Norton and Townsend
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There’s nothing quite like the look and feel of a hand tailored suit. The epitome of impeccable style and elegance, the pleasure that comes from wearing a tailored suit is something which dates back to the days when Beau Brummel cut a dash in the early 1800s. Bespoke tailoring wasn’t only restricted to Saville Row, however, and Birmingham also boasts a long and history at the forefront of this highly skilled industry.
From the Victorian period a number of tailors were based in Birmingham city centre, carrying out their trade in the city’s iconic back-to-back terraced houses. The process of creating tailored garments was carried out by different families or households who specialises in one particular aspect of tailoring. So, for example, pattern cutting would take place in one house, before the garment would be passed down the street to be sewn up, before being taken elsewhere to be lined. Tailoring in Birmingham has changed beyond all recognition since then and although things are much different these days, England’s second largest city is still proud of it’s heritage in bespoke tailoring.
Unlike ready-to-wear garments, bespoke suits and clothing are made from a pattern which is individually drafted from scratch for each customer. Making a pattern in this way calls for numerous measurements to be taken to ensure a superb fit and high quality construction.
This is the major difference between bespoke and off-the-peg as although ready made suits are, of course, available in a huge range of sizes, there isn’t much flexibility within sizes. So, for example, if your shoulders are a little wider or narrower than average, you’re likely to struggle to find a jacket that fits. This also applies to your arms, length of torso, shoulder shape…this list goes on. Investing in a bespoke suit means buying a garment that’s uniquely made to fit your exact measurements and body, ensuring a perfect fit and cut.
Measurements and fit are only part of the story though and your tailor will also take time to get to know your preferences, taste and sense of style. With this in mind, you’ll be offered a choice of thousands of fabrics, from luxurious pure wools and blends, through to cool crisp linen. We know this sounds daunting, but rest assured that your tailor will be on hand throughout to help you choose the perfect fabric for your chosen style. In addition, you’ll also be able to choose from a huge range of lining fabrics, buttons and trim options including lapel style, cuffs, trouser turn ups and more.
Having a conversation about style details or fabrics can be as in-depth or straightforward as you like. This is one of the benefits of bespoke tailoring: you’re in the driving seat and if you’d like to make your new garments suited to your lifestyle, we can add the perfect finishing touches such as a hidden pocket for your phone.
Making a hand tailored suit takes time and skill. Once measurements have been taken – our tailors take up to 50 – these are passed to our team of pattern cutters who’ll take the numbers and transform them into a pattern template. The template we create is completely unique and can be used again in the future, with the option to make a few adjustments if required!
The next step is cut out the individual pattern blocks from your chosen fabric and lining. These individual pieces will be stitched together and at this stage it’s case of putting the garment together in what might look like a very basic way. Remember that this is simply an early stage in a long process and the idea behind the rough stitching is to enable us to see how the garment is working; so we’ll be carefully checking how well it hangs and moves.
Once any minor adjustments have made and we’re happy, we’ll arrange a fitting and at this point your garment will be looking pretty much like the finished product. However, it is often necessary to make further alterations and if this is required, rest assured that we’ll carry them out as quickly as possible.
These days the majority of men wear off-the-peg suits and tailored garments. It hasn’t always been this way though and in the past, every single garment was made by hand. Clothing which is made by hand by tailors has evolved from everyday garments ranging from cheap and cheerful through to the finest quality, resulting in unique garments which are now considered exclusive and the pinnacle of style.
At Norton & Townsend we are a team of tailors, seamstresses and pattern cutters who have many years of making bespoke suits and menswear for clients in Birmingham and throughout the Midlands. It’s our aim to make buying tailored garments as simple and convenient as possible, so we’ll visit you at your home or office – wherever is most convenient for you.
Our bespoke service covers garments from made to measure suits to the office, through to wedding suits, country wear, dress shirts, dinner suits and much more. If you would like to find out more about out bespoke tailoring service in Birmingham, please get in touch for further information to arrange a consultation appointment.
Get in touch with Norton & Townsend
If you would like to make an appointment with one of our bespoke tailors in Birmingham, please get in touch with us by calling 0345 066 2030.
