The London Lounge

Greetings to everyone and thank you for all of the excellent information already posted. It is great to find a forum such as this.

I am completely new to the bespoke process but travelling is not a problem for me. If I were to plan a trip to Savile Row (or NYC or any other location to visit a tailor) what would be the necessary lengthof time to plan a trip accordingly? I know I would need the initial visit but what is the expected time line for the second and third fitting? Is a return visit necessary after a usual length of time such as three weeks? Or even shorter/longer. I can travel but just need to plan it in advance. How much time would be necessary for the initial visit/fitting and then what length of time for the follow ups.

Thank you.

- Brian

Varies by shop, but for a suit, figure a return trip in 2 weeks for the basted fitting, followed by a forward fitting 2 or 3 weeks later. Final fitting could be on-site, or if they travel to your city from London maybe they ship it and check it out when they come to town. Alterations could be made in the hotel if minor.

The soft tailoring shops don't always do the third fitting. So maybe a forward fitting straight off, followed by a final for touch-up.

Everyone's timetable varies, however, so call ahead to your chosen shop to see what's possible. Some places can squeeze you in in 7-10 days-- others will take months.

Shoes are slower. Figure 3 months to have your last and an unfinished pair made for try-on, and then another 2-3 months to finish up. For the second order, just 3 months to get a finished pair (no try-on).

Two to three weeks for a first fitting with a follow-up forward in two or three weeks time can be achived, but only under special circumsatnces. If the tailor you use has a large staff, then it's no problem. If the tailor you use has hardly any work, then again, no problem. If this timetable is non, negotiable, then most tailors will be sure to accomodate rather than lose your business. But under normal circumstances you should expect to wait 3 to 6 weeks for your fist fitting.

When I have a client from out of town I always ask if they can see me first thing in the morning and, if they are only in town for a short amount of time, I arrange for them to come back at the end of the same day for a second fitting to save waiting another few weeks.

Leonard