Looking forward to winter

"The brute covers himself, the rich man and the fop adorn themselves, the elegant man dresses!"

-Honore de Balzac

Pins&Needles
Posts: 40
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Tue Jul 30, 2013 9:11 pm

Hi guys,

Here is the Everest cashmere overcoat I've been working on. Its now finished and ready for the cooler months. It has been an absolute joy to work on. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Karl Matthews

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davidhuh
Posts: 2030
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Tue Jul 30, 2013 9:47 pm

Dear Mr Matthews,

congratulations - this is a coat both bespeaker and cutter can be proud of. You did especially well with the lapels!
Pins&Needles
Posts: 40
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Tue Jul 30, 2013 9:53 pm

Thank you. It was a real challenge but I had a fantastic time working on it.
alden
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Wed Jul 31, 2013 6:49 am

Great Scot!There is a massive amount of tailoring skill and taste on display in this beautiful garment. I have rarely seen a town coat as well conceived and made.

The Everest found a worthy maker and a very happy owner. Seeing things like this makes the CC a real pleasure for me.

Thanks Karl

Cheers
Minh
Posts: 71
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Wed Jul 31, 2013 7:16 am

That's a gorgeous overcoat Karl. The waist suppression is beautifully done, and the design is stunning. What's also extraordinary is that the fabric has the look and drape of a traditional, heavy weight wool from the 30s, but done in soft cashmere -- a tribute to the Everest!
C.Lee
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Wed Jul 31, 2013 4:39 pm

Dear Karl,

Thank you for sharing. Seeing your work reminded me of what a great day it is.

Kind Regards,


Charles

P.S. I will take it as a benchmark that one has arrived when the collective brain trust of the London Lounge is left discussing button choice :D
rodes
Posts: 426
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Wed Jul 31, 2013 5:14 pm

Great work. Beautiful waist and nicely fitted arm holes. We have often discussed the benefits of high arm holes for a suit coat. How high should they be for an overcoat, relative to one's suit coat?
Badden
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Wed Jul 31, 2013 6:00 pm

Looks lovely. And the buttons are fine by me.
Miles Messervy
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Wed Jul 31, 2013 8:11 pm

I think it's absolutely outstanding! Compliments to the skilled artisan who made it, and many envious kudos to its elegant commissioner!
Pins&Needles
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Wed Jul 31, 2013 8:14 pm

Hi guys

Thanks for the positive comments.

A note on the button choice.

I wanted a button that would echo the softness of the cashmere as I felt a shiny button would be a little too overpowering. One thing I do know about horn buttons (which heavily influenced my decision) is that they get better over time. If you hold a matt horn button between your thumb and forefinger and give it a little rub, the natural oils in your fingers give a dull button a slight sheen. This sheen brings the button to life in just the right way so what you get is a combination of the two, not too dull and not too shiny...the perfect balance. Over time with handling, these natural oils will make contact with the overcoat's buttons and it will enhance them.

Every little detail is a well thought out process.

Yet another reason to back up why bespoke garments get better over time.

Thanks

Karl Matthews
Last edited by Pins&Needles on Wed Jul 31, 2013 9:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
chelsea
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Wed Jul 31, 2013 8:57 pm

My only comment is that is one hell of a classy overcoat, which I am sure will bring many years of pleasure. Many congratulations.
In my opinion, the buttons are completely appropriate.

Chelsea
jscherrer
Posts: 275
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Wed Jul 31, 2013 9:00 pm

The best part of this post was getting a sense of the joy you received from making this marvelous coat. A tailor who loves what he does is usually a pretty darn good one. Thanks for keeping the art alive and well...and thanks for sharing pictures of your work. All the Best, Joe
robert_n
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Thu Aug 01, 2013 7:00 am

Lovely work, buttons, too. Fantastic shade of blue.
alden
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Thu Aug 01, 2013 8:56 pm

Every little detail is a well thought out process.
Karl,

This superb coat displays that thought perfectly.

Once again we see how great craft and great cloth can produce stunning results. I am sure this coat could have been well made with other fabrics, but it would be a very different result. The Everest just shines. It is a coat whose equal you are not going to see very often, if ever...

I just wish there were more Everest cloth around to be made. We may have to do one in another color someday. In the meantime, we have an Etna 2 cashmere that at 21-22 ozs will still make a pretty dazzling garment.

Hope to see you in NY in October...

Cheers

Michael
jwilliams
Posts: 15
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Fri Aug 02, 2013 11:04 am

That is an amazing coat. There has to be a very happy LL member somewhere! Would love to see him wearing the coat.
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