Sponge & Press - London?

[rossyl]

Hi,

So having read up, both on hear AAAC, and the Permanent Style blog (which is great) - I've decided finding a decent dry cleaner is a great new importance. Not only for dry cleaning (see Rave fabric's posts) but more so for a sponge and press (see here: http://www.permanentstyle.co.uk/2009...and-press.html)

I am one of those people that entirely agrees with not getting my suit dry cleaned too often, but I want to keep it looking sharp - and for that sponge and press seems the correct choice. Further, I want to find someone good to do it who won't flatten my lapels (particularly on my new 3/2.5 roll suit).

Now my choices so far seem limited or very steep. FYI - I work in the City, Central London. I live in North London.

Jeeves of Belgravia
A sponge and press here costs £30!
A dry clean costs £35. This is incomparison to £10 for a dry clean at your standard places.

Burford Valet - Stephen Haughton- Professional pick up and drop off service
£25 but a minimum of 3-4 suits
They call it an overhaul and re-shaping. The comments from Permanent Style and a tailor they spoke to was that their work made the suit like new.

A Local Dry Cleaners
£4.50 !
They will use a steamer + vacuum, then iron. It doesn't sound much like a sponge! They assured me that they wouldn't flatten the lapels.


Does anyone know of anyone else, or have experience with Jeeves or Burford Valet?

Thanks,
Ross

 

[stubloom]

Ross: yes, your choices are both limited and steep. 1. Not sure if that 3/2.5 roll suit is bespoke or not. If it is, contact your tailor. A few offer a lifetime sponge and press service for garments made by them. If they don't offer such a service, ask them for a recommendation or suggestion (caveat on all recommendations: many tailors don't like to make recommendations because a negative experience on your part could reflect negatively on them; many recommendations come with a quid pro quo....if you recommend us, we'll care for your personal garments at a steep discount). 2. Call some high-end department stores (Selfridges, Harrods and Harvey Nichols come to mind), ask for the manager of the mens department, explain what your'e looking for, and ask for suggestions (bear in mind the above caveat). 3. Call some Savile Row tailors. Again, ask for some suggestions (and bear in mind the above caveat). 4. Avoid ordinary dry cleaners. Their steam/vacuum/iron will most likely be a steam/vacuum/machine press. My personal experiences with ordinary cleaners in London goes back 30 years, but if they're anything like ordinary cleaners in the USA, you'll want to stay well clear. 5. Read my article on AAAC, entitled "Stu Bloom On Caring For Bespoke Garments". It'll provide you with the mental b.s detector you'll need when interviewing potential service providers (in person or telephonically). Link: http://askandyaboutclothes.com/Tutor...ngBespoke.html Good luck.

 

[rossyl]

Many thanks. I thought I was right to avoid the local dry cleaners.

I've given your posts a read, to avoid the BS, so thanks for that and good idea regarding phoning around. Will do, and then report back.

I cannot believe how hard it is to get this.