Latest news from the Sartorial Executive

If the shirt fits....

2010-08-24T12:26:00.000-07:00

It is a favourite pastime among people frequenting style and fashion forums on the internet to ask for a critique of the fit of a shirt. The replies to such question are always of great interest as it shows that one man's definition of 'correct' fit may be somewhat different to another's.

There are two measurements that most people do seem to agree with and that is the collar sizing and the shoulder - and probably for good reason. The collar is one of the most important features of a shirt - whether a bespoke shirt or a ready-to-wear shirt the collar has to be right which means a fit where the thumb can fit comfortably between the neck and the collar. This will ensure that there is no gape at the neck and also the collar will be comfortable. Most people wear shirts with collars too tight and is a large contributor to people believing that wearing a tie is uncomfortable.

The shoulders are also important as they provide a foundation for all the other parts of the shirt - it is from the shoulders that the shirt hangs. If this is correct then the shirt can always be altered in other areas to achieve the desired fit. Note that ready-to-wear shirts do not have any variation in shoulder widths - they either fit, or more likely, do not fit. The shoulder (or yoke) of the shirt should meet the top of the sleeve at the same point that the wearers arm joins the shoulder.

Get these two right and the next to check is sleeve length - if it is too short then the shirt is never going to fit you (unless you go for a costly re-sleeve). If it is too long a tailor should be able to shorten for you. The length of sleeve required is oft debated on the forums but most people opt for a sleeve that reaches just lower than where the wrist joins the hand. In any case this should be 1/4 inch or so longer than your suit sleeves.

The other main measurements are chest, waist, seat and back length. These are really a case of personal preference and dependant on the use of the shirt - i.e business, casual etc.

Typically for a 'fitted' shirt we will make bespoke shirts with a 3 to 4 inch allowance in the chest and waist and 2 to 3 for the seat but it really does depend on the wearers personal preference and their build. A too tight shirt is definitely worse than a too loose shirt, that is for sure.

The next most important

Online bespoke shirts - reduced in price

2010-08-12T14:18:00.000-07:00

We are very pleased to say that our online ordered bespoke shirts from the fantastic Canclini range of fabrics have been reduced to an unbeatable £120 (£110 for stock specials).

These shirts are made in the same way as out standard bespoke service, a pattern is individually produced for each client and cut for you to craft a perfect bespoke shirt.

Click here http://www.shirt-style.co.uk/bespoke_shirts_online.html for more details

Our bespoke shirt pattern fee

2010-08-12T14:11:00.000-07:00

Most makers of bespoke shirts will demand an initial order of between three and six shirts which will have to be paid upfront. The reason for this is that the first shirts are usually more expensive to make as they require the pattern to be drafted and cut and may require some rework. The guarantee of an order of several shirts ensures that all costs are covered.

We realise that not everybody wants or needs so many bespoke shirts, or would like to try one or two initially and so we allow you to buy a single shirt if wanted. To help cover some of the extra costs we charge a token £30 pattern fee. This is only charged once only (unless you drastically change shape and weight).

New fabric range from Holland & Sherry

2010-08-06T16:22:00.001-07:00

A new fabric bunch dropped through the letterbox this morning; the Inter City 2010 range. Last year the Intercity range was launched by H & S and this bunch has expanded on that range with a good number of nice mid-weight worsteds.

The Inter City range is Holland and Sherry's entry range, but is still an exceptional cloth. Our made to measure suits from this range are just £450 (or £540 for full floating canvas).

Individual but still elegant

2010-07-08T11:53:00.000-07:00

Many shirt makers seem to market their products at the more gaudy and trendy end of the bespoke shirt market. You know the things; patterned collar and cuff linings, contrast stitching and buttons etc.

Many of our clients are successful business executives and professionals and they are looking for a bespoke shirt that is more elegant and understated and for this reason we do not promote the trendier side of things (although of course if you want those things then we are more than happy to make them for you.

A bespoke shirt is more about a well fitting, high quality garment, and it is these aspects we concentrate on when discussing our shirts with our discerning clients.

We recently made a shirt for a London based clients and it is one of my favourites. It is made from Alumo Soyella in a very pale grey. This is an end-on-end fabric of the highest quality with an exceptional handle and a delightful feel against the body. The client has added a personal touch with the collars being made in White, which in darker shirts can give an unfortunate 'Gordon gecko' effect, but in this instance, we believe, the lower contrast with the body colour has resulted in a particularly refined shirt.

Find out more about our bespoke shirts at http://www.shirt-style.co.uk

The Mayfair Collar

2010-06-28T15:24:00.000-07:00

One of our stock pattern collars is a cutaway very similar to Italian collars such as those favoured by Finnamore. The collar style has a large amount of elegance and style about it and looks excellent with a four-in-hand knot (we do not recommend using the windsor or half-windsor, ever!).

The image shown is of a recent shirt that we made sometime ago for client who decided that he actually prefers a Mayfair collar to the original collar he chose. The shirt shown is the result of the Mayfair being 'grafted' onto his bespoke shirt.

The fabric used for the shirt, for those interested in these matters, is an Alumo Supraluxe 120s cotton which sells for £140 per shirt.

Shirt in profile

2010-06-13T14:09:00.000-07:00

I recently made this shirt for a client from Oxford. He has had quite a number of shirts made to date but this is my favourite of all the shirts we have made for him.

The fabric used is from the Thomas Mason Silverline range and is a 120s 2-ply cotton fabric in a micro-check pattern.

The collar was designed by the client to suit his own requirements and is a nice cutaway, less dramatic than a full cutaway.

Our bespoke shirt fabric selection

2010-05-12T13:08:00.000-07:00

I received an email today asking about the relative quality of our different fabric ranges for bespoke shirts.

This is a very difficult question to answer as there are many factors to consider when deciding which fabrics are better than another. However, on further thought I came up with three levels of quality, which are really blurred across the boundaries and this is the list I finished with:

level 1 - S.I.C. Tess (Italy) - Alumo (Switzerland)

level 2 - Grandi & Rubinelli (Italy), Monti (Italy), Thomas Mason (Italy)

level 3 - Acorn (UK), Ringhart (UK)

These levels are probably pretty well confirmed when looking at the prices of the fabric ranges too. The first two levels are actually very close to each other, with some very excellent shirtings available from each of the mills.

New cufflink range

2010-05-10T13:55:00.000-07:00

We are very excited to be able to bring to our bespoke shirt clients, an excellent range of sterling silver chain cufflinks made here in the UK (in Birmingham) for Benson & Clegg, a company possessing a royal warrant.

The cufflinks are made to the finest and most exacting standards and carry a British silver hallmark. the range can be viewed at http://www.shirt-style.co.uk/cufflinks.html and they are available for just £95 each.

Spring time!

2010-04-26T12:56:00.000-07:00

After a busy weekend, first the Withington Horse Trials near Cheltenham at the beautiful Withington Manor, followed by the Highnam Court Spring Fair, it is back to bespoke shirts and Made to Measure suits. This week sees us visiting clients around our visiting area for both shirts and suits as people start making their plans for summer weddings and re-stocking their wardrobes for the summer months.

We have seen an increase in requests for suits from lighter weight materials, and now is the time to buy your linen shirts.

There really is no reason for not remaining stylish and well presented even when the temperatures reach into the 20s and above.

Members' Reward Club

2010-03-29T12:10:00.000-07:00

Our new members' reward club is launched on Wednesday. This club will give our clients rewards for their continued custom in the exchange of points which can be exchanged for any products at the Sartorial Executive.
Points will be awarded for every £ spent with us, and also for every £5 spent by someone that you refer to us.
Member's will have access to an exclusive website with special members offers enabling them to benefit from our luxury clothing at very special prices.
All members signing up in April will receive 100 points towards their account as a thank you for their past custom.
Join today at http://www.shirt-style.co.uk/bespoke_shirt_club.html

This blog has moved

2010-03-29T11:25:00.001-07:00

This blog is now located at http://sartorialexecutive.blogspot.com/.
You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here.

For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to
http://sartorialexecutive.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.

The Black Tie Guide

2010-02-03T11:50:00.000-08:00

Every now and again, I come across websites that I am really impressed with. One such website is the Black Tie Guide. This is the most complete and accurate guide I have seen in respect to the correct way for a gentleman to dress when attending a black tie (or white tie) event.

The guide splits the requirements for black tie into its component pieces, namely Jacket, Trousers, Waistcoat, Shirt, Neckwear, Shoes and Accessories.

