Suit Tailoring...

[BennyC]

Hi guys,

It's been about 4 years now scince I brought my first suit which was for my year 11 prom. Fitted fine (albeit with a few alterations from my mother who's a seamstress) until the end of year 13. Come the end of my first year of Uni when it was considerably snugger due to some rather intense weight training.

At the end of my second year and contiuned training it's now safe to say I no longer fit in as just trying to get in to was a battle followed by ripping! My waist has not changed but my thights back, chest & shoulders have all grown considerably.

A very painful trapse round the shops provided nothing, next, suits you, burtons, john lewis, topman etc.

Unfortunatley I have my fathers funeral in the very near future and would like to have a suit that fits. Currently around 5'10" fitting a 44R/44S jacket nicely with approx 29/30" leg and a 34" waist. Some irregular proportions I know.

Looks like the door to a tailor may be opening near me...

Does anybody know the rough cost for a tailored suit? I don't want anything made from 'hair off a virgins toes' or any fancy 'smooth as foetus's arse lining'. Any ideas for rough hourly rates? Anybody able to recommend any around the Watford/Rickmansworth area?(Can make it into London if need be) and most importantly the turn around for how long it would take to make?

I know there are a lot of vairables on style of suit and materials available, but if we assume its a bog standard run of the mill tailored suit any rough ideas guys? How much have you paid for yours?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Benny C

 

[BennyC]

Thanks for the replies & recommendations guys.

Suits You, had a mix and max section but unfortunatley these we're all plain and weren't particulary nice (fusspot me eh!)

M&S was the only place we didn't try actually as I didn't wan't a suit from M&S but beggars can't be choosers it seems!

The problem lies where my shoulder width is created by my back and not my shoulders so I have lots of excess suit jacket between my arm and side and there's only so much my mother can take in due to the pockets.

Perhaps I'll just don a spandex/lyrca all in one with a shirt and tie printed on it

Headed into another 'suits you' type place called 'Moss' on Saturday as they were closed this evening.

Shirts I seem to be alright with for now.... but will bear that M&S can custom make shirts

Edit: Zara had a nice suit which seemed to have a steep taper, which is what I was after but only had a double not single breasted in a 44!

 

[BennyC]

I just buy a size above and get a tailor to "bring it in" costs about £20 or so, but cheaper than a tailored suit. So I'll buy a 48 jacket, and get it "pinched" to fit, and 18" shirt and again put some pinches in, and similarly get a 38" trousers and get the waist brought in - I have to buy 38s as my legs don't fit otherwise (I also have 34" waist).

I bought several suits during the sales from MOss Bros and M&S, cost me a few hundred quid for all of them, but then for all the alterations it cost me just a shade under £100. So I've got 3 suits and 4 shirts that now fit much much better for the same price as a full custom tailored suit would cost. Seems excessive to a lot of you, but I'd rather do that then just 1 tailored suit. Since I have to wear suits for work, I needs a selection (I have about 6 different ones).

My tuxedo is tailor made however.

Thanks for more replies.

M&S and Moss Bros are on our list to go tomorrow. Hopefully I can find something decent in either of the two! failing that we have a few tailors numbers. I just need a jacket that's 'pinched' in round the waist either that or create some severely over developed and disproportionate obliques to fill the space!

 

[BennyC]

After rummaging around in Moss Bros for something suitable we didn't have much luck as was told buy one of the sales assistant that what I require is an 'Italian' style taper to accomodate for my back.

We went in search of a tailors we'd found in the Thompson Local just on Market Street (If anybody knows Watford). With it being Watford I was expecting anything very classy but was completely shocked upon walking in. The shop and service was outstanding incredibly tastefully decorated and two chaps who knew exactly what they were talking about.

Starting price for a tailored to fit suit was £999 However they had a range of tailored 'shelf' suits which were advertised at £599 a little less but still!

After trying it on it was blatently obvious why it was so expensive! Filled a 44R nicely and with being tailored it can be let out about another 1" as I continue to grow/train. The trousers (first pair of tailored trousers I had ever worn) were a new concept to me! by this I mean wearing them around my waist and not on my hips like my jeans, or any other pair of trousers! The pockets kicked a little and theres wasnt a great deal of room across the thighs, they weren't tight though none the less a reasonably good fit. The next size up wasn't an option as it was just too big and altering these ruined the hang/lines.

They had mentioned they were dropping the prices and was offered the suit for £499, he totaled up a further £96 of alterations. The trousers were £26 of these which my mother could do so the total cost was £570 in the end. He also very kindly is going to have the suit ready by Saturday considering the circumstances Not the traditional tailor I was expecting dressed in jeans, a short sleeve shirt with a mowhawk and tattoo's! Knew his stuff though.

I'll post a few snaps if anybody wants to see?

'Gii Tailoring' 55 Market Street, Watford. If anybody feels like treating themselves!

 

[BennyC]

Interesting! Still rather dear though!

OT: you coming to the strongman meet?

Much more than I was expecting to pay! But I probaly shouldn't have tried it on if I wasn't going to buy it! 44S are hard to find. If I was another 2" taller I wouldn't have a problem!

I can't commit to anything unfortunatley due to not knowing when my father will pass and when the funeral may be. I would quite like to come as I'm sure it'll be a good experience and fun When is it again?

Edit: This saturday! ooo err thats soon! I might have to give this one a miss, however I will deffinatley make an appearance at some of the future ones! Look foward to seeing the videos!