Bookster jackets - questions

Originally Posted by BareSolid

Click to expand...

Well then, can anyone recommend a similarly priced brand that I can get with soft shoulders?

Not that I've seen. Just order a sample jacket from them.

Originally Posted by oroy38

Click to expand...

Not that I've seen. Just order a sample jacket from them.

£250 is a lot for a 'sample' jacket.

Well they refund you after you send it back to them, obviously.

My nephew recently expressed a desire to have a tweed coat similar to something I might wear. Given that he is still growing ... I encouraged him to forego Savile Row for a less expensive option. He decided on a new coat from Bookster Tweed.

I will say they have some attractive cloth options ... and they do offer some degree of customization. For his coat he ordered a single-breasted, one-button closure having notched lapels ... sleeves w/ working cuff buttons (3 ea. sleeve) ... double vents ... hacking style pockets (including a ticket pocket), etc.

I have not taken a truly close look ... but I did notice two things I don't like.

First, the sleeve buttons are too far up the sleeve ... about 2 1/2" ... and the kissing buttons are smooching a bit much for my taste. Second, the roll of the lapel ends too high for a one-button closure ... similar to what I might expect on a three-button closure.


Next time he comes over ... I'll ask him to bring the coat so I can take a closer look and report further.

I know this thread is a tad old. But RSS you wouldn't happen to be able to report on that jacket would you? Pictures perhaps?

Gentlemen, I contacted Bookster recently and asked about the possibility of making a jacket with softer shoudlers. Here is the response

Hi Achilles,

Don't worry about the questions, that's what we are here for.

We can soften the shoulders of our jackets - they are sent to our more bespoke tailor and we use thinner pads.

I hope this helps and if you would like any other information, please feel free to get in touch again.

Many thanks

Heidi

BOOKSTER
The Granary
Hildersley Farm
Ross-on-Wye
HR9 7NW
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1989 562212
www.tweed-jacket.com

Good to know. I'd really like to pick up a tweed 3-piece and have been looking at some of their stuff lately.

What kind of weight for tweed would most people suggest for Tennessee? Usually we're somewhere between 20-50 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter. I was thinking a mid-light weight to combat the office heater, but I don't really know for sure.

I think that several of the inquiries for soft, or softer shoulders is testing the issue of
"house style" Theoretically, a good bespoke or even made to measure tailor can
make any style. However, I wouldn't go to Huntsman on SR and ask them
to make a jacket that looks like it came from Rubinacci or Solito in Naples.
Based on their Website, Bookster advertises a look that is the polar opposite
of soft or natural shoulders. Proceed at your own risk.

As for the appropriate fabric weight for Tennessee, again Bookster may have
some lighter fabrics, but their website displays heavy(probably stiff ) tweeds,
perfect for a cold wet climate with little central heating. And even in the British
Isles, central heating has become ubiquitous in recent decades. Correct?



comrade said:

I think that several of the inquiries for soft, or softer shoulders is testing the issue of
"house style" Theoretically, a good bespoke or even made to measure tailor can
make any style. However, I wouldn't go to Huntsman on SR and ask them
to make a jacket that looks like it came from Rubinacci or Solito in Naples.
Based on their Website, Bookster advertises a look that is the polar opposite
of soft or natural shoulders. Proceed at your own risk.

As for the appropriate fabric weight for Tennessee, again Bookster may have
some lighter fabrics, but their website displays heavy(probably stiff ) tweeds,
perfect for a cold wet climate with little central heating. And even in the British
Isles, central heating has become ubiquitous in recent decades. Correct?

Click to expand...

I wondered about that as well, and even asked for their advice on the matter. As you can see the response did not address whether or not this would be abnormal, but I think I will ask them again. That would be my biggest worry about ordering. I wish I could send for a trial jacket, but the postage would be ridiculous!

How low are the arm holes on these jackets?



Achilles_ said:

I wondered about that as well, and even asked for their advice on the matter. As you can see the response did not address whether or not this would be abnormal, but I think I will ask them again. That would be my biggest worry about ordering. I wish I could send for a trial jacket, but the postage would be ridiculous!

Click to expand...

Are you wedded to the English Country Look which Bookster empasizes? , eg. hacking jackets,
heavy tweeds, etc. If not, two good sources of tweeds with a more Ivy or natural shoulder
style are available RTW and MTM may be found at the Andover Shop and O'Connells.

http://theandovershop.com/
http://shop.oconnellsclothing.com/

If you get New York, SF -Affiliate, Winston Tailors( Chipp) can make you exactly what you
want MTM or Bespoke. Their fabric selection is excellent and Paul Winston is a pleasure
to deal with.



comrade said:

Are you wedded to the English Country Look which Bookster empasizes? , eg. hacking jackets,
heavy tweeds, etc. If not, two good sources of tweeds with a more Ivy or natural shoulder
style are available RTW and MTM may be found at the Andover Shop and O'Connells.

http://theandovershop.com/
http://shop.oconnellsclothing.com/

If you get New York, SF -Affiliate, Winston Tailors( Chipp) can make you exactly what you
want MTM or Bespoke. Their fabric selection is excellent and Paul Winston is a pleasure
to deal with.

Click to expand...

I'm afraid my budget is restricted, so bookster is the preferred price range.



Achilles_ said:

I'm afraid my budget is restricted, so bookster is the preferred price range.

Click to expand...

In that case, I would comb through B&S and e Bay, etc. before spending your money
on the promise that an MTM operation nearly five thousand miles away will "soften"
the very big shoulders of their House Style to your satisfaction. My guess is that you'll
be disappointed.



comrade said:

In that case, I would comb through B&S and e Bay, etc. before spending your money
on the promise that an MTM operation nearly five thousand miles away will "soften"
the very big shoulders of their House Style to your satisfaction. My guess is that you'll
be disappointed.

Click to expand...

I am very wary. I may just order their normal jacket in the end.

I have my eye on some used tweed jackets, but the staples I want are hard to come by.

I agree though, I will definitely be trying out a used tweed jacket to see how I like it in person. Probably a cheap Harris tweed.

My advice would be to nail down your fit in their house style before altering the shoulders.