UPDATE –

I just got my third Ravis Tailor Sport Jacket!  Another perfect fit in a subtle navy with plaid pattern.  http://www.ravistailor.com/

I went light weight for Southern California and it’s half lined also for coolness.

Making up the jacket and shipping is quick at Ravis Tailor!

It’s a beautiful jacket with peaked lapels, working sleeve buttons and I really like the pattern and fabric.

Ravis Tailor just recently expanded their Thailand operations to add manufacturing  in Hong Kong.  This sport jacket is from the new Hong Kong facility and is exceptionally well made.

Ravis Tailor have been very wise with their increasing business and more demanding clientele to use the expert tailors of Hong Kong.

The jacket is not only well made, but the fabric has a softer finish which will be a hallmark of the Hong Kong facility.

The Master Tailor from Ravis Custom Tailors travels all over the world and probably near you.  Their Tailors will measure you in person and has a vast range of top fabrics on display.   All items custom made to measure!

Hurry and Get your appointments scheduled here – http://www.ravistailor.com/ShowTime.php

My second Ravis Custom Tailor Sport Jacket!

REVIEW – Herringbone Sports Jacket custom made by Ravis Custom Tailor

I just got my second Ravis Custom Tailor  Sport Jacket!  This one, like the first, fits perfectly in a great herringbone wool fabric. 

It’s convenient since once they have your size profile, you can re-order garments after choosing from a unbelievable selection of fabrics and patterns on their website.

The jacket is not only well made, but the fabric has a softer finish and more flowing construction that drapes closer to the body, which will be the hallmark of the Hong Kong facility.

They also have some great specials and deals from which to choose.

Ravis custom tailors visit the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and continental Europe several times a year. They accept appointments and bookings    online for their custom tailoring roadshows.  You can get measured in person by their master tailors at no additional cost!

I ordered a sport jacket, shirt and trousers from Ravi recently on his Los Angles visit.

And then I did the unpardonable to him! When I got home I looked in my closet and discovered a sport jacket very similar to the fabric pattern I had just ordered. Just a simple case of the customer not being prepared!! (And, hey, it’s difficult to get in my closet to see what’s there! )

Well I looked at the Ravis Custom Tailor website and picked out some alternative fabrics, and then e-mailed them. I was afraid that the order was already in or they wouldn’t want to change to something I hadn’t actually looked at.

They could not have been nicer or more effective with their customer service. They immediately e-mailed me with some suggested fabric choices. I picked one and will be happy to share my reviews when the ensemble arrives.

Thanks Ravi for being so customer oriented!

Here are my sport jacket (a light weight plaid – brown and blue – with a spectacular lining!!) gray trousers that are wrinkle resistant and my blue check shirt. 
All fit great, excellent attention to detail and I received all of these within a month of ordering! (unlike some recent experiences! ).

 

Thank you Ravis Tailors!

The post Ravis Custom Tailor Updated! appeared first on Ask Andy About Clothes.

Finding The Best Belt For Every Occassion

Just found this great belt company, Beltology! 

They’ve created the “science” of providing great belts in a formula to make us look awesome. 

Beltology offers a variety of Italian stretch woven belts. If you’re looking for a mundane belt, you won’t get it here. They DON’T SELL BORING BELTS!

Notice how socks are getting more bold these days (some of you guys have been leading the trend) and now belts don’t have to be unexpressive either.

You have to check out their colors and patterns AND quality!

I’m not recommending a pink patterned belt for your next job interview but we all have plenty of casual places to wear these great looking belts.

These are beautifully crafted Italian waxed cotton straps, trimmed with 100% genuine full grain leather and topped off with a wonderful brushed nickel buckle.

But they do have a few for us conservative folks. I got this one:

“Color: Taupe Taupe is what posh people call this color. It’s an awfully nice belt!”

I think it was their description of the color that did it for me!!

I also got this for golf. Navy base with a hint of white/red/white

But that’s only two of some really great patterns you’ll like. Especially check out the striped belts like these:

These great belts range from only $45 to 60 so it’s easy to get a whole new wardrobe of beautiful, expressive belts.  

Plus these make great gifts.  Just look at the exquisite gift box!

The post Beltology Belts appeared first on Ask Andy About Clothes.

A Pen That Fits Right In Your Wallet – The Wallet Pen

Here’s one of those ideas that we all wish we’d though of but then we’d have to have the skill to know how to actually manufacture it to this level of perfection! The pen that fits right in your wallet. 

Never be without a pen again! The Wallet Pen® is the world’s most compact writing instrument. At just 3″ long this handy pen clips into that empty space at the fold of every wallet or checkbook, so it is always there when you need it.

Each pen is made in the lakeside town of Charlotte, Vermont with 32 steps, two hands, and simple machines.  It features a standard mini ballpoint cartridge, and arrives with a spare refill and lifetime guarantee.

There are two choices. The Original, which can be engraved or The Adirondack, which already has a beautiful design relief on the upper barrel.

