Last week I had the pleasure of a joining Hawes & Curtis for a tailoring session at the eponymous brand’s flagship Jermyn Street store. Granted my experience with tailoring may be limited, my knowledge of crafting quality garments is somewhat expansive!
Established in 1913, Hawes & Curtis has pioneered several styles over the years including the backless evening waistcoat, but as a company have managed to stay current and offer timelessness wardrobe staples without completely breaking the budget. Notable customers have included Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Bing Crosby, Lord Mountbatten, Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire.
Featured here we have a charcoal and white check detail slim fit Italian made suit from the 1913 collection coupled with a classic Hawes & Curtis fitted white shirt. The fit of the suit itself is exceptional thanks to in-house tailor Richard….and as for the process – rather seamless – it took a mere two days from fitting to final completion.
With that in mind, I also wanted to share some intel and advice on shopping for suits particularly when it comes to identifying fabrics to retain shape – often the hardest part of the game. Breathability is key – and this is always affected by the garment’s weight. Wool being the most popular, versatile and long living cloth tends to retain shape when constructed with a heavier weight. Essentially lighter cloth means that shape doesn’t retain as well, so it is wise to protect your lighter weight suits as much as possible. If in doubt, speak to your tailor about the “Super” of the garment – the higher the super (i.e. 160/180) the finer the fabric.
For more information and to shop online visit www.hawesandcurtis.co.uk. Car featured is the beautiful Porsche Cayman S. Photos by Ozat.