The London Lounge

When I was in London this past July, I dropped in to speak with Stephen Lachter about commissioning a bespoke dressing gown. This was my first visit with Mr. Lachter and I must say he is very charming and talented. The dressing gown is a heavy grey brushed cotton that really feels like cashmere. I will be taking delivery next month.

While in the shop, I met Terry Haste and heard about his time at Huntsman. Although I am very happy with Poole for my suits, I must confess to really liking the Huntsman rendition of a blue blazer with its single button closure. I'm thinking of a navy mid weight surge - suggestions? Also how many buttons on the sleeve with a single button on the front? I believe Huntsman's default is three but I'm thinking two. Also, what are your thoughts on gauntlet sleeves? Does this fussy-up the elegant simplicity of the single button front?

Lastly, as to Mr. Haste himself, does anyone have recent experience?

Thank you in advance for your advice, insight and commentary.

Cheers, st.tully

st.tully wrote:I'm thinking two.

me 2

st.tully wrote:gauntlet sleeves?

why bother: yourself, the tailor, the coat...

Costi -

Your succinct comments confirm my thoughts. Keep it real simple! Instead of a surge, I'm thinking Fox worsted flannel. Yes, I have read all of the conflicting opinions as to the appropriateness of "blue blazers" and yes, they were part of my boarding school uniform too; but a really well cut bb looks good to my eye.

I posted a few months ago about gray trousers - I'm going for worsted flannel and calvary twill.

I suppose pictures will be in order soon. The LL has been such a super source of info. I am very grateful.

Cheers, st.tully

st.tully wrote:a really well cut bb looks good to my eye.

absolutely - well cut & well worn!

st.tully wrote:I'm going for worsted flannel and calvary twill.

perfect. Mind the cut... (not too narrow, not too long, not too straight, not too low...)

st.tully wrote:The LL has been such a super source of info. I am very grateful.

Me 2

I dropped in on Haste a few months back but found him out, traveling to the US or some other such place drumming up business.

While there, I tried on a number of coats by both Haste and Kent. They were both nice, conservative, generally non descript styles. As Lachter explained to me, 'we make a classic West End coat'. That's what I saw and I liked the style.

One LL member had a coat made there recently, posted pictures on LL and it was a beautiful style for him, so I certainly think that you will do well going there though I don't have any personal experience with the tailors. The shirtmaker, Mr. Lachter, has gotten decidedly mixed reviews but a review is only someone else's experience. You can make your own judgements.

As to the number of buttons on a sportscoat's cuff, you only need one. It need not be 'working' either. Nor need the button be metal; too nautical for my taste. Try horn or mother of pearl. Much more chic.

st.tully, I'm a customer (both for tailored clothing and shirts) of KHL. You can see a pic and my opinion here.

However, my tailor is Mr Kent, not Mr Haste. The only occasion when I worked with Mr Haste is when he done a fitting for me during Mr Kent's illness. I found him to be very friendly and professional.

One of Terry Haste's favourite customers is Nick Foulkes. You can see clothes made by TH in illustations to NF's column, "Swellboy": http://www.howtospendit.com/#!/articles ... of-halston.

Andrey

I am very happy to report an enjoyable and successful visit with Terry Haste and his colleagues Mr. Kent and Mr. Lachter. These three fellows are extremely pleasant and a veritable running comedy routine. Mr. Kent greats you exclaiming "you couldn't possible want us to make anything - we never make anything that fits". Then Mr. Lachter chimes in and says "no, you are wrong - Terry did make a nice suit back in 1974." And so it goes for an hour. A happy tailoring lot.

I selected a Lesser 16oz navy serge. Solid stuff! Haste/Huntsmann cut with one button front and three on the cuff. I supplied them with a set of my Club buttons.

Very much looking forward to the baste fitting in January - which is the next time I'll be in London.

Excellent to know!

st.tully, great start!

I would be very interested to see the end result.

Andrey

Great starts are easy. Time will tell...
See if they do their work on time, respond to queries, speak plain English on pricing, follow instructions, and so on. Their jokes may ultimately be on you. I'm not moved by the faux joviality.

tteplitzmd wrote:Great starts are easy. Time will tell...
See if they do their work on time, respond to queries, speak plain English on pricing, follow instructions, and so on. Their jokes may ultimately be on you. I'm not moved by the faux joviality.

You're a hard man there, tteplitzmd. Why is that? Have you lost you sense of humour? Or grown cynical?

tteplitzmd wrote:Great starts are easy. Time will tell...
See if they do their work on time, respond to queries, speak plain English on pricing, follow instructions, and so on. Their jokes may ultimately be on you. I'm not moved by the faux joviality.

Regardless of the fawning smile of Frank Sinatra, I will not be commissioning a plaid shirtjacket Although I did discuss with Mr. Lachtner a safari type jacket - and yes thee were considerable jokes as to what game I would be hunting in said jacket!

Avoid the 2 year production time, ignored details, sloppy stitching, and nebulous pricing on the shirtjacket.
Good luck with the blazer.

It really was Frank's world, we just live in it.

tteplitzmd wrote:Avoid the 2 year production time, ignored details, sloppy stitching, and nebulous pricing on the shirtjacket.
Good luck with the blazer.

It really was Frank's world, we just live in it.

It sounds as if you have had a bad experience, sir!

Is there no way to make amends or salvage the matter?

Just cash in your remaining chips and move to another casino.