 The Wallet Pen ® Benefits

• It is a perfect gift and comes inn a beautiful gift box

The random brightly colored gift box  are fun to give. The Blue sleeve denotes the Original and the Green sleeve comes on the Adirondack package. Each wallet pen gift box contains the wallet pen operation instructions and a spare refill.

• You can have the Original engraved

• You will always have a pen handy

• They pass through airport security

• It is beautiful to hold

• It is fun to own and easy to use

• Made with Sterling Silver.

• Guaranteed forever if returned with a good story

• Simple design, enduring quality, handmade

The post The Wallet Pen appeared first on Ask Andy About Clothes.

I just found an incredible shoe company. 

Incredible for the choices in styles and colors, the quality of the leather and craftsmanship.  These shoes are made-to-measure (you measure) and then handmade in Viet Nam.

Mantorii’s company name is a slight alteration but inspired by the name of Vietnam’s national turtle, Cantorii.

Mantorii shoes are handcrafted by a master shoemaker with Blake Stitching.  Mantorii shoes can be re-soled if needed.

The upper leathers are full grain leathers sourced directly from the US and are custom tanned for Mantorii locally. They only use Grade A quality leather soles for their shoes and all components used are rigorously tested for the highest quality.

I got these loafers in Topaz Tan  Only $299  They’re really beautiful and the leather is excellent.

There are a choice of 7 styles, and lots of leather colors.

Plus you choose the color of the leather lining, and which type of sole you’d like.

And each pair of shoes comes with a Mantorii Shoe Horn made from local bamboo.

You measure yourself using their unique measuring system.   I had some difficulty with it but I think it was just me, but just in case make sure they know your normal off-the-rack shoe size!

After you measure and make all the choices, the shoes take about 8 weeks to make.

Order today!  There is a special 15% Discount Code for AskAndy Members – use askandy at checkout!

The post Mantorii Shoes appeared first on Ask Andy About Clothes.

I’ve been dealing with Herring Shoes since 2002 and always received great service and the finest shoes at excellent prices.

My first experience was this:

Got my Loake loafers from Herring Shoes

And 

Are these Herring Shoes the most beautiful you’ve ever seen?

Note the other, more exciting, colors! I know, I went conservative!  We may make these the “official” AskAndy shoe style! 

Herring Shoe’s prices are already incredibly low but they have some great deals for AskAndy Members!

Spend over 150 Pounds S. on Herring brand shoes and Ask Andy readers will receive 10% off by entering andy10 in the checkout area. Offer excludes sale shoes.

Beautiful shoes, great selection, these folks are great to deal with and the shipping is fast.

Herring Shoes is an English family business which was started in 1966 by Richard Herring.

Their goal is to provide top quality shoes from English manufacturers with service to match, through their website and retail shops.

They feature their own ‘Herring’ brand of footwear which is tailored to today’s needs with fantastic styles and top quality, created from years of inside knowledge of the English handcrafted shoe trade.

Over the years Herring Shoes have built close relationships with many of the Northampton manufactures working directly with Mr Andrew Loake, William Barker and Jonathan and William Church.

Adrian, the managing Director of Herring shoes, worked in the Barker factory for a period to learn in detail the constructions & craft of English handmade shoes.

The Herring range is made to the exact needs of their customers and by working direct with the factories they can achieve unique styles. Sometimes they use existing stock models and improve on the specification by adding additional features, changing sole units or sourcing higher quality leathers for the uppers.

On other occasions they have the opportunity to create their own individual designs and styles which set Herring Shoes, and their customer apart from the crowd.

Plus they offer customers outstanding quality and service by using their direct connections with the factories.

The post Herring Shoes appeared first on Ask Andy About Clothes.

Harry Suits Review – The Prices, Fabrics, Fit & Service

UPDATE!  

New Sport Jacket from Harry Suits!  This is a subtle Donegal Tweed in grey – peaked labels, working sleeve buttons, two button, ticket pocket and hacking pockets – all the usual! 

Forgot to photo the lining a brilliant teal color!

Harry Suits is a new company, but they certainly seem to have gotten it right. Their website is easy to navigate, and put in your measurements – and that’s not normally an easy thing.

http://www.harrysuits.com/

But first the prices!

Wool Feel Fabric – $175 These fabrics look like wool , feel like wool however are made of the modern fabrics used by big brands . (so synthetics)
Wool Blend – $275 Fine Count Superior Wool fabrics with a synthetic mix
Pure Wool – $350 100% Pure Wool
Irish Linen – $275 100% Pure Linen.

And they keep adding new fabrics.

Harry Suits offers custom suits, jackets and pants by master tailors and skilled craftsmen. The company combines the quality of a traditional tailor shop with the efficiency of modern online technology to deliver its products to customers at low prices and convenience.

I went through the process and ordered a navy glen plaid in “pure wool”. (S150) with vest.