For the jacket, four classic designs are shown at http://www.blacktieguide.com/Classic_Components/Jacket.htm.

Fabric colour should be either black or midnight blue (which actually looks blacker in a subdued light setting).

Here at the Sartorial Executive we can, of course, offer a wide range of fabrics suitable for a black tie jacket, in all four styles starting from £390 if using Holland & Sherry Black Tie fabrics - cheaper fabrics are of course available.

Evening waistcoats are described at http://www.blacktieguide.com/Classic_Components/Waist.htm and ours start from £230 made from the same fabric as the jacket. We suggest one of the Holland & Sherry Black Tie range for the jacket and waistcoat.

At http://www.blacktieguide.com/Classic_Components/Trousers.htm they state that "Formal trousers are made of the same fabric as the jacket. While plain-front trousers are more common today, pleated styles remain the dressiest option." Needless to say, we are able to make both plain-front and pleated styles from £230.

Black tie shirts are always white and generally have a turn down collar. Collars and cuffs are generally marcella covered and a white marcella bib on the front with dress stud fastening. We can make these shirts from a wide range of fabrics but recommend the Alumo Supraluxe white cotton as a beautiful fabric for this purpose. For a small extra charge we can also add a detachable collar for genuine traditional style. See http://www.shirt-style.co.uk/prices.html for our prices.

Next time you attend a black tie event ensure you are wearing the correct dress by reading the guide and contact us to make any garments you require.

Monti 200 YORKSHIRE Fabrics

2010-01-31T13:11:00.000-08:00

I have been sat down drinking a pint of excellent Spitfire Ale this evening whilst looking through some of the multitude of bespoke shirt fabrics that we have to offer.
One collection, that we have not really promoted as much as we should, caught my eye. Made by one of the leading Italian fabric mills, Tessitura Monti, the Yorkshire range is a fantastic collection of high yarn count fabrics in a wide variety of colours and patterns.
The high yarn count and the excellent quality dyes used by Monti mean that the fabric pattrens are as sharp and bold as any fabric we have to offer. This means that they are able to create patterns such as stripes and checks with very fine and sharply defined lines.
If I had to pick out one card from the collection it would be number 513 with a selection of six striped fabrics with fantastic use of pink, blue and white.
Shirts in these fabrics are £165 for bespoke and £155 for Stock Special (and worth every penny in my opinion!)

Cotton Socks - reduced for February

2010-01-29T12:06:00.000-08:00

To make our fantastic cotton socks more affordable during February we have a special offer. Each pair of socks is available at just £6.00 instead of the normal £7.50.

We are confident that after trying these socks at this reduced price you will agree they are among the most comfortable socks that you have owned and will want to continue buying our socks.

Our socks are made for us by a small family company in Turkey, using fine Pima cotton fibres. The socks are made with hand linked toes and are ribbed in the calf which adds a level of elasticity ensuring that the socks will stay up throughout the day.

Currently our socks are available in five colours - Black, Navy, Charcoal, Brown and Claret - but other colours will be added shortly.

These socks are of the highest quality, especially when the price is taken into account. You will not be dissapointed.

The number one source of bespoke shirts is now the number one source for socks.

See http://www.shirt-style.co.uk/socks.html for details.

Improved Made to Measure Suits

2010-01-10T12:13:00.000-08:00

We know how much our clients like to be able to order a Made to measure suit at the same time as buying their bespoke shirts, so we have improved the house style sillouhette, and are now able to offer made to measure suits in a more Savile Row inspired style.

Remember, we offer some of the finest fabrics from Holland & Sherry and Dugdale, and particularly recommend the new Holland & Sherry Inter City range of fabrics which for a 2-piece suit we are able to offer at an unbeatable £450. An example of a suit from this fabric in a plain Navy is shown to the right.

New socks coming soon

2010-01-06T14:00:00.001-08:00

We still have some of the Navy Corgi socks in stock in Large size, but all the Medium size are sold.

We have been working with a family owned sock manufacturing business based in Turkey and will soon be bringing you a fantastic range of luxury OTC socks in a wide range of colours. The socks have been made and refined until we have a quality that rivals any of the best UK sock producers, but because we use a family run Turkey based factory we can keep the sock prices low leaving you with more money for your bespoke shirts and made to Measure suits!

New house pattern for made to measure suits

2010-01-06T13:51:00.000-08:00

We have changed the Made to Measure suit company that we use, and are now able to offer what we believe to be a much nicer sillouhette of suit. The image here shows one of our new jackets with a typical Savile Row style figure. The jacket shown is made with Holland & Sherry's Inter City range in Navy, an excellent business suit fabric. Suits made from this fabric are just £450 for a straight finish (£50 extra with a forward fitting).

If you want a stylish made to measure suit to go with your bespoke shirts then contact us today for an appointment.

Bespoke or Made to Measure

2009-11-29T12:34:00.000-08:00

It is quite simple but often abused. The difference between bespoke and made-to-measure.
Bespoke involves a garment, be that a sduit of shirt, made from scratch. It will mean that no pre-existing pattern is used for the first shirt or suit for the client. The pattern is drawn up by hand from a range of measurements and figuration details, drawn out on paper and the fabric cut to that pattern. The pattern is unique to the client - nobody else has a garment made from that pattern. The pattern is then fully modifiable to ensure the best possible fit. Everything else after that is a bonus - such as hand stitching etc.
Made to Measure on the other hand uses pre-existing patterns that are used with some modification to produce a shirt or suit that will fit the wearer generally better than ready to wear.
Both bespoke and made-to-measure may offer a full range of customisations, but the pattern is really the key to the difference.
Our shirts are bespoke - we make a new pattern for every client. Our suits on the other hand are made-to measure - we make them from pre-existing patterns.
So, when buying a bespoke suit or shirt ask if a personal pattren is drawn up and cut by hand. Make sure you are getting what is being advertised!

Bespoke Shirts - A Royal Fabric

2009-11-28T15:01:00.000-08:00

The Alumo Soyella Royal has arrived. A fantastic 75 g/m^2 240/2 - 240/2 100% Swiss Cotton, literally the most luxurious and fine cotton shirt fabric that we have seen.

The fabric has a handle and feel similar to silk, but is 100% long staple cotton.

Eight plain colours are available from White to Black with three shades of blue, a pink, a lilac and a cream.

These fabrics would make luxurious dinner shirts for that special event.

Book a consultation today and we will show you this fantastic range of bespoke shirt fabrics.

http://www.shirt-style.co.uk/

Cotswold based but worldwide

2009-11-25T14:13:00.000-08:00

We have had ordersfor our shirts from quite a few different countries, but yesterday we had our first order for a bespoke shirt and a pair of Corgi socks, from a client in Japan.

This really shows that quality British made products are in demand by people the world over.

The ultimate bespoke shirt fabric

2009-11-23T15:24:00.000-08:00

Hot on the heels of the availability of S.I.C. tess fabrics, I have just been notified of the despatch from Switzerland of the swatch card for Alumo's new Super Royale range.
This is an awesome 2 x 2/240s which comes in six block colours. My feeling is that the white will be the most popular.
If you want to spoil yourself then this is the fabric from which to get your next bespoke shirt made!

New bespoke shirt collars available online

2009-11-23T15:18:00.000-08:00

We have been able to expand the number of collars available for our online bespoke shirt ordering service - see http://www.shirt-style.co.uk/bespoke_shirts_online.html for details.

S.I.C. Tess Fabrics are here

2009-11-23T15:08:00.000-08:00

We are extremely pleased to announce that our fabric range is now supplemented with the splendid Pronti collection from Italian fabric house S.I.C. Tess. These are among the best fabrics available, sitting with Alumo as one of our best ranges. As an introduction to this range we are offering a £10 discount for shirts ordered from this range between now and the end of the year.

There really is something for every shirt wearer here from 80s to 200s, poplins, oxfords, twills and Linen fabrics.

Book an appointment with one of our visiting consultants today and ask to see the beautiful range of fabrics.

The Sartorial Executive - the luxury bespoke shirt maker.

2009-11-11T14:15:00.001-08:00

The bespoke shirt maker that offers more fabrics than any other shirt maker in our area, will soon be able to offer you the fine Italian shirtings from S.I.C. Tess.

We are awaiting the swatch books from this fine bespoke shirt fabric mill, which will sit aside the fantastic fabrics we already offer from Thomas Mason, Tessitura Monti and Alumo.

For more details about this company see here http://www.sictess.it/eng/prodotti_pronti.html

We are very impressed both by the fabrics and the company and will beoffering a special discount on fabrics from this mill when we have them available.

