Suits worn in 'The West Wing'?

[eadeater]

I was wondering if anyone knows who makes/where it's possible to buy the suits President Jed Bartlett (Martin Sheen) wears throughout most of the show (at least the first several seasons). They all appear very similar in shape and design, suggesting maybe they're made by the same people. A fairly exhaustive internet search hasn't really come up with anything. Thanks!

PS Sorry if this is a stupid questin but I'm new : )

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

Originally Posted by bkstone

I believe they are custom made.

That's the strong likelihood... They are costumes, after all.

 

[Concordia]

Interesting variety of suits on that show-- Bartlet's were very middle-class executive, sort of a Hickey-Freeman vibe. They had somewhat excessive shoulder padding. Not a problem when standing still, but the pads would lift off his shoulders en bloc when he moved around.

Leo was said after his death to have been a Savile Row man, although he wasn't a devotee of any house style I recognize. Lots of DBs, buttoned at the bottom button. Somewhat square shoulders but not excessively hard. In many of the shows his collar rode off his shirt, which would not happen on a very good custom suit. Of course, he had undergone a fair bit of stress before his heart attacks and perhaps that quirk was intended to illustrate the changes in his body.

Josh wore pretty basic off-the-rack-- and in a lot of episodes looked as though he was in a jacket one size too large. Sleeves about an inch too long, and body too big. I wonder if that was intentional or just the result of economy by the producers.

 

[amplifiedheat]

Originally Posted by Concordia

Josh wore pretty basic off-the-rack-- and in a lot of episodes looked as though he was in a jacket one size too large. Sleeves about an inch too long, and body too big. I wonder if that was intentional or just the result of economy by the producers.
Well, this is the current Deputy Chief of Staff:

 

[Joe Cool]

I'd like to add that this photo has not been retouched, photoshopped or altered in any way.

Originally Posted by amplifiedheat

Well, this is the current Deputy Chief of Staff:

 

[Millerp]

What's with that cuff?

 

[treydog999]

Originally Posted by Millerp

What's with that cuff?

Its kinda hard to see but could it really be working button holes un buttoned. I cant imagine someone having those and still having such a horrible fit in the rest of the jacket.

 

[JG000]

Originally Posted by eadeater

A fairly exhaustive internet search hasn't really come up with anything.

Work some magic on google, and see if you can find the name of the show's wardrobe stylist or costume designer. From there, try contacting them on Facebook, Twitter, or e-mail.

Crazy idea, but occasionally it works.

 

[eadeater]

Thanks for the replies, I suppose they probably were custom made, just hoping I might find some place where I could try one on, I really liked the look of them. Checked out the Hickey Freeman website and they definitely look similar - shame I live in the UK : (

Nice idea with the facebook search, but if they cost anything like the Hickey Freeman suits I doubt I'd be ordering anything anyway : )

 

[marvin4653]

This is probably your girl: http://www.facebook.com/lynelizabeth Or one of the costume supervisors: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0745679/fullcredits#cast As a big West Wing fan I can't say the suits ever really stood out (except for the above mentioned huge-ness of Josh's, and Leo's DB jackets). I always wondered who made the shirts that Sam wore with that logo on the pocket.

 

[wysiwyg]

I'm also interested in knowing the maker.

Little off topic, I always thought the fit of Leo's suits was off intentionally. It was a nice touch to show how frail he became.

 

[A Y]

A long time ago, pre-forum crash, someone mentioned that it was Richard Lim, who works out of Koreatown in LA, who did most of their suits. Take this with a grain of salt, and you may want to give him a call or visit to confirm this.

--Andre

 

[Douglas]

Originally Posted by treydog999

Its kinda hard to see but could it really be working button holes un buttoned. I cant imagine someone having those and still having such a horrible fit in the rest of the jacket.

It may be non-working buttonholes with two lost buttons.

 

[amplifiedheat]

Originally Posted by treydog999

Its kinda hard to see but could it really be working button holes un buttoned. I cant imagine someone having those and still having such a horrible fit in the rest of the jacket.

Surgeon's cuffs may have meant something once, but not in a long time. I bought a $40 Old Navy jacket back in 2004 that had working cuffs.