Harry Suits Glen Plaid Blue Pure Wool

The self-measuring process was easy with clear photos to guide you for each measuring step.

http://www.harrysuits.com/ has a Perfect Fit Guarantee, which means each of its suits will fit your measurements perfectly. It also offers a discount “My First Custom Harry Suit” to allow customers to see the quality the company provides.

By creating an account, users can store their measurements in the HarrySuits.com system, so they can come back at any time without having to re-enter their information. Customers can also request samples from the company’s range of fabric swatches so that they can be sure they are getting the right color and style for them. And it’s always helpful to actually feel the fabric.

The line includes solids, pinstripes, plaids and checks, shades of blacks, blues, grays and browns, and will soon offer corduroy, linen, tweed and cotton.

Their jackets and pants can be purchased separately, and are also available in a wide variety of colors and styles. All of the company’s items are custom tailored by professionals and sewn individually, using the best wool fabrics manufactured by the finest mills.

I got to choose every detail that I wanted. Peak lapels, working sleeve buttons. Lots of inside pockets.

Got the jacket and the fit is good. Fabric is nice. This is right out of the box!

A few little oddities that can easily be corrected. The lapels are ironed flat and also there is a crease in the jacket arms as if it were also ironed flat like a dress shirt – easy steamer fix. I’ve mentioned to the owner that ironing the lapels flat is not done on high end suits. So hopefully they’ll get the message. You might specify that the lapels roll properly when you order.

UPDATE: They are now providing properly rolled lapels. That’s great when a company responds to customer requests.

I really liked the packaging – the suit was well packed in a beautiful box which could have easily served as a gift box.

The post Harry Suits appeared first on Ask Andy About Clothes.

Read Wall

3143 N St. NW
Washington, DC 20007
(866) 798-3655

This is where we had the AskAndy Washington D. C. Event!

Thanks to Read Wall for hosting this great afternoon. The Copper Fox Rye and Gin lived up to their reputation. Thanks to Rick Wasmund!

Read Wall has a fantastic store in Georgetown with an authentic but comfortable ambiance. It’s a joy just to hang out there!

We had the pleasure of having Read measure me for a sport jacket. And two custom shirts (photos below).

This pattern – really I am happy about it!!

And thanks to Eric of Read Wall for bartending.

And it was great to spend some quality time with Tocqueville.

And the principles of Pentance Hall. Their socks are really great!

And the very interesting Diego from www.BullandMoose.com neckties/bow ties/pocket squares!

READ WALL is a men’s sportswear label founded in 2012, focusing on classic American Ivy-League style, lightly updated for the modern customer.

The brand’s mission is to create the impeccable best apparel goods, produced at the best apparel factories in the USA—which also the world to be some of the best in the world.

These strong core values of quality, longevity, and craftsmanship guide each new collection.

Read says:
American style means a lot to us. We are inspired by true iconic Americans: JFK, Charles & Ray Eames, Paul Newman, Ernest Hemingway, Teddy Roosevelt, even Steve McQueen, James Dean, or Hunter S. Thompson — these men epitomize American style for us, not just in the way they dressed, but in what they did and how they did it.

At READ WALL, we aim to tell a complete story.

We could have simply made good looking clothes and leave it at that. But we took it a step further.

There are a few factories in the United States that are still making clothes the way they should be made, focusing on quality, longevity, and craftsmanship. Every product that we make is crafted at a factory that has a story, too.We want to connect you with another level of the American lifestyle.

The brand is sold online at READ WALL.com  and at their shop in Georgetown, DC, as well as at luxury retailers in the USA and Japan.

The brand has received notable press including GQ, Esquire, The New York Times, and The Washingtonian, and has been touted as one of GQ’s top up and coming men’s brands.

The brand founder, Read Wall, is a Washington, DC native and a graduate of St.Albans High School (’05) and Colgate University (B.A. in English Literature ’09).

Here are the two shirts. The blue has a very interesting fabric texture. The instructions are to wash the Read Wall shirts a couple of times to achieve the true size and fit. I haven’t done that yet. The blue shirt I have washed once but have not washed the gray jFrench-cuff shirt yet. It was also more resistant to ironing that the washed blue shirt! So follow their instructions!

The shirts have eight buttons – which is a real plus to prevent gaping. No pocket and monograms (my choices). They come with collar stays but no sleeve gauntlet buttons or a split yoke. Great fabrics!

The post Read Wall American Tailoring appeared first on Ask Andy About Clothes.

I just got an Alara sport shirt. And the famous Alara white dress shirt! The sport shirt fabric is fine Egyptian cotton and the shirt was made by Alara at their facility in Turkey.

They sell factory direct to the public from their Web site at AlaraShirt.com, offering substantial discounts on dress shirts & sports shirts. The shirt I have features; collar stays, 8 front buttons, adjustable barrel cuffs (two side by side buttons), sleeve placket buttons and a no split yoke.

The tag has a price of $178 but it’s listed on their Website for just $78 !

Photos – out of the box without washing or ironing.

