Perfectionism

[dempsy444]

After commissioning a few suits from different tailors I've come to the conclusion that while there is no such thing as perfection, particularly on your first commission, there is such thing as perfectionism. This to me other than skill i suspect is the most important trait of a tailor for a client. If the tailor possesses it, I can relax and defer knowing I'm in good hands. The problem is a lot of reputable houses claim to adhere to it, almost all tailors market themselves as having the attribute, or equate the bespoke processs itself to it, but few truly adhere to it. I'm sure it's an expensive trait to run a business on and casual customers in a way enable a firm to get away with less. My question is this: what things have you learned to look for when you meet with a tailor to tell you that you have found a true perfectionist...Someone whose standards are higher than yours could be and who you know wouldn't let anything less than that go out the door whether it's on a movie star or an every day joe.

[old henry]

I do believe that your ideal no longer exists.

[dempsy444]

Really? I would think just much harder to find but still exists.

[old henry]

In the rocky hills of Sicily, perhaps, there is an old man.

[Slewfoot]

You are certainly correct that perfection does not exist with tailor clothing.

For your question, I believe the main attribute one needs to focus on is trust.

[Jordan Marc]

Dempsy444:

Nothing in this world is perfect. Not nature, not art, not architecture, not religion, not politics, not even the guarantee of our childrens' well-being and stability in the future.

At its best, bespoke tailoring can be well made, even beautifully made ... on occasion. The shortcoming of perfection has to do humanity. We are not a truly symmetrical species; never have been, never will be. We are irregular from head to foot and constantly changing, or morphing, into something we're not particularly keen about. It's the turn-the-mirrors-to-the-wall syndrome. When put in the hands of a topnotch cutter and tailor, all we can really hope for is that the suit or overcoat is made properly and with attention to details. If the garment comes out right and pleases your eye, top it off with a truly beautiful fedora.

JMB

[hectorm]

My question is this: what things have you learned to look for when you meet with a tailor to tell you that you have found a true perfectionist...

Honestly, I don´t care much for the trait of perfectionism in my tailors. However I do care a lot for my garments turning perfect. My definition of "perfect" is very practical: when at a certain moment I wouldn´t change a thing (that is possible to change) about the garment. Does perfectionism in a tailor leads to perfect garments? I think a partner like that could help indeed, but the answer would have to be: not necessarily.

If the garment comes out right and pleases your eye, top it off with a truly beautiful fedora.

I hope that garment is not a morning coat!!!!

[davidhuh]

Dear Dempsey444,

you may find "perfectionism" at Hermès or Ralph Lauren. It is a rather boring concept to me.

Taking it to singing: Kathleen Ferrier was not perfect, nor was Maria Callas. But even as a recording, they touch my soul and my heart. Such does a well worn beautiful hand made suit.

Cheers, David

[old henry]

"a well worn beautiful handmade suit"
I like that, David. Very much.
It is very satisfying for me to read your words.
Thank You for understanding Nature, Beauty, Charm.
FS

[hectorm]

you may find "perfectionism" at Hermès or Ralph Lauren. It is a rather boring concept to me.

David, may I inquire what you mean by "perfectionism at Hermés or RL"?. I find that both houses try too much without much substance or consequence. Is that it?

[DFR]

There is no such thing as perfection in anything. Only a computer if programmed adequately is capable of doing everything to a specified standard every time. When humans intervene then something will drift.

Tailors/cutters are no exception to this rule but what do you class as perfection in tailoring? I look for a generally high standard of workmanship and meeting my specific styling and detail requirements but I accept that on any suit there will be something which might be said to be less than 'perfect'.

[old henry]

I must make a correction.
Joe Vericot in Florida is a True Old Bench Tailor.
The real deal.

[davidhuh]

you may find "perfectionism" at Hermès or Ralph Lauren. It is a rather boring concept to me.

David, may I inquire what you mean by "perfectionism at Hermés or RL"?. I find that both houses try too much without much substance or consequence. Is that it?

Dear Hectorm,

here is what I wanted to say: the kind of "perfection" Dempsy444 is asking for requires standardisation of raw materials, manufacturing processes and techniques used. By going bespoke, I take a conscious decision for lowest level standardisation. I choose a lovely cloth, discuss the unique architecture with my tailor, and I let him do his best possible job. The result will be something unique, difficult to repeat exactly the same way - this is why I took singers as examples.
I have so far been positively surprised. Mistakes may happen; accepting and managing these is part of the game.

Does this make sense?

Cheers, david

[hectorm]

... the kind of "perfection" Dempsy444 is asking for requires standardisation of raw materials, manufacturing processes and techniques used. By going bespoke, I take a conscious decision for lowest level standardisation.....
Does this make sense?

Dempsy444's distinction between "perfection" and "perfectionism" was an interesting concept that I found stimulating to discuss. Perfection being a result impossible (and may be even undesirable) to achieve in tailoring, and perfectionism being an attribute of ones's tailor. That was why I inquired about the perfectionism that you saw (but didn't stir your soul) in Hermés or RL. Now if I understand correctly, I see that you didn't mean perfectionism but perfection, derived from standardization of processes at commercial/industrial level.
It makes perfect sense to me that by going bespoke you don't look for that kind of perfection.

[davidhuh]

Dear Hectorm,

Now I see - I am not a native english speaker, and I'm afraid I didn't get that in the beginning.

However, I am not interested in perfectionism either. I expect my tailor to give his best, and I contribute by being a nice client (I hope), returning to him and investing in a long term collaboration, paying on time and come with cloth he likes to work with.

I find perfectionist people boring , as there is little to laugh around them . And I will never go to a craftsman of any kind expecting such a thing, because we are human, never perfect even if we try very hard - and because sometimes, beauty is in imperfection. The sure way not to enjoy Callas and Ferrier is to listen to a recording, read the score and count all their mistakes. It is a destructive attitude, entirely missing the beauty of their interpretation.

But perhaps I should stop here.

cheers, david