Remember the highest quality English made bespoke shirts in the region are only available from the Sartorial Executive - the luxury bespoke shirt maker.

Dressing in a relaxed working environment

2009-09-24T01:35:00.000-07:00

There is a popular trend towards dropping the jacket and tie from the dress code in the workplace, and whilst personally I think this is a bad idea, there are some simple ways to ensure that you can still look professional whilst others around you are making do with a pair of jeans and polo shirt.

If a jacket and tie are not to be worn, and a tie should not be worn without a jacket, then the fit and cut of the shirt and trousers becomes more important as they are the articles of clothing that are projecting your personal image.

A popular phrase for 'dressing down' at work is 'business casual' (which traditionally meant wearing a sportcoat rather than a suit) but I feel many emphasise the word 'casual' with little regard to 'business'. To balance this out why not, rather than wear a polo shitrt and jeans/chinos to work wear a nice shirt and a well tailored pair of woollen trousers? If you are no longer wearing (and therefore buying) suits then the cost of a made to measure of bespoke shirt and a pair of tailored trousers is going to be a more modest cost than previously required.

The Shirt

If you are wearing a shirt open neck then a spread collar tends to work better than a cutaway or point collar (a button down is another option but may look too casual when paired with tailored trousers). Cufflinks should not be worn without a jacket, so a buttoned cuff with 2 or 3 button fastening would be a good choice.

The fabric used is really a personal thing, but I would suggest cream, blue or pale plain plains. Stripes and checks can be worn also as the shirt colour has to do the job that is traditionally left to the tie, but these should be chosen carefully to suit the business environment being worked in.If you are going for made to measure of bespoke shirts it is best to keep to fabrics of no more than 120 yarn count else the shirt will tend to look wrinkled during the second half of the day. Alumo Supraluxe or Thomas Mason Silverline would be suitable.

Trousers

For trousers we would suggest a 100% wool flannel of about 9oz weight in the summer and 12 to 13oz in the winter. Sticking to Navy and Charcoal shades will be safe whether plain, herringbone or pinstripe are chosen. We would recommend the Holland & Sherry Perennial bunch HS507 for these.

Looking professional is always important in a business environment, especially in these harsh economic times. First impressions do count and the first thing anyone sees of you is the way you present yourself. Make sure that others first impressions of you are positive even in a 'casual dressing' environment.

Stock Special Shirts - Full Acorn Range now available online

2009-09-04T13:06:00.000-07:00

We have expanded the range of fabriocs available for our online stock special shirts to include all the Acorn range. Prices range from £100 for the Grange 100s Poplin to £150 for 100% linen. these shirts are made in England using traditional shirtmaking techniques in one of the oldest shirt making workshops in the country.

We have no minimum order for these shirts and the price includes delivery (a small surcharge is added to international orders).

If you are looking for the best quality in gentlemen's shirts and a better fit than anythiong on the high street then these are the shirts for you. See details at http://shirt-style.co.uk/bespoke_shirts_online.html

For those that want an even more exclusive shirt then our bespoke shirts are available.

Made to Measure Suits - new Holland & Sherry range

2009-08-31T11:31:00.000-07:00

We are pleaseed to be able to announce the arrival of a new bunch from Holland and Sherry - Bunch HS529 - which goes under the name of Conquest. This is new range of Luxury Worsted Flannels and we feel these are going to prove exceptionally popular.

There are 14 cloths in 100s which are 11oz in weight and 17 that are 120s and 9oz in weight. The 120s would make delightful suits for the autum and the 100s making excellent suits for the coming winter.

The price for our suits from these fabrics should please you also - see http://www.shirt-style.co.uk/tailormadesuit.html?blog

CORGI SOCKS - Two Pairs for £25

2009-08-12T08:28:00.000-07:00

We are offering our 100% cotton, navy over the calf, socks at the special price of two pairs for £25. Go to http://www.shirt-style.co.uk/socks.html

Removable Collar Bespoke Shirts available

2009-08-11T14:37:00.000-07:00

We are proud to announce that we are happy to make bespoke shirts with detachable collars, particularly useful in enabling a formal dress shirt to be changed from a wing (turn-up) collar to a turn-down collar.

Contact us on 01684 878195 or complete the form at http://www.shirt-style.co.uk/order.html

Hand made Italian neckties reduced from £65 to £25

2009-08-10T12:54:00.001-07:00

We have reduced the price of our hand made 100% silk neck ties by £40 prior to the launch of our Made in England range of neck ties. Be quick as there is very limited stock remaining and at this price they are proving vey popular. Click here for details.

Bespoke Shirts available worldwide

2009-08-03T13:19:00.000-07:00

A post on Style Forum shows one of our recent bespoke shirts (along with some Finnamore shirts from Italy) at http://www.styleforum.net/showpost.php?p=2319789&postcount=1247
This shirt was ordered by a client based in Copenhagen, Denmark after seeing shirts made for other Style Forum members. The shirt has a customer designed collar, based on one of our collars previously designed for another client.

This is one of the best features of bespoke shirts, the ability to personally dewsign features of the shirt to suit your own style and because we use hand cut paper patterns for all the components of the shirt all future shirts will be made to exactly the same specification (unless the client requests changes, of course).

The bespoke shirt shown on the Style Forum page is made using an Acorn Grange Gingham fabric - a particularly nice gingham check.

If you would like to order a bespoke shirt from the Sartorial Executive, made to the finest English shirt making standards then call us on +44 1684 878195 and we will work to you to create the shirt for you.

The Sartorial Executive - Fine English Bespoke Shirts
Telephone 01684 878195
or visit
http://shirt-style.co.uk

How a man should dress

2009-07-31T13:23:00.000-07:00

Luxury Bespoke Shirts, Cufflinks, Socks and Ties

2009-07-25T13:44:00.000-07:00

The Sartorial Executive are a company that focus on traditional luxury and quality ahead of fashion and gimmick. Take for example our fantastic Sterling Silver chain-linked cufflinks. Fanbtastic value at just £65, but no compromise in quality. They are a perfect partner for our bespoke shirts.

Our socks are, in our opinion, the best available from any UK manufacturer. Ultra soft cotton, hand finished, over the calf to ensure they stay up and only £13. Why only navy? 90% of respondents to a recent survey included navy as their sock colour of choice - so here they are the ultimate navy sock. Other colours are in the pipeline - just let us know your favourite colours.

Our ties are hand-made 100% fine Italian Silk. Made using traditional Italian tie making processes in the Como region by skilled tie craftsmen. These are of a limited supply as we plan to move production to the UK using fine English silks. Our current ties are very luxurious; our new ties will be even better.

And that leaves our shirts - the best Italian and Swiss cottons are used, with yarn counts up to 200s. The mills we use have rightly earned their reputation as the best in the world. Our clients know what they want when it comes to quality and we deliver.

A bespoke shirt cuff with a license to kill

2009-07-18T23:34:00.000-07:00

Looking for something a little different on your next bespoke shirts? How about a cocktail cuff? This cuff is essentially a turnback cuff which fastens with buttons rather than cufflinks. Apparantly it was originally designed by Frank Foster, the esteemed bespoke shirt maker from Pall Mall and made popular by Sean Connery and later Roger Moore wearing the cuff on shirts in James Bond movies (Moore also wore them in some episodes of The Saint). The cuff is often called the James Bond cuff for this reason.

Originally designed for use with evening wear (hence the term 'cocktail cuff') the collar is today worn regularly with lounge suits in a more informal environment.

If you are looking for a cuff on your bespoke shirts with the flamboyance of the turnback, but want to do away with cufflinks then the cocktail cuff may be for you.

One for the ladies

2009-07-06T12:20:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that our bespoke shirts are not just for Gentlemen. We are also able to produce excellent bespoke shirts for ladies at the same price.

To view our excellent range of fabrics, the largest and most comprehensive in the region, just call 01684 878195 or fill in the contact form at http://www.shirt-style.co.uk/order.html

Fleet Support Group Charity Polo Day

2009-07-03T12:17:00.001-07:00

As we mentioned earlier we recently donated a Made to Measure shirt to the charity auction at a recent Polo day in support of cancer charity 'Hope for Tomorrow'. I am pleased to say that the event on the day raised just over £21,000 for the charity. An excellent result.

Sartorial Executive Made to Measure Shirt Winner announced

2009-07-01T03:16:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that the winner of our recent competition, run in conjunction with http://www.thehuntingground.net/ to win a Sartorial Executive Made to Measure shirt was won by Dr William Duggan from Monmouthshire. We congratulate Dr Duggan on his win and look forward to making the shirt for him.