The White dress shirt is unbelievable. Fine Egyptian cotton and sells in stores for $135 to $225, but on the Alara website it’s only $59. !!

Alara’s passion is to create luxurious, quality shirts at affordable prices. Over 25 years of experience in manufacturing luxury shirts for high end department stores and designer houses in the United States and Europe enables them to understand what makes a great shirt.

A great shirt needs to not only fit you properly, but the materials used to construct it need to be of the finest quality. Alara shirts use only the finest European fabrics, Wendler interlinings, quality buttons and removable collar stays.

The seams for each shirt are sewn using a fine needle allowing 18 stitches per inch, ensuring many years of comfortable wear. Every Alara shirt is a fusion of innovative Italian design and impeccable British craftsmanship in the legendary tradition of the tailors of London’s Jermyn Street. It’s really easy to order from their website. You choose your shirt size, the collar you want and the type of cuff.

Then all the selections with those requirements come up and you start shopping. They have such a large selection of fits and sleeve length options, that their shirts are often compared to fine custom made shirts. The Alara classic/regular fit shirt is designed for a modern fit.

Their slim fit shirts are a favorite of celebrities and have a cult-like following. They are revered by many as the best fitting slim shirt on the market. Alara sport shirts are fashionable and designed for comfort, making them the ideal addition to any weekend adventure.

Alara also offers a complete line of beautiful hand crafted, Italian silk ties that can be perfectly paired to their wonderful dress shirt collection.

The post Alara Shirts appeared first on Ask Andy About Clothes.

I just received two great looking dress shirts from Spier & Mackay. One blue and one white in a dobby fabric. So they are solid colors but have a great texture.

The shirts have split yokes, metal collar stays, 6 front buttons, two button barrel cuffs (placed in line with the sleeve), gussets, and sleeve placket buttons.

          
Photos – out of the box – not washed or ironed, but slightly steamed. 

Spier & Mackay specializes in both off the rack and custom made men’s dress shirts. They aim to provide you with handmade dress shirts that fit perfectly, so they come in 3 distinct fits; classic, contemporary, and slim dress shirts.

With their custom program, they draft patterns from scratch, in that the pattern is truly bespoke, so there is no limitation to what can be done. Spier & Mackay can make any style of collar and cuffs the exact size specs for points and spreads, shapes and adjust the lining used as well from unlined to soft non-fused to stiff fused and everything in between.

Spier & Mackay uses the same, time-honored shirt-making techniques established over a century ago by the famed Jermyn Street tailors in London, England. But their shirts sell for nearly 1/3 the price.

They make the shirts and offer them directly to you. By avoiding middle men and their drastic markups, you get true, made to measure shirts that are very affordable.

Spier & Macka has their own production facility. This allows them to control all of the input costs and cut out the marginsSpier & Mackay associated with contract factories. Then, instead of wholesaling, they sell directly to you so you get true, made to measure shirts that are very affordable.

Every single shirt they make follows a traditional HANDMADE process from the cutting of the cloth to the attaching of the buttons.

Each step is meticulously crafted by the finest shirt tailors and tradesmen.

Their team of highly skilled tailors each have a minimum 10 years of specific shirt making experience. And each is capable of drafting the raw pattern, cutting, sewing and finishing an individual shirt on their own.

All their shirts are constructed using traditional English tailoring techniques. This includes a true handmade sewing process. The entire shirt is sewn on a single needle machine controlled by a highly-skilled tailor.

Fabrics are sourced from countries that have rich heritage in shirt textiles such as Italy, Switzerland, Turkey and India. Only a highly edited collection that meets their final high standards.

Utilizing only 100% Extra Long Staple Egyptian Giza Cotton and woven into two-ply constructions of 80’s, 100’s, 120’s and 140’s, with occasional 170’s and 200’s in the mix.

Patterns are matched and flow from one panel to the next.

4 piece split yokes cut at an angle for flexibility and fit.

9 piece, hand turned collar, which allows for a natural roll.

Seams are 18-21 stitches per inch.

Buttons are created 3 mm thick and are made of natural oyster shell for a beautiful natural luster and shine that can’t be duplicated by a plastic synthetic button. And they are cross, lock stitched buttons. Of course, the bottom button hole is horizontal.

Removable collar stays

Triple stitched armholes

Gusset at the bottom for added strength

The bottom hem is double stitched to minimize hem roll.

And they have sport shirts, suits, sport jackets, trousers, cufflinks and neckties too!

The post Spier & Mackay Shirts appeared first on Ask Andy About Clothes.

I ordered this red/blue plaid shirt from Indochino. Thought it would be a perfect sport shirt and the plaid would look good under a sweater.

http://www.indochino.com/product/The-Designer-Red–Blue-Plaid-Shirt

They are known for their suits! The measuring process is simple and very clear on the Indochina site. It has to be for the suits, sport jackets and trousers they make for you. As I’ve said many times you are the tailor when you’re measuring yourself and really need to take the time to get it right.

