"Where did you get that jacket?"

RSS · Aug 17, 2009

Originally Posted by sho'nuff

the OP lives for that moment.
Only on Style Forum, my boy. In life, my clients are too busy gushing about my work.

RSS · Aug 17, 2009

Originally Posted by Fuuma

I know it's harsh but you can't live making excuses all the time for the personal choices you make.

It's not harsh at all ... as I made no excuse for my choice ... or any choice for that matter.

dopey · Aug 17, 2009

I had this happen last week. I walked into a room and one of my colleagues said "nice suit".
I said "thanks."
"That looks very good on you"
"Thank you"
"Where did you get it."
"Davies"
"Who's that?"
"A Tailor"
"That's why it looks so good on you. It's very nice."
"Thank you. I know you get all your suits at Brioni; those look good on you, too."

The conversation was awkward, but only because the poor other fellow sitting there had to listen to it. Fortunately, my friend launched into a discussion on the Brioni article that had just appeared in the times (about them branching into T-shirts and polo knits) and his theory on the end of suits, Hollywood tuxedos, etc.
I generally try to answer without giving names, mostly because I don't like giving names, so I'll say an English tailor or a local tailor when asked. But if someone asks for more specifics, I am happy to give them. But how I respond also depends on who else is listening.

HRoi · Aug 17, 2009

Originally Posted by Fuuma

You deal with cretins, what you do w. your money won't change the amount of money they paid... I know it's harsh but you can't live making excuses all the time for the personal choices you make.
agree with this. a smart client pays his consultant based on the value of the services he provides, not by a qualitative judgment of what lifestyle those fees support. if RSS's advice was worth a million bucks to me, then i would cheerfully pay that much and not care if he used my money to fly Cesare Attolini himself to his doorstep to do fittings

Doc4 · Aug 17, 2009

Originally Posted by RSS

The original post of this thread isn't exactly informative about things Savile Row in any substantive sense of style. But, in terms of the issue ... the origin of the coat is essential.

Did it occur to me that mentioning Savile Row might have others infer something unintended? Well, yes ... it did ... hence my post. And because some have ... it serves to reinforce why I hesitated mentioning Savile Row to my client.
I assume from your comments here and in the OP that this client and/or her husband would have looked askance at hiring an architect who would go in for the conspicuous consumption of Saville Row bespoke. (The situation would be much different if they wore bespoke too, and she were angling for a tip as to which tailor they should visit the next time they are in London.)

I would take one of two routes. On the one hand, I might feign forgetfullness and try to change the subject. If however I expect the questioner to be a real bulldog about it and not give up on the question until she gets an answer, I'd turn the answer into a 30 second story that casts you in an appropriate light for owning such a garment.

Given the forwardness of her question, a little bit of obfuscation on your part is not a mortal sin.

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

I haven't met you, but I certify your reality anyway.

You have been certified.

Originally Posted by HRoi

agree with this. a smart client pays his consultant based on the value of the services he provides, not by a qualitative judgment of what lifestyle those fees support.

Yes, but in a time of fiscal restraint and belt-tightening, it's not always prudent to be seen tightening an aligator-skin belt with an Italian sterling silver buckle.

dv3 · Aug 17, 2009

Isn't the answer always "SEARS"

CharlesAlexander · Aug 17, 2009

Just tell them it's Alfani.

Sadly enough, this might be a more respectable answer to some people who know nothing about fashion.

JayJay · Aug 17, 2009

Originally Posted by Doc4

Yes, but in a time of fiscal restraint and belt-tightening, it's not always prudent to be seen tightening an aligator-skin belt with an Italian sterling silver buckle.
QFT

ginlimetonic · Aug 17, 2009

Originally Posted by dopey

I had this happen last week. I walked into a room and one of my colleagues said "nice suit".
I said "thanks."
"That looks very good on you"
"Thank you"
"Where did you get it."
"Davies"
"Who's that?"
"A Tailor"
"That's why it looks so good on you. It's very nice."
"Thank you. I know you get all your suits at Brioni; those look good on you, too."

The conversation was awkward, but only because the poor other fellow sitting there had to listen to it. Fortunately, my friend launched into a discussion on the Brioni article that had just appeared in the times (about them branching into T-shirts and polo knits) and his theory on the end of suits, Hollywood tuxedos, etc.
I generally try to answer without giving names, mostly because I don't like giving names, so I'll say an English tailor or a local tailor when asked. But if someone asks for more specifics, I am happy to give them. But how I respond also depends on who else is listening.

maybe he was hitting on you. . hoho.

IN all seriousness, how can you tell by visual inspection where a suit is made? e.g. you knew his suits are all from Brioni? Just office gossip?

JetBlast · Aug 17, 2009

Originally Posted by dusty

I respond with the retail price.

"Oh I love your jeans where did you..."

"$300!"

+1.

"Those are nice shoes, where....."

"More than you can likely afford for a pair of shoes."

TheFoo · Aug 17, 2009

A lot of times, people who ask about things like this don't really care about the answer. They're just asking as a form of compliment. So, my initial approach is just to smile and say something like "Thank you, thank you. I love your [tie, jacket, dress, etc.]." At that point, anyone who truly wants to know will persist to ask again and I tell them the answer.

dopey · Aug 17, 2009

Originally Posted by ginlimetonic

maybe he was hitting on you. . hoho.
I know this person very well. He's straight, but probably pass the age where it matters.

Originally Posted by ginlimetonic

IN all seriousness, how can you tell by visual inspection where a suit is made? e.g. you knew his suits are all from Brioni? Just office gossip?
The subject has come up before. It could be that he volunteered it, or even that I asked him at some point - he is a Californian, by birth and predilection, but every once in a while he wears suits and they look very good.

Bounder · Aug 17, 2009

Originally Posted by mafoofan

A lot of times, people who ask about things like this don't really care about the answer. They're just asking as a form of compliment. So, my initial approach is just to smile and say something like "Thank you, thank you. I love your [tie, jacket, dress, etc.]." At that point, anyone who truly wants to know will persist to ask again and I tell them the answer.

Considering the "How to Get Foof's Look" spread in Esquire, I don't see much point in you obfuscating anymore.

TheFoo · Aug 17, 2009

Originally Posted by Bounder

Considering the "How to Get Foof's Look" spread in Esquire, I don't see much point in you obfuscating anymore.

Are you saying my answer should just be "Polo"?

RSS · Aug 17, 2009

I thank those who choose to share advice.

"Where did you get that jacket?"

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