If, like us, you don’t earn more money than God or you're not Sean Connery, your wardrobe will be light on tailored goods. Well, it’s about time you changed that. But before you hand over large sums of your salary to a man with a tape measure check out our selection of the finest tailoring services on offer.
Picture: Rex Features
Sean O Flynn
What they say: Bespoke Shirtmakers and Tailors, cotton gowns, silk ties. Finest quality fabrics, sea island cotton and silk. All garments are fully made to measure, each customer has a personalized pattern made. Genuine expertise with a life time knowledge of bespoke.
What we say: A dizzying array of fabrics on offer. One of the most consistent, yet underrated shirt tailors in and around Savile Row. Specialises in shirts made from cottons, linens, voiles and silks.
Where: 7 Sackville Street, Mayfair, London. W1S 3DE.
At What Cost: Shirts start at £185
Contact:seanoflynnshirtmaker.co.uk, 020 7437 0044
Henry Herbert
What they say: Henry Herbert is a scootering tailor service. We use our fleet of Vespa’s to meet clients wherever and whenever is good for them. We bring with us our measuring tapes, fabrics, chalk and pins. And if our scooters don’t get us there, a train, plane or automobile will!
What we say: An incredibly convenient, and affordable tailoring service. An extremely well dressed man appears at your door, you choose the fabric, cut, length feel, and then a few days later, it appears on your doorstep. Uses beautiful Egyptian cotton for the shirts, and British grown and spun wool. Specialises in waistcoats, suits, shirts, overcoats, weddings, and alterations.
Where: 5th Floor, 9-10 savile Row London, W1S 3PF by Appointment only
At What Cost: Prices start from £1295
Contact:henryherbert.com, 020 7837 1452
Gieves and Hawkes
What they say: When you are looking for the finest tailored garment, there is only one place to go – Savile Row. The most prestigious address in this famed area is, of course, 1 Savile Row, which is where you will find Gieves & Hawkes. For over 200 years, Gieves & Hawkes has created the finest handmade bespoke garments. We are renowned internationally as the authority on British tailoring.
What we say: Probably the most widely respected, forward thinking, and accessible of all the tailors currently residing on Savile Row (hence the address, No. 1 Savile Row). Unparalleled service – each cutter has at least ten years experience – your cuttings are stored permanently in case you ever come back for another fitting.
Where: In addition to their London store, they have locations in Bath, Birmingham, Chester, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool, Winchester, York, Bicester and Ireland – more details here; http://www.gievesandhawkes.com/shop/store-finder/
At What Cost: Ready to wear tailoring starts from £595, Made to Measure service from £795 and Handmade Bespoke Tailoring service from £3,500
Contact: gievesandhawkes.com, 020 8335 2708
dress 2 kill
What they say: We are travelling tailors who bring made-to-measure suits to the desks of busy people at reasonable prices. There are not many guys for whom shopping is enjoyable. D2K is about making life easier for the customer.
What we say: You probably won’t find a cheaper suit made with such quality. Great for first timers as they advise you on what cuts and fabrics will suit your body shape, type of job and how often you’ll wear it. Fast turnover, suits take just a couple of weeks and are delivered to you.
Where: London but has branches across the UK
At What Cost: Suits start at just £475
Contact: dress2kill.com, 020 7928 9558
Norton & Sons
What they say: Norton & Sons cut simple classically proportioned clothes in the finest British cloths. Unlike most on Savile Row every single garment that bears our name is painstakingly hand cut and hand sewn by the best tailors in London. Cut and fitted under the guidance of Master Tailor John Kent the Norton & Sons suit is amongst the finest suits that a gentleman can buy.
What we say: Has swept away the fusty, and at times elitist atmosphere in Savile Row to make it more accessible to the younger gent. Owner Patrick Grant personally collects the fabrics from Britain’s best mills and handles clients (which include several presidents personally). If you’re going to the country for the weekend they also do hunting and riding wear.
Where: 16 Savile Row, W1S 3PL
At What Cost: Single breasted 2 piece suit £2980, Overcoat £2100, Single breasted 3 piece suit £3475, Single breasted 2 piece dinner suit £3500, Tweed Coat £2160, Plus 2’s £990, 3 piece morning coat suit £4360
Contact:www.nortonandsons.co.uk, 020 7437 0829
Richard James
What they say: The company’s distinctive style – in its tailoring a clean, slim silhouette, in its ready-to-wear bold colour, in its manufacturing partners the most expert craftspeople, in everything the best, exclusive materials. Extensive seasonal collections – including shirts, accessories, outerwear, knitwear, swimwear and shoes.
What we say: A relative newcomer to Savile Row (they’ve only been around for 15 years), they’ve already scooped the British Fashion Awards Bespoke Designer of the Year award. An exquisite selection of fabrics, including mohair, needlecord, wool, and Egyptian cotton.
Where: 29 Savile Row; London W1X 1AF, also has a store in Covent Garden, and opened premises in Japan
At What Cost: 'A handmade two-piece bespoke suit will cost around £1,800 plus VAT and a three-piece suit from £2,185 plus VAT. Time taken: ten to twelve weeks;
Contact: 020 7439 1921, richardjames.co.uk