The shirt are very slim fit so I would use a well fitting shirt measurements.

The shirt has a great hand with front placket, with 7 buttons, but no split yoke.

Many of the details are up to your choice like a monogram, sleeve buttons and collar stays, but the shirt also features some unique details like the lining (yes it has a lining) is a different pattern!

At $99 it’s fun to design your own elements into a shirt.

Plus they have some very generous guarantees! You can take an Indochino garment to a local tailor and get it altered. They will refund you up to $75 of the alteration cost.

If the garment is unalterable, they offer a free remake.

The post Indochino appeared first on Ask Andy About Clothes.

I went with the “yellow” sport jacket from ModainStyle   and it was a good choice since it’s more brownish and a great looking jacket! It does have a light yellow glen-plaid pattern with blue window pane.

The fabric, correctly marked as viscose (rayon) from bamboo – same process as normal rayon that is made from wood fibers is really soft and silky. It will be the perfect summer jacket.

The brand,Metamoda Firenze 1970, is a label created by Moda in Style and offers authentic Italian clothing at affordable prices!

Most of the fabrics used with this label come from Biella, manufactured by Luigi Botto,Policarpo, Zignone, etc. They are great fabrics at a lower cost, but on par with bettern know manufacturers like Loro Piana, Zegna, Cerruti 1881.

The made in Italy jacket is half canvassed and half lined (again perfect for spring/summer/autumn wear in Southern California) and has nice looking elbow patches giving it a distinctive sport jacket style element. And it’s well made, including lining up the pattern at the sleeve to the body.

I have not taken this to my alterations tailor before the photos, but it seems to fit fine. Maybe shorten the left sleeve? It’s a notch lapel, two button, double vent, and look at this unique sleeve button treatment.

The jacket has working buttons/holes but very cleverly the two bottom sleeve buttons are left closed so your tailor can shorten the jacket from the sleeve end. When working sleeve buttons are finished many tailors often refuse to do the work or charge more. You can open the button holes by just slitting them, but it’s better to have the tailor do it.

Moda in Style has a special discount for AskAndyMembers — 10% Discount!   (use code ANDY10 at checkout).

You’re getting an entirely made in Italy sport Jacket, already a steal at $248 at another 10%off so you have an even better deal,

Might as well fill up your closet with these great suits and sport jackets!

The post Modainstyle appeared first on Ask Andy About Clothes.

Suits & Sport Jackets From Caruso

Pitti Immagine and Caruso graciously co-sponsored my wife and  my trip to the Florence Pitti Immagine international men’s fashion shows and to  the Fashion Week in Milan, Italy.

For the Photos from the entire trip to Italy – http://askandyaboutclothes.com/travel/italy-fashion

I ordered a suit and a very special sport jacket from Caruso while I was there.

The suit!

Getting fitted for a Caruso suit at the factory  in Soragna, Parma  home of the Culatello, the best part of the Parma Ham, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. !  The tailor is Luca Talarico (fifth  generation custom tailor).

My hair must look like that from all the ham,  Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and wine at lunch!

The Caruso Fashion Event in Milano during Milano Fashion Week.  Alberto Caruso, co-owner of Caruso and the son of founder Raffaele Caruso,  and me.  Note my Apparel Arts necktie.

Me, Alberto and Umberto Angeloni, part owner of Caruso.

Choosing my suit fabric.  The Caruso fabric expert is Marco Giorna  (formerly head of design for mills: Colombo, Tallia, Guabello and Cerruti).

At the Caruso Fashion Show in Milan, the Esquire men arrive!  Nick Sullivan (in the middle) and Wendell Brown.   It was fun to watch Nick work and he really did work.  No food or wine, but  went right to trying on almost every garment in the show, photographing most of  them and then out and on to the next show!

He did pick up on this jacket (it’s on my right above).  There was a old  photograph of Maestro Enrico Caruso, the world famous Italian tenor,wearing a jacket like this and  Caruso (no relation) redesigned and produced it.

Here’s what Nick reported: Caruso: The Red One

Instead of the signature red, I’m getting one in brown!

Caruso Suit and Sport Jacket:

I received the Caruso suit and special sport jacket and  they are the two most beautiful garments I’ve ever seen!

These photos don’t do them justice.

The suit is navy with a small window pane pattern (almost a  large check) and the fabric is fantastic!  It’s 3 ply wool.  The three  ply actually gives it a depth or dimension that is unique.

And speaking of unique – the sport jacket as you remember was  copied from one that Enrico Caruso, the world famous Italian tenor, was wearing  in a ca 1920 photo and Caruso (no relation) redesigned and produced it.

It’s spectacular in details – patch pockets with buttoned  flaps, peak lapels, and great buttons (working sleeve buttons, of course).

The original sport jacket they think was around 450 grams  (about 15 oz) but Caruso made it from a lighter and softer fabric of 330 grams  (10 to 12 oz).

The workpersonship on both the garments is superior.

