John Kent

[bond_and_beyond]

Does any member have recent experience with using John Kent (or Terry Haste) of Kent, Haste and Lachter?

I understand that Mr Kent cuts a softer suit than Mr Haste, while still in a structured tradition.

BB

[old henry]

In the good old days on The LL this is the kind of fun stuff we talked about. Vincent Nicholosi barcheta breast pocket. Raphael's soft chest. Rope shoulder. Cupped hem. Stuff like that. But we now must be concerned with what was taken for granted back then.

[DavidS]

...

[old henry]

Now I remember. John Kent is the guy in the oral history video that I liked. No bullshit buzzers when off when he opened his mouth. All of the guys in that video were no bullshit. They are NOT used Bentley salesmen.

You jokers should spend the money and go to them. Quit looking for bargains. You look like your wearing a bargain... That the tailor got the better end of. You want three shitty suits or one beautiful suit ?

And DavidS sounds like like he knows what he's talking about.

[old henry]

And I have it on good authority that they pad chest and lapel by hand.

[andreyb]

John Kent is my cutter -- he made several odd coats and pairs of trousers for me. The last experience I had with him was roughly three years ago, though (for personal reasons, nothing to do with his work; hopefully, I will place another order soon).

Unfortunately, I have only three "posing style" photos of clothes he made for me (all of them are quite old and posted before somewhere...):







and a few photos of details (to give you an idea on their needlework -- perhaps old_henry will chime in with some brutal truth... ):



This is "tunneled waistband" -- after I heard that DoE *always* gets it for his trousers, I decided to do the same! -- sounds silly nowdays... Though the waistband is unusual and looks quite nice indeed.





I would certainly recommend KHL; be warned, though, that their level of service and delivery times leave much to be desired.

Andrey

[old henry]

Charming beautiful comfortable soft easy workmanship.
Great trousers. Easy as hell trousers. Great jacket too. I want to do that work.
How's that for brutal truth my friend ? Tell these guys I admire them very much.

[old henry]

This guy has got the eye. He does simple work. The hardest thing to do is simple work. Unforced and elegant. And his customer looks the same in his work.

[andreyb]

How's that for brutal truth my friend ? Tell these guys I admire them very much.

Thank you for the kind words. Will do.

Andrey

[couch]

I know you asked for recent experience, but I'm compelled to add that (as I've said here before) JK cut my very first bespoke garment, a worsted flannel 3B single-breasted navy blazer, in 1984, when he was head cutter for the old Hawes & Curtis. He made then (may still for all I know) for Prince Philip. My experience with him was entirely delightful.

We corresponded by mail; I was going to be in England only at the beginning and end of a three-week conference/vacation trip in France and England. I selected the cloth from swatches he mailed me in advance, and the firm arranged for three fittings and delivery by the end of the third week (something highly unlikely to happen these days). The resulting fit was perfect. For that firm (and era, and given my then very lean state) he specified a coat with a bit more structure than Andrey's photos appear to have, piped sleeves, and a semi-pagoda shoulder (a bit like the infamous "Harvard blazer" that Eddie Murphy wore in Trading Places). The sleevehead setting, buttonhole finishing, balance, were all at a very high standard. I wore that blazer for twenty years, and could still do so had I not outgrown the shoulders.

I would probably still be a customer, but when I started my bespoke wardrobe in earnest, he was not working due to health reasons, so I was introduced at Poole, where Phillip Parker did an admirable job. But I agree with Frank that JK has probably forgotten more about making more kinds of coats for more kinds of men than most other cutters have ever learned. I would hope he's still capable of great work.

[bond_and_beyond]

Many thanks all for your responses, and in particular Andrey for your photos.

This looks very interesting indeed and a good alternative on the Row.

BB

[old henry]

The coat above has so much charm. Charm is the hardest quality to come by these days. The above coat is so un-slick.

[bond_and_beyond]

This is "tunneled waistband" -- after I heard that DoE *always* gets it for his trousers, I decided to do the same! -- sounds silly nowdays... Though the waistband is unusual and looks quite nice indeed.



Andrey

Watching The Crown season 2 they have actually incorporated this into Prince Philip’s (portrayed by Matt Smith) trousers on the show. That’s a remarkable attention to detail on their part (costumes made by Timothy Everest).

I suppose the intention of the «tunnels» is to be able to choose whether or not to wear a belt with the trousers without risking the unsightliness of empty belt loops?

BB

[rjman]

Andrey:

Marvelous, my friend.

RJ

[andreyb]

I suppose the intention of the «tunnels» is to be able to choose whether or not to wear a belt with the trousers without risking the unsightliness of empty belt loops?

No idea, really...

I never asked -- chose this novelty for the novelty's sake. (Yeah, did this after all the years on the Lounge... I can simply *hear* how Michael Alden sighs in disapprove... )

Thank you all for the kind comments. I never intended this to be a vanity fair for me -- just wanted to illustrate both mine and others' (DavidS, couch) reviews with some pictures. But hey, keep these praises coming!

Andrey