quote:
Originally Posted by iroh View Post

005iqq.jpg
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post #9 of 17
12/6/11 at 7:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by F. Corbera View Post

There actually were seams, but they were impossible to spot because of the expert serging.

should have known, great tailoring is all in the serging. And ball bearings.
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post #10 of 17
12/6/11 at 8:07pm
Strangely enough, I love buying things there even though I usually walk out of the store without a word being spoken by anyone other than me. It's either because I never purchase anything of substance other than a tie here or a pocket square there, or they just don't like the cut of my jib. I tend to think it's the latter. Although, there are usually always morbidly obese gentlemen in the store asking to be draped in tweed, so I can understand why some guy half their age tends to vanish into the background. One of these times I'll have to show a little more interest and strike up a conversation with Charlie.

All that being said, it's tough to find such a great collection of clothing and accessories in one place if you're into preppy/trad.

The "Dingy Den of Scumbags" thread is a must read if you've ever been, or are going, to the shop. Pure comedy!
http://www.styleforum.net/t/50534/andover-shop-dingy-den-of-scumbags
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post #11 of 17
12/6/11 at 10:32pm
I had some heavyweight tweed pants made there a few years ago. They still look new and fit fine. I am pretty sure they were made on the premises. They also have a store on Andover.
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post #12 of 17
12/6/11 at 11:19pm
I like Andover shop very much !
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post #13 of 17
12/6/11 at 11:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by REguy View Post

Strangely enough, I love buying things there even though I usually walk out of the store without a word being spoken by anyone other than me. It's either because I never purchase anything of substance other than a tie here or a pocket square there, or they just don't like the cut of my jib. I tend to think it's the latter. Although, there are usually always morbidly obese gentlemen in the store asking to be draped in tweed, so I can understand why some guy half their age tends to vanish into the background. One of these times I'll have to show a little more interest and strike up a conversation with Charlie.

All that being said, it's tough to find such a great collection of clothing and accessories in one place if you're into preppy/trad.

The "Dingy Den of Scumbags" thread is a must read if you've ever been, or are going, to the shop. Pure comedy!
http://www.styleforum.net/t/50534/andover-shop-dingy-den-of-scumbags

Don't worry, it's not you. lol8[1].gif Most people are given that treatment, and it's always amusing to see the occasional flabbergasted reaction from folks. They do occasionally condescend to give you an odd smile or two if they recognize you.
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post #14 of 17
12/15/11 at 5:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by edmorel View Post

Vox can expand a bit more on this but I understand that he had a special cut of coat made where there were no seams at the sleeves/back?

i70mer.jpg
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post #15 of 17
12/15/11 at 5:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cbird View Post

They also have a store on Andover.

I wonder if that has something to do with the name.

confused.gif
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