The London Lounge

Both high-end professional and cheap consumer irons have a limited number of steam holes at the tip followed by a solid surface at the back. This makes sense, as my understanding is that steam first relaxes the fibers and then the heat of the iron takes out the wrinkles and dries the fabric. What co...

This is a topic I've been thinking about this topic for a few years now. G&G made up a pair of ankle boots for me, patterned after an LL boot that Michael designed several years ago. It has taken a while, as for some reason my shoe last didn't fit well in a boot, and they had to redo it entirely. In...

I'm curious about those who wear, or soon will be wearing, non-business suits for their everyday activities. Do you live in a city, or the suburbs? I'm in an atypical situation of being 5-10 years from retirement, but also living in a suburban/semi-rural area, working from home, and caring for a 5 y...

I have a 25 yo pair of Allen Edmonds patent leather dress shoes. At the time I bought them, the salesman told me to use window cleaner if I ever needed to clean them. So far, I've never needed anything more than a damp cloth.

Paul Winston ( son of Chipp founder Harry Winston ) shares space with an alterations tailor in the lobby of the building at 28 W 44th St. I'm not sure if he's still making clothes, but in the past Paul used to have the alterations tailor do some of the work that his own tailor couldn't get to. +1 t...

Paul Winston (son of Chipp founder Harry Winston) shares space with an alterations tailor in the lobby of the building at 28 W 44th St. I'm not sure if he's still making clothes, but in the past Paul used to have the alterations tailor do some of the work that his own tailor couldn't get to. I haven...

You might want to contact Isles Textile Group in Farmingdale. They're importers who sell most of the standard British cloths to tailors in the U.S. Although they sell mostly to tailors, they will sell to individuals who aren't having a suit made by one of their clients. You have to know the fabric t...

Gentlemen, for LL members, the more appropriate question may be "What does your cloth trunk look like?". It is impossible to make up all the LL beauties offered and everything I buy, even when using several tailors. So, having a good moth free storage space for later days is key. My nephews will pr...

Here's a different perspective on the economics of making a bespoke suit: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/09/magaz ... d=all&_r=0.

I spoke with Des several times a few years back and liked him very much. I thought his prices were very reasonable and he does all of the work himself. If I recall correctly, he doesn't like drape, but will otherwise make up a suit in whatever style the customer wants. He's not afraid to give advice...

I just handed a length of Piuma off to Edwin to have a summer suit made and asked to have the coat half-lined. Edwin said that he'd be happy to make it with a half-lining (and indeed many of his customers insist on it), but he went on to say that he would recommend against it. The reason for this re...

I had had the collar on my Barleycorn Tweed (made by Molloy and even heavier than their standard cloths) self-lined and I don't see any problem with it at all. I also had the lapels made slightly bigger than normal with a button underneath so the collar can be raised, and the lapels closed and butto...

Is this the Cleverley reindeer? Amazing, stuff that is. I'm getting them from G&G. Tony said he gets the reindeer from a tannery in Cornwall. He also suggested a bellows tongue to help keep water out. I think a "bellows tongue" -adequate for heavier boots or hiking shoes- is a bit of an overkill fo...

Thanks everyone for your input. I had been unaware that Dainite also made the Medway and Ridgeway soles. Those might do the trick. Would the Ridgeway offer more traction than the Medway? I haven't yet broached the subject of Vibram soles with my shoemaker. I was a bit surprised though, that he didn'...

Dear Hectorm, Concordia & David, Thanks for the advice. The main purpose of these boots would be for outdoor walking, particularly when travelling, and when inclement weather is a strong possibility. They’ll be worn with chinos or corduroys most of the time and only occasionally with a suit. For exa...