For those that entered the competition, and those that did not, we are able to offer a Made to Measure shirt for just £100, made here in England to the highest of shirt making standards. Shirts are posted FREE of charge throughout the UK with an £8.50 charge to any International destination.

Also, of course, our bespoke shirts, made from the finest Swiss and Italian cottons are available either online or through our visiting service starting from just £125.

You may also be interested to know that http://www.thehuntingground.net/ are running a new competition this month for £100 of vouchers from up and coming company Lions Rampant - Go to http://www.thehuntingground.net/competitions.php to enter the competition today.

Corgi Socks - update

2009-06-29T15:34:00.000-07:00

We mentioned a week or so ago about Corgi socks to be available soon, and we are expecting them to arrive in the next few weeks. The socks will be from the finest pure cotton in Navy colour (this was recently voted the most useful colour sock in a recent piece of research we did).

The socks will be over-the-calf ensuring they stay up throughout the day and will not 'flash' your calves at the ladies!

The price of the socks will be set at £12.50 (cheaper than any other retailer we could find on the web), however during the first week of their availablity they will be £11.50 for bespoke shirt club members. If you are not a member yet, then now is the time to join.

An excellent addition to our range for the discerning gentleman

Linen Bespoke Shirts - stay cool this summer.

2009-06-29T15:25:00.000-07:00

The weather is getting hotter and hotter! There are rumours of it reaching the mid 30s sometime during this week. Phew!!

You may be finding your cotton shirts are leaving you a bit 'hot under the collar'. No matter, we are able to craft you a fantastic linen shirt in our Kent workshops from £135. Linen is the best fabric to wear in the heat of the summer, and if made from traditional business colours then it fits fine under a suit in the workplace. We have a large range of linen colourways to choose from.

There is no need to join the T-Shirt wearing brigade that are so prevelant in today's workplace. retain your sartorial dignity with one of our linen shirts.

Find out more by completing the form at http://www.shirt-style.co.uk/order.html or call us on 01684 878195.

Wedding bespoke shirts

2009-06-18T14:20:00.000-07:00

For those who like the traditional look of a club collar shirt for their wedding, bespoke shirts are a great choice. We have recently made two of the following bespoke shirts for a groom for himself and the best man.

The club collar was very popular early in the last century - see the shirts worn by Stephen Fry in the TV adaptation of P.G.Wodehouse's Jeeves & Wooster novels. In recent years the club collar has all but disappeared from everyday use, although there was a small revival in the 1960s

Bespoke Shirts with real style

2009-06-12T14:02:00.000-07:00

Another of our shirts has been deemed a star by the members of Style Forum. The picture below was posted by one of our clients and received some really positive feedback. We already have had people requesting their own version of this bespoke shirt after seeing it on the forum.

The shirt features no tie space making for a very clean neck closure and the shape and size of the collar was designed by the client himself; and a great design it is as it is becoming the most popular collar shape we sell.

We intend to offer a similar shirt to this as a special offer soon. Watch this space for more details.

Bespoke Shirts

2009-06-12T13:59:00.000-07:00

More praise for our bespoke shirts on Style Forum in the form of a lilac checked shirt made for one of our clients.

Button Down Bespoke Shirts Collar is 'Terrific'

2009-06-10T15:05:00.000-07:00

We always knew our button down collars on our Sartorial Executivebespoke shirts were amongst the best available, and this has been confirmed in a comment from a respected contributor on the esteemed Ask Andy About Clothes - see http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/forum/showpost.php?p=947892&postcount=11363

See for yourself how good our button down bespoke shirt collars are by either making an appointment with one of our consultants (http://www.shirt-style.co.uk/order.html) or ordering a Made to Measure version online at http://www.shirt-style.co.uk/bespoke_shirts_online.html

Corgi Socks - coming soon

2009-06-10T14:33:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that we will soon be bringing some of the highest quality socks available to you through both our visiting bespoke shirts service and also online.

The socks will be made in Wales for us by Corgi socks, a fine company that holds a Royal Warrant from HRH The Prince of Wales. These socks are certainly worth the warrant as they are beautiful indeed.

Initially we will be offering navy with sky toe, heel and tops in an over the calf length made from 100% Cotton.

we are sure you will be delighted.

Going, going gone....

2009-06-06T15:21:00.000-07:00

Just one week until the Hope for Tomorrow charity Polo day at Beaufort Polo club where one of our Made to Measure shirts is to be auctioned in aid of this very worthwhile charity.

http://www.beaufortpoloclub.co.uk/Fixtures/CCPoloDay.htm is the website with details of this fantastic days entertainment.

Quality bespoke shirts - no gimmicks

2009-05-19T14:27:00.001-07:00

Whilst other shirt makers concentrate on the gimmicks that they offer with their tailored shirts we concentrate on the most important aspect of bespoke shirts - quality.

Our shirts are made from the finest quality two fold cottons sourced from the best italian and Swiss cotton mills, and are made here in England using the best shirt making techniques. We truly believe that you will not buy a bespoke shirt in the UK at the same price and quality as our shirts. Have a look at http://www.shirt-style.co.uk/gallery.html for some examples of our shirts.

Of course if monograms and patterened collar and cuff patterns are your thing then we are more than happy to make those, but we will never compromise on quality of our shirts.

Bespoke Shirts - interlinings

2009-04-08T14:24:00.000-07:00

Interlinings are hidden, unseen components in shirts yet they are very important. They are the thing that adds the support, handle, soft or firmness and style to the collars and cuffs of your bespoke shirts.

There is the choice of whether the interlinings are sewn in or fused (glued). All of our interlinings are stitched as this gives a more natural look to the collars and stops them being too rigid and 'cardboard' like and flat like so many shirts (even some that are more expensive than ours).

We have chosen our bespoke shirt interlinings to give just the optimum level of firmness which allows the collar to look good and be worn without collar stiffeners in a more casual environment, and with collar stays when worn with a suit and tie.

A look at the collars on our shirts in comparison to many others will soon tell you that our collars are better. they are nicer in style and sit correctly on the shirt.

Bespoke shirts - 240s 2 ply?

2009-04-07T13:51:00.000-07:00

We have just been speaking to one of our main fabric suppliers from italy and they have informed us that they soon expect to be able to offer a superfine 240s 2-ply cotton range for bespoke shirts.

this is very exciting as it will enable us to make some of the finest possible bespoke shirts in the world. We will keep you up to date through this blog as to when these fabrics are available

made to measure suits

2009-03-25T15:47:00.000-07:00

Our made to measure suits are now available to complement our bespoke shirts. The first suit is already in the process of being made using a fantastic herringbone cloth from the Holland & Sherry perennial range. This 13oz 100% Wool worsted cloth is an excellent choice for a suit.

We will bring you pictures of the suit as it is developed.

Latest Bespoke Shirts

2009-03-24T15:22:00.000-07:00

Alumo Supraluxe White
Client designed collar without interlining

Tessitura Monti Regal

Client designed collar without interlining

The five levels of formality in a Gentleman's dress

2009-03-15T12:55:00.000-07:00

1. Formal - this is what is also known as 'white tie'. No matter how often menswear companies refer to lounge suits and business shirts as being formal, they will always be wrong. White tie is well defined, for example here at the university of Cambridge website http://www.societies.cam.ac.uk/cuhags/whitetie/defn.htm. The shirt most definitely be white with a stiff (preferably removable) wing collar and a marcella front bib.

2. Semi-Formal - Black Tie. many will refer to this as formal dress, and that is because it is about as formal as they will ever wear. It is not formal. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_tie for a definition

3. Informal - This is where the lounge suit (or business suit) resides. That suit that you thought was a formal uniform is very informal in the hierarchy of gentleman's dress.

4. Casual - No not jeans and a Tee Shirt, but a sports jacket, tie and contrast trousers.

5. Sub-standard - this is what most people seem to wear regardless of the formality of an event these days. Jeans, T-Shirts, Short-sleeved shirts etc.

