Murl the Squirl's Adventure Across the Pond

[Murlsquirl]

I have my appointment with Matthew and Edwin Steed in SF on Monday. I'll post pictures from the meeting here and some other cool stuff I have planned with some of the SF guys.

 

[Newcomer]

Staying tuned!

 

[lordsuperb]



I have my appointment with Matthew and Edwin Steed in SF on Monday. I'll post pictures from the meeting here and some other cool stuff I have planned with some of the SF guys.

Ask about the front cut.

 

[Murlsquirl]

Ask about the front cut.

?

 

[Murlsquirl]

[COLOR=222222]*WARNING* I write like a guy who has worked for the military for 15 years[/COLOR] [COLOR=222222] [/COLOR]

Finally. I've missed out on the last two opportunities to meet with Edwin and Matthew so needless to say, I was looking forward to this. I've spoke with quite a few people over the last few years about Steed and decided last year that I wanted to give them a shot.

There was a recent discussion about traveling to see tailors (Unfunded Liabilities thread?) and how some people thought it was crazy. Well, I woke up at 0430 in the morning and drove 275 miles (one way) to see them....so I guess I'm insane.

@Mr. Six and I decided to book our appointments together so he could snap some shots for this thread. I also thought it would be nice to have someone there who has worked with them quite a bit. When we walked in, I had no idea what I was going to do; MTM, bespoke, jacket, suit, fabric....no clue. I don't need a bespoke jacket (let's face it, no one does), but I've always wanted to experience the process. Then there's all this talk of how a bespoke jacket feels on your shoulders and hugs your neck....I want bespoke jacket hugs. I decided bespoke jacket hugs is what I would get.

I browsed through the swatch books while Six was trying on his latest suit (very nice) for Matthew and Edwin. Eventually, I found this dark green cloth from W. Bill with a super soft hand and a nice light weight. I always gravitate to heavier cloths, but it doesn't make much sense in CA and I wanted something I could wear all the time...they say you should get something with max versatility on your first bespoke commission. In my opinion, you can wear a green jacket damn near as much as you could a navy...I'm sure some will disagree. I don't care...it's going to be awesome and at 10oz, I can wear it year round.

From there, Edwin measured me in what seemed like no time. Just like you would expect a guy with the amount of experience he has. At one point he takes a step back, stares for a couple seconds, comes back grabs my shoulders and says, "forward, square, drop left, prominent right scapula"...spot on of course and the reason I can only wear soft tailored RTW. Matthew jotted down his notes and then Edwin finished up with some profile pictures. That was it.​

After that, we chatted about football a bit...the kind you actually play with your feet. They are Gooners but hey, we all make a terrible decision or two in our lives. We also got to hear some great stories about Edwin's days with Anderson & Sheppard and Edward Sexton, which Six and I really enjoyed. Great guys the both of them. Really great guys.

We left the hotel around noon and headed to meetup with @brillopad , @UrbanComposition , @sacafotos , and @Salad . A few others hoped to be there, but had to bail (@sugarbutch ). We had some pretty good Italian food and then headed over to Tailors Keep to check out their spot. After seeing how UC's Fox oatmeal flannels turned out, I was really excited to check them out. UC introduced us to Erik who showed us around their existing spot and the new (much nicer) location they will soon be operating out of, which is just a couple doors down. Urban's trousers were on site being pressed so we got to see and feel the construction and quality of their bespoke work. I had already seen the impressive fit they achieved and was equally impressed with the construction. One thing that stood out was the style of the front pockets. They are cut and sewn much like rear pockets and not attached at the side seam...if I'm not making any sense (likely), see picture. I can't recall ever seeing front pockets cut in that way...Erik said it's for comfort and assists in eliminating pocket flare. I didn't care for the look all that much, but I would have to try them on to really see how I feel. Either way, they looked great overall and I would gladly wear them...especially given their pricing. ​

We grabbed a couple drinks after the TK visit and we're supposed to meetup for dinner with @Andy57 and Steed, but I'm recovering from surgery and wasn't doing to great. Unfortunately, I had to cut it short and speed home to some medication...can't take that stuff and drive! ​

 

[Cleav]

Fantastic mate, thanks for sharing. Eagerly looking forward to future instalments

 

[Murlsquirl]



Fantastic mate, thanks for sharing. Eagerly looking forward to future instalments

Thanks, Cleav. Hopefully it made sense....I didn't give it much of a proof.

 

[venividivicibj]

I want bespoke jacket hugs. ​

 

[Gus]

The Italian company Zanella use to offer those same pockets on several of their trouser along with pleats. It's a neat, clean look.

 

[bdavro23]

@Murlsquirl I'll just leave this here for you...

 

[Murlsquirl]

You know I can delete that, right?

I hope there's an accidental misfire and that stupid cannon blows up the Emirates....when it's empty, of course.

 

[bdavro23]

You know I can delete that, right?

I hope there's an accidental misfire and that stupid cannon blows up the Emirates....when it's empty, of course.

You wouldnt dare

The only thing that cannon is going to blow up is the rest of the league's title hopes this year! Come on you Gunners!

(Truth be told, I fully expect for us to reach peak Arsenal shortly, whereby we raise expectations and get excruciatingly close to winning, just in time to throw it all away in an incredibly improbable fashion...)

 

[Andy57]

We missed you in the evening, Murl. I hope you're feeling better and have recovered from that long trek...which you can look forward to making again in June, and October, and...

My appointment was at 6pm. By some confusion, (perhaps he'll jump in to this thread, too), my appointment, which was supposed to be after @justinkapur 's, was before his. I feel bad that he had to wait while I went through my stuff. During my appointment, a crew from a new web site in SF called Unbound Travel was shooting video of the fitting process, interviewing Edwin and Matthew (and me, too), and shooting stills. That was quite fun.

After Justin's appointment was complete, Edwin, Matthew, and I grabbed a quick bite of dinner in the Top of the Mark. It's always fun to hang out with those guys and get them telling tailoring stories. Apart from the pleasure of their company, I always learn something. Monday was no exception!

I hope your jacket turns out well for you. I'm sure it will.

 

[bdavro23]

As an aside, I am having a wool/ silk/ linen jacket in a mottled green made up from Loro Piana's jacketing book for this spring. I'm glad to hear there are a few more joining the green jacket brigade instead of the usual 1 every April

 

[Murlsquirl]



As an aside, I am having a wool/ silk/ linen jacket in a mottled green made up from Loro Piana's jacketing book for this spring. I'm glad to hear there are a few more joining the green jacket brigade instead of the usual 1 every April

Nice. I love wool/silk/linen cloths.