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Recent Choppin and Lodge/Graham Browne Experiences

ruffbadger

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Hi Folks
I'm a new member here, I have lurked for a number of years but never posted so I hope you'll forgive me diving straight in and asking advice.
I am to be married in August and am looking to get a suit made for the occasion. I do not wear suits for work but have owned quite a few RTW suits in the past and had a phase of buying vintage suits and having them altered. I'm pretty confident in my tastes and have a basic understanding of what is what.
I'm aware there have been numerous posts on off row tailors and specifically the two above but nothing that recently. It would seem Choppin and Lodge have new premises and now don't seem quite as linked to Graham Browne although I understand the latter still does some of the work for the former.
I have around £1500 to spend on a three piece and have done a fair amount of research. I would rather stick with a traditional tailoring house rather than an online operation for obvious reasons.
Having previously thought Sims and McDonald were in my range I visited them only to be told that I'd be looking at £2000 min for a three piece which doesn't tally with the info on their website but there you go.
I spoke to Dan at Graham and Browne who seemed like a nice guy and very helpful but I've seen a number of pictures of suits they've allowed to leave their workshops and I have to say the images made me somewhat twitchy.
Has anyone here used Choppin and Lodge in the last year or so and can speak as to the quality of their work, and indeed for Graham Browne?
Bear in mind I have never gone bespoke before, purely for financial reasons. Having said that I'm aware of the pitfalls of the bespoke process and with the greatest of respect am not looking to be told I should not go bespoke due to a lack of knowledge or experience but merely for first hand experiences of particular tailors or advice on similar craftsmen.
Any other suggestions welcomed. (I'm aware of the Georges and Chris Kerr amongst others).

Many thanks in advance for all advice.
 

GBR

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Graham Browne has had one reasonable report here but I agree some suits raise concerns.
 

ruffbadger

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That's the thing. You can have as many positive reports as you like but surely there comes a point when a craftsmen's sense of pride would prevent anyone leaving their workshop with a substandard product regardless of the fact the customer knows no better!
Or maybe I'm just being harsh.
 

ruffbadger

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Hi all thanks for the comments.
I visited Choppin and Lodge (having previously visited Graham Browne amongst others) the other day, spoke with Richard and ended up ordering a suit.
I just found Richard easy to talk to and he seemed responsive, knowledgeable and informative and suggested some nice cloths.
I chose a worsted blue herringbone from the Porter and Harding Glorious Twelfth collection.
Suit wise I've gone for a three piece, SB, two button, ticket pocket to the right, slanted pockets, notch lapel (also on the waistcoat). I also ordered an extra pair of trousers (I believe there is an offer on these until the end of the month).
If anyone was interested I'd be happy to post some pics after fittings etc
Thanks again
 

joeninety

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sims and macdonald was £1600 for a three piece back in january

having used both recently im sticking with sims
 

the_sartorialist

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I had a commission from Sims for a 2-piece DB suit for around £1000 back in '09 when Celia (missus of S Hitchcock) was still the cutter. Whilst I've no fault with it, I do think you could get better value for money elsewhere. Any idea who is the cutter at Sims now?
 

joeninety

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I had a commission from Sims for a 2-piece DB suit for around £1000 back in '09 when Celia (missus of S Hitchcock) was still the cutter. Whilst I've no fault with it, I do think you could get better value for money elsewhere. Any idea who is the cutter at Sims now?


i think its Clive Phythian.

where else would you recommend?
 

ruffbadger

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The guy I spoke to in Sims was nice enough but the two prices I had been given were very different and I did feel he was checking me out a little when I went to the shop.
It may be my own paranoia speaking, to be fair 'm probably not their usual type of customer. They did strike me a slightly more conservative.
I did investigate Cad and the Dandy, their prices were similar to Graham Browne and Choppin and Lodge, I just preferred the thought of a more traditional operation.
 

WhippingBoy

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All,

I have suits from both Sims and GB. Both are good operations. I think Chopin and Lodge is an off shoot of GB, it was recently described by Simon Crompton of Permanent Style as 'the travelling arm of GB.

Sims has changed quite a bit since I last went to see them. David Auton has retired, Celia has indeed moved on to join Hitchcock Jnr (shame really because she was very good). Jon Gowdy is still there and I think he has drafted in Clive Pythian and son to cut. I'd be surprised if they are asking £2K, they are normally on a par price wise with GB. That may be top end cloth.

You may want to have a punt with Jennie Adamson. She is an ex Maurice Sedwell tailor who has taken over Elizabeth Radcliffes workspace at Cockpit arts.
I have no idea how much she charges or what her work is like but her CV looks pretty good. I also have a sneaking suspicion she is missus of Davide Taub
http://www.styleedit.co.uk/blog/2014/04/life-on-savile-row/

Other places worthy of investigation Stephan *****, they are MTM, but Erlend has a good background reviews can be found on Bespokeme.
Nino's on Brewer St
Aplsey tailors on Pall Mall.
Mr Antoniou on Grays Inn Road
 

ruffbadger

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Not sure I like the sound of Stephan *****! :)
Actually I was there yesterday to enquire about some shirts.
I think Richard at Choppin and Lodge is running a separate enterprise to Graham Browne now, he has a shop on Cornhill although he did say Russell does do some of the work for him.
Re prices at Sims, the cloths I looked at there were similar to ones I looked at Graham Browne's and they quoted me about 1250 so not sure what was going on there.
As stated above, I've gone with Choppin and Lodge, a slight risk as I have not seen reviews of a huge amount of their work. Simon Crompton did get a jacket there but I'd rather take the opinion of someone perhaps a little more impartial (not that I'm suggesting anything particular about that transaction).
I'll be sure to report back on the process.
 

joeninety

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Re prices at Sims, the cloths I looked at there were similar to ones I looked at Graham Browne's and they quoted me about 1250 so not sure what was going on there.


Sims are def a little pricer, i think the construction is quite a bit better (more handwork on my sims vs GB), the customer service miles better - its the main reason im sticking with them.
 

the_sartorialist

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FWIW, just had a garment made up recently and will post pics when ready.
 
Last edited:

ammanati

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Hi guys,
I have my double breasted suit made recently by GB. It's been finished early June and I have already worn it few times. Please find some fit pics below and a link to my blog when I share my experience in a bit more details. If you have questions I would be happy to answer them.

link: http://blueloafers.com/tailoring-2/graham-browne-bespoke-suit/




 

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