Anyone?

 

Hi. Getting a decent 3 piece OTR is difficult... :icon_scratch:

If you are travelling down south I would recommend making a trip to the designer outlet mall, 'Bicester Village'. They have lots of suits there (as suits are not as popular these days) and you can get fantastic deals, especially on the more 'Ask Andy' friendly stuff (i.e. not so much the jet black numbers with 'Gucci' emblazoned in gold and diamonds on the lapels...they sell out fast! :icon_smile_big. Its definitely worth a look as, if you get lucky, your money will go much further. I cant make any promises but I've seen (and bought) decent 3 piece suits there before...

The last time I bought a suit in London it was Canali on New Bond Street. Good service and full canvass, made in Italy. They tend to have a boxy fit though which might not work for you, and might run a little expensive. Worth a look though. Since you will be in London anyway, take a walk down Savile Row...its a feast for the eyes...and when you get to the Burlington Gardens end, have a look in Ede and Ravenscroft and Gieves and Hawkes. They might have 3 piece in OTR and in reasonable quality (although not made in Europe). Heading down into St James, take a look in New & Lingwood, Dunhill (might be too expensive) and Cordings of Piccadily. On the less expensive end, you will also find TM Lewin and C Thywhitt suits on Jermyn Street, along with lots of lovely shirts!

At all times (and especially at Bicester Village!), use the knowledge gained on Ask Andy to check out the suit construction, quality, fit etc. and see if its really worth buying...

Finish off the walk with a nice cup of tea in Fortnum & Mason and, if nothing else, you will have had an enjoyable day's browsing!:smile:

Good luck!

 

Thanks Haffman, a helpful post indeed.

I chanced a visit to the local TM Lewin branch today and happened upon their Newbury suit. It's down to £200 (). What is the general opinion of the quality of TM Lewin's suits at this price point? Are they comparable to Charles Tyrwhitt's offerings? TM offer a free alterations service - how much leeway do they have with adjustments and will they be able to ensure a good fit?

Also had a look at the Wentworth () at £140 - is that too light for an office suit?

Generally a view on how well-regarded TM's suits are would be very helpful as this could prevent me from taking on an unnecessary jaunt to London.

 

I have no experience of TM Lewin suits; but if it's a good fit, especially in the shoulders, then perhaps buy it.

I would add that from £400 upwards you could get a MTM suit from Austin Reed; also, their MTM has sale on too. So, for £800 you could get a well-fitted suit with nice fabric.

 

Marks & Spencers are fairly good for OTR suits, decent value for money. Otherwise if you are looking for MTM and above there are a couple of tailors in Sheffield, one on London Road whose name I can't remember, and Barney Goodman on Ecclesall Road.

 

Hackett are always an option too. They fluctuate in price for fused to canvassed. But yeah, Bicester is a great place to start. Most all have outlets there - Zegna, G&H, Dunhill, Hackett, Pal Zileri, Paul Smith and on.....

I always make a bee line to the Loro Piana outlet as I usually always find a great sweater or two there at a great price. Last time I was there they were offloading all their shirts @ £40 each.

 

I had a T.M. Lewin suit. The trousers outlasted the jacket. I wore it once or twice and within 16 months it had become unwearable. By that I mean, the elbows started to show wear and some of the pick-stitching became lose and such. I reckon there isn't much, if any difference, between C.T. and T.M. Lewin suits.

 

I'll put in a thumbs up for Suitsupply.
Their shop in Westfield, Shepherd's Bush has much more selection that the West End shop.

 

and when you get to the Burlington Gardens end, have a look in Ede and Ravenscroft and Gieves and Hawkes. They might have 3 piece in OTR and in reasonable quality (although not made in Europe).

Are the Ede and Ravenscroft RTW suits made in Asia?

I've been looking at one but did not realize they were not made in the UK. How's the quality overall however?

 

Are the Ede and Ravenscroft RTW suits made in Asia?

I've been looking at one but did not realize they were not made in the UK. How's the quality overall however?

Sorry I was referring to the Gieves and Hawkes RTW which are generally made in Mauritius (occasionally Italy)

For Ede and Ravenscroft RTW their tweed jackets are still made in the UK but the winter coats and suits are made, I think, in Portugal. Their shirts are still made in the UK. I'm afraid I dont own any of the suits so cannot comment on the quality, not even sure if they are fused or not...

 

Sorry I was referring to the Gieves and Hawkes RTW which are generally made in Mauritius (occasionally Italy)

For Ede and Ravenscroft RTW their tweed jackets are still made in the UK but the winter coats and suits are made, I think, in Portugal. Their shirts are still made in the UK. I'm afraid I dont own any of the suits so cannot comment on the quality, not even sure if they are fused or not...

There was some discussion on Ede & Ravenscroft on here before; try a search of the forum. I was looking at buying a suit from them when I was in London and the consensus was that they're decent; the ready-to-wear that is. I know they offer made-to-measure and surely even bespoke, but I'm not sure where those are made.