How to buy a “bespoke” suit

In Toronto and other major cities having a custom suit made is easier than you think. We have written an easy guide to buying your next bespoke suit.

Research “bespoke” tailors in your city

It is very important to find a reputable tailor in the city that you want to purchase a custom-tailored suit. Ask the people around you and talk to people over social networks such as Twitter and Facebook. You never know where you will find the best tailor in your city. If you would like a list of great spots in Toronto, contact me and I can direct you to the appropriate tailor based on your needs.

Discuss your lifestyle with your tailor

During this time, have a discussion with your tailor about your lifestyle, your profession, your habits and whether you travel with the garment you will be purchasing. These will all determine what type of fabric you will purchase.

For example, if you have determined that you travel a lot with your suit, you may want to look into an easy-care wrinkle-free fabric.

Choose your fabric with your tailor

During this stage, you should take the time to determine which fabric will suit your lifestyle. You will begin to see numbers like Super-100’s and 200’s. Keep in mind that these numbers refer to the quality grades of the fabric and many designers use between Super 100 and Super 120 fabrics.

During this time, you can pick your color, weight, your fabric and the buttons to bring it all together.

Your Tailored Fitting

At this point, your tailor will speak to you about the fit of the suit. Whether you decide to have a double-vented suit, single-pleated or a cuff on your trouser ensure you research before you make your final decision. The best way to determine what you like and to communicate this to your tailor is to look through your favorite magazines and bring a picture to your tailor once you find a similar look. This way your tailor is able to base his design off of your vision.

Listen to your tailor through this process. They have worked with every body type if they are a reputable tailor and know what will fit you best.

At Last…

You have the suit in front of you on a hanger. What next? Make sure you try on the suit in front of the tailor. The tailor may have to make minor adjustments to your garment. Once satisfied, you will have your first bespoke tailored suit.

Congratulations.

Bring the prep look back this Spring!

Remember back to when you were a kid and you were dressing up for school pictures? You most likely put on a dress shirt and had a tie to match.

It’s time to bring back that look. Why not pair a great oxford with a navy slim tie, an unstructured blazer and a pair of your favorite chinos this Spring.

Want to add that extra twist to your outfit? Look for a pair of great aviators and deck shoes and you will have a complete look ready for a Saturday afternoon stroll or an every day look.

Links to Featured Pieces:

Classic Fit Striped Oxford – Ralph Lauren

http://www.ralphlauren.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3949606&ab=crosssell_2_4047994_3949606

NHL Cufflinks available at Green Shag Bespoke.

Are you a hockey addict? Always wear your favorite team NHL jersey to work on casual Fridays? Now you can bring your favorite team with you any day of the week.

I’ve recently come across a special selection of NHL cufflinks from Green Shag Bespoke on Queen Street West and have ordered my NHL emblem cufflinks and will be waiting for their arrival.

If you are buying them for yourself or as a gift know that they will be appreciated and will be the talk of the next big game. So whether your favorite team is the Ottawa Senators or the Calgary Flames head out to Green Shag and check them out!

Christmas is just around the corner – only 14 more shopping days left and you are still wondering what to buy for that guy in your life. Whether it is your boyfriend, husband, fiance, sibling or just a friend, these 10 items may be able to help… (in no particular order).

1. NHL / Hockey Night in Canada Cuff links

Greenshag

Where to find: www.greenshag.com

Let’s be honest…what guy doesn’t like hockey in Canada? Have you ever been out with your boyfriend while he is wearing a French cuff shirt with standard boring cuff links? or stood in a department store staring at the cases of stainless steel and silver cuff links wondering which one may excite him? Why not look into a pair of NHL or Hockey Night in Canada cuff links from Green Shag Bespoke.

I have a couple pairs of shirts and cuff links from Neil and Victoria (Owners, Green Shag) and I believe they could be the perfect gift. So whether they are retro Hockey Night in Canada cuff links or cuff links from their favorite hockey team, check them out!

2. With a scarf you can never go wrong.

Smart Turnout

Where to find: Holt Renfrew, The Bay, Banana Republic

Whether it’s a casual scarf or a scarf to throw on with a suit and an overcoat, let me assure you we use scarves each day of the winter, and tend to have more than one in our closet.

