Noob Here. Wait Till London or No?

Hey guys! This is my second post here. Great forum by the way. I am someone who was heavily into fashion when I was younger and am now getting back into it 'whole hog'. My wife and I have a place in London; however, I wasn't sure if there was anywhere in and around Pittsburgh, PA. or Columbus, OH. that might be sufficient for what I want. I have a feeling the answer is no, but I wanted to ask anyway. Basically, I want to have an entire bespoke dress wardrobe made. Somewhere around 6-8 suits, 2-4 blazers, 12-15 shirts, 2-4 trousers, 2 or 3 pairs of shoes, and some matching belts. I would also probably do a few ties, although I am partial to my Hermes ones I currently have. I have had some MTM things done in the past at Zilli in London (2 suits, 6 shirts, pair of shoes, matching belt, vest, and cravat) but wanted to find out what places were 'better' when it came to quality and options. Here is an example of one of my MTM pieces; it was actually my wedding outfit. Go easy on me! LOL! I enjoy top quality and believe in getting what you pay for; so I'm alright with things being expensive; I just want them to be worth it. I know that Astor & Black in right in Columbus but i believe this forum has sort of debunked that place as garbage; am I right? I remember reading a thread about their quality and business 'practices'. I figure I will have to wait until I go back to London to have this done and visit places like Kilgour, T&A, etc? I know Zilli also does bespoke stuff but am not sure how they stack up. Thank you very much in advance for all of your help. I cannot wait to be a regular contributor to the forum! If you could go easy on the abbreviations; I don't know much of the lingo yet.

Originally Posted by D.Wiggs

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Hey guys! This is my second post here. Great forum by the way.

I am someone who was heavily into fashion when I was younger and am now getting back into it 'whole hog'. My wife and I have a place in London; however, I wasn't sure if there was anywhere in and around Pittsburgh, PA. or Columbus, OH. that might be sufficient for what I want. I have a feeling the answer is no, but I wanted to ask anyway.

Basically, I want to have an entire bespoke dress wardrobe made. Somewhere around 6-8 suits, 2-4 blazers, 12-15 shirts, 2-4 trousers, 2 or 3 pairs of shoes, and some matching belts. I would also probably do a few ties, although I am partial to my Hermes ones I currently have.

I have had some MTM things done in the past at Zilli in London (2 suits, 6 shirts, pair of shoes, matching belt, vest, and cravat) but wanted to find out what places were 'better' when it came to quality and options. Here is an example of one of my MTM pieces; it was actually my wedding outfit. Go easy on me! LOL!



I enjoy top quality and believe in getting what you pay for; so I'm alright with things being expensive; I just want them to be worth it.

I know that Astor & Black in right in Columbus but i believe this forum has sort of debunked that place as garbage; am I right? I remember reading a thread about their quality and business 'practices'.

I figure I will have to wait until I go back to London to have this done and visit places like Kilgour, T&A, etc? I know Zilli also does bespoke stuff but am not sure how they stack up.

Thank you very much in advance for all of your help. I cannot wait to be a regular contributor to the forum! If you could go easy on the abbreviations; I don't know much of the lingo yet.

Wait until London.

Originally Posted by comrade

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Wait until London.
What places are THE places to visit?

Basically, I want to have an entire bespoke dress wardrobe made. Somewhere around 6-8 suits, 2-4 blazers, 12-15 shirts, 2-4 trousers, 2 or 3 pairs of shoes, and some matching belts.

Click to expand...

I have had some MTM things done in the past at Zilli in London (2 suits, 6 shirts, pair of shoes, matching belt, vest, and cravat)

Click to expand...

Most big-timer noob ever?


If you are looking for bespoke options in London, there are quite a few knowledgeable members and old threads already, but you might get better answers if you do a new thread on bespoke. With a "noob" thread title, most people will assume it's yet another "need 2 buy suit 4 first job pls hlp kthxbye" thread, and just skip past. You should also note that most on this forum are likely to have a more traditional ("non-flashy") esthetic.

What places are THE places to visit?

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Not sure where else you will find something similar to Zilli in that quality, if that is the esthetic you prefer. Avi Rossini (Bond St.) comes to mind. Can't beat Savile Row for tradition (but do some serious reading up on the style differences between the SR tailors). For bespoke away from Savile Row, you should certainly consider Rubinacci (Mount St.). For RTW/MTM, Tom Ford (@ Harrods), Kiton, Brioni, Loro Piana come to mind. For shoes, Berluti, John Lobb, Cleverley.

For fun/play, you might also enjoy Billionaire Italian Couture (Sloane St./Harrods). It's like a more over-the-top Zilli (mink umbrellas, crocodile jackets with solid gold buttons, jeans with ostrich piping, that kind of thing).


If you are clearing out your old closet, I happily accept donations!

Originally Posted by D.Wiggs

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What places are THE places to visit?

If money is no object:

Shirts - T&A at Jermyn Streets
Suits - Huntsman or Steed, Saville Row
Shoes - Gaziano & Girling, Saville Row

Originally Posted by rickblaine

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Shoes - Gaziano & Girling, Saville Row

Another good suggestion, don't know how I forgot this one.

First spend about six months on this forum educating yourself. Then spend money. You have a lot to learn.

Originally Posted by D.Wiggs

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Hey guys! This is my second post here. Great forum by the way.

Basically, I want to have an entire bespoke dress wardrobe made. Somewhere around 6-8 suits, 2-4 blazers, 12-15 shirts, 2-4 trousers, 2 or 3 pairs of shoes, and some matching belts. I would also probably do a few ties, although I am partial to my Hermes ones I currently have.
yet.

If he goes all out how much damage do you guys think this is? At first blush I thought 75-100K easy.

Something like 40k GBP.

^ Looking at the fabric, overall style and jewellery in the OP, he's obviously got the money...

I will be monitoring this thread closely.


- B

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

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I will be monitoring this thread closely.


- B

I trust you'll learn a thing or two...

Originally Posted by Kentishman

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I trust you'll learn a thing or two...

That is one among several hopes.


- B

Looking at the hairdo and the stance in the picture this is a sock puppet of Mr Sam...

I think he's actually for real.