Bespoke sport coat lining advice

[cn17273]

Hi all -

I am somewhat discerning about my clothing but admittedly far from many of your sophistication here. I wanted to ask your advice on proper etiquette in connection with a bespoke sport coat I recently ordered from a custom tailor.

I asked the tailor to fashion the bespoke coat after my favorite half-lined coat. I picked out the fabric and buttons and we spoke briefly about the coat lining, but to be honest, I didn't think much about lining and we did not discuss in detail. I expected that the lining on the bespoke coat would be a simple, conservative solid (as was the lining on the example I provided).

I went in for a fitting this week and generally love the jacket, with the exception of one thing: the tailor proudly showed me a "special lining" that he picked out for me, which had a loud pattern on it that reminded me of a Robert Graham shirt. I would have much preferred a plain solid and wish he would have asked me before making the decision to use this.

I don't know much about the process of building a bespoke coat and whether it would be a big deal to ask him to change the lining to a conservative solid. I know that the lining is not visible unless the jacket is laying around. Should I live with this, or is it easy enough to change / not a big deal to ask? Thanks in advance!

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Just tell him you’re not crazy about it and that it’s not your taste. Thank him for his considered opinion but you’d like something more simple.

 

[dieworkwear]

I had that happen to me once, but on a pair of trousers. I just went with it. Makes for an amusing story and, since then, I've learned to be more specific.

That said, I'm sure the tailor wants you to be happy with the garment. If it bothers you, I would gently bring it up. Maybe offer to pay a little extra for the service as a gesture. I imagine it shouldn't cost too much. I once had a motorcycle jacket relined and it ran me something like $100, if I remember correctly.