The London Lounge

I am stuck in what appears to be a bespoke wasteland -- San Francisco. So far, I have not been excited by my forays into bespoke via visiting tailors. So I have decided to explore my options in Los Angeles, where I have family, and where I get down to fairly frequently.

I have seen a couple of mentions of shirtmaker Freddy Vandecasteele (and nice pictures by coolal and av329). Would someone post a full-fledged review of his work whenever that person has a chance so that I (and the other members) could see it?

Thank you!

If you trouble to Google the man you will find many entries which may well help you. There does not however appear to be a specific website.

As to my experience with 27 Freddy Vandecasteele bespoke shirts over the past 3 years:

Fit of the body & sleeves were perfected after a couple of fittings and 4 launderings of the test/sample shirt.

Noticeably better fit than any of my MTM shirts from 3 different Indian owned made in Honk Kong businesses.

Its the collars and cuffs which I still have him tweak with each subsequent order...just my personal taste. My preference is for a looser shirt collar (since I've had way many RTW & MTM shirts shrink uncomfortably).

Just don't ask him for his opinion on any shirt related issue...with the exception of which collar type would be right for your face/body.

As to durability, after countless washings/launderings, his construction keeps up better than my MTM shirts...my oldest Freddy shirts show no signs of wear...not even loose buttons. Except for 1, I have retired or donated all of my MTM shirts

Will never consider MTM again given the value and more comfortable fit from a bespoke Freddy shirt.