Bespoke suit

[rivegauche]

Though I regard myself as a dress fiend, my log of what I wore when reveals that the item I wore most in public - apart from a green Ghost skirt - was a navy skirt suit I bought in Cambridge many years ago. The skirt no longer fits me and the jacket can't be fastened so it is time to give it to a more slightly built woman friend. I have never paid more than £260 for an item of female clothing and I have to admit that the more expensive dresses I have bought may be very beautiful but I rarely wear them at all, and hardly any of these have been worn in public. I have been trying to replace my navy suit for years but even the posh shops like Hobbs have a very limited range. I found out there was a place in Scotland that made bespoke suits for women and they confirmed that they would be happy to make one for me. It would be tailored to suit my exact body shape and would requite three fittings. Then they told me how much it would be. Nearly £1000. I am getting on a bit and wondered how many wears I would get out of this, bearing in mind that a skirt suit has more limited application nowadays. I then found out about The Fold. They have very nice off-the-peg suits but not in the colour I want and they cost almost as much. I calculated that the experience of having the suit made specially for me might be worth £300 and then if I wore it in public 7 times it would be £100 a wear. That is less than a round of golf, fortunately an addiction that does not feature in my life. I will get a skirt in exactly the style I want and the even more difficult to source fitted jacket, all with a fabric and lining of my choice. I am thinking of a just above the knee pencil skirt with a fitted jacket with three buttons, all in navy lined in teal. I have the money and I suppose that I have the lifestyle that goes with this and I am coming round to the idea that I will go down this rabbit hole. I can't progress this for around a month but when I do I will report back.

[Mouse]

I calculated that the experience of having the suit made specially for me might be worth £300 and then if I wore it in public 7 times it would be £100 a wear.

Some times there comes a time, when you are entitled to something that makes no financial sense, but makes you happy. I wanted a particular model steam engine for more than 20 years. For years I could never justify spending so much on a single model, against useful things for the house or family. Last year, due to me reaching 60, we spent too much money on a custom painted blue version of the steam engine, making no financial sense, but making me happy.

I wish you every success in your venture and look forward to pictures of the result.

[STEVIE]

Hi Rivegauche,
I most certainly concur with Mouse regarding the financial aspects.
After all, money should be used to create happiness, it usually gets a bad press on that score.
As for the suit, I doubt a bespoke man's two piece would come in under a thousand pounds these days either.
The "skroot", when I had it made was around £300, but the choice of style and fabrics comparatively limited.
I'd be interested to know who the supplier is because I could have another project for them myself.
Steve.

[shadowfax]

I notice that STEVIE's skruit also included a waistcoat, rivegauche. Though the style of the skirt in STEVIE's skruit is very different to what you have planned for your bespoke suit.

I wonder whether it might be worth adding a waistcoat to your bespoke suit to give you more options?

[rivegauche]

I notice that STEVIE's skruit also included a waistcoat, rivegauche. Though the style of the skirt in STEVIE's skruit is very different to what you have planned for your bespoke suit.

I wonder whether it might be worth adding a waistcoat to your bespoke suit to give you more options?

I am not really interested in a waistcoat. I am considering a second skirt that is much longer but it depends on cost.