Hello Gentleman,
I would like to start out by commending you all for establishing an excellent forum, full of insight and wisdom on the chosen topic beyond any other that I have come across. While this is my first post I have lurked on the site for many months soaking up as much information as possible...and developing a bit of an addiction to the subject matter along the way!
Now to the point of my post, after spending the last couple of years in Paris, and before that Manhattan, I am in the great state of Ohio to work on a project this summer and am interested in commissioning a couple of pair of odd trousers. From a bit of investigation on my own I have been recommended a few tailors in the state (the project I'm working on will have me in various corners of the Buckeye state at any given time so the choice of tailor really needn't be city specific). Names that have come up are: David Cotugno in Cleveland (a member of CTDA), John Wittmann of Dayton (also a member of CTDA, as well as a past president of the association), and Joseph Scafidi in downtown Cleveland (not a member of CTDA from what I've been told).
Can anyone speak to the quality of any of these tailors? Are there any LL members from/in Ohio who may offer some insight? I plan on reaching out to all three of the establishments to get a better feel for what they have to offer, but was hoping one of you may have some additional information that I may find useful. Any assistance in the matter will be greatly appreciated!
Quality Bespoke Tailors in Ohio?
Dear Mr. Jackson,
Welcome to the Lounge.
You bring an interesting question to the board. The tailoring routes one can take in mid-west (Ohio) US…
I have lived in Ohio for quite sometime now, some of that time in northeast Ohio around Cleveland area and most in north west close to Michigan state. All in all, when it comes to bespoke tailoring, Midwest US is pretty much a desert…. Though there are indeed some tailoring “oasis” here and there… but by and large they need to be explored… mostly at the cost of explorer’s money & time. That said, I have visited a few tailors in mid-west but sadly have never proceeded past the introductory phase.
Most of these remaining tailors have very limited business and as such they are also not very open to new customers (certainly detailed oriented ones) or more importantly ones with innovative ideas. To get the best service out of these tailors (some that you mentioned) you need strong references or need to know them well… personally that is.
As much as I am in favor of supporting local artisans (Midwest US)… I must say I heavily advise anyone to get references before proceeding to these tailors or if references are not available… commission the most simplest of articles from them.
You have lived in Paris & NY prior to Ohio, correct?… if that is the case & if you are only going to be here (in Ohio) for a small duration… I would not advise you to start with a new tailor. But, if the duration of your stay is going to be an extended one then this endeavor may be fruitful.
I have no idea how specific you are about the fit of your trousers… most people (including tailors) tend to overlook the fit & cut of the trousers in favor of jackets. I, for one am certainly not that way. I am Very particular when it comes to my trousers and as such had frequent troubles from even the leading Savile Row houses.
Odd bespoke trousers are a strange topic with Tailors (UK or US). They should not be but they are… starting with the prices. You will be lucky to find a talented tailor who will make odd trousers at a modest sum… most will not. The super high cost of odd trousers gets even harder to justify for people who can be easily fitted into RTW or MTM options.
Plus, beside the cost and the initial trouble of getting to know the tailor… there is another important thing and that is the cloth. Tailors, in Midwest carry a VERY limited selection of fabrics… mainly because they don’t get enough business and whatever they do get, can easily be satisfied by the basic cloth books. Few tailors may even object to the idea of CMT (cut- made- trim) where you actually provide your own fabric.
So in the end it really boils down to what you are looking for and how devoted you are for such and endeavor. If you are easy going (not too specific) on the fit of your trousers and don’t require any special fabrics… you have a good chance of receiving a satisfactory product…. That is if you can solve the introductory part with the tailor.
The introduction is very critical... remember if the tailor is not "open" to new customers or their ideas, it is probably best for you to take your business elsewhere. A lot of these tailors charge $2500 or more for a suit and the ones in Michigan around $3500-4000. So they are Not cheap by any means.
This is a very limited response to an overly board topic. However, I hope it helps.
Sincerely
etutee
Welcome to the Lounge.
You bring an interesting question to the board. The tailoring routes one can take in mid-west (Ohio) US…
I have lived in Ohio for quite sometime now, some of that time in northeast Ohio around Cleveland area and most in north west close to Michigan state. All in all, when it comes to bespoke tailoring, Midwest US is pretty much a desert…. Though there are indeed some tailoring “oasis” here and there… but by and large they need to be explored… mostly at the cost of explorer’s money & time. That said, I have visited a few tailors in mid-west but sadly have never proceeded past the introductory phase.
Most of these remaining tailors have very limited business and as such they are also not very open to new customers (certainly detailed oriented ones) or more importantly ones with innovative ideas. To get the best service out of these tailors (some that you mentioned) you need strong references or need to know them well… personally that is.
