Seeking advice on RTW suit in London (Savile Row?)

[JDelage]

Hi all,

I will be in London this W-E and am in need of a good suit (and I cannot wait for bespoke, semi-custom, etc).

Would someone with some experience of the City advise me on a good place to buy a very good classical (i.e., business) suit? I've been advised Gieves & Hawkes, and I'm trying to add a couple (or more) names to this.

Many thanks!

JD

 

[yfyf]

Even a W-E is a stretch as you won't have any time to do alterations. How much did you want to spend? There are still some makers making British style suits though not necessarily main in the UK.

I think Aquascutum does some ok stuff. I never found the Gieves and Hawkes stuff that exciting, especially at the price. Spencer Hart does two buttons with slightly narrower than standard lapels but quite pricey and not "classic". Richard James would be a possibility but some people aren't happy with their construction and their styling is not 100% classic either. Kilgour RTW has supposedly gone downhill but may still yield something that looks the part. Dunhill maybe?

To be honest, this is the first time I've ever considered "Who are the English RTW hotshots?" It's so hard to say because the big houses have become sufficiently international that their stuff isn't really typical English nor is it made in the UK anymore. This is especially true of suits.

If you're looking for classic UK RTW, you're better off looking for shirts, ties, Barbour stuff and Cordings stuff.

O, and shoes. O god the shoes.

 

[culverwood]

Jaeger (up Regent St from Aquascutum) have a sale on suits at the moment and some very good value.

 

[JDelage]

Shoes & shirts are a given.

For the suit I am less interested in absolutely authentic design as I am in very good quality & fit & finish. By "classical", I meant something that is not fantasy - something that can be worn with elegance in a business environment.

I'm in Paris so I could get the suit altered and shipped to me.

 

[pabloj]

You might check Ede&Ravenscroft

 

[Frog in Suit]

I think (I received an e-mail alert, but have discarded it) that Cordings are currently having a suit sale. You might want to call them to confirm.

Frog in Suit

 

[ccffm1]

How about Chester Barrie? Don´t they still carry a RTW range there or am I mistaken? If they do, I think the OP could do worse.

 

[LeonM]

There's Hackett, too.

Leon

 

[ScruffyLimey]

Originally Posted by LeonM

There's Hackett, too.

Leon

+1

 

[GBR]

Tom Mahon has frequently praised Marks and Spencers for good quality RTW.

 

[JDelage]

I ended up buying a charcoal suit at Aquascutum. It has a nice English line (to my eyes), and more important fit my body better than the other I tried on at M&S or G&H. Also bought a couple shirt + 1 tie from T&A, and a pair of C&J shoes. The exchange rate is slightly advantageous to Euro holders right now.

 

[PocketCircle]

Daks

Paul Smith

Kilgour

You can even try Vivienne Westwood

 

[JTA]

Mark & Spencer Sartoriale line and Autograph line are good value for money.
Never go wrong with Paul Smith.
Mark Marengo has a good fit too.