Ok… I have an odd sized body and want to have a custom coat made without paying a king’s ransom… anyone know of any good seamstresses or tailors in New England? Or, have you had a coat made by someone other than a horsey tailor and had good or great results… thanks
Two places I use
It is actually a good time as the dollar is strong against the pound. I took advantage and had a couple made.
Alexander James
http://www.alexander-james.co.uk/archives/category/products/hunting
These people come to Rolex and now have a rep in the United States.
Bookster
I had a tweed made by them and one for my husband. They are beautiful. One of our hunt members had them make his scarlet and I think it was less expensive than buying a good one of the shelf here.
Alexander James takes about a month. Bookster is two to three months. They tell you two but my experience has been that it is closer to three.
Bookster also has a lot of nice used Tweeds on Ebay. You could pick up one of those and take it to a tailor.
I had my Father-in-laws Basseting coat altered to fit me when I got my Basset colors.
It’s a cheap alternative.
Second vote for Alexander James!
I also have a body that does not fit off the rack clothes. I have had two coats made by Alexander James and there is nothing like clothing that fits perfectly! All my other coats are mens altered to fit and there is no comparison.
The price is dependent on the exchange rate at the time, the fabric you select and what options you put on your coat. The two I had made were done in different years (hence different exchange rates) one ended up costing approx $800 in US$ and the other approx $500.
They come to Rolex and the Upperville Horse show. I got my first measurements made at Rolex and then had a fitting of the partially assembled garment at Upperville. For the second coat I just emailed them, they sent me fabric samples by mail based on my description of what I was looking for, I emailed them again with my fabric selection and then they used the pattern for my first coat to make my second, and it was just as perfect.
Very nice workmanship and very professional. The actual tailors name is Alan Smith and they are located in Manchester England. Here is their web address: www.alexander-james.co.uk
and then if you’re cheap…
You can buy a coat cheap that’s too big or a mans coat that’s too big and take it to your local tailor/seamstress and have them take it in/custom fit it to you. Trust me, I know this works with a terrific result. It ends up costing much less than a brand new coat. How about your local consignment shop or Goodwill shop? That works!