As much as I am in favor of supporting local artisans (Midwest US)… I must say I heavily advise anyone to get references before proceeding to these tailors or if references are not available… commission the most simplest of articles from them.
You have lived in Paris & NY prior to Ohio, correct?… if that is the case & if you are only going to be here (in Ohio) for a small duration… I would not advise you to start with a new tailor. But, if the duration of your stay is going to be an extended one then this endeavor may be fruitful.
I have no idea how specific you are about the fit of your trousers… most people (including tailors) tend to overlook the fit & cut of the trousers in favor of jackets. I, for one am certainly not that way. I am Very particular when it comes to my trousers and as such had frequent troubles from even the leading Savile Row houses.
Odd bespoke trousers are a strange topic with Tailors (UK or US). They should not be but they are… starting with the prices. You will be lucky to find a talented tailor who will make odd trousers at a modest sum… most will not. The super high cost of odd trousers gets even harder to justify for people who can be easily fitted into RTW or MTM options.
Plus, beside the cost and the initial trouble of getting to know the tailor… there is another important thing and that is the cloth. Tailors, in Midwest carry a VERY limited selection of fabrics… mainly because they don’t get enough business and whatever they do get, can easily be satisfied by the basic cloth books. Few tailors may even object to the idea of CMT (cut- made- trim) where you actually provide your own fabric.
So in the end it really boils down to what you are looking for and how devoted you are for such and endeavor. If you are easy going (not too specific) on the fit of your trousers and don’t require any special fabrics… you have a good chance of receiving a satisfactory product…. That is if you can solve the introductory part with the tailor.
The introduction is very critical... remember if the tailor is not "open" to new customers or their ideas, it is probably best for you to take your business elsewhere. A lot of these tailors charge $2500 or more for a suit and the ones in Michigan around $3500-4000. So they are Not cheap by any means.
This is a very limited response to an overly board topic. However, I hope it helps.
Sincerely
etutee
It would be my pleasure to have you visit my 40 yr old tailoring business. We are located in Cincinnati.
Trevor at Romualdo
www.romualdo.com
Trevor at Romualdo
www.romualdo.com
Etutee, thank you very much for your reply. I've waited until after I have been able to visit a few of the tailors (some of which I mentioned) before replying myself. Every one of the tailors I've visited have been very cordial and willing to discuss their craft with me...and as you said it has helped to have a solid reference or two. That being said, much of what you stated rings true. The fabric selections have been quite limited (one shop claimed to offer 900 in-shop but one would have been hardpressed to find a number even close to that) and all have been reluctant at the mention of CMT. Compound that with the high price they demand for "special" ordering a fabric and this proposition looks less attractive than I had originally anticipated. In addition I have found that many send the orders off to Illinois, upstate New York, or elsewhere to be made.
From my end I simply want to have a couple of pair of odd trousers made and was looking to throw some business to someone in the state as long as I'm here (which should be for a few more months). From my dealing in continental Europe having odd trousers made there does not seem to be as out of the norm as back here in the US (maybe this is just my observation). I'm fairly young and have many tailoring needs in order to build my wardrobe and wanted to get this bit accomplished while I was here. Which I still may depending on if I can find the right person to work with (I tend to be quite demanding so this remains to be seen).
This all just begs the question of whether quality tailoring will exist in the future outside of select cities in the future? If, as you say, the Midwest is already a desert for bespoke tailoring, what will it be like in another twenty years?
Perhaps this project will have to wait until I return to Europe, or maybe I'll find someone here to work with. Regardless I'll keep looking and keep you all posted.
Ed, I'll look into Oxxford.
Romualdo, when I find myself in Cincinnati I'll be sure to stop by your fine shop.
From my end I simply want to have a couple of pair of odd trousers made and was looking to throw some business to someone in the state as long as I'm here (which should be for a few more months). From my dealing in continental Europe having odd trousers made there does not seem to be as out of the norm as back here in the US (maybe this is just my observation). I'm fairly young and have many tailoring needs in order to build my wardrobe and wanted to get this bit accomplished while I was here. Which I still may depending on if I can find the right person to work with (I tend to be quite demanding so this remains to be seen).
This all just begs the question of whether quality tailoring will exist in the future outside of select cities in the future? If, as you say, the Midwest is already a desert for bespoke tailoring, what will it be like in another twenty years?
Perhaps this project will have to wait until I return to Europe, or maybe I'll find someone here to work with. Regardless I'll keep looking and keep you all posted.
Ed, I'll look into Oxxford.
Romualdo, when I find myself in Cincinnati I'll be sure to stop by your fine shop.
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