dapper-droy

[dapper-droy]

Who says brown should never be seen in town?

[dapper-droy]

Day 3 – How much???

To address the questions…How much to spend on a suit? Where should I go to buy a suit? Obviously depends on your budget and of course the occasion, for a special occasion like a wedding, you may want to splash out a bit. I know for a fact many guys turn to Savile Row for that “occasion” suit, Ozwald Boateng, William Hunt or Scabal to name a few. Now if your budget allows that’s a fair shout, because you’re probably going to pay upwards of around £700 for an off the peg suit or ready to wear as it’s also known. However, on the high street, for instance somewhere like Charles Tyrwhitt you’re looking at somewhere from £300 or Reiss from about £500 for a respectable piece. In more recent times, the high street stores are offering slim fit options, where previously they would have offered one block. One alternative to off the peg, is Made to measure. If you can’t find what you want, in terms of fit; Maybe you’re shaped a bit like Oddjob from the Bond movie, Danny Devito like or you’re a 6’ 8" LeBron James basket baller. This is where you can get the fit and choice of fabric that you are looking for. The garment would be based on a standard pattern and construction methods, there’s an initial fitting to obtain your measurements and a final one after construction. Not to be confused with Bespoke. True bespoke means a pattern is cut specifically to your measurements. It would require 3 to 5 fittings and the work is handcrafted. But this would however command a higher price tag. So to summarise, if you’re bit strapped for cash or it’s an everyday work suit (not that I am not recommending wearing the same suit everyday) and you’re not “odd” but “average” shape…then the High street is the place. Otherwise, treat yourself and go for broke on Savile Row.

[dapper-droy]

Blue summer suit look. Suit, shirt and tie all by Charles Tyrwhitt. Shoes by Oliver Sweeney.

[dapper-droy]

Day 2

For some time now, debate has raged about whether the suit continues to have a place in modern life. Is it a stuffy relic of a bygone age or just an easy way for a man to look his best, boost his confidence and make the right impression on others? That’s a question for another day (and one on which I have strong views!), so let’s assume that you’ve not only decided you are going to wear a suit, but that you’re going to have to buy a new one.

Now for some men, the need to purchase a new suit is a matter of no greater concern than the need to buy a fresh loaf.  Just pop to the nearest department store that weekend and find something reasonably comfortable in a colour you don’t hate - not too cheap, not too pricey. Get it over and done with quickly before the teenaged Saturday staff member ‘helping’ you starts to lose interest.  I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that, especially if you think of clothes as a necessary evil, an irritating distraction from the important things in life. That’s not the approach I prefer though, and if you’ve read this far, I’m going to guess that you’re not sure it’s the right way to go either.    

So what should you do then? What are the things you need to consider? Where do you even begin? In my next few posts, I’m going to offer some advice based on my experience of buying and wearing suits, over more years than I care to mention and talk you through some of the key points you might want to bear in mind if you’re thinking about buying a new suit. These include:

How much should I spend on a suit?

Where should I go to buy a suit?

What colour suit should I buy?

Should I buy a suit in a plain material, or one with a stripe or check?

Should I buy single or double-breasted?

Should I buy a three-piece suit or just a two piece?

I hope you’ll find this series of posts interesting and enlightening, but if there are some specific things that you would like me to cover or you would like some more detail on a particular aspect of anything in the posts, feel free to send me a question to my blog.

[dapper-droy]

Summer style…Paul Smith cotton suit, really happy with how the Hawes and Curtis orange gingham check worked, TM Lewin knitted tie, Oliver Sweeney shoes and bracelets from Esclot.

[dapper-droy]

"Edgy" summer style

[dapper-droy]

Day 1

I have long been a lover of style, not necessarily fashion. As we know fashion is seasonal, it’s fickle. Here goes one of my favourite quotes…”Fashion is something you follow, style is something you have”. I know that it is said that taste is subjective, but I believe there is only good taste and bad taste.

When I’m out and about I often receive unsolicited comments and compliments. This at times has led to my other half commenting that I get more attention than she does…oh dear!

Anyway, it would appear I must be doing something right, right? Many of my friends and family look and ask me for advice, which I am glad to impart. With that in mind, my aim is to spread a little knowledge and educate anyone inclined to listen.

Now let me set the record straight, I am not a designer, tailor, sales consultant, model or in any way connected to the fashion industry, other than I love to look (without trying to sound facetious) good!

I will be posting pictures and adding commentary here and there. Watch this space…