Help me Choose a Savile Row Tailor

[Panzeraxe II]

Originally Posted by lasbar

Norton was £3000 last year.

Pretty sure that's incl. VAT

 

[lasbar]

Originally Posted by Panzeraxe II

Pretty sure that's incl. VAT

That was because I have to pay VAT.

 

[Panzeraxe II]

Originally Posted by lasbar

That was because I have to pay VAT.

I realize that, but the OP was asking for tailors within his budget. Warning him that Norton is 3K (i.e. over his stated budget of 2.8K) isn't helpful, when he very clearly resides in the U.S.

 

[lasbar]

Originally Posted by Panzeraxe II

I realize that, but the OP was asking for tailors within his budget. Warning him that Norton is 3K (i.e. over his stated budget of 2.8K) isn't helpful, when he very clearly resides in the U.S.

I didn't pay attention to the VAT issue...

Sorry I'm so used to paying it I don't pay attention to it at all..

 

[Despos]

Why not try A&S for one suit and choose one of the several traveling tailors from Italy for the other?

Would make for good fodder for discussion here.

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by Despos

Why not try A&S for one suit and choose one of the several traveling tailors from Italy for the other?

Would make for good fodder for discussion here.

Wasn't, "Traveling tailors of the Midwest," a Playboy feature recently?

I remember a ton of Breanish draped naughtily,

- B

 

[Despos]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

Wasn't, "Traveling Amish tailors of the Midwest," a Playboy feature recently? I remember a ton of Breanish draped naughtily, - B
FTFY. You are guaranteed the most hand work.

 

[Grammaton Cleric]

Originally Posted by Despos

Why not try A&S for one suit and choose one of the several traveling tailors from Italy for the other?

Would make for good fodder for discussion here.

Its a good idea in theory, but the dynamic duo from Naples have been working on my first suit for over an year. I don't expect to receive it before 2013 (if I'm lucky)

 

[Despos]

Originally Posted by Grammaton Cleric

Its a good idea in theory, but the dynamic duo from Naples have been working on my first suit for over an year. I don't expect to receive it before 2013 (if I'm lucky)

If you require 3 fittings and use a traveling tailor, how can the wait be avoided?

Initial meeting, 6 months, first fitting, 6 months, second fitting, 6 months, third fitting, 6 months, finished, 6 months, back for an adjustment. With three yearly visits, change the 6 to 4.

So much can happen to both parties involved over such a lengthy transaction.

 

[Grammaton Cleric]

I'm well aware of the timing involved with using a traveling tailor. But other tailors don't cancel visits, reschedule without informing their clients, never respond to emails, never keep to an agreed upon schedule etc.

Bit too much 'excitement' for moi.

 

[Duncan]

First post from me, but as I'm on my seventh bespoke suit to date I'm a little versed in some of the above.

I'm perplexed with the obsession with Saville Row, if I'm honest. I've worked in London my entire career, and my first three bespokes were from that hallowed lane. Financial circumstances drove me out of London for number four, and in many ways I'm glad I did; as I've not been back to Saville Row since.

Whilst the quality of SR is undeniable (indeed suit #2 is still going strong 7 years later, albeit relegated to 'kicking around the office on a Friday' duties), I often found the whole experience lacking in some area or another.

I found that looking outside Saville Row, and indeed out of London and to it's surrounding environs yielded a better experience at a far better price (approx 1/3) - in every case delivered by a former Saville Row tailor.

I understand that bespoke suits are a uniquely personal journey for all of us (perhaps more so than anything else one can do as a man), but I think it's worth stressing that British Tailoring does extend past either end of Saville Row.

Incidentally, my relationship with my current tailor is such that I just ordered two shirts from him this afternoon, and left the fabric choices to him. Something I never managed to achieve in either Saville Row or Jermyn Street.

 

[George]

Originally Posted by Duncan

First post from me, but as I'm on my seventh bespoke suit to date I'm a little versed in some of the above. I'm perplexed with the obsession with Saville Row, if I'm honest. I've worked in London my entire career, and my first three bespokes were from that hallowed lane. Financial circumstances drove me out of London for number four, and in many ways I'm glad I did; as I've not been back to Saville Row since. Whilst the quality of SR is undeniable (indeed suit #2 is still going strong 7 years later, albeit relegated to 'kicking around the office on a Friday' duties), I often found the whole experience lacking in some area or another. I found that looking outside Saville Row, and indeed out of London and to it's surrounding environs yielded a better experience at a far better price (approx 1/3) - in every case delivered by a former Saville Row tailor. I understand that bespoke suits are a uniquely personal journey for all of us (perhaps more so than anything else one can do as a man), but I think it's worth stressing that British Tailoring does extend past either end of Saville Row. Incidentally, my relationship with my current tailor is such that I just ordered two shirts from him this afternoon, and left the fabric choices to him. Something I never managed to achieve in either Saville Row or Jermyn Street.
What have you found lacking about the experience?

 

[Duncan]

All sorts - from a lack of communication, not getting what I'd ordered, questionable workmanship, being dealt with in a perfunctory manner (a big no-no given the money in question), and indeed one who produced a made-to-measure rather than bespoke and got extremely defensive when I gently questioned him about it.

 

[George]

Originally Posted by Duncan

All sorts - from a lack of communication, not getting what I'd ordered, questionable workmanship, being dealt with in a perfunctory manner (a big no-no given the money in question), and indeed one who produced a made-to-measure rather than bespoke and got extremely defensive when I gently questioned him about it.
Well. I have friends who've had less than stellar results from some of the Row's finest, they've also had some great stuff too. The perfunctory manner is sadly par for the course amongst many 'luxury' goods manufacturers in my experience, especially here in England.

 

[kraftar]

Originally Posted by Duncan

I found that looking outside Saville Row, and indeed out of London and to it's surrounding environs yielded a better experience at a far better price (approx 1/3) - in every case delivered by a former Saville Row tailor.

I understand that bespoke suits are a uniquely personal journey for all of us (perhaps more so than anything else one can do as a man), but I think it's worth stressing that British Tailoring does extend past either end of Saville Row.

Incidentally, my relationship with my current tailor is such that I just ordered two shirts from him this afternoon, and left the fabric choices to him. Something I never managed to achieve in either Saville Row or Jermyn Street.

For the benefit of the OP and any UK residents, some recommendations would be greatly appreciated.