Pathetic and desperate cry for help!

[exigent]

And to think that I promised no further drama....

After nearly thirty years of getting my clothes made, I fell for a pitch which has yielded a tragic result. Not long ago, I took delivery of my second heavy Scottish tweed suit, a three-piece single-breasted created by a tailor with whom I had enjoyed good fortune to that point. Sadly, though the shape of the coat is right, and the fabric top-drawer, the "natural" shoulder line is disatrous--think early Clinton: all peaks and valleys (trousers and vest are good). As we all know, the shoulder of a coat is simply critical; there can be no success without a well-executed shoulder line. I of course insisted that the problem be rectified, and two tries later, it persists. Basically, the man has run out of talent, which is both sad and frustrating. But I do not shoot at ambulances.

I am posting this dirge on the LL for three reasons: first, penance, of course; second, to provide a sense of commonality to all those among you who have suffered in the past; and third, in the hope that someone here will know if a competent tailor exists in Seattle, where I am now camped on a job for a local outfit. This particular town, while deuced attractive, is simply rotten with tragic dressers, and that doesn't bode well for tailoring talent of any kind...but I don't want to have to fly to New York or London to repair the damage, if a regional fix is available. Any Seattle recommendations will be most appreciated.

[T4phage]

Dear Exigent,

I am sure many, if not most of us have tales of woe regarding our various commissions, especially when we all started out. I for one had a rather unfortunate experience of a Neapolitan tailor in Roma who made me a 'Neapolitan' suit with a Roman shoulder. A very strange looking hybrid!

Thank you for your retraction... we were all rather puzzled and befuddled as to what you were implying.

Regards,
Jan

[manton]

The only tailor I know of in Seattle is a chap named Giancaro. I have no personal experience, but have seen him written up a few times. He's probably worth a look.

[exigent]

The only tailor I know of in Seattle is a chap named Giancaro. I have no personal experience, but have seen him written up a few times. He's probably worth a look.

Thank you for the suggestion, Manton. I was told a rather dreadful "celebrity tailor" charlatan story about the fellow in question...that trip to New York is looming larger each instant.

[exigent]

Dear Exigent,

I am sure many, if not most of us have tales of woe regarding our various commissions, especially when we all started out. I for one had a rather unfortunate experience of a Neapolitan tailor in Roma who made me a 'Neapolitan' suit with a Roman shoulder. A very strange looking hybrid!

Thank you for your retraction... we were all rather puzzled and befuddled as to what you were implying.

Regards,
Jan

Misery loves company, Jan--thank you for the hybrid story! Honestly, when the most significant component is blighted, a fellow has little recourse. Except to somehow get the problem Frankenfixed by a competent artisan.

[Phil]

I will add a tale of woe, with names removed. Awhile back, I had a tailor make me a couple of jackets, with which I was generally happy, and then commissioned three suits – with instructions for needed corrections apparently understood.

I submitted my deposit and shortly after the tailor became very ill. There was, of course, no business continuity plan in place. His cutter ran for work with another shop and there was no way of obtaining a refund. The shop was locked with the goods inside. After two months, I contacted the man’s son, and after four months of negotiation reached a settlement whereby I would be given the cloth (some of which had been cut) in lieu of the deposit money, so that I could have the suits finished elsewhere. The son had no cash to refund me and the father’s books were in total disarray.

The good news is the tailor I found to finish the suits is now a prime suspect for future projects, and made me a lovely pair of linen summer trousers.

The bad news is that last week I got a phone call from the old tailor, who has now been out of the picture for a year’s time, telling me he’s back at work. His son never communicated the agreement we’d reached to his father (apparently thinking he’d never fully recover his health) and the tailor himself appears to be under the impression that only a month or two has passed, and not a full year.

So now I have to spend a good part of this Saturday going over to his shop – nothing I told him over the phone about what transpired with his son registered in any way – and explaining what went on in his absence. And he seems under the impression I’m keen to give him new business.

I am living in fear of the weekend.

[exigent]

I will add a tale of woe, with names removed. Awhile back, I had a tailor make me a couple of jackets, with which I was generally happy, and then commissioned three suits – with instructions for needed corrections apparently understood.

I submitted my deposit and shortly after the tailor became very ill. There was, of course, no business continuity plan in place. His cutter ran for work with another shop and there was no way of obtaining a refund. The shop was locked with the goods inside. After two months, I contacted the man’s son, and after four months of negotiation reached a settlement whereby I would be given the cloth (some of which had been cut) in lieu of the deposit money, so that I could have the suits finished elsewhere. The son had no cash to refund me and the father’s books were in total disarray.

