The last time Alex wore a dress it was a requirement of her high school graduation. She looked stunning of course (I tell her I so would have known I had crushes on girls sooner if we went to the same high school!). Since then she has looked even more stunning in button-up shirts, blazers, and waistcoats in particular. Tell me, she shouldn’t wear waistcoats after this picture:
Photo by Erica and Alex
Ok, it was the only picture I could find and you can’t even see all her outfit, but still!
Since her sister got hitched last year to the Erica of her dreams in trousers, shirt and neck scarf from Gresham Blake, Alex has been drooling over the same tailors in Brighton. Spending the last three years designing the perfect women’s suit–complete with cuffs that kick-out at the ends of the jacket–Gresham Blake knows what they are doing and Alex has dreamed of getting something made by them.
The flip-side of that dream were also some supporting facts: the shops on the high street (or the mall, by US equivalent) are difficult for Alex to navigate. At 5’2″, she wears a 14-18 depending on where we go (and which country), and the number of tailored pieces for women are slim pickings anyway. Reiss, New York & Co., J. Crew, and John Lewis just weren’t going to have what she was looking for or what would fit her (gorgeous, I have to say it!) hour-glass figure.
All that in mind, we made a date with her mum to down to Brighton and have a look at Gresham Blake!
Known for their combinations of stylish wools with bright accents, walking into their shop is like walking into a candy store. So many cuts, combos, accessories and options. Once the manager of the women’s department copped on that we meant business, she led us through the variety of options:
Off the Peg: The tailor carries a stock of trousers, shirts, waistcoats, and jackets in set fabrics & linings that you can buy ‘off the peg’ and have altered (at an additional price) to fit you just right. The suits are, of course, stunning, but Alex didn’t want navy with white pin stripes nor green & purple plaid–which led us to the sample books of fabrics.
Made to Measure: For ‘Made to Measure’, you take the standard style of Gresham Blake’s women’s suit and change the fabric, alterations included. Initially, Alex wanted a cream suit. The manager (who also makes the suits herself) fished up a sample book with a few cream fabrics, but with those it was going to increase the price by about 40%–and Alex would probably only wear it for the weddings, and rarely after. After consideration that it would be really nice for Alex to have a suit she could wear over and over again–leisurely and professionally–she picked out a beautiful light brown wool, with lilac lining. And then she hummed and hawed over it while we continued the discussion of options.
Even more suit options
Custom Design: At some point the manager said we could have the option to do a custom design if there were any changes to the standard pattern Alex wanted to make: a flash of colour at the cuffs, snazzed up waistcoat, longer jacket, etc. Alex and her mum entertained this idea for about 10 mins until the additional cost set in and we all realized ‘Made to Measure’ would probably work best.
With the design set, Alex went to try on the different pieces of the 3 piece suit to see a) what fit, b) what size she was, and c) how many pieces she wanted. I admit I did see her in the navy suit, but I still maintain it will not jinx our day. (I argue it’s the same degree of ‘viewing’ as having her see my dress in a photo in a different color…) The manager, Alex and her mum sorted the sizes (one size smaller for the waistcoat, one size bigger for the jacket) and deemed that really, if the money was going to be spent, it had to be a 3-piece suit, all for around 700 GBP.
As I write, her suit is being ordered: 3 pieces, light brown wool, lilac lining, purple felting under the collar. The next step will be determining the rest of the outfit: button-up shirt vs. sleeveless vs. camisole, tie/no tie, neck scarf/no neck scarf, cuff links, shoes, bra, jewellry…
WOW. That link is making me wish we were going to England on our honeymoon and not France. And that’s saying a lot. I did find a local place that looks like it has some good off-white and white tux options and I’m trying them on on Saturday. Wish me luck!
Definitely good luck Raven! And if you want an English stop over on your honeymoon, we’ve got a spare bedroom!
Stacy is really envious of Alex’s suit options– and we can’t wait to see how it all comes together!
The suit sounds beautiful. I have been dreaming of a grey, 3-piece, pinstripe suit. I cannot wait to seethe light brown.
Thank you for this post, I so absolutely have the same opinion! And it’s very stimulating for me. I’m just functioning on my opinion with this issue.