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Bespoke with Al's Attire in San Francisco

UrbanComposition

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Thanks to Slewfoot's great tobacco fresco buy of 2012, I took 3 meters of the stuff to Al. Here's some quick facts:

Measurements will be taken. Your best-fitting jacket / trousers are recommended, but not necessary. I took a jacket & pair of trousers in & left them with him.

A paper cutout will be done. Three fittings are normal, but he says "as many as it takes." I like that.

All work is done on premises, or at home by workers he has trained.

Unless otherwise requested, jackets are full canvas.

He has a variety of cloth from English & Italian mills, although he said he had nothing like the fresco & that it was a good price :slayer:

Jackets are hand-padded, and buttonholes are sewn by hand. Not sure of the quality of the buttonholes; have yet to see.

Price, excluding fabric, is from $750-$950.

He says the suit should be finished in 4 weeks, depending on fittings.

Despite my relatively short stature and build (between PSG & Foo), he said 3 meters might not be enough. I certainly hope so.

Al has been making suits & clothes here in San Francisco for over 35 years, and appreciates making a suit when the opportunity arises. If this one goes well, I just may do another fresco or flannel. Not sure yet; depends on how cold it'll be this summer :sarcasm:

Will update with pics & more details as they come in.
 

UrbanComposition

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Good to hear, Moo. I really hate sloppy buttonholes.

Nick from Jack/Knife had nothing but good words for him. I hear his shoes are epic. He says he's currently boycotting Horween due to the exorbitant price on cordovan. He makes his own (!) It's not shiny like Horween's, but you can tell it's cordovan. Might get a pair of boots next.
 

Mr. Moo

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I saw some of the shoes; I saw nice shapes but couldn't tell if they were all new, some vintage or what. Are they all made by him?

As for making his own shell, that is pretty awesome. Snap a pic next time you're there!
 

UrbanComposition

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Besides himself, he has a team of people making the shoes, all there in the shop. I'll take pics of the leather next time I'm there.
 

Gus

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Looking forward to your updates. A local bespoke tailor would be convenient.
 

acidboy

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I met Al couple of years back when me and emptym walked in their store. too bad that was my last day in sf and my funds were depleted else I would've ordered a couple of his shirts. in any case, Al is a very nice guy, very friendly and passionate about his craft. also remember he has (had) an assistant that was kinda cute, but I'm digressing. please keep us posted UC.
 

Mr. Moo

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I met Al couple of years back when me and emptym walked in their store. too bad that was my last day in sf and my funds were depleted else I would've ordered a couple of his shirts. in any case, Al is a very nice guy, very friendly and passionate about his craft. also remember he has (had) an assistant that was kinda cute, but I'm digressing. please keep us posted UC.


Yes.
 

emptym

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I'm glad you went to Al's, P. Looking forward to seeing the results. Been wanting to go ever since AB and I stopped by.
His default style is pretty rustic, but he says he can be as refined as you'd like with buttonholes, etc. Did you show him your Chan ones?

I hope too that 3 yards is enough.
 
Last edited:

F. Corbera

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Jackets are hand-padded, and buttonholes are sewn by hand. Not sure of the quality of the buttonholes; have yet to see.


i-HWf5wkZ-X2.jpg
 

UrbanComposition

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Nice, but I'd be interested to see if he can do finer buttonholes. That is to say, those are nice, but if I saw shirt-style buttonholes on my suit, I'd be a little disappointed. Here's a pic from JeffreyD's blog:



So far Al has been very congenial, very "can-do". Before I even said I wanted a flat shoulder with minimal padding, the first thing he said was that I'd look strange in his default "house" style, which has roped shoulders and a more horizontal British-influenced shoulder (I've got swimmer's back).

Now, If he can do asola lucida style buttonholes, I'd be ecstatic.
 

F. Corbera

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P, it strikes me as unreasonable to expect that level of hand-finishing at that price point.
 

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