A Decent Tailor in Philadelphia?

[Encathol Epistemia]

Mostly gone (closed his Philly shop, still working at his home in Williamstown NJ, according to Encathol): John Di Pietro of Di Pietro Custom Tailors on South Broad Street. Bespoke cutter and tailor, MTM shirts. AAAC member MrRogers was using him for bespoke about 8 years ago and was happy. SF member Encathol has many garments from him.

Indeed; I saw him on Saturday, August 26th. He mostly sees established clients and I think that he prefers to make bespoke garments, but he performs alterations, from what I have passively observed. (I have seen some off-the-rack garments with alterations invoices and a set of trousers for an established client who had lost a weight that were to be recut)

He has recreated his shop in condensed form in a shed beside his cottage, although fittings are performed in his master bathroom. Given the 'intimate' settings of fittings now, he prefers not see outright strangers, but I have the impression that he might take a referral from an established client. (Anemic stock market returns and familial conditions increasing the burdens upon him have opened his prospects, for the moment)

I expect to see him next in early October. He is working on a tweed 'travel coat' for me. He works at a more relaxed pace in the past, as befits a partially retired 88-year-old but remains a conscientious and genial tailor. (I have become something of a 'friend of the family', so I might not be entirely objective)

I have not seen Ray Nepomuceno for two years, not out of any dissatisfaction, but only because I have not wanted shirts lately, although I have designs upon commissioning some in a year or two. He makes what I have found to be a very respectable shirt and is very pleasant to work with.

 

[philosophe]

Another thumbs-up for Ray Nepumuceno. He's a great guy.

 

[DiggerBuzz]

Would anyone have any recommendations on where to get a decent quality Italian suit in Philadelphia for an affordable cost? I do not mind spending, but due to the nature of my career (Funeral Director) I am extremely hard on clothing. Any help would be great. Thanks.

 

[classicalthunde]

I do not mind spending

Do you have a specific budget in mind?

 

[g2x222]

Took a few items to Thomas Tillman Bespoke for alterations last year. He's not cheap, but he has a great eye for what needs to be done while also taking into account what is/isn't "worth it". He also likes to explain construction details.

Perhaps not the best tailor for simple alterations or cheap pieces.

With that said, I think he does most of his business with bespoke garments. When I was seeing him in the summer, he was preparing a fall trouser event, and he showed me a lot of very nice fabrics he'd have available.

His "workshop" is in a space in North Philly (a few blocks from K&A, unfortunately, although the shop is tucked away so you don't really notice), but he also does fittings/sales through Style By Blain in Chestnut Hill. I haven't been there, but some of you may be familiar, as SBB seems to have quite a nice selection of shoes that you don't typically see in the area (G&G, Alden, C&J, Paraboot).

 

[g2x222]

Question on a similar topic - can anyone recommend a cobbler? I have a pair of (casual) Wolverine boots w/ Christy soles that need to be resoled and would prefer to do it locally

 

[nosch455]

Question on a similar topic - can anyone recommend a cobbler? I have a pair of (casual) Wolverine boots w/ Christy soles that need to be resoled and would prefer to do it locally

I’ve had good experience with Fast Feet Shoe Repair in Wilmington. Not super local, but very good work and high quality materials (they had JR soles for a long time, now with the shortage I’m not sure)

 

[philosophe]

Unfortunately Capa Cueros on Chestnut Street closed.
I would ask Voltaire, the owner of Style by Blain, whom he recommends. If you're in center city, Steve Jamison at Blue Sole Shoes or the shoe department folks at Boyd's can make suggestions.

 

[Samir]

Dom's at 20th & Walnut

 

[Samir]

Funny story about the interlining: I bought the lighter weight KS traveler coat a couple years ago but was a bit sad that the collar didn’t stay popped up. So I started searching online for a way to do this, and it’s a very rare topic (even for clothing nerds like us) and normally quite expensive (it usually involves a half-moon insert at the back of the neck and should have a shorter and longer piece of cloth on the under and outer side of the collar so that it naturally rolls up.

This is quite expensive.

Then I stumbled upon a costume forum where they talk about putting interfacing in collars for this exact purpose. I asked Ryan at Tailors Keep about it, he was intrigued, we tested it on the lighter weight KS traveller coat, and voila.

Bought this same lightweight KS Traveler and looking to do a similar adjustment to the collar. Anyone have a tailor in mind who may be able to do this?

 

[philosophe]

One good option might be Larnell Baldwin, if he hasn't retired. He's taught many tailors and seen it all. https://www.larnellbaldwin.com/