2009-03-15T12:54:00.001-07:00

1. Get your hair cut - regardless of how well you are dressed, unkempt and out of control hair will make you look untidy. 30 minutes and £10 well spent! Make sure you have any facial hair under control too.
2. Wear a suit - so many people these days go suit-less, and this gives you a great opportunity to stand out and look professional and more presentable. However just any old suit will not do. It must be 100% wool (please, no polyester) and preferably in dark navy or charcoal grey. You may even have something suitable in the wardrobe already; however if you bought it ready to wear IT DOES NOT FIT YOU!. A poor fitting suit is worse than no suit. Go to a good alterations tailor and get it fitted; It is not expensive! By the way, you really do need two suits so you can alternate each day. If you are really skint look on ebay or in a nearly new shop.
3. Wear a proper shirt, and one that fits - so many people wear casual shirts to work and usually with the wrong length arms and neck. Go to a store that sell shirts in various arm lengths and reasonably constructed to look good with a suit. If you are on a budget T.M. Lewin often do 4 shirts for £100 which are more than adequate, and will be enough to get you going - I suggest two each of white and light blue plain as a minimum.
4. Wear a tie - why, oh why do so few people wear a tie? A man is not completely dressed without one; a suit is not casual so why dress casually underneath it? The silk of he tie (and do ensure it is silk) offers a contrasting texture to the matt of the suit and shirt and is a great opportunity to express your personality through colour.
5. Shoes - So many people wear a suit and then finish it off with totally inappropriate shoes. Wear some black traditional, welted shoes in an oxford style. These will last a lifetime if looked after so don't skimp.

These five simple steps can make you look more professional and presentable.

Glenn Ludlow
Managing Director of Sartorial Executive Bespoke Shirts
http://www.shirt-style.co.uk

Help us design our new tie collection

2009-03-14T10:26:00.001-07:00

We are talking to a number of tie makers both here in the UK and also in Italy. We are planning to have a new tie range made for us, and we would like you the buying public to help us choose the designs.
If there is a particular tie style, pattern or colour you like let us know - you ca send us a photo or link to a tie that is of the style you like. The ties will all be 4 inch wide and hand-made with a small selection being seven-fold ties.
So get your designing hat on and suggest a design for our tie range. if your design is chosen you will receive a £10 credit towards a bespoke shirt.
Designs are required by the end of April.

More from TK Maxx

2009-02-28T14:16:00.000-08:00

Well, I did it again; I went to TK Maxx and bought a shirt, a pair of trousers and a pocket square. Just because I make and sell bespoke shirts does not stop me buying ready to wear shirts and this time it was a burgundy check button down from Hackett with a Brompton Collar for £30. A real steal in my opinion. The shirt is made from quite a nice Italian 100's fabric. No idication of the mill from which it was sourced, but Hackett do often use Thomas Mason. A great shirt which fits reasonably well, but looks great for days out at the weekend.
The trousers I purchased were a herringbone navy pair made by Acquascutum. Normally £99 i got these for £30. They were probably part of a suit originally, but I will be able to find a use for them. Again, a bargain for a really high quality article of clothing.
The pocket square does not have a brand on it, but it is a gorgeous blue and white polka dot made from particularly nice silk. the only thing letting it down is that the edges are not hand rolled, but machined. owever, for £4 what can you expect!

Creating an Image

2009-02-26T14:07:00.001-08:00

I spent yesterday afternoon in the town of Stroud in Gloucestershire, not too far from me. I was meeting with Berith, an image consultant who has worked in the fashion and beauty industry for 25 years. Berith knows her stuff (not surprising after so many years in the industry) and amongst her offerings is a style and image consultancy service for men.
Trained by Colour me Beautiful, Berith has combined their system with some of her own ideas which, from speaking to her, sound really great.
I am often asked by clients what colour bespoke shirts they should buy from me (one of each of course :-), and whilst I can help inform them based on my knowledge and experience, Berith has the training and background to really help.
We have decided that we will be bringing to our respective clients a joint offer of style and image consultancy with first bespoke shirt/tie/cufflinks etc. More details will be available on the blog when known.
In the meantime check out Berith's website at http://www.b-image.co.uk/ and please tell her I sent you if you use her services. recommend her to your wife or partner too!

Quality Italian Handmade Ties - now available

2009-02-24T14:20:00.000-08:00

We have been searching for some time for the perfect ties to complement our bespoke shirts (and made to measure suits) and we are pleased to announce that we have finally found them.

Today, we have launched our Luxury Tie range, made specially for us in Italy.

Each Sartorial Executive tie is entirely hand stitched by skillful craftsmen , and enriched with luxurious touches, such as the reverse loop , and self tipped with the same fabric of the tie . The inside lining is pure virgin wool, which ensures the tie will keep its shape over time and adds aluxurious feel to the tie. Only a very small quantity of each Sartorial Executive tie is produced.

Bespoke Shirts - a chance to do something different

2009-02-18T13:03:00.000-08:00

We have today been commissioned to make a shirt for a client who is 6 foot 3 inches tall and very slim . He used to wear shirts that have the stripes running horizontally, but is unable to find them in the shops.

Normally, we would suggest use of horizontal stripes on a shirt is probably not a good idea but he knows what he wants and we will provide. An example of someone wearing a horizontal stripes shirt can be seen on the excellent Sartorialist blog at http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/2007/11/on-streethorizontal-stripe-shirts-paris.html, and it certainly looks good.

We shall be making the bespoke shirt in the Acorn BC Green fabric with white collars and cuffs.

Look for pictures of the finished article here in a few weeks.

100's of new bespoke shirt fabrics available

2009-02-15T10:44:00.001-08:00

We have recently added to our already vast range of bespoke shirt fabrics with the introduction of Ringhart fabrics. This is an absolutely fantastic addition to our range, with approximately 200 each of plains, stripes and checks to choose from. This UK based company fit in well with our current ranges with yarn counts from 30s x 30s Dyed twill up to a luxurious 2/140s x 2/140s Yarn dyed poplin. The colours and patterns in the range are great for more adventurous bespoke shirts than would be obtained using Alumo or Monti fabrics but at the same time there is a very English feel about the designs.

The prices for bespoke shirts from these fabrics start at £125 (the same as for bespoke shirts from Acorn), so for those on a budget this really increases the choices for your bespoke shirts.

Have you met Mr & Mrs Smith?

2009-02-05T13:59:00.000-08:00

If you find searching for a quality hotel a bit hit or miss, or even tedious and would rather leave it to someone else, then can I suggest you look to Mr & Mrs. Smith? That is the name of a members' luxury and boutique hotel club which brings you great discounts on the price of luxury hotels for the fantastic price of less than £20 per year. You can also upgrade your membership to get many extra benefits thrown in.

Go to http://www.mrandmrssmith.com/ for full details

Online ordering relaunched

2009-02-04T12:48:00.000-08:00

We have, today, relaunched our online made to measure shirt service. The site is now easier to use with a wider range of collar and cuff options; the price of the shirts is still a fantastic £95 for a genuine English made shirt using high quality English milled cotton.

The shirts are made to the same standards as our bespoke shirts using traditional Jermyn Street shirt making techniques including sigle needle tailoring, mitred split yokes, long shirt tails, butterfly gussets and beautiful mother of pearl buttons.

We are also able to ship our shirts internationally, we have already had orders from a number of European countries.

Now available - Traditional Cufflinks

2009-01-29T12:53:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to announce the availablity of a range of sterling silver and enamel traditional double chain-linked cufflinks both through our website and from our visiting shirt making service.

The ideal cufflinks for you bespoke shirts

Ladies Bespoke Shirts now available.

2009-01-16T14:54:00.001-08:00

A quick update to let you know that we are now able to provide Ladies Bespoke Shirts within our operating zone, and also a replication sevice nationwide and internationally. Go to http://www.shirt-style.co.uk/ladies-bespoke-shirts.html

Badminton Horse Trials

2009-01-12T14:27:00.000-08:00

The ticket shop is now open for the Badminton Horse trials, one of the prmier events in the Equestrian calendar. The website for booking is at https://kiosk4.ts.com/k?badminton

A great place to see some great equestrian action and wear your bespoke shirts

Jazz age bespoke shirts

2009-01-07T13:11:00.000-08:00

We have recently been comissioned to produce some fine club collar bespoke shirts in the style popular in the Jazz Age, the 1920's and 30's. Shirts of this period generally had standar turndown collars and cuffs that take cufflinks (but not always double). Collar pins were also popular.
For examples of these types of shirt then you can look at old episodes of the Fry & Laurie TV series Jeeves and Wooster. Jeeves, the valet always wore a club (or penny round) collar and Wooster turn down pointed collars with tie pins.
We are experienced in both of these styles so if you are looking for something of 20's or 30's style then we would be pleased to make them for you.

