Got suit back form tailor, smells like smoke

[dusty]

So what should I do, complain until they pay to clean it?

 

[TimelessRider]

So what should I do, complain until they pay to clean it?

Absolutely--no question about it.

 

[Concordia]

One of the Savile Row shops I deal with would send new garments to me that smelled like cigarettes. Obviously, one of the pieceworkers (probably the jacketmaker, but I suppose could have been one of the finishers) was a chain smoker or worked next to one.

A little steam and fresh air took care of the problem. Not the ideal setup, but there are worse things in life to worry about.

 

[Carlo]

I would definately mention it politely.

If they are professional they will offer to make things right.

If they are snotty, get a new tailor.

 

[Concordia]

As far as my own situation goes, I have more or less moved on, but not because they were snotty.  Actually, they were charmingly embarrassed by the whole thing.  But by the time I mentioned it, the opportunity to fix the problem with brute force had passed.  As I say, a day or so of hanging out was enough to dissipate any lingering side effects.  And I'm sensitive enough to nicotine that I would have noticed.

 

[lisapop]

One reason might, I say might, be that the garment was near tweed garments, which can give off a smokey or peat moss-like fragrance. Then ago, your tailor might just have lit up a big ol' fat Stogey and done stink up the place. If anyone complains, tell them it's due to the first reason.
Grayson

 

[naturlaut]

If the tailor smokes while working, chances are he is not very likely to change his habits --- if you only know smokers. My advise is, do as Mr. Concordia said while mentioning it to the tailor (politely). Of course, if you think he's not a good tailor to begin with, then this is simply an excuse to switch to another.

 

[naturlaut]

Most of the tailors I've met are smokers. Even though it's not a very good habit (receiving punches from smokers on the board here) I respect that artists, even great ones, are mere human beings. Leonard Bernstein used to drink heavily while rehearsal with the New York Philharmonic, so are many writers.

 

[lisapop]

Speaking of smokers, how irritating is it when you're wearing a good suit and you're walking behind a smoker who exhales a big cloud of nicotine-laden smoke that you can't help walking directly into? I do wish smoking in *all* public areas could be banned.
Grayson

 

[Horace]

Speaking of smokers, how irritating is it when you're wearing a good suit and you're walking behind a smoker who exhales a big cloud of nicotine-laden smoke that you can't help walking directly into?  I do wish smoking in *all* public areas could be banned.  
Grayson

I'm that guy Grayson. Esp. on jammed packed sidewalks up and down broadway. Next time you see me, take a deep breath and exhale.

PS. I've noticed a lot of tailors smoke.

 

[Teacher]

I've noticed a lot of tailors smoke.

Why? Stress? Any thoughts?

 

[lisapop]

A lot of old NY tailors smoke cigars rather than cigarettes, and while I'm not a smoker, those smoking cigars generally do so out of enjoyment, as illustrated by Cigar Aficionado magazine.
Grayson

 

[Vintage Gent]

Most of the tailors I've met are smokers.

Surprising, at least in an occupational setting. I'd think that an inadvertent cigarette burn could easily ruin scores of hours of work.

 

[Concordia]

I had a violin teacher once who smoked while teaching. He'd hold the cigarette in his bow hand while demonstrating things-- and he was holding a Strad in his left.

 

[imageWIS]

I had a violin teacher once who smoked while teaching. He'd hold the cigarette in his bow hand while demonstrating things-- and he was holding a Strad in his left.

Try explaining to the restorer just HOW you got a burn mark onto a Strad, I'm sure he will just be overjoyed

. Jon.