Foster & Son bespoke shoe samples

Read MoreMay 21st 2014

Foster & Son is one of the great names of British bespoke shoemaking. In recent years, that reputation was largely founded on master lastmaker Terry Moore. I only got to know Foster’s relatively recently, after Terry retired. Changes of owners...

Foster & Son bespoke shoe samples

Foster & Son is one of the great names of British bespoke shoemaking. In recent years, that reputation was largely founded on master lastmaker Terry Moore. I only got to know Foster’s relatively recently, after Terry retired. Changes of owners...

May 21st 2014

Kiton's Lasa - bespoke or made-to-measure?

Read MoreOct 10th 2014

 The Lasa service from Kiton is being offered as part of the Made-to-Measure service at Harrod’s (the last event was this past weekend), but may actually be closer to bespoke. Indeed, the question highlights the few points of ambiguity in that dis...

Kiton's Lasa - bespoke or made-to-measure?

 The Lasa service from Kiton is being offered as part of the Made-to-Measure service at Harrod’s (the last event was this past weekend), but may actually be closer to bespoke. Indeed, the question highlights the few points of ambiguity in that dis...

Oct 10th 2014

Bespoke suede jacket - Cifonelli

Read MoreMar 14th 2016

  This finished suede jacket from Cifonelli shows the beautiful breadth of what bespoke tailoring can do. Bespoke is not just for business suits; it is not just for casual jackets; it is for anything that benefits from hand-cut line and structure...

Bespoke suede jacket - Cifonelli

  This finished suede jacket from Cifonelli shows the beautiful breadth of what bespoke tailoring can do. Bespoke is not just for business suits; it is not just for casual jackets; it is for anything that benefits from hand-cut line and structure...

Mar 14th 2016

Cifonelli bespoke suede jacket

Read MoreOct 23rd 2015

  One area that fascinates me – perhaps more than any other – in my writing is the overlap between formal tailoring and more casual dress.If it is possible to retain the beautiful craft aspects of bespoke tailoring in casual clothing, as well a...

Cifonelli bespoke suede jacket

  One area that fascinates me – perhaps more than any other – in my writing is the overlap between formal tailoring and more casual dress.If it is possible to retain the beautiful craft aspects of bespoke tailoring in casual clothing, as well a...

Oct 23rd 2015

Foster & Son bespoke shoes: Last-making

Read MoreJun 13th 2014

 This is Jon Spencer, last maker at Foster & Son, making up the last for my first pair of bespoke shoes from the team. The black, Oxford whole-cuts will have the classic ‘West End’ Foster’s toe shape, slightly elongated and chiseled at th...

Foster & Son bespoke shoes: Last-making

 This is Jon Spencer, last maker at Foster & Son, making up the last for my first pair of bespoke shoes from the team. The black, Oxford whole-cuts will have the classic ‘West End’ Foster’s toe shape, slightly elongated and chiseled at th...

Jun 13th 2014

Ayres Goncalo: bespoke tailor, Porto

Read MoreSep 3rd 2016

The next young tailor I wanted to highlight on Permanent Style is Ayres Goncalo, a Portuguese who worked at Gieves & Hawkes in London for four years, before returning to Porto to set up his own shop in 2011. I met Ayres over the summer while in ...

Ayres Goncalo: bespoke tailor, Porto

The next young tailor I wanted to highlight on Permanent Style is Ayres Goncalo, a Portuguese who worked at Gieves & Hawkes in London for four years, before returning to Porto to set up his own shop in 2011. I met Ayres over the summer while in ...

Sep 3rd 2016

Maison Bourgeat - finished bespoke glasses

Read MoreMay 6th 2016

*Since this article was written, Maison Bourgeat closed and Guillaume left the business. It has now re-opened under new management*  A few weeks ago I received my finished bespoke glasses from Maison Bourgeat in Paris. The results are superb - thoug...

Maison Bourgeat - finished bespoke glasses

*Since this article was written, Maison Bourgeat closed and Guillaume left the business. It has now re-opened under new management*  A few weeks ago I received my finished bespoke glasses from Maison Bourgeat in Paris. The results are superb - thoug...

May 6th 2016

Benson & Clegg bespoke - and George VI's monkey jacket

Read MoreApr 27th 2020

Benson & Clegg is not a button shop.  I didn’t realise until I went in, earlier this year, quite how much it has gained that reputation. It's partly a result of their own good promotion over the years, but perhaps more significantly because o...

Benson & Clegg bespoke - and George VI's monkey jacket

Benson & Clegg is not a button shop.  I didn’t realise until I went in, earlier this year, quite how much it has gained that reputation. It's partly a result of their own good promotion over the years, but perhaps more significantly because o...

Apr 27th 2020

Buying buttons for bespoke

Read MoreJan 6th 2010

Buttons are a subtle way to add personality to a suit, odd jacket or even overcoat. But it pays to keep them subtle. It’s easy enough to sew on a suit button, though I recommend experimenting with something inexpensive first. Just make sure you sec...

Buying buttons for bespoke

Buttons are a subtle way to add personality to a suit, odd jacket or even overcoat. But it pays to keep them subtle. It’s easy enough to sew on a suit button, though I recommend experimenting with something inexpensive first. Just make sure you sec...

Jan 6th 2010