Turnbull & Asser bargain find

2009-01-04T14:09:00.001-08:00

A new shop has opened close to me called 'Good as New' and they sell second hand high end clothing that is as good-as-new. I had a look yesterday and bagged a fantastic Turnbull & Asser 50oz English Silk twill tie that was in absolutely perfect condition (not surprising for something of such high quality). The best thing about it? It was just £5!
I now have to get a couple of new bespoke shirts to go with it...
Turnull & Asser are , of course, famous for their bespoke shirts, but believe me, their ties are also worthy of great acclaim.

The Quality English Wardrobe

2009-01-03T15:12:00.000-08:00

People who buy Sartorial Executive Bespoke Shirts buy them because they demand the best. they know they could get cheaper, but are not happy to settle for second best. They also demand English made products. In return we strive to ensure that our shirts are the best in the region.

Below are a few items of English clothing other than bespoke shirts that are popular with our clients - ideal if you are looking for some inspiration for quality apparel to go with the Sartorial Executive Bespoke shirt.

Hats - It just has to be Lock and Co; The St. James' Street hatters have been in existance for 333 years, so should know a thing or two about hats. We particularly like the Chelsea Fedora available at http://www.lockhatters.co.uk for £186.

Suits - If you want the best then it has to be Savile Row and there is probably none better than William Westmancott of 12 Savile Row - view his website at http://www.williamwestmancott.com/contact/index.php

Shoes - There are a few good English shoemakes such as Crockett & Jones and Edward Green, but we are going to plump for John Lobb Ltd at 9 St. James Street. Excellent shoes from both the Ready to wear range and for those who really want the best, their famous bespoke shoes.

Socks - Once upon a time Pantharella would have been our choice, but we find the quality too variable to call them the best. for that honour we choose Corgi (who are not actually English, but Welsh). These really are first class socks.

Ties - Although famous for their shirts, we are going to select Turnbull and Asser as our favourite. the 50oz Twill silk they use is just gorgeous.

Cufflinks - Aspinal double ovals

Umbrella - Swaine Afeney and Briggs at http://www.swaineadeney.co.uk/

2008-12-29T16:09:00.001-08:00

Technorati Profile

bespoke shirts - some benefits over R2W and M2M

2008-12-29T15:22:00.003-08:00

Benefits of bespoke shirts By englishshirts
One of the great things about bespoke shirts is that if you have a shirt made that is not quite right then it can be put right to ensure you have the perfect bespoke shirt. A recent client wanted a rounded collar but after we produced it he felt it was too long, so we took the bespoke shirt back and replaced it at no cost to him for a penny round.
Another client had a shirt made and when trying it on it was decided the tail was too short. Get a RTW or MTM shirt and it is no good, but with bespoke we can make him a new one at no cost; it is what really makes bespoke work.
As we have to make him a new shirt we will tweak the collar shape and any other aspects to ensure the new shirt is exactly right.
Go to http://www.shirt-style.co.uk for more details

bespoke shirts - some benefits over R2W and M2M

2008-12-29T15:22:00.001-08:00

Benefits of bespoke shirtsBy englishshirts
One of the great things about bespoke shirts is that if you have a shirt made that is not quite right then it can be put right to ensure you have the perfect bespoke shirt. A recent client wanted a rounded collar but after we produced it he felt it was too long, so we took the bespoke shirt back and replaced it at no cost to him for a penny round.
Another client had a shirt made and when trying it on it was decided the tail was too short. Get a RTW or MTM shirt and it is no good, but with bespoke we can make him a new one at no cost; it is what really makes bespoke work.
As we have to make him a new shirt we will tweak the collar shape and any other aspects to ensure the new shirt is exactly right.
Go to http://www.shirt-style.co.uk for more details

Quality bespoke shirts

2008-12-17T15:17:00.001-08:00

People often ask how good our bespoke shirts really are. We obviously think they are among the best, and when you consider that our shirts are made in the same workshops, by the same seamsters and to the same standards as another shirtmakers shirts, who was nominated in GQ Style magazine as London's best bespoke shirt maker and by Nick Foulkes in the Evening Standard as one of the top 5 bespoke shirt makers in the world, then you get an idea how good our shirts are.
We only use the best Italian and Swiss cottons (although we also carry Acorn for those who like the very English patterns they make available). We us very high quality stitching at 16 spi, single needle tailored throughout.Our Mother of Pearl buttons are not just any pearl buttons, but are made from the finest grade MoP and are elegantly constructed to complement the quality of our shirts.
If you want to see the quality of our bespoke shirts for yourself then call us on 01684 878195 and ask for one of our consultants to bring samples to show you. Alternatively view our website at http://www.shirt-style.co.uk

A bespoke shirt for business

2008-12-12T13:56:00.000-08:00

I thought i would show you one of our latest bespoke shirts made for a client who will be using it for business wear. This shirt is made from an Italian cotton cloth from the mill of Tessitura Monti Spa. and is from their Roma range.

The Roma range is from the Prince Rose line, a 120s fabric with a weight of 114 gr. and is available in 211 pattern/colour variations.

The particular cloth used on this shirt is the 0018/001 fabric, which makes for a really nice shirt indeed and works really well with a small-patterned tie.

The collar we made for this shirt is higher than our standard

collars and has a relatively wide spread and long points which sit firmly against the shirt. the collar can be seen closer up below. The cuffs are double-square.

If you are looking for a great fitting bespoke shirt for business then this cloth range is a great choice and currently we are selling bespoke shirts in this range for £125

For a free consultation please visit our website at http://www.shirt-style.co.uk or call us on 01684 878195

Bespoke Shirts - you are the designer...

2008-12-08T13:47:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I showed some bespoke shirts we had made for a client with a high collar and extended point concealed button down collar. This was made to specific requirements of a client, shown here to the right. We also made a rounded collar specifically for another client.

Neither of these collar styles would be available from a Ready to Wear shirt, and it is true to say that they are also very unlikely to be available from any of the so-called 'bespoke' shirt makers that offer menus of collars and cuffs, plackets etc. Many of these claim to have a certain number of collars to choose from - we have effectively an infinite number of collars for our bespoke shirts - we will make exactly what you require, and if we get it wrong we will work with you to improve it until it is what you require.
The same is true for cuffs - no menus here either. You decide what you want, and if it is feasible to make it then we will.

Our bespoke shirts are as unique as you. You are the designer.

Contact us now on 01684 878195 or through our website at http://www.shirt-style.co.uk/order.html

A white shirt

2008-11-28T13:33:00.000-08:00

You would think it would be simple, wouldn't you! A client wants a plain white shirt. easy, white is white isn't it.... well when it comes to bespoke shirts it is not that easy.

In our collection of over 2500 fabric samples for our clients to choose from we have well over 50 that can be described as plain white. I am not including the marcella and dobby weaves and other white on white cloth, but just good old plain white.

You can have pinpoint, end-on-end, poplin, Oxford, linen, cashmarello, Royal Oxford then there is the yarn count.... 80s, 100s, 120s, 140s, 170s, 200s etc etc.

The choice goes on and on - and this is just the plain whites!

This really highlights one of the biggest benefits of buying a bespoke shirt; choice.

If you feel that you would be overwhelmed by the choice then have no fear as our consultants will be on hand to help guide you based on what you require the shirt for, your budget, what you are wearing the shirt with etc. We can even recommend image consultants to help you choose colours and patterns if required.

Of course, choice is not all that bespoke shirts offer. Ypou get the best fit possible, the best construction possible (meaning a bespoke shirt will last longer than ready to wear) and you know that it has been crafted exclusively for you, from your own unique pattern.

if you have not already tried bespoke shirts then call us on 01684 878195 or fill out the form online.

The Brompton Collar

2008-10-31T15:05:00.000-07:00

The Brompton Collar is our standard turn down collar and along with the Albany is probably one of our most popular. It also forms the basis of our house style button down collar. The collar is shown laid out below.

The collar has a standard size band so the collar does not sit particularly high - if you prefer higher collars we have other options which we will detail seperately.

A view of the collar buttoned:

This collar is available both on our bespoke shirts and our online made to measure service.

2008-10-05T04:16:00.000-07:00

Bespoke Shirt maker The Sartorial Executive partners with Birmingham's top bespoke suit company enabling their clients to have a high quality Bespoke made to Measure suit constructed to wear with their luxury bespoke shirts.

The company they have partnered with have been making bespoke suits for over 100 years and it will in turn allow their large customer base the opportunity to obtain the highest quality bespoke shirts to wear under their bespoke suits.

A large number of high quality wooolen fabrics ar available and as with any bespoke service there is no limit to the styles of suit available.

