I can remember getting my first business suit from Burton's in the mid-1970s. I went for the fitting, all the measurements were taken and came back a couple of weeks later to try it on, the jacket was fine, but I could have fitted three times into the trousers which probably heralded their demise.
Hepworth's made my father's suits and overcoats - fabulous material, perfectly cut. Gone now. My sometime tailor in Leeds, Winebergs - which in fairness had been plummeting downhill for years, but still made trousers in the cut I prefer, with high waist, button fly, brace buttons, turn-ups, went bust this year.... Where can you get clothes that are comfortable, that fit, that are made of good quality cloth, that don't force you take out a second mortgage? Where? Nowhere - so far as I know. And if anyone out there, including Mr Saxby, knows better - please tell me!
It seems to me that you expect too much from a tailor. I agree the situation is pretty bad but it is not as hopeless as you describe it. There are many excellent clothes you can get on Ebay or vintage shops that may need a bit of an alteration and bingo! I got some fantastic clothes in Italy and the UK for a fraction of their retail price and some even did not need any alterations, perhaps the fact that I am a perfect 44R helps. The channel "THE CHAP´S GUIDE" is full of useful information and tips. Good luck!
Dressing well is truly that: good fun. I cannot fathom a man who runs a factory that makes the nicest clothes around being totally disinterested in them.
Would have been nice to see the whole jacket to get an idea of the silhouette since you were talking about the cut of it being really good. Only saw part of it with the close up view. Something to keep in mind in future perhaps to zoom out a bit to get the whole garment in the shot.
I remember a Jewish Cloth Merchant, about 45 years ago, said to me “If you want a good quality off the peg suit just go to Marks and Spencers”. I’m not sure that is true today though. I recently looked around for a worsted wool suit from M&S and they didn’t have any, except maybe one check one online. Also most of today’s suits have lapels which will be out of fashion in a couple of years. Very difficult to get a classic wool, off the peg, suit today.