THANK YOU CARUSO!

 For the Photos from the entire trip to Italy - http://askandyaboutclothes.com/travel/italy-fashion

The post Caruso Suits appeared first on Ask Andy About Clothes.

Knot Standard is a company based in Dubai, with offices in New York City (Union Square) and Virginia (Arlington). Instead of requiring you to visit in person, they take measurements online or at their network of tailoring partners in major cities across the globe. 

Suits are around $499, shirts $109.

This is a company with an excellent selection of suits, shirts, and accessories. I ordered a sport jacket. There were none currently on the website but I contacted them to see what they might offer. They came up with a beautiful light grey Glenn plaid pattern with blue tan and rust. I don’t think these photos are going to do it justice.

The jacket fabric is E.Thomas, a high-end Italian wool and silk blend. Their suits are all Italian fabrics, including Reda and Vitale Barberis Canonico.

Knot Standard Sport Jacket

It’s a slim look with more narrow lapels, suppressed waist and very fun buttons – I think they are Corozo buttons!

I have not taken this to my tailor for his evaluation, but the fit is very good. I might unsuppress the waist a little. Back is good as are the sleeve lengths 

They have an incredible method of taking your online measurements. Very easy to follow, but like all online measurements without a tailor present make sure you take it seriously and put in the time to get the measurements right!

Knot Standard created the Fit Guarantee System so any man can confidently take his own measurements. Fit Guarantee has built-in intelligence of 3rd and 4th generation tailors from the world’s most luxurious outfits. Video, photos and detailed instruction ensure your measurements translate to perfection, every time. Constructed with impeccable fabrics from Italy, Switzerland, England, and Germany, and a cutting-edge measurement system gives you a better feel and fit than ever before.

With their Fit Guarantee measuring system, if your suit doesn’t fit perfectly, you can send it back to for a full refund, no matter what. Once you try it, you’ll be surprised that you didn’t go bespoke earlier.

Save $50 on your first order over$200 with the code “ASKANDY”.

Their master tailors don’t take shortcuts – no pre-made patterns or parts – just fine Italian fabric, your digital model, and the unique design you created. In less than 3 weeks, once your Knot Standard suit is complete and fully inspected for quality, it’s delivered to your doorstep.

Your first suit from Knot Standard is completely risk-free. In the rare case that you’re not completely satisfied by your suit, they’ll fix it, replace it, or give you a full refund – at your request.

They stand behind every garment, confident that once you try their suits and shirts, you’ll never want to wear anything else.

The post Knot Standard appeared first on Ask Andy About Clothes.

High quality custom clothing for not much more than off-the-rack!

UPDATE !  I just got another outstanding sport jacket from Vijay at CustomMen.  This is a beautiful Donegal navy jacket with some great colors in it.

Donegal Tweed is a handwoven tweed named after the Donegal county of Ireland.

While the weavers in Donegal county provide a number of different tweed fabrics, including herringbone and check patterns, the area is best known for a plain-weave cloth of differently-colored warp and weft, with small pieces of yarn in various colors woven in at irregular intervals to produce a heathered effect.

Two button, single breasted, hacking pockets and ticket pocket, peak lapels and working sleeve buttons!

And check out this fabulous lining!  And the handwork including the vent belt to keep the vents from flapping open.

Tell Vijay that Andy sent you!

Got the two sport jackets and they’re perfect!  Both jackets are light weight wool and linen blends by Marzoni and the trousers were tropical wool by Zegna and Dormeuil.  The Olive jacket has dark olive trousers and the blue jacket has navy.  Since I couldn’t be personally measured, I sent Vijay one of my best fitting suits.

The jackets from http://www.CustomMen.com actually fit better across the back than the original suit!!  I don’t know how they did that so I asked!  Vijay said his father heads up the Hong Kong tailoring division and he thought that the back shoulder area should be modified to give me more comfort!

Blue jacket with navy trouser.

These are not the pants that came from CustomMen. I paired some tan trousers for a more summer look. How about that lining!!

And this is my third sport jacket from CustomMen (the one on the left – in my right hand). A beautiful herringbone tweed in deep green with blue tones.

The post Custom Men appeared first on Ask Andy About Clothes.

L.S. Men’s Clothing – American Made Merchandise

“Izzy”offers classic suits, sports jackets, slacks, rainwear, overcoats, tuxedos and neckwear – all at 40% – 60% below the prices charged by Madison Avenue retailers for their quality merchandise. At L.S. Men’s Clothing you will find famous names such as H. Freeman, Corbin,

Southwick, Individual Shirts and other well known names – all manufactured in the USA. In addition to a large “IN-STORE” selection, we provide manufacturers’ “IN-STOCK” programs and “MADE-TO-MEASURE” services. We also carry Made-to-Measure shirts, and signature Trafalgar Braces. Alterations are performed on the premises.UPDATE: While I was recently in New York City I had a final fitting for a suit from LS Men’s Clothing. Izzy made me a beautiful gray suit with light blue window pane patter in a 8.5 oz fabric from Holland and Sherry!

