A step further in suit alterations
One true hallmark of a bespoke suit is the size of its armholes. Most armholes in ready-to-wear suits (and made-to-measure patterns, to a certain extent) cater for men with larger arms and shoulders, in order to be on the safe side. As with so many o...
A step further in suit alterations
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Thanks, Simon. I do feel rather swamped in it. I will get in touch with Buzz and see what can be done at this stage. Thanks again Jackson...
Black suits are for glamour, not business
I have a friend that loves black suits. Can’t get enough of them. For him, a black suit and a white shirt are the chicest things a man can wear. He is a big fan of Reservoir Dogs, so that might have influence him somewhat, but he still has a po...
Black suits are for glamour, not business
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I'd keep it very simple to be honest. Go with that and then try some interesting shirt/tie options. If you look up 'wearing black' on the site you'll find some suggestions, with my black suits and jackets I've had...
Reader question: Suit brands
Will, Minnesota: Simon, I wrote to you before on a style matter. As I’ve sought suits and separates lately, I’ve learned that while I thought I was a 40, I am truly around a 38 long – sometimes a 36. In-turn, I’ve learned that...
Reader question: Suit brands
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Dear Simon, Having decided to avoid the Brands and go the bespoke route for a suit for my son’s wedding, research was in order as I had not done this before. I came across your website and together with all the excelle...
Reader question: A suit for my wedding
Michael, Atlanta: I’m a long time reader and have greatly enjoyed your posts, and have even more enjoyed applying their message. I’m about a year away from my wedding and am looking to have a suit made for it. I am looking at either a bla...
Reader question: A suit for my wedding
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Thanks, Simon. Agreed. I am of the same mind but needed someone with better taste to confirm for me....
My first English bespoke suit
My tailoring is taking a step up in the world. I’m having my first English bespoke suit made. The tailor is Graham Browne, whom I have written about on this blog previously. They are located on Well Court, just off Bow Lane in the City. I had o...
My first English bespoke suit
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No I don't, generally. Double-breasted suits are usually made so that they are fairly easy to sit down in without undoing that button. But it does depend how the jacket is cut. If it's tighter, it can be less comfortable...
Reader question: Suit for work and play
Hsin Qin Tang: I have been following your blog for over two years now. I have learned many things and I would like to know your opinion on what to wear for an upcoming occasion. My eldest sister is getting married this August and the wedding dinner i...
Reader question: Suit for work and play
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While I don't want to sound like doing an advertisement, if Hsin Qin Tang is going to tailor a suit in Singapore, I'd highly recommend Anthony Tan at Mode et Creation, located in Far East Shopping Plaza, just beside Whee...
Final review: A Suit That Fits
When you collect your new suit from A Suit That Fits, five to six weeks after the fitting, the staff suggests a thorough examination of the fit. But I have always found that impossible to know until it has been worn on three or four different occasio...
Final review: A Suit That Fits
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Mark - I had same problems as you trying to get a full refund but I just persisted and ended up speaking to the MD Daniel 020 3355 3560. After a phone call when he wanted to start the whole process again he finally agree...
How Charles II invented the three-piece suit
The restoration of the English monarchy in 1660 was a tricky affair politically. Although parliament proposed bringing back Charles from exile and putting him on the throne, the French splendour (and fashions) with which he was associated were not po...
How Charles II invented the three-piece suit
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Very helpful, thank you...
Review: A Suit That Fits 2
I was a little anxious today, going with my colleague to pick up his suit from A Suit That Fits. Knowing I was going to review the result; knowing that they knew I was going to review the result. Overall, though, the impression was very positive. Muc...
Review: A Suit That Fits 2
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If the dinner jacket illustrated is the item in question, shouldn't the tailor have pointed out that dinner jackets do not traditionally come with flaps on the pockets? Dressing well can be a minefield and an advantage o...
Behind the scenes: A Suit That Fits
It is always rewarding to get a look behind the scenes of a company. Nothing beats it for an insight into the philosophy, working practices and dedication to detail present in the production process. I was fortunate enough to peek behind the scenes a...