The good news is the tailor I found to finish the suits is now a prime suspect for future projects, and made me a lovely pair of linen summer trousers.

The bad news is that last week I got a phone call from the old tailor, who has now been out of the picture for a year’s time, telling me he’s back at work. His son never communicated the agreement we’d reached to his father (apparently thinking he’d never fully recover his health) and the tailor himself appears to be under the impression that only a month or two has passed, and not a full year.

So now I have to spend a good part of this Saturday going over to his shop – nothing I told him over the phone about what transpired with his son registered in any way – and explaining what went on in his absence. And he seems under the impression I’m keen to give him new business.

I am living in fear of the weekend.

Oh, dear. Your story of woe is simply awful, Phil--you poor fellow. I sympathize deeply. You know, the tailor who has let me down on this shoulder mess is a thin-skinned guy with a persecution complex, which is why three tries all ending in failure are the absolute limit: I don't want to cause him to suffer a nervous breakdown. Basically, my problem here is either too much fabric or not enough pad. You are facing something more daunting by far! Good luck in your effort to convince the old boy that you have moved on for good reason....

[Phil]

Thank you for the good wishes. I will stress I have extreme sympathy for the fellow. He was gravely ill and it's obviously been hard on his memory. He's a nice person too, so it's going to make it difficult to just walk away. But the way things worked out, I wound up getting the suits I'd ordered for winter finally finished by the first week in June.

[exigent]

Thank you for the good wishes. I will stress I have extreme sympathy for the fellow. He was gravely ill and it's obviously been hard on his memory. He's a nice person too, so it's going to make it difficult to just walk away. But the way things worked out, I wound up getting the suits I'd ordered for winter finally finished by the first week in June.

I know it's trite, but things usually work out the way they should--it was Manifest Destiny for you to follow this particular course, and I am glad that you have received the suits needed for a successful season. Too bad about this poor guy...however, you are clearly the sort of fellow who will handle him intelligently.

[Phil]

Thank you for the vote of confidence.

[exigent]

Thank you for the vote of confidence.

Please let us know what happened, Phil: it's instructive, since any one of us can run into traffic at any time...we both know that getting things made is often a high-wire act, which is why this helpful forum exists.

[BirdofSydney]

I am sympathetic to your plight, exigent. I noted in another thread the importance of assuring your tailor can make lapels roll the way you like, as this is pretty well irreparable after the fact. But, the shoulder is an area i didn't even think of. Incidentally, it is for both these reasons that the prospect of MTM terrifies me - allowing these two areas to be assembled by oral instruction, sight unseen, and finished.

Thank you for allowing us to learn from your misfortune. I wish you all the best in finding some sort of answer!

And, Phil, I wonder if visiting the gentleman in question wearing one of the garments he was meant to make for you will jog his memory. In the event that you don't want to withdraw your business entirely, perhaps you could have him make you trousers de temps en temps, which can be finished pretty quickly, and involve a comparatively small outlay, and hopefully should give you better chances that the same will not eventuate!

Kind regards,

Eden

[Leonard Logsdail]

Gian DeCaro, I must first state, is a good friend of mine. That said, although you may have heard a bad story about him, this does not make him a bad tailor. It simply means that someone did not get on with him well. In our trade this happens often, no matter how hard we try.

Why not take your jacket to him and ask him to take a look? No harm done in that. Ask him to be honest about his ability to alter it for you. I think you will find he will be up-front with you. It's worth a try if you don't fancy a trip to NY!!\

Leonard

[mathew]

I second Len's opinion. Gian DeCaro was quite pleasant when I visited.
Who knows if he takes outside alterations, but it might be good to mention that Len recommended you try.

[exigent]

I am sympathetic to your plight, exigent. I noted in another thread the importance of assuring your tailor can make lapels roll the way you like, as this is pretty well irreparable after the fact. But, the shoulder is an area i didn't even think of. Incidentally, it is for both these reasons that the prospect of MTM terrifies me - allowing these two areas to be assembled by oral instruction, sight unseen, and finished.

Thank you for allowing us to learn from your misfortune. I wish you all the best in finding some sort of answer!

And, Phil, I wonder if visiting the gentleman in question wearing one of the garments he was meant to make for you will jog his memory. In the event that you don't want to withdraw your business entirely, perhaps you could have him make you trousers de temps en temps, which can be finished pretty quickly, and involve a comparatively small outlay, and hopefully should give you better chances that the same will not eventuate!

Kind regards,

Eden

Thanks for the kind words, Eden--your place in heaven is secure.