The shop is very large with an incredible selection of fabrics. And a great location!

The bespoke shirt arrived and it’s fantastic! One of the best shirts I’ve had made.

Read all the details HERE!

49 West 45th Street 3rd floor.

between 5th & 6th Avenues. New York City, NY 10036

212.575.0933

http://www.lsmensclothing.com

Minutes from Rockefeller Center, all major midtown hotels and Grand Central Station Hours: Sun:10-4, Mon-Thurs: 9

-6:30, Fri: 9-3, Sat: Closed

Tell Izzy you came from AskAndy

More about the suit HERE! They make fantastic bespoke shirts from yApres –  see this!

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UPDATE –

I just got my third Ravis Tailor Sport Jacket!  Another perfect fit in a subtle navy with plaid pattern.  http://www.ravistailor.com/

I went light weight for Southern California and it’s half lined also for coolness.

Making up the jacket and shipping is quick at Ravis Tailor!

It’s a beautiful jacket with peaked lapels, working sleeve buttons and I really like the pattern and fabric.

Ravis Tailor just recently expanded their Thailand operations to add manufacturing  in Hong Kong.  This sport jacket is from the new Hong Kong facility and is exceptionally well made.

Ravis Tailor have been very wise with their increasing business and more demanding clientele to use the expert tailors of Hong Kong.

The jacket is not only well made, but the fabric has a softer finish which will be a hallmark of the Hong Kong facility.

The Master Tailor from Ravis Custom Tailors travels all over the world and probably near you.  Their Tailors will measure you in person and has a vast range of top fabrics on display.   All items custom made to measure!

Hurry and Get your appointments scheduled here – http://www.ravistailor.com/ShowTime.php

My second Ravis Custom Tailor Sport Jacket!

REVIEW – Herringbone Sports Jacket custom made by Ravis Custom Tailor

I just got my second Ravis Custom Tailor  Sport Jacket!  This one, like the first, fits perfectly in a great herringbone wool fabric. 

It’s convenient since once they have your size profile, you can re-order garments after choosing from a unbelievable selection of fabrics and patterns on their website.

The jacket is not only well made, but the fabric has a softer finish and more flowing construction that drapes closer to the body, which will be the hallmark of the Hong Kong facility.

They also have some great specials and deals from which to choose.

Ravis custom tailors visit the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and continental Europe several times a year. They accept appointments and bookings    online for their custom tailoring roadshows.  You can get measured in person by their master tailors at no additional cost!

I ordered a sport jacket, shirt and trousers from Ravi recently on his Los Angles visit.

And then I did the unpardonable to him! When I got home I looked in my closet and discovered a sport jacket very similar to the fabric pattern I had just ordered. Just a simple case of the customer not being prepared!! (And, hey, it’s difficult to get in my closet to see what’s there! )

Well I looked at the Ravis Custom Tailor website and picked out some alternative fabrics, and then e-mailed them. I was afraid that the order was already in or they wouldn’t want to change to something I hadn’t actually looked at.

They could not have been nicer or more effective with their customer service. They immediately e-mailed me with some suggested fabric choices. I picked one and will be happy to share my reviews when the ensemble arrives.

Thanks Ravi for being so customer oriented!

Here are my sport jacket (a light weight plaid – brown and blue – with a spectacular lining!!) gray trousers that are wrinkle resistant and my blue check shirt. 
All fit great, excellent attention to detail and I received all of these within a month of ordering! (unlike some recent experiences! ).

 

Thank you Ravis Tailors!

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W.W.Chan & Sons Tailor, LTC.

http://www.wwchan.com/

Hong Kong
Patrick Wa Miu Chu, General Manager

My first W. W. Chan suit.

My second W. W. Chan suit.

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You might remember that I met with their specialist tailor, Ajay Hira in August:

http://askandyaboutclothes.com/forum/showthread.php?118923-Hiras-Tailor-in-the-Los-Angles-Orange-County-area

And have received my light blue mini-hound’s-tooth shirt (Thomas Mason 100% cotton). Great fabric, perfect details and it has eight buttons on the front!!!

A pair of tan slacks (Reid-Taylor fabric). A wool/cashmere blend and from Hira’s travel-collection of fabrics so will resist wrinkles.

A beautiful navy blue sports jacket with blue & yellowish checks (Vitale Barberis fabric).

The fit on all the garments is great.

The only disappointment is that the shirt has the collar stays sewn in, which I’m against if you ever iron your shirt or send it out you’ll get indentations in the collar.

Maybe they’ll reconsider this practice now! I got a split yoke on the shirt which is an option, double buttons – side by side on the cuffs, and corner cut cuffs.

The jacket pattern is beautiful and check the lining!! Working sleeve button holes, peak lapels and hacking pockets with a ticket pocket.

The trousers fit perfectly and I’m anxious to try out the wrinkle resistance!

