Has anyone every had experience with Kent, Haste and Lachter?

ryantanner512 · Aug 9, 2013

How are their bespoke suits and shirts compared to the big names like A&S, Huntsmen, and Richard Anderson? Fit is subjective so I mean quality as in precise finishing, fine button holes, and neatly sewn lining, etc. Thanks!

Alex Dumortier · Aug 9, 2013

Given the pedigree of the principals, the quality is bound to be superlative. I can see no reason to think it is anything less than that of the top names on the Row.

With that said, I have absolutely no direct experience of Kent Haste & Lachter, so it would be interesting to hear from someone who does.

Geezer · Aug 9, 2013

Whether true or not, it is believed by some that the character of "Trevor Swift" in Richard Anderson's book is based on Terry Haste.

andreyb2 · Aug 9, 2013

I'm a customer for both shirts and tailored clothing (coats and trousers).

I have shirts from Budd and Sean O'Flynn, and needlework-wise Lachter's shirts are in the same league. That is -- single-needle stitching, MOP buttons, non-fused collars, and... machined buttons, sometimes sloppy stitching, especially in non-visible areas like bottom hem.

I don't have any tailored clothing from other SR houses, so can't really compare. But they are at least on par (if not better) than a couple of Italian-made bespoke coats I have. As John Kent told me, KHL uses same outworkers as some other notable SR houses (sorry, no names here). Also, their in-house tailor, Leslie Haines, used to be head cutter at Douglas Hayward.

A few old photos of my first jacket (made about four years ago):

Andrey

Alex Dumortier · Aug 9, 2013

Geezer said:
Whether true or not, it is believed by some that the character of "Trevor Swift" in Richard Anderson's book is based on Terry Haste.

This is true. The pseudonym is not hard to see through, as "swift" and "haste" are both words that relate to celerity.

pickandpick · Sep 16, 2013

I have had suits made by JK and TH for many years - when each traded individually. The quality is uniformly excellent. JK, particularly, is a genius at cutting. The finishing is also as good as anything at (e.g) Henry Poole et al, but perhaps not as meticulous as the obsessively detailed approach at Maurice Sedwell. The coats are structured but not like a corset - the canvases are light and appropriate for the cloth. There's a bit of drape and both men can cut with dash and elan, for customers who like a little "swagger."

The Anderson book was extremely entertaining, spiteful and bitter. TH is a gentleman and although he could have sued he had far more important concerns in his life - matters which his friends knew about and which are best kept private.

In conclusion, I heartily recommend John and Terry - it's an unstuffy and informal atmosphere when you visit them in Sackville St, but that does not affect quality or attention to detail.

corpseposeur · Jan 28, 2021

I didn't particularly care much about tailored outfits until I had a series of disasters--er less than ideal outfits-- at weddings. I would end up buy an off the rack suit usually a cheap one at the last minute. Predictably, they looked sub-bar. I also realized that as I was well into my mid-thirties and I would need to look better for formal events. As I live in New York there are no shortage of "custom suitmakers" or mediocre MTM with pushy salespeople. I tried a few and they've been disappointing. So I decided to go to the source and take advantage of Savile Row tailors that visited the US.

I learned about KHL on Permanent Style and I really liked the Huntsman/structured British style of cut cut. I met with Terry Haste and Stephen Lachter in December 2019 for my first real bespoke suit. I found both of them very pleasant and agreeable with a refreshingly lacking a certain formality that I've experienced at other houses. I selected a very standard issue 13 oz. Huddersfield Navy twill for a two piece, single button suit. While initially I thought MTM was the best my budget could allow, I decided to stretch it a bit and get the full bespoke option.

Sadly, due to the pandemic we haven't been able to set up a first fitting in New York or London. I hope to update this thread whenever that happens and report. I heard that they're working on updating their Instagram accounts more frequently so I am eager to see what they're up to.

jcorqian · Oct 18, 2022

corpseposeur said:
I didn't particularly care much about tailored outfits until I had a series of disasters--er less than ideal outfits-- at weddings. I would end up buy an off the rack suit usually a cheap one at the last minute. Predictably, they looked sub-bar. I also realized that as I was well into my mid-thirties and I would need to look better for formal events. As I live in New York there are no shortage of "custom suitmakers" or mediocre MTM with pushy salespeople. I tried a few and they've been disappointing. So I decided to go to the source and take advantage of Savile Row tailors that visited the US.

