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Welcome to ASK our BUTLER
practical style advice to suit the way you feel
We are dedicated to bringing a pinch of elegance, a dash of men’s style and the practical service that a butler brings to a private household. Butlers are no longer for just the wealthy!
July 2010 | Bespoke versus Ready-to-Wear by Ask our Butler.
Greetings from your faithful butler, traveling abroad. Your sharp eye may have noticed the new BESPOKE by Edward Stripe heading that appeared under our Men’s SHIRTS section during May.
“Bespoke” is a word we don’t yet hear so often in Australia or the USA, and it can be a bit confusing, as it was to yours truly when it first came to his (American – Ed!) attention. In one dictionary it was used in a sentence ‘the attractive tree-lined road bespoke money’, much as a Rolex™ does. But, for us at Edward Stripe, as for anyone in the clothing industry, it means “custom made”.
Now, you may ask …
“Why would I need a custom made shirt when I can order my size from your online store?”
And of course the answer to that is ...
“Yes you can, if we have your collar size and sleeve length, and we are very grateful for your loyal patronage”.
BESPOKE by Edward Stripe shirts are custom made, 100% hand tailored in Australia by us to fit you in a personalised way that no ready-to-wear shirt can fit. It is patterned and cut to suit your particular body shape.
PERHAPS ... you have wider shoulders with small waist and hips, or you are quite tall with extra long arms. Bespoke by Edward Stripe shirts are hand tailored to conform to your body shape and preferences; to eliminate excess fabric blousing at the waist, to offer a flattering fit, a comfortable fit, and to complement your personal appearance.
OR ... for those of us who have a slight issue with our mid-sections being somewhat apple or pear shaped, when wearing a shirt with the