Australian Members - Part II - if you read the first post, you'll get what this is all about.

[DartagnanRed]

IMO MTM is an overrated crapshoot. Either it works for you by chance, because you just so happen to suit the block, or you will probably get something worse that an altered OTR suit. The thing is most people who look at MTM are doing so because they have odd body shapes or features that don't work in OTR (eg square shoulders, very short, weightlifter proportions, overweight) and then of course it is really hard to alter a MTM pattern to suit them. At least if you pick something off the rack that is generally ok, you have an idea of what it will end up as.

I had a suit made at SuitShop, the jacket ended up looking like a chick's jacket and the trousers ended up way too full. Awesome combo. I was not offered a remake, even though I could tell the fitter thought it looked poor. An expensive mistake.

Side note, I'm not sure if this is just an odd coincidence, but some of the people who seem to look the best in IMO all have very downward sloping shoulders which seem quite easy to fit and look good with (eg Andreas Weinas, Phat Guido (remember him) etc)

 

[Foxhound]

Suede A1 came in from eBay. Want to replace the buttons, any recommendations on where to get horn buttons down under?

 

[LonerMatt]

I think the one advantage of MTM is that you can pick a fabric.

If you're easy to fit and it compares well, price wise, to altered OTR that's a good proposition (assuming it comes out all right).

That's not a huge benefit, hence why I think it's only worth it in some cases (getting high rise, pleated, trop wool pants has been a bit tricky for me, often they are sold out, so I have some MTM that I like).

 

[zhenjie]

Here's a Melbourne MTM fail for your entertainment. Spalla camicia at its finest.

 

[Foxhound]

Who was it?

 

[zhenjie]

I'll PM you. Not resolved yet so will give them a chance. Attempted fixes haven't worked to a satisfactory standard.

 

[am55]

It's been fun walking around the streets of Melbourne (first time for me). There are many more men in ties and fedoras - usually middle aged to, ahem, "boardroom" age - with the odd very nice Panama. And many established-looking tailoring shops - we're staying across the road from an "American Tailor" and behind "Joe Black" both of whom have quite large and clean premises.

I walked across a younger chap in a fedora, diamond point self-tie bow tie, and skinny fit MJ Bale navy suit and white shirt. His friend in baggy jeans and shirt. Thought it might be one of you guys. Any idea why fedoras are so common in Melbourne but not Sydney? The latter's sun is even more unforgiving...

 

[Geoffrey Firmin]

@am55 because Melbourne has more sartorial consciousness than Sydney.

 

[California Dreamer]

Sad to note the passing of K. Petyarre. I remember seeing an exhibition of hers amid a bunch of other female indigenous artists. I loved her work, mesmerising stuff, but there was no room on any of our walls for one of her works. We ended up buying a Gabriela Possum that was a bit smaller. Fabulously talented woman.

 

[am55]

Chaps, just a sanity check. Is $75 for shortening (non-working buttonhole) jacket sleeves the going rate in Melbourne? The work was competent, but I've never paid that much for such (I think I paid $65 for the sleeves to be taken in at the shoulder in Sydney, which is the closest comparison I have).

 

[Geoffrey Firmin]

Finally my Nomad Chukka boots from Allen Edmonds arrived.Never mind that according to to FedEx it was due to arrive Monday. However... Boarder Free who ship for AE consign the local part of the delivery to Australia Post.

 

[The Ernesto]

Chaps, just a sanity check. Is $75 for shortening (non-working buttonhole) jacket sleeves the going rate in Melbourne? The work was competent, but I've never paid that much for such (I think I paid $65 for the sleeves to be taken in at the shoulder in Sydney, which is the closest comparison I have).

Sounds like a lot for a simple job.

 

[am55]

Hate to be the tourist but would you guys go for a swim in Queensland in December/January? Does the lycra suit help? How common are stings? Many of the reported stings seem to be on the face and when I go swimming in Sydney harbour that's usually where the stingless cup jellies end up...

 

[Journeyman]

Hate to be the tourist but would you guys go for a swim in Queensland in December/January? Does the lycra suit help? How common are stings? Many of the reported stings seem to be on the face and when I go swimming in Sydney harbour that's usually where the stingless cup jellies end up...

Depends upon where you are thinking of going swimming!

SE Qld is fine - so Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast (Noosa etc) are generally no problem. However, I certainly wouldn't go in the water from Gladstone northwards, regardless of whether you're wearing a lycra swimsuit or not, as it's just not worth the risk.

Generally, being out on the Great Barrier Reef is OK, but swimming around the islands and beaches isn't advisable.

I've been stung once, by a single tentacle that wrapped around a couple of fingers. It was, quite frankly, agonising and for a period of about 12 hours I would happily have amputated my hand if it meant the pain would stop. I can't really imagine what it would be like to be touched my multiple tentacles if you happened to be enmeshed by a jellyfish while swimming.

 

[am55]

Ouch! Was that an irukandji, box or just a blue bottle?

I'll be up north near Cairns and the islands unfortunately. Guess this is a hiking holiday...