Pedersen and Becker

[rodes]

My tailor sent me some suiting samples from a UK firm called "Pedersen and Becker". They are heavy worsteds, 15 to
19 ounces, and look fine to me. The herringbones seem especially promising. Does anyone have any experience with this cloth?

[hectorm]

Good afternoon Rodes.
I´m very familiar with this one.
Pedersen and Becker is actually a cloth line offered by Harrisons of Edimburgh. In this case under the name of P&B Universal. Pretty heavy stuff.
Until recently I owned a jacket made in a black and grey medium herringbone that served me very well. I loved it. Very warm (maybe too warm for wearing indoors) but with a soft hand and great drape. A more elegant substitute instead of a rougher tweed. Received lots of compliments. I would definitely recommend it.

[snapper]

Rodes,

Purely by coincident I was going to pose a similar question today as I have just spoken to a new tailor I'm using about making some heavy weight trousers. He showed me the P and B book and I chose their 74171 Black at 18/19oz, which the tailor said was a good choice. Based upon the answers you have received I'm now quite confident to commission P & B cloth. Good luck with your choice too.

Regards,
Snapper

[Concordia]

A tailor once told me that if I ever chose this book for a suit, his jacket maker would kiss me.

[Mark Seitelman]

I had a grey herringbone suit in this cloth.

The cloth is hardy. Not luxurious. Not sexy. Good for a gray, cold day.

[T.K.]

I have a suit out of a mid grey pick and pick from this bunch. Heavy, tight, superdry cloth with a lovely, rather soft finish. No sheen and very little stretch. I regret the suit doesn't fit me well any longer because it's the toughest and 'realest' city suit I have. I recommend it also.

[YoungLawyer]

Had evening tails made in 18.5oz barrathea four years ago. The colour is superb (properly black, which is surprisingly difficult to find) and it hasn't worn at all despite frequent use, but it does wear very warm indeed.

[snapper]

I have those black trousers in commission at the moment with a new tailor. Will let you know how they are when finished and after a few wearings.

Regards,
Snapper

[rodes]

Gentleman, Based on your welcome advice I have decided on the P and B Universal number 74120, a black and white herringbone of 15/16 ounces. It has a pattern of about 1/2 inch repeat and looks medium to light grey at 20 feet. This will be my 5th winter suit. The others are all 14 ounce flannel, DB Minnis RAF blue, DB Fox navy chalk stripe, DB Fox medium grey, and SB Fox grey POW check. Moreover, it will likely be the last suit that I commission. My suit wearing days should go for another 12 years and with perhaps 300 to 400 wearings that should about end my professional days. The only remaining question is single or double breasted? SB would probably be better given my existing winter suits. Still, I'm leaning toward DB because I favor this style and after all, it may be my last. Would appreciate your perspective.

[Concordia]

Buy what you won't mind wearing for 12 years.

[Mark Seitelman]

* * * Moreover, it will likely be the last suit that I commission. My suit wearing days should go for another 12 years and with perhaps 300 to 400 wearings that should about end my professional days. * * *

Gee, that sounds so final.

Go with what you like.

Perhaps you'll deviate from your plan? Perhaps there may be more suits in either the near or long term?

[davidhuh]

Moreover, it will likely be the last suit that I commission.

Dear Rodes,

does one need to work for wearing a suit? - I like the story Flusser is telling in one of his books, about Basil Zaharoff ordering calling Lobb from his deathbed to order a pair of new shoes on a new last.

My advice would be a DB, and don't let it be your last one

Cheers, David

[hectorm]

Moreover, it will likely be the last suit that I commission. My suit wearing days should go for another 12 years and with perhaps 300 to 400 wearings that should about end my professional days.

I hear you loud and clear, rodes. I´m under the same dilemma and my projected active professional life horizon is even much shorter.
As David says, you don´t have to work for wearing a suit, but honestly I don´t see myself wearing my blue pinstripes and alike on a daily basis on my way to the golf course or strolling museums.
Even with a sizeable wardrobe, I can´t help commissioning new suits now and then, but in the last few years I have moved from ordering conservative board-room wear towards more "exotic" and casual items that I always wanted (like a DB brown chalk stripe or a dupioni) . I have found new delights in these endeavors and I´m sure you will too.
Regarding the P&B B/W herringbone, that´s exactly what I had for my jacket. As I told you above: lovely but it wears warm and heavy. If you are set on a suit, I would recommend a SB 3 piece. It would be more versatile and when wearing the vest you´ll be in armor.

[snapper]

Rodes, I had the black tousers made up and so far have been very pleased with them, so I would recommend that choice of cloth to you. I only work part time and am the only one in the company who wears suits, the rest opt for raggety-arsed jeans etc that they like to call 'smart casual'. But I get a great deal of pleasure in wearing my suits outside of a work environment and suggest you will too. So I wouldn't stop wearing suits if I were you just because you stop working. Good luck with your choices.

Regards,
Snapper

[rodes]

Sorry hectorm. Your advice given last November on the 3 piece SB was sound and I had every intention of taking it. However, just before placing the order, I chanced to pass an attractive woman while wearing a grey, flannel DB and she remarked, "You look so handsome". I must confess that I was weak. Had you seen her, you would forgive me. If I happen to see her again, I want to be wearing a DB, and will be.