HIRAS TAILORING is a family owned Bespoke Custom Tailors based in London & Hong Kong. They feature handmade suits, shirts, jackets, coats, dress suits and trousers for men and women. All of their garments are hand cut, and handmade precisely for your size and shape and taste.

And they regularly visit all major cities of the USA and Canada. You can click here for a full list of cities they visit.

Their prices are very reasonable with suits from US $579, handmade shirts from $80, top coats from $579, tuxedos from $599 and sports jackets from $399.

Price depend, of course, on the fabric chosen, and they carry a huge selection of over 3000 cloth to choose from, including European designer fabrics such as Dormeuil, Wain Shiell, Scabal, Zegna and more. All items are individually hand cut and handmade with excellent finishing details.

Check their special package deals.

www.hiras.com

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You know how I like hangers! Even the AskAndy logo is a hanger!

I just got a sample of each of these high quality, and beautiful (yes beautiful!) luxury hangers!

Mike Cregan, the proprietor of Butler Luxury introduced these well made hangers in many different styles.

His philosophy is:

There can be no compromise when caring for your finest suits and trousers so Butler Luxury created equally fine hangers as a solution. With their years of experience making hangers for the world’s finest designers and in collaboration with a Savile Row tailor, they designed their exclusive luxury hangers from scratch to bring you the ultimate product to hang your high-end garments.

“A true luxury hanger matches the beauty of your most beloved suit and coat.” Plus they’re dedicated to pursue the best of its kind in anything they make!

Each luxury hanger is crafted with solid, Grade A Beech Wood specially imported from Germany, as it is recognized as the ultimate wood for hangers. The shoulders on their hangers are shaped from one solid piece of wood, not two pieces like other hanger manufacturers.

The part that hooks over the rod is made of heavy duty brass.

A suit hanger should keep the shape of a suit as your tailor intended. Their quality hangers have a solid, one-piece design with wide shoulders and exquisite rubbed finishes to ensure your suit stays immaculate always.

Butler Luxury Hanger’s intention is for every product they sell to be the absolute best of kind. Their hangers are designed to provide the ultimate garment care, based on what is ideal for the type of clothing.

Style Options

You have the option to choose between Deep Butterscotch and Dark Matte Walnut Espresso. The finishes on their hangers are absolutely beautiful and must be seen in person to fully appreciate. After receiving the hangers, their customers regularly mention that the photos do not begin to do them justice.

Why Your Clothing Needs Them

Their wooden shirt hangers and suit hangers ensure your clothing stays neat and crease free at the shoulders. Their wooden trouser hangers have an extra wide length bar to accommodate any type of pant while the felt black surface ensures your pants are held properly in place without creasing.

The main reason for the many, many different types of hangers and variations is that each garment and each owner are unique. The Butler Luxury line of suit and trouser hangers were designed to hold, handle, respect and care for the finest suits made today–whether costly designer suits by Brioni or the finest bespoke suits made on Savile Row or in New York. They were designed for you, the person who truly knows what is great and what is merely excellent.

For your trousers, Butler Luxury designed the most substantial, luxury trouser hanger ever made. With a soft velvet wrapped pants bar, this closet tool securely holds your trousers at full stop like no other hanger. Even the finest Super 150’s or 180’s materials from the best Italian mills aren’t going anywhere. In addition, the large round bar’s gentle, round arc leaves absolutely no trace on the material. 

Watch for new items. They will be adding soon padded hangers made with true silk and a solid brass hook for men’s and women’s sweaters.

This is very unusual in that all other padded hangers are made with a inexpensive synthetic satin type material. Butler uses 100% silk. And, you have never seen a solid brass hanger hook before. From anyone!

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Richard Lim is the premier tailor in Los Angeles and has made bespoke garments for everyone who is important in Hollywood. He founded his tailoring business in 1968 and the word of his superior tailoring talent quickly brought him acclaim. His philosophy of tailoring is to express respect to age-old traditions while adding a gently subversive modern updates!

I had the good fortune to be fitted for a suit. The fabric is a beautiful Super 130s, worsted wool under the “Superior Wool Fusion” collection, exclusive to British Woolens.

Mr. Lim has a wonderful personality and lots of stories in addition to his superior tailoring skills.  No wonder he became famous so quickly!

The final result:

A closer look at the windowpane pattern and WOW!!! lining.

The shop is fascinating for all the fabric and history of past and current customers.

I was first measured by Richard and Mr. Lim’s head cutter, Mr. Han who has been with the company for over 30 years. Then came back for two additional fittings – the last one for a perfect suit.

Choosing the fabric and the measuring.  Mr. Lim even has some very special measuring tools exclusive to him.

First fitting.

    
Mr. Lim is joined by Mr. Han and Erik Lopez

They didn’t like one sleeve!

Last and perfect fitting!

HIGH SOCIETY by Richard Lim
2974 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90010
P. 213.383.3333 F. 213.382.7476
Email: richardlimtailor@yahoo.com

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