Considering going bespoke while on a trip to Europe

[330CK]

I will be visiting family in Germany with my girlfriend this summer for about 3 - 4 weeks. As Germany is a pretty central location, I planned to also visit several other countries in the EU. I have long been entertaining the thought of experimenting with bespoke suits, and I can't think of a better place to start than Savile Row.

Now, I would have a relatively limited budget of around $1500-2500. Would it be in bad taste to bring my own cloth? I had planned to keep my eyes open on clearance sales, eBay, and the like to find a good deal on very nice suiting fabric. I figured taking cloth out of the equation would bring just about any of the tailors into my price range.

I deduced from the little bit of searching I did, Anderson & Sheppard, Chester Barrie, & Henry Poole should be about in my price range--those were my top 3 choices anyway.

What I have in mind is a three piece navy blue, peak lapel, double breasted coat with a ticket pocket, and flat front trousers with no pleat. If I were to find a surplus of the necessary cloth, I would also like to have a spare pair of pants made and possibly a single-breasted, two-button coat for infinite versatility to my first bespoke experiment. Mixing and matching that should keep me busy for a while, while I decide whether my bespoke experience warrants a sequel.

My more rational side wonders if the extra expense over made to measure. How personalized could MTM be? Would my idea be much of a problem to have made?

I realize my idea isn't exactly original, nor relatively difficult to find in OTR, but this suit would be partly a unique memento from my trip.

So, to sum up, my couple last questions are:

If I were to be measured on the first few days of my trip, then return for a subsequent fitting, would my limited amount of time be enough? Basically, after they have the measurements and a rough pattern made, they could just finish the suit and have it sent to me, correct?

Feedback on individual bespoke experiences with the tailor mentioned, and also comparable alternatives.

Thank you in advance SF brethren for any help.

 

[Svenn]

^Steed (savile row tailor, ~$3500), offered me two visits in the span of 10 days... they preferrred both be fittings (with an initial measuring in the US), but it seems like they'd do a measuring for you the first visit and a single fitting a few weeks later. They pride themselves on requiring only one fitting, there is debate whether it's sufficient.

 

[academe]

I suspect your pricing information is outdated, because SR bespoke probably starts at around £2600-3000 (USD4100-4800); more expensive houses like Huntsman will cost you almost £4000 (USD6400) including 20% VAT. Your best bet would be try an off-Row London tailor like Graham Browne, Chris Kerr, etc. who run at around ~£1000 per suit.

 

[gusvs]

Why not go visit Mina (Napoli Su Misura) in Naples instead? It's within your budget and she does not mind at all if you bring your own cloth, should you do so. Also, you will have the biggest benefit of all: visiting Naples!

 

[twistoffat]

You´ll need two fittings to get it right. If somethings worth doing do it right. You budget and time available seem both stretched. I´d wait till you have the resources both financial and timewise.
That said you could always call them and discuss your proposals.

 

[RogerC]

Permanent Style posted a series about a making a suit quite like your plan: http://www.permanentstyle.co.uk/2009...poke-suit.html

 

[Blackhood]

Consider whether the Row is correct for you. If this is your first foray into bespoke then you're heading to the home tailoring to experiment.

Its the equivalent of learning to drive in a Ferrari. Would a cheaper local tailor provide a better "entry level" service, without you having to travel not inconsiderable distances across Europe (flights presumably eating into your suit budget?)

If you want to do it, then awesome, but think carefully about whether you want to try out bespoke" or you really just want to "own a saville row suit".