Pricing differential Savile Row

[stephenm]

As the last post says - to enjoy a variety of styles, as I have gone through the last 17 years of my life. A Boateng suit which looked good on me in my mid thirties in 1995 maybe isn't always the ticket now (although it has its time and place).

Plus I wanted to step up to some of the houses where you can meet the cutter and see the suit being cut and made. I have no complaint about any of my Boateng or Richard James suits, but I am not sure that it's a truly bespoke tailoring experience. They are still great suits, but I think the whole bespoke journey is an adventure in itself, in all respects.

[Costi]

I have had suits made by four different tailors on Savile Row in recent years. I'm interested to know what the view is on price differential between the various houses, and is it just related to overheads? For example, you could get a very good two piece from Norton & Sons for a price, then walk down the road to a Huntsman and pay £1,000 more like for like. I use the example specifically as the former head cutter from Norton is senior cutter at Huntsman. So what does one get for the £1,000? Would be interested in views.

Perhaps there is a false issue underlying the question: what is the purpose of putting price tags next to each other and trying to find “reasons” for the variation? A Huntsman, Norton or AS suit costs what it costs. They are different animals. I like the suit or I don’t. Bespoke is a quest for ultimate satisfaction, not for thrift. I may find full satisfaction with one tailor(ing house) or another, but choosing on the basis of price is at best an entry level short phase and the lesson is quickly learned. I may not afford a certain tailor that I like, but this does not mean I shall consequently “settle” for a “cheaper” one. Instead, I shall find one that I like just as much (perhaps in a different way) and pay a price I can afford.
The question “what do I get extra for £1000?” seems to be based on the assumption that “I pay more, I get more” (with the corollary “I pay less, I get less”). I believe that does not apply to bespoke (and many other things in life). It creates false expectations and a wrong course of action (“let’s upgrade!”) that often leads to disappointment (“I paid more and didn’t seem to get more”). Different things simply have different prices, because they are DIFFERENT things (not better, worse, nicer or uglier).
As for why each tailor charges what he charges – who cares really? If affordability is not an issue, you are free to choose. If it is an issue, you will probably exclude some options. It seems more reasonable to count the money in our own pockets rather than in others’…

[Concordia]

I have had suits made by four different tailors on Savile Row in recent years. I'm interested to know what the view is on price differential between the various houses, and is it just related to overheads? For example, you could get a very good two piece from Norton & Sons for a price, then walk down the road to a Huntsman and pay £1,000 more like for like. I use the example specifically as the former head cutter from Norton is senior cutter at Huntsman. So what does one get for the £1,000? Would be interested in views.

Perhaps there is a false issue underlying the question: what is the purpose of putting price tags next to each other and trying to find “reasons” for the variation? A Huntsman, Norton or AS suit costs what it costs. They are different animals. I like the suit or I don’t. Bespoke is a quest for ultimate satisfaction, not for thrift. I may find full satisfaction with one tailor(ing house) or another, but choosing on the basis of price is at best an entry level short phase and the lesson is quickly learned. I may not afford a certain tailor that I like, but this does not mean I shall consequently “settle” for a “cheaper” one. Instead, I shall find one that I like just as much (perhaps in a different way) and pay a price I can afford.
The question “what do I get extra for £1000?” seems to be based on the assumption that “I pay more, I get more” (with the corollary “I pay less, I get less”). I believe that does not apply to bespoke (and many other things in life). It creates false expectations and a wrong course of action (“let’s upgrade!”) that often leads to disappointment (“I paid more and didn’t seem to get more”). Different things simply have different prices, because they are DIFFERENT things (not better, worse, nicer or uglier).
As for why each tailor charges what he charges – who cares really? If affordability is not an issue, you are free to choose. If it is an issue, you will probably exclude some options. It seems more reasonable to count the money in our own pockets rather than in others’…

You're not nearly neurotic enough.

[Costi]

Nicely put

(but I'm working on it! )

[stephenm]

I went for a two piece from Huntsman, cut by David Ward, first fitting due this week.

I'm also in the market for another suit, so I can meet all my needs for this year. I'm meeting Steven Hitchcock this week, also John Kent (given I'm seeing Stephen Lachter anyway) so it will be interesting to compare.