Bespoke survey

[erasmus]

I'd like to invite the LL members to take a quick 10 minute online survey on the bespoke experience. The survey covers dress practices, style preferences & perspectives, the buying process and, of course, tailors.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=j ... _2bA_3d_3d

I posted the survey on my blog about a week ago and have received 40 completed responses thus far but I'm hoping we can increase that number. My plan is to include the results in a forthcoming book as well as share them on the LL.

Many thanks to alden for allowing the link to be posted here.

[Guille]

Erasmus, i just wanted to tell you that your survey is really well made. Not only the questions, but the format they have: for example, when we have to tick a maximum of five factors, that makes one really think about it, and also choosing the strengths and weaknesses of our tailors.... All very well thought, I hope it turns out well and I'm hoping to hear about what the survey says.

[DD MacDonald]

Erasmus, one area where you may consider expansion is under the discussion of shoes. For every man or woman who commissions bespoke clothing, there may be only one who commissions shoes but I will bet that all of the others have highly defined tastes way beyond that of the typical "high street".

I've never had shoes made to a last made of my foot, but have had Green's make any number of shoes under their MTO program with "fittings" on the standard lasts to maximize the fit. Not bespoke by any tangible definition, but this type of intereaction and consideration of the product is a part of the ethos of bespoke.

Food for thought. Good luck with the survey.

DDM

[Cufflink79]

Hi Erasmus:

Just recently finished up your great survey.

I agree with Guille, your survey is very well made. It is amazing some of things we don't think about while at the tailors or the haberdashery.

Best of luck to you.

Best Regards,

Cufflink79

[angelo]

Erasmus,
I think that there was really a need for a survey like the one You have proposed.
I enjoyed filling it.
Thanks and good luck.

Angelo

[erasmus]

Gents, thank you all for the kind comments and the input. I think we're getting closer to statistically sound sample sizes and response rates. I did put some thought into the survey and I'm glad it resonated and came across as meaningful.

DDMacDonald, I agree the survey doesn't do much justice to shoe enthusiasts. Like watch collectors, shoe enthusiasts are a breed apart and I can see the interest in understanding them better. Perhaps cause enough for doing a separate survey for them.

Actually, another group to survey are the tailors themselves. In fact, I'm in the early stages of drafting a survey for them. Could be an intriguing complement to the customer survey. I wonder if the various tailor associations already do this (e.g. CTDA in the US or SR Bespoke and now the SR Alliance). Would be happy to flesh this out further.

[erasmus]

The results are updated on an ongoing basis but one interesting data point is the dominant age bracket. The most common is age 25-34 (about a third), which I found a little surprising. There is however probably a slight bias due to the online nature of the survey (skews toward younger demographic).

Question 14 also has given some interesting answers (Which tailors are you most interested in commissioning a garment from but haven't yet tried?). I haven't tabulated the responses yet but let's just say the soft round shoulder folks in Savile Row and Naples are doing very well!

[yachtie]

Question 14 also has given some interesting answers (Which tailors are you most interested in commissioning a garment from but haven't yet tried?). I haven't tabulated the responses yet but let's just say the soft round shoulder folks in Savile Row and Naples are doing very well!

That may be due to internet forum preferences as well.

[DFR]

I fear it is very superficial on its avowed subject and objects.

[erasmus]

DFR, if you have specific suggestions or ideas for improving the survey, I would be interested in hearing them. One caveat is the subject of the survey - namely bespoke clothing. Although it may be relatively "superficial" in the scheme of things, I'm afraid it is the primary focus of my writing/research at this time.

Yachtie, I agree - seems that a handful of tailors get the bulk of the airtime, which is not too surprising though.