For more details go to http://www.shirt-style.co.uk/madetomeasuresuits.html

Online Bespoke Shirts now available

2008-09-29T13:21:00.000-07:00

For those that have not noticed, we have started offering online Bespoke Shirts - currently these are available in the Acorn Grange range of fabrics but we will be adding some of the Swiss Alumo cloths too, very soon enabling you to buy a premium Bespoke Shirt online.

Our August made to Measure Shirt Offer

2008-08-09T10:13:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce a very special offer during the current month of August. A superb Made-to-Measure shirt for just £90 including delivery to your home address. The shirt is available from your visiting consultant if you are within our service area, and for those outside we are able to extend this offer to you by telephone, where you supply us with your measurements.

The shirts are made in England from Thomas Mason Queen range fabrics to our usual exacting standards complete with the best quality pearl buttons.

Go to our webpage at http://www.shirt-style.co.uk/august_offer.html for more details.

The price of a Bespoke Shirt

2008-07-30T13:14:00.000-07:00

I just got off of the phone from a person that had left his details for a call back to make an appointment for a shirt fitting. He had come via our website and the first question I was asked was what are the prices and when i told him, he basically ended the conversation there.

My question is, and I did not ask him, what price did he expect to pay?

I believe the quality bespoke shirt market is suffering in the same way that bespoke suits have with so many companies offering so called bespoke-shirts from an online website and a few drop down menus. People do not realise that the shirts from these companies are 9 times out of 10 a totally different beast than genuine quality bespoke shirts. They are £45 or so for a reason! below I try to list a few of the reasons, which it is best to understand before deciding where to buy you bespoke shirt.

1. Quality of Cloth - A shirt for less than £100 is very unlikely going to be made from top cottons such as Albini, Alumo and Monti. If they are then the shirt has definitely not been made in the UK, more likely the far East in the shape of Hong Kong or Thailand in a factory operation. More than likely the cloth will come from India or China and will have a percentage of microfibre mixed in. Use of a good cloth will add £20 or so to the cost of making the shirt.

2. Quality of Interlinings for collars and cuffs - The collars and cuffs of a bespoke shirt tell us so much about the quality of the rest of the shirt. Cheap shirts will have the interlinings fused to the collar and cuff material, making the collars stiff and lifeless. A quality bespoke shirt will be made without fusing and the interlinings will be hand stitched making for a softer, natural looking collar and cuff. Good interlinings are more expensive and hand sewing takes longer than fusing.

3. Personal Patterns - A qality bespoke shirt will require a personal pattern to be made for you; a cheaper version will be made by working off of standard blocks. The extra time and cost of the pattern making adds to the shirt cost but ensures that the shirt fits you and is exclusive to you.

4. Details - Cheap online bespoke shirts are unlikely to have Mother of Pearl Buttons without paying extra; pattern matching is unlikely on a cheap shirt; contrast collars and similar are likely to cost extra on a cheap shirt, but are generally included in the cost of a quality bespoke shirt.

If you really want to pay less than £100 the you will be better off getting a better quality ready to wear shirt from the likes of Hackett, Aquascutum or Jermyn Street and getting it altered to fit better around the body.

3.

Bespoke Shirt Newsletter Published

2008-07-16T12:03:00.001-07:00

Our first edition of our new newsletter was published yesterday. For those not on our mailing list, we have made it available here http://www.shirt-style.co.uk/newsletter1.html

Latest Products

2008-07-11T13:59:00.000-07:00

We have just added two new ranges of Ian Flaherty cufflinks from their Premium Range. Both series are available in nine different colours of crystals. A fantastic accessory to complement your Sartorial Executive Bespoke Shirt.

See the full range in our shop at http://shop.sartorialexecutive.com/

Hats off to the Social Season Hatters

2008-07-10T14:31:00.000-07:00

We don't sell hats (yet) but we do believe that not enough people wear hats (and I don't count a baseball cap as a hat).
I came a cross a delightful hat stall at the recent Cotswold Show in Cirencester last weekend. The stall, run by Peter and Jilly Sinclair-Knipe went by the name of 'Social Season Hatters', an apt name for a setup that sells its wares at numerous shows and fayres across the country.

The hat I bought was a Baileys of Hollywood panama, an american creation with an absolutey fantastic Cream and Brown grosgrain band and bow, with a stylish manufacturers logo. Looking on the Baileys website at http://www.baileyhats.com/ it appears the model that I purchased is called a Carnegie.

The hat is a fantastic addition to my wardrobe and something that goes fantastic with some of my bespoke shirts.

Why not treat yourself to a new hat by checking out their website at http://www.skhats.co.uk/ and meeting them at one of the events at which they have a trade stand.

Looking after your bespoke shirts

2008-05-29T14:16:00.000-07:00

Let's face it, a bespoke shirt is an investment. At around £100 to £200 a go you want it to last longer than a few months. To help you on the way here are a few tips to keep your bespoke shirts in tip top condition.

Wash your cotton bespoke shirts in a washing machine at 40 degrees - any hotter and you will reduce it's life
Iron on setting number 2. Yes, i know setting 3 says Cotton, but it is too hot, cotton will iron fine with less heat - but do use steam or ensure shirt is slightly damp.
Hang the shirt up after each wear. If it has creases but you want to wear it again before the next wash then run the iron over the body again.
Remove collar bones after wearing.
Check all buttons for security before hanging, and repair or replace ny that need it.
Don't eat spaghetti whilst wearing your bespoke shirt.

That's all, not much too it, a good quality cotton bespoke shirt almost looks after itself.

new cufflink collections

2008-05-13T14:55:00.001-07:00

We are now able to bring you cufflinks from designers Ian Flaherty and Denison Boston. ideal to wear with your bespoke shirts. look out for more detail on the website.

Thomas Mason Cloth now available for our bespoke shirts

2008-05-13T14:52:00.001-07:00

We are pleased to be able to announce that we are now able to supply our bespoke shirt clients with Thomas Mason Cloths. Italian owned, but with an English tradition stretching back to 1786.

The cloths we have are from their Silverline Collection, a range of approximately 100 cloths including plains, checks and stripes.

Shirts from these cloths will cost between £90 to £105 dependant on quality.

A quality bespoke shirt deserves a quality hanger

2008-05-04T12:13:00.000-07:00

When you have paid good money for a quality bespoke shirt then you don't really want to be hanging it in your wardrobe on some wire or plastic coathanger.

We have found the perfect solution from a company called the hanger project and here are the details from their website:

Solid Maple Wood - Beautifully Finished
Flatter the rest of your closet. The Hanger Project designed these shirt hangers to the same standards of our premier suit hangers. Available in both a standard 17.0 and wider 19.0 inch widths, our premium shirt hangers ensure that your shirts will look just as good when you put them on as they did when you first hung them in your closet.
The wider 19.0 inch shirt hanger is especially popular among men with broader shoulders because it prevents they typical puckering experienced when one's hanger is too narrow.

website: https://www.hangerproject.com/

Bespoke Ties

2008-04-28T14:05:00.000-07:00

We are currently talking to a bespoke tie manufacturer which should hopefully result in us being able to offer bespoek ties as well as bespoke shirts.

Why buy a bespoke shirt over an off the rack?

2008-04-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

This is a question I have been asked many times so I have put together a few bullet points in the merits of bespoke shirts over off the peg shirts.

The obvious one - fit. Most ready to wear shirts are a poor fit for most people; not surprising really as one neck size of shirt has to fit everybody with that neck size.
Choice of Cloth - this applies both to quality of cloth, i.e. the type of yarn and the yarn count and also to the choice of colours and patterns on the shirt.
Durability - a well made bespoke shirt with good quality stitching is likely to last much longer than a ready to wear (although that is not always the case as you tend to want to wear the bespoke shirt every day)
Choice of style - most bespoke shirt makers will be able to provide you with a tailor made shirt that allows a multitude of options for collars, cuffs, pockets and any other detail you may desire.

Getting bespoke shirt-y

2008-04-24T11:17:00.000-07:00

Things are a-changing here at the Sartorial Executive. We have made a decision to cease meaking Made to Measure Suits and to concentrate what has always been the core of our business - Bespoke Shirts. Whatever you call them : bespoke Shirts; tailor Made Shirts; Custome Shirts or Made to Measure shirts it is impossible to get the same feel and buzz from any off the peg shirt.

Currently we are supplying shirts in our own Sarto di Moda range of cloth, but hope to add Thomas Mason very soon. All being well we also hope to add Tessuti Monti and Alumo to the ranges in the future.

We are also able to take orders from people outside our usual operating area by using our online bespoke shirt ordering process.

