The London Lounge

I use two different tailoring houses on a regular basis for my trousers. I enjoy the first for pleated trousers and the second for flat front and more casual styles. I have tried casual styles with the first but after 2 attempts it's clear that it's simply not their forte.

My dilemma is that the first tailor has some remnant clothe from a defunct supplier that is now unavailable anywhere else. This clothe is something I really want for a casual pair of trousers. Is there a polite way to buy the clothe outright from the first tailor to be used by the second tailor? I don't want to ruin a relationship but also want to avoid being dishonest.

Thank you for your advice.

Dear TCW,

you tell the first tailor that you would like to buy this cloth for later use, voilà. I see nothing unpolite with this.

cheers, david

Or tell him you are buying it for a friend to have it made by his tailor.
As for honesty - we are our own best friends...

It is probably a tiny fib whichever way you go: Just be sure never to wear the resultant trousers when visiting the other...

DFR wrote:Just be sure never to wear the resultant trousers when visiting the other...

I think that it is bad form to buy the cloth. It is insulting to the tailor.

Form is form, but what about substance? TCW is unhappy with the casual trousers, but likes the cloth.

If the tailor sells cloth, buy the cloth. If you're negotiating a raid on inventory meant for his use, that could be awkward.

TCW, Trousers, though important, are temporary. They will be gone when you are gone. Truth is lasting. Your soul will still have it long after your body and your trousers are dust. Try to secure the cloth without revealing your intentions. If you must disclose them and cannot bring yourself to do so (temperance is a virtue as well) then wear the casual trousers that you like to the fitting and communicate your requirements via the casual example. The tailor will likely surprise you. You will never regret it even if you do not like the new trousers. I cite the wise counsel of Laertes in Hamlet. He gave good advice on clothes for sure; but this above all "...to thine own self be true...".

So... "honesty is always the best policy"?...

I'd be honest about it. If I remember correctly the Duke of Windsor had his trousers made separately from a tailor other than Scholte, so having multiple tailors wouldn't seem to be a big deal.

Don´t your tailors read the LL?
By now they must know who TCW is, and what he is after.

"Don´t your tailors read the LL?
By now they must know who TCW is, and what he is after."

Yikes! I never thought of that.

As it turns out my tailor does sell cloth and doesn't really ask too many questions about the intended purpose. He mentioned that he's always happy to simply sell cloth from any of his books when I broached the subject. The process was very painless.

I showed him the warm brown LL flannel that I'm hoping to get and have him make into a fabulous pair of pleated trousers.

Thank you all for your help and advice. Honesty as it turns out is the best policy and does leave me not having to duck around corners should I see him on the street.

You could also buy cloth from tailor A to be made up by tailor B, while at the same time buy cloth from tailor B to be made up by tailor A. Have the tailors contact eachother about that. Everybody wins. Just a thought.

Tell your tailor you like to horde cloth for a rainy day.