Fresco & High-Twist Bespoke Suits - Your Summer Staple

Fresco & High-Twist Bespoke Suits - Your Summer Staple

High-twist cloth is as it sounds.   A cloth that has yarns that have been twisted more tightly than normal, and often with more yarns that normal.   As standard worsted cloth has 2 yarns, commonly referred to as 2-ply.   High-twist cloth normally comes in 2-ply, 4-ply, and even 6-ply.  

The 6-ply I found was even accompanied by a picture of some biceps alluding to its inherent strength.  Made me smile.

Drago Sunlit | Wool & Linen Jacket for Summer

Drago Sunlit | Wool & Linen Jacket for Summer

I have a soft spot for linen jackets.   I adore the way linen breathes and its natural tendency to rumpling is something that has grown on me over the years.  And I get hot….

Initially I shied away from linen summer jackets and all their casual connotations.   But certainly, since covid there has been a shift to ever more casual styles and more easy-going fabrics and I feel this is a good thing.   It allows for more expression and more playfulness, and clothes should be enjoyed.

Bespoke linen jackets can be a blessing and a curse.  On one hand, linen is a tough and pliab

Stone Summer Suit - A Lightweight Wedding Classic

Stone Summer Suit - A Lightweight Wedding Classic

Oh, I love the feeling of impending summer.  When the last days of spring start giving way to more consistent sunlight and the days feel never ending.   

As I write this the mercury is expected to hit 24deg today and sun is beaming through the windows.  No wonder I feel in such a good mood.

Feelings like this make it no surprise that people get married more in the summer and often decide to do so abroad with its more reliable sunshine.

It’s no surprise then that one of our more consistent requests is for a lightweight stone summer wedding suit.  Stone colours remind me of beaches and summer sun and if paired with blue have perfect colour ways of the waves breaking on the shore.  

Happy Birthday - We Are 10 Years Old

Happy Birthday - We Are 10 Years Old

Happy 10th Birthday to us! Colmore Tailors is 10 this year.

Where has the time gone? It’s seriously flown by and i’m immensely grateful for each and every one of you for helping to make this happen. We are nothing without all the people that make Colmore Tailors what it is and we (and I) will be forever indebted to you all.

It’s crazy thinking back at the whole ride, starting from a back bedroom at home in Lichfield to sitting in the suite in Birmingham today.

I'm Going on a Summer Holiday!

I'm Going on a Summer Holiday!

Our production team in Portugal are on their summer holidays until the beginning of Sept. So are Cacciopoli and Drapers and Barberis….the list goes on. If I’m ever going to take a holiday now feels like the best time.

So, this year I’m going to try something new and take a couple of weeks off when the bulk of our partners are also off. My last day will be Saturday 17th August. If there is anything urgent please let me know before this. I’ll be back on Tuesday 3rd September

New Fabrics - Loro Piana, Dugdale Bros, Drago and more...

New Fabrics - Loro Piana, Dugdale Bros, Drago and more...

Every season we introduce new bunches from our favourite merchants and continually we seek new and exciting fabrics to bolster our already extensive offering. Within the last few weeks, we have received a lot of exquisite cloth from Dugdale Bros, Loro Piana, Drago and others.

Some are updates on classic collections, such as Holland and Sherry’s perennial suiting “Crispaire”, Dugdale Bros tropical wool “New Fine Worsted” and Loro Piana’s timeless classic “Jackets and Trousers.”

Summer Tailoring Inspiration - Green Di Pray Bespoke Jacket

Summer Tailoring Inspiration - Green Di Pray Bespoke Jacket

When I see a new cloth, or a new merchant I like to make a garment up and experience it before I recommend it to people. With tailoring it’s not always a wild deviation from the norm but often a subtle change which can give new and exciting results. And sometimes it’s a cloth I know and love, but in a shade or style that feels somewhat different. This jacket fell into the latter. It’s a wool, silk and linen blend that the Italians are so good at producing but in a shade of green that felt just right.

New Collections - Summer Tailoring and Shirting

New  Collections - Summer Tailoring and Shirting

Our brand new summer seasonal fabrics have arrived. A collection of summer tailoring and a collection of summer shirting. As always, they are available from stock and in limited amounts.

Each season our partners in Portugal select a range of fabrics from our wonderful fabric merchants and procure bigger amounts than normal to secure some great cloth at utterly wonderful price points. They don’t hang about, and nor should you. As always., they are worth leaping on and the stronger fabrics go quickly.

The "It's Not Tweed?" Bespoke Jacket

The "It's Not Tweed?" Bespoke Jacket

I’m a big believer in asking pertinent questions to really get under someone’s skin and find out if what they are asking for is really what they want. That’s not to say people don’t know what they want, they often do, but it’s not always communicated directly…more so indirectly.

The Raglan Overcoat is here

The Raglan Overcoat is here

The new Raglan Overcoat is here and ready to order. The “raglan” refers specifically to the shoulder which is very distinct and much more rounded than the “set in” sleeve normally used (see picture below).

My advice always seeks to focus on what the wearer gets out of it and how to use it. The main takeaway should be that it significantly rounds the shoulder line, therefore casualizing the coat as a result. As such this style of coat is very adept at crossing the weekday and weekend divide but always erring towards the casual.

Order update - Christmas opening times

Order update - Christmas opening times

You’ve probably started to think about Christmas gifts or just having a new bespoke piece in your wardrobe, to make sure to receive your order before Christmas, book an appointment and place your order between Tuesday 22nd November and Saturday 26th November at the latest.

A Rainy Day in Birmingham - An Outfit Explained

A Rainy Day in Birmingham - An Outfit Explained

I get asked a lot to explain outfits and to help people put them together. I don’t always feel like i’m best placed to do this, which is silly as i work with clothing and bespoke menswear everyday. But my confidence with clothing is one thing, my lack of confidence in writing is another. But it’s something i do feel can be useful to people who are interested in bespoke tailoring so im willing to put myself out there and try to learn! If there is a writer out there who wants to help then im all ears, but for now you will have to make do with my attempts and ramblings.

Here is my first draft…..all feedback, good and bad, welcomed. Please be gentle.