pejsek
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2004
- Messages
- 936
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This afternoon while out walking with my nine-year old I (quite undeservedly) happened upon a marvelous old smoking jacket in what appears to be burgundy silk velvet. The lapels and cuffs are trimmed in an intricate and very fine black braid and the cut of the jacket is almost equestrian in nature--long and full skirted with a deep single vent. The construction is very nice with a fair deal of handwork at the usual places. No size or manufacturer's tags. The only identification on the jacket is a black label with Fortnum & Mason London showing in sky blue letters. I've looked at a lot of old clothing in my life, but I can't recall ever seeing a piece of mens clothing with a F&M tag. Perhaps I just live on stereotypes, but I've always thought of F&M as a place to have tea or buy small specialty food or luxury items. Has my education let me down? Can anyone enlighten me about Fortnum & Mason the clothier? The jacket bears all the hallmarks of a bespoke piece. Is it possible that F&M at one time ran a bespoke or mtm operation? I'm quite curious.