Six-Fold Ties

2008-04-21T14:35:00.000-07:00

If you have never experience six fold ties then I suggest you seek some out. You will soon realise that the majority of ties that you buy from the local department store are really just a limp piece of silk.

A six-fold (or seven fold) tie is a different beast altogether. The weight of the tie and the interlinings create a true feeling of luxury when handling the tie.

We love them so much that we are in negotiation with a New York tie designer to bring our own range of bespoke neckwear. We currently have a small number of samples available to purchase at a knock down price on our website. These ties are limited edition, often less than 40 are made of each design - so as well as smart and stylish they are truly exclusive.

These ties are a fantastic accompaniment to any bespoke shirt.

Just in case you want to make your own six-fold ties you can find out how at http://sevenfoldties.reflexblue.org/six_fold/stepbystep.php

2008-04-18T13:06:00.000-07:00

I was in TK Maxx in Birmingham today, because my wife wanted to look around, so i decided to look at the menswear department, not really expecting to find much.

Well I was surprised to say the least. I came out sartorially richer. I bought a beautiful Pringle short sleeve sweater for about £15, a Hacket "City Collar" Burgundy Bini gingham shirt (half retail price) and two fantastic William Hunt of Savile Row ties, normally £85 from their store, £9.99 each from TK Maxx.

They even have some reasonable suits and trousers, although not in the same league as Made to Measure Suits of course, but you get them at a great discount from the RRP. They also have a good range of shirts including, of course Hacket and also Haines and Bonner.

I may sell Bespoke Shirts, but that has never stopped me buying nice shirts when I see them. If you are on a budget then this is a great place to get off-the-peg stuff, ideal to match up with your Sartorial Executive Made to Measure Suit.

An unlikely sartorial experience

2008-04-18T12:55:00.000-07:00

I was in TK Maxx in Birmingham today, because my wife wanted to look around, so i decided to look at the menswear department, not really expecting to find much. Well i was surprised to say the least.

I came out sartorially richer. I bought a beautiful Pringle short sleeve sweater for about £15, a Hacket "City Collar" Burgundy Bini gingham shirt (half retail price) and two fantastic William Hunt of Savile Row ties, normally £85 from their store, £9.99 each from TK Maxx.

They even have some reasonable suits and trousers, although not in the same league as Made to Measure Suits of course, but you get them at a great discount from the RRP.

They also have a good range of shirts including, of course Hacket and also Haines and Bonner. I may sell Bespoke Shirts, but that has never stopped me buying nice shirts when I see them.

If you are on a budget then this is a great place to get off-the-peg stuff, ideal to match up with your Sartorial Executive Made to Measure Suit.

New Cloths

2008-03-18T15:01:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to be able to announce the availability of three new ranges of cloth from Bradford based John Foster of England Ltd.

Based at the historic Black Dyke Mills in Queensbury Bradford, West Yorkshire where for nearly 200 years the name of John Foster has been synonymous with the manufacture of fine Worsted and Mohair fabrics.

These are a great range of very high quality cloth in our opinion in the same league as great cloths such as Scabal and Holland & Sherry.

The créme de la créme of the cloth is a 100% cashmere - not cheap but worth every penny!

Does your image need a makeover?

2008-01-26T14:10:00.000-08:00

I would like to introduce our clients and potential clients to Suzanne Jaya a personal fashion stylist based in South Wales.

Suzanne works freelance offering you an unbiased view on personal styling, image and fashion.
Suzanne and her associates can help you feel uplifted and younger by demonstrating how style and colour can be used to increase your self-esteem. Their aim is to help you realise your full potential and beauty.

The service provided by Suzanne to gentlemen as well as ladies are as follows;

Styling Services
What’s Your Style : Wardrobe Workout
From £75
Suzanne offers a one-to-one consultation to review and de-clutter your wardrobe. The session aims to help you to part with fashion mistakes, refine your style and dress for your shape. Ideal styles and colours for the fabulous new you will be suggested. The session takes approximately 3 hours.

What’s Your Style : Personal Shopping
£25 per hour
A personal shopping service that eliminates the need for you to park, shop and drop. Instead you can try on clothes specially chosen for you, in the privacy of your own home.Average shopping trip takes 3 hours.
Alternatively if you want to know HOW to shop, then you may prefer to have a fun day out with Suzanne who will help you to choose the right clothes for your budget and lifestyle.

What’s Your Style : At Home
£15 per person
An affordable way of picking up tips and considering new styles. These events are a great opportunity to get some friends together and host your very own girls’ night-in with a drink or two. Ideal for new fashion seasons, ‘hen’ parties, pre Wedding styling for the bride and her Wedding party etc., or just for the fun of it!

What’s Your Style: Complete Makeover
price on quotation
Suzanne works with experienced make-up artists and hair stylists who can offer you advice on pulling together a whole new look with your make-up and hairstyle. It’s a fantastic opportunity to shine at a special occasion or just to keep up-to-date with new make-up techniques and trends.

Find her website at http://www.suzannejaya.co.uk/index.asp

New tailoring team on board

2008-01-26T14:06:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to announce that we now have our own tailoring team on board. As well as our existing relationship with Siverde tailoring of Savile Row we will be able to offer our made to measure suits and bespoke Shirts under the 'Sartorial Executive' Brand.

The main advantages to you, our clients, will be quicker turnaround times, and a fully bespoke shirt service enabling you to totally specify the shirt design.

We are really excited about this new partnership and look forward to providing you with attire under our own label.

For those that want their suits to be made by a Savile Row based tailor company, we are still able to offer Siverde suits.

New Bespoke Shirts Coming Soon

2007-11-09T15:00:00.000-08:00

I am currently in discussions with a shirtmaker which should result in us being able to offer our clients a wonderful new range of bespoke shirts. A far greater number of cloths to choose from, better quality and hopefully at a lower price.

These shirts will be sold under our own 'Sartorial Executive' Brand.

Look out for a special offer when we launch them later in the year.

Our latest 'creation'

2007-10-25T14:03:00.001-07:00

This suit was bought by one of our clients for wearing at his forthcoming wedding. Like many of our clients he finds off the peg suits unsuitable because he does not conform to any 'standard' size.

However, with this suit he will be able to attend his wedding with confidence knowing that he has a suit that fits like a glove.

Chester Barrie - nice shirt chaps.

2007-10-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

I was out at the weekend, in our local House of Fraser, looking through the menswear section, as I do. A shirt in there caught my eye, a gorgeous candy pink striped Chester Barrie, double cuff job, with gorgeous cut away collar. It was in the sale too, £40 down from £55. Bargain. I am wearing it as I type along with the Chester Barrie mother of pearl cufflinks that I also purchased for £35.

Yes I know I sell bespoke shirts, but this shirt was a fantastic colour, so I had to have it. I shall be wearing it to my appointments tomorrow.

The world's most expensive suit. A snip at £45,000

2007-10-18T12:17:00.000-07:00

Fancy a new suit for that all important interview? How about one that costs an eye-watering £45,000?
A Saville Row tailor has produced what it thought to be the world's most expensive suit. William Westmancott, 27, has created the 'Ultimate Bespoke' - it is made from a one-off luxury cloth designed and woven in a traditional English Mill.
"It the most expensive, luxurious and indulgent bespoke suit in the world," Mr Westmancott said. It is aimed at celebrities or "the man who has everything and for whom money is no object".
As the cloth is so expensive he creates a complete sample suit first to ensure the pattern is perfect.
"An ultimate bespoke suit will take 150 to 200 workshop hours of construction, with many weeks of work spent designing and weaving the cloth and linings," Mr Westmancott said.
So far the Saville Row tailor said there had been a lot of interest from "wealthy Russians and Middle Eastern gentlemen" as well as premiership footballers.
Of course a rich businessman could not be expected to travel to London for the experience and so Mr Westmancott offers to fly out to 'anywhere in the world' to carry out the fittings.
Still unsure about the price? He also throws in a complimentary set of five bespoke shirts worth £2,475.

(from The Daily Mail)

The return of formal office wear?

2007-10-16T14:10:00.000-07:00

This month's edition of Business Matters magazine has an article with the headline 'The return of the formal office wear' and is suggesting that employers seem to be getting away from the uber-relaxed dress that has crept into the workplace.

many companies have wised up to the fact that their employess may say that they are more relaxed dressed casually, and hence can work better - but there is little point working better if the clients are scared away and there is no work to do.

Make sure your business is not left behind, get all your employees in our made-to-measure suits and ensure you are ahead of the trend.