Greetings from Finland

[signorlaine]

It's honestly cold up here (now -14C and no signs of global warming) but thanks to Mr. Alden and the London Lounge I have no problems keeping warm; let me introduce you my first ever bespoke garment — a 3/4 coat made from the fabulous 1000gms whipcord in a small Finnish atelier:







I wanted a comfortable and "easy-to-live-with" coat and thus wanted it made up all-natural. There's no padding or wadding, actually there's nothing but cloth, lining and a few buttons. Needless to say it feels absolutely nice when on shoulders — even though the cloth is really heavy (or maybe because of that?). The cloth needs some time to soften up for especially the collar looks a bit bulky on the moment. How do you think the coat turned out?

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I've been reading the London Lounge for years and would like to thank you all for the precious writings I've learned so much from. All the best for you all,

signor Laine.

[Cufflink79]

Welcome to the London Lounge Signorlaine:

The overcoat looks great, I wish you many great years of use.

I do hope your shoes are doing ok standing in the snow?

Growing up in Minnesota, I always had a pair overshoes ready for rain or snow.

The winter backdrop has made me so homesick for Minnesota.

Hope you can share more photos, and welcome once again to the London Lounge.

Best Regards,

Cufflink79

[signorlaine]

Thank you for the warm welcome. You're right, I usually wear heavier footwear in the wintertime but for the "photoshoot" I put on those brogues just to show them some snow, they don't mind too much if taken care of properly.

I have never tried overshoes so thanks for a good idea. Do you know if they will fit shoes with a double leather sole also?

[marcelo]

It's honestly warm down here, Signorlaine!
Welcome to the LL. That's really a very nice coat.
M.

[Costi]

Signor Laine,

Congratulations on such a successful first project! Your tailor did a great job, I like the design you chose and the cloth tailored very nicely. It will look even more beautiful after a few winters of wear.
I prefer the feeling of a heavy, substantial overcoat on my shoulders, rather than a featherlight cashmere. And in extreme cold (though -14 is not really extreme in January in northern Finland) traditional fabrics are better, in my experience, than modern "ski suit" synthetics. I spent the winter holidays in northern Finland three years ago and I had a few special items made before: really thick woolen cloth plus fours and breeches, double sole impermeable leather boots (tall and oversized, for wear with thick, knitted woolen socks) and a sheepskin jacket-length overcoat to be worn over turtleneck pullovers. With a good fur cap, gloves and layered clothing, I can tell you I never felt the cold even below -20 and never got my clothes or feet soaked in perspiration, unlike my friends who wore "ski suit" type synthetic equipment, including the boots.

[signorlaine]

Thank you Costi.

I have had same kind of experiences with synthetic ski-wear and must say that nothing beats wool when in need for warmth and breathability. I'm interested in the shoes you wore in Lapland - would you mind sharing more information on the design and probably a few pictures? Is the design similar to veldtschoen? Did you find the double leather sole slippery on snow/ice?

Regards,

[Costi]

Signor Laine,

Here is the thread discussing this project from idea to results: http://www.thelondonlounge.net/forum/vi ... ouble+sole
On the second page you have a picture of the boots, too.
The construction is similar to Veldtschoen (in that the shoe is impermeable), but it's a Goiser stitch.
The anti-slipping solution was rubber topies glued to the soles and heel (they worked very well).

[alden]

Bravo! It looks great. And its very hard to imagine a better "first" bespoke project.

Cheers

Michael

[storeynicholas]

This is a very nice coat, even if looking at the scene from the heat here (34'C), makes me shiver!

[S. Gillette]

signorlaine,

congratulations, your first bespoke project looks like a real success! I can only attest to what has been said about traditional fabrics against the cold. While modern high-tech fabrics may be able to keep us equally warm, they lack the breathability of the "old stuff", resulting in a worse feeling overall.

I'm looking forward to seeing further garments out of your tailor's atelier!

[alden]

It was great fun aiding with some technical assistance on the making of this 3/4 coat. But now that it is done and looks so great, I have to have one too. Oh how infectious this Lounge can be...

Signorlaine, compliments to the tailor(ess)?

Cheers

Michael

[old henry]

Yes Sir , I think your coat is great . I wish I made it . The sleeve caps are perfect . So is the collar . You Done Good ...Very Good..

Frank Shattuck