An interview with: 40 Savile Row
1. Can you tell us about the history of 40 Savile Row and some back ground information?
40 Savile Row has been making fine garments for discerning customers since 1938 and is a family run business with the third generation recently joining the team. The business has survived being destroyed in the Blitz and we have gradually built the business to a successful establishment on the Row. Introducing Made to Measure in Savile Row, we have since gained the reputation for offering the finest made to measure suits and shirts.
2. For readers who are unsure what the difference is between Savile Row and 40 Savile Row please can you explain?
40 Savile Row is our luxury brand in tailoring whereas Savile Row is the historic street in London that has been producing exquisite tailoring garments for men for hundreds of years. In recent years Ladies tailoring has been introduced on the Row.
3. What would you say makes 40 Savile Row different to other Tailors?
From the moment you enter the shop, you will embrace the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere and will be informed every step in your consultation and know that you will receive a garment of the highest quality and tailored to compliment your size and taste. We would never let a customer walk out the door with a garment that wasn’t perfect.
4. If a man has never visited a tailor before, what would he expect at 40 Savile Row?
We offer a unique service where the client gets involved in designing his own wardrobe. Unlike many other custom tailors who follow readymade, off-the-rack clothing and make slight variations and adjustments to the clothes, we make our garments from scratch. From the first cut of the fabrics to the finishing the silhouettes and styling of the suits are completely bespoke, same as the fittings. The garments are made up in the finest tradition of British craftsmanship. 40 Savile Row offers its customers cloths from the most exclusive mills in the world to choose from. Our skilled staff take measurements and offer informed and friendly advice to ensure each garment affords its owner the individuality he demands. The turnaround time for the suits is six to 8 weeks and shirts around three to four weeks.
5. What would you say is the main difference of bespoke to made to measure? A bespoke suit is completely handmade and has a softer less structured look.A made to measure suit still has bespoke styling features but is hand finished and has a more defined look.
6. What benefits does a customer have to buying a suit from 40 Savile Row to buying a suit from a mainstream brand that has been mass made?
A suit from 40 Savile Row will be beautifully tailored and styled to each individual. No two suits from 40 Savile Row are identical which will you will find with mass produced brands. Often clients will come to us to alter their mass produced suit as they will be ill fitting.
7. 40 Savile Row has a reputation of excellence, what is the main challenge to maintain this reputation?
Keeping up to date with new tailoring trends and we constantly are learning every day with each client as each client is unique and have different postures and body shapes.
We are perfectionists and we are ecstatic when a customer falls in love with a suit that we have created.
8. For a first time buyer what type of suit would you recommend?
We would recommend a classic cut and a classic plain fabric in either a navy or grey. This will show off the true beauty of tailoring until they become more adventurous and learn to know how their suit should fit them.
9. What are the winter fashion trends in tailoring, and with 40 Savile Row?
Tweed has made a huge comeback this winter in Men’s Tailoring. Also the introduction of coating fabric made in 100% silk instead of cashmere of wool has added another dimension and feel to men’s coating tailoring. It is luxury coating at its best.
10. What would you describe a gentleman to be?
A gentleman is one who is confident in their manner and dresses impeccably. He is a man who is often charming and exudes personal pride in his appearance. From head to toe he will leave nothing to chance and will be turned out immaculately.
11. What style tips can you give our readers?
Less is definitely more...a garment will look amazing if it is perfectly tailored to their shape without having to choose a bright fabric or a fabric with a distinctive pattern. A garment that is too big will make a person larger than their true size; equally a tight fitting garment will look ill-fitted.
12. What are the future plans for 40 Savile Row that you are able to share?
We are planning to develop our Ladies Made to Measure suit and shirt production.
13. How can someone tell if a suit is quality made, are there any tell tale signs?
The first sign is the quality of the fabric. Inside you can inspect the quality of the stitching and the way it fits the customer. The interior of the suit is key, as this is what builds structure and shape to the suit and allows the suit to last longer.
14. So do you find when men create a shirt online it is an easy process and what tips can you give?
It is an easy process and convenient for clients who are not London based especially overseas clients. The best tip is to always check your sizes. We will often receive orders
where a person’s sleeve length measurement they have provided us would either be too long or short. We would always review measurements sent to us so that the end product is one that our customer would be pleased to receive and wear.
15. Would you say it is more important to follow fashion trends or be traditional and wear what fits well and is quality?
It really depends on a person’s personality and dress sense. We always keep up to date with what is featured on the Men’s catwalks but we would never make a customer feel uncomfortable with the latest trend if they dress classically. The main factor is the quality and fit of the garment.
16. What are you most proud of about your brand?
We are extremely proud that our garments are produced in the UK.