Behind the scenes: A Suit That Fits
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6 Guest Comments » 1. Simon, I’m incredibly jealous of you. I’ve always loved the thought of sculpting a gorgeous suit out of stunning materials, and you’ve managed to see it all going on for real. Can’t wait to...
Reader question: Wearing suit jackets separately
Ted: In reference to your post on building a wardrobe, if the man in question mostly gets navy and grey suits, does he need to buy sport coats? He can just use the suit jackets and mix and match. The short and simple answer, Ted, is no. He can’...
Reader question: Wearing suit jackets separately
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I guess if you don't have a suit you don't have much of a choice, but I'd certainly wear a suit if I could?...
Review: A Suit That Fits
On the fifth floor of an office block near Liverpool Street station is the measuring room of A Suit That Fits – a UK suit and shirt ordering service that has been advertising widely across London in recent months. Actually, that’s not tru...
Review: A Suit That Fits
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From the orignal placement of the order until all items where delivered was 5 months (1 suit & 5 shirts) so be warned, the quality of the suit is OK but very mean with the material every effort has gone into delivering t...
How to get a ready-to-wear suit altered
Fit is the most important thing about a suit. It can be cheap, it can be threadbare and it can be hideously patterned. But the man wearing it will always look better than his contemporary if it fits him well– and his contemporary’s does n...
How to get a ready-to-wear suit altered
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If you take the adjustment too far, yes it can affect the proportions. But a good adjustments tailor should warn you about that and not take it too far. Also have it pinned and see for yourself. It shouldn't affect other...
The final suit: so close
No matter how much time you spend thinking about the instructions to give to your tailor, there will always be something you forget. I had been thinking about the Norfolk Blazer for months, considering peak lapels, two buttons and additional pockets ...
The final suit: so close
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Matthias, Thanks for your interest, and I am very interested to hear your bespoke creation ideas. Tell me how the duffel coat works out, and if you ever go for that snap-buttoned cord jacket. I'd be fascinated to see a p...
Review: Indochino suits
Given that fit is more important than anything in men’s style (at least according to me), an online service that can provide you with bespoke clothes – even made to measure – has to be a good idea. Not everyone has a high-quality ta...
Review: Indochino suits
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Thanks - that's a good point and very useful...
How to look after your suits
Many people look after their suits badly. This may seem obvious. After all men hang their suits on pegs, leave them on the floor after a day’s wear and occasionally bundle them into bags. For the most expensive piece of clothing a man owns, it ...
How to look after your suits
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Thank you for your comment :)...
Hong Kong: The final suit
As I walk along Queen’s Road Central, I have an odd feeling. There appears to be a constant pressure across my back, from shoulder to shoulder. Something is resting on each part of it equally. It is, of course, my new suit, and such is the feel...
Hong Kong: The final suit
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I'm afraid not, no. In fact I no longer have these suits as I have given them to friends and family (the post was four years ago). Sorry....
Hong Kong: The unmade suit
If I stand side-on to the mirror, it almost looks like a real suit. Of course, it only has one arm and the front and back panels are covered in stitching. But you can’t see that from the side. I can’t stand like that for long, as Edward T...
Hong Kong: The unmade suit
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I have to say he listened to every detail I asked him for. Everything fits very well and trousers and shirts I picked up in the shop are flawless. I had one fitting for the trousers and one fitting for the jacket. The ja...
An interview with Suit Supply
Following on from Permanent Style’s posting on Suit Supply, the following is an interview with Suit Supply staffer Richard Finlay-Newton about the brand’s economies of scale, and how to get value for money in your suit. Permanent Style: H...
An interview with Suit Supply
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Ha! 37 I'm afraid, but nice guess...
Suits that look like pyjamas
This first post is about how simple yet subtle style can be. Smart dressing can sound so easy: dark suit, pale shirt, dark tie. Then you see someone with a striped shirt under a striped suit. The stripes on each are the same width apart; suddenly it ...
Suits that look like pyjamas
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I can see the point Jean, but I think the one about difference patterns applies a lot less. A checked suit with a much smaller-scale stripe on the shirt would work fine, and probably better than them both being the same....