I learned about KHL on Permanent Style and I really liked the Huntsman/structured British style of cut cut. I met with Terry Haste and Stephen Lachter in December 2019 for my first real bespoke suit. I found both of them very pleasant and agreeable with a refreshingly lacking a certain formality that I've experienced at other houses. I selected a very standard issue 13 oz. Huddersfield Navy twill for a two piece, single button suit. While initially I thought MTM was the best my budget could allow, I decided to stretch it a bit and get the full bespoke option.

Sadly, due to the pandemic we haven't been able to set up a first fitting in New York or London. I hope to update this thread whenever that happens and report. I heard that they're working on updating their Instagram accounts more frequently so I am eager to see what they're up to.

Sorry to revive this, but what was your opinion?

TomTom · Oct 19, 2022

jcorqian said:
Sorry to revive this, but what was your opinion?

I have been using KHL for years now an had a couple of suits and a blazer made by them. The quality of work is superb, the cut is very English but you can decide for a more Huntsman like one button from TH or get one cut by John and it will be a bit softer , with nice shoulders, a bit of drape etc..I have a couple from each and they are my favorite pieces I own. Also going to seem them at their shop is like popping to see friends. Very friendly, unstuffy, relaxed and friendly. Johns stories are a belly of laughs and there have been times when I was crying from laughter. But both are masters of their craft, professionals with decades of experience between them. Try them out, you will not regret it.

jcorqian · Oct 19, 2022

TomTom said:
I have been using KHL for years now an had a couple of suits and a blazer made by them. The quality of work is superb, the cut is very English but you can decide for a more Huntsman like one button from TH or get one cut by John and it will be a bit softer , with nice shoulders, a bit of drape etc..I have a couple from each and they are my favorite pieces I own. Also going to seem them at their shop is like popping to see friends. Very friendly, unstuffy, relaxed and friendly. Johns stories are a belly of laughs and there have been times when I was crying from laughter. But both are masters of their craft, professionals with decades of experience between them. Try them out, you will not regret it.

Thanks - I actually popped in today to get a pair of bespoke trousers... thinking about a suit or two in the future.

te0o · Oct 19, 2022

jcorqian said:
Thanks - I actually popped in today to get a pair of bespoke trousers... thinking about a suit or two in the future.

What's their pricing for trousers / whole suits?

jcorqian · Oct 19, 2022

te0o said:
What's their pricing for trousers / whole suits?

Trousers was 1250 base, I got a HaS fabric that was 1350. I believe suits are like 5k ish? Maybe 5500? I did ask a bit about them but didn't get into price, as I plan to get a few a bit later.

Btw, I'm also trying out WS at your suggestion tomorrow!

te0o · Oct 19, 2022

jcorqian said:
Trousers was 1250 base, I got a HaS fabric that was 1350. I believe suits are like 5k ish? Maybe 5500? I did ask a bit about them but didn't get into price, as I plan to get a few a bit later.

Btw, I'm also trying out WS at your suggestion tomorrow!

Thanks - so proper Row prices then - no surprise.

W&S still seems to offer the best value in the West End, as far as trousers go at least.

corpseposeur · Oct 19, 2022

jcorqian said:
Sorry to revive this, but what was your opinion?

The suit Terry cut for me has a strong structured silhouette and makes me look slimmer than I am. The service has been excellent and better than many other SR tailoring houses. I ended up commissioning a house tweed jacket which I will be trying on when they visit New York this weekend. If you like a structured style British jacket, you won't go far wrong.

corpseposeur · Oct 19, 2022

jcorqian said:
Trousers was 1250 base, I got a HaS fabric that was 1350. I believe suits are like 5k ish? Maybe 5500? I did ask a bit about them but didn't get into price, as I plan to get a few a bit later.

Btw, I'm also trying out WS at your suggestion tomorrow!

I also have a WS suit. The make was good, no complaints about the tailoring quality but they haven't been able to fix a collar roll issue I commonly have (which is why I started to go bespoke). They've also been hesitant to adjust things after I received the suit and wanted to make minor alterations. It's not bad and I still wear it. I think my complaint is that it kind of lacks personality.

I would rather go with KHL, Meyer & Mortimer for structured British styles or Redmayne or Steed for the drape style. At this point I've tried all of them and the aforementioned four are my favorites.

Has anyone every had experience with Kent, Haste and Lachter?

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