Shopping for a more conservative guy? Look for simple colours this Christmas…no that doesn’t mean a green and red striped scarf. Remember the American College colours? Think Princeton, Harvard, Yale in your scarf purchase.

For the one that is willing to take more of a risk, look at purples, browns and other stripes this winter. After all, just because it’s gloomy outside doesn’t mean we have to be monotone.

3. Nudie Jeans

Nudie Jeans

Where to find: www.carbontoronto.com, www.trustfundboutique.com

No…not what your thinking. Welcome to the world of Nudie and Raw Denim. This jean is like no other in that you can make the jean your own. You pick up your fit, and you wear the jean in how you see fit. The trick – don’t wash the jean for as long as you can stand it! Remember though, whatever you stick in your pocket will be revealed after long time wear. Think iPod, wallet, coins…

Remember! Raw denim tends to stretch an inch, so buy an inch smaller.

Want to find out more about the brand? www.nudiejeans.com

4. Ecosol Powerstick

Powerstick

Where to find: www.powerstick.com

Everyone has found themselves in a situation where they want to listen to their music, or make a call on their mobile device, but, their battery is low. A simple device called the Powerstick will solve these issues and allow your device to continue on the road.

Simply charge it by USB and use one of the included adapters to plug into your mobile device.

5. Kindle Wireless Reading Device

Kindle

Where to find: www.amazon.ca

At just over a 1/3 inch in size and weighing just 10.2 ounces, this electronic device can download books in less than 60 seconds on a 3G wireless network. Readers in Canada can currently access up to 360,000 different books and access word documents, pdf documents and a series of blogs.

For that book worm in your family, or someone who likes to keep up to date with the latest technologies, this item is the perfect gift.

6. Bang and Olufsen A8 Headphones

Headphones

Where to find: www.bangandolufsen.com

Bang and Olufsen are one of the leaders in the audio and video industry. These headphones stay inline with their mission to uphold their innovative position in the market. These small headphones not only look sleek and sophisticated, they also stand the test of time and provide the listener with a clear, crisp audio experience.

You may pay a premium for these headphones, however, I must say – I am currently writing this blog article while listening to music with my Bang and Olufsen headphones, and they sound as clean as they did the day I purchased them 4 years ago.

7. Your Adidas…well sort of

Miadidas

Where to buy: www.miadidas.com

Are you sick of their favorite kicks not looking right anymore? Whatever their style, their sport or their personality you can build them a pair of custom adidas shoes at www.miadidas.com. You can even write something next to the adidas stripe!

Check it out – a great gift for a guy who loves his kicks and needs a new pair.

8. Shaving Brush

Badger Brush

Where to buy: www.gsmen.com, www.menessentials.ca

Isn’t there something romantic and sexy about seeing a man shave? Well rather than watch him plaster green gel over his face from an aerosol can, why not make the shaving experience more intimate for both of you and let him shave with a brush. Now before you say ‘that’s the gift for my guy’, there are a few things you should know about shaving brushes. They come in three different kinds: great brushes, good brushes, and shaving brushes that shouldn’t even be sold for a face. The best brushes ensure a much softer experience and are made with badger hair. Although there are three ranges of badger hair brushes ranging from silver tip to standard badger hair, the preference is a personal one.

I’m not saying to go out and buy the top one right away, but I will say the experience is unique and it becomes a joy to shave

9. Ever Hoodie

Hoodie

Where to find: www.carbontoronto.com, www.trustfundboutique.com

Every guy wears a hoodie – and every guy needs another hoodie in his closet. The great thing about an EVER hoodie is that it has the feeling of a worn-in hoodie. With a 100% cotton fleece outer and a 100% cotton thermal lining inside this is sure to stay in his closet for years to come.

The great thing about this hoodie – not only does it become a hoodie in his closet; it becomes one in your closet too.

10. Jack Spade Messenger Bag

Jack Spade

Where to buy: www.trustfundboutique.com, www.jackspade.com

Is it a man bag? Is it a European carry-all? Whatever you want to it to be it will carry all of his gear from place to place. A great bag during work hours; a great bag at night! What draws me to Jack Spade bags are the small details. The heavy duty zippers and the material of the bags show the well-thought out design.

Why is this the final item on the list? With this bag, the guy in your life can carry all of the other gadgets that he has collected so that you don’t have to.

I wish you all of the luck with your purchases.

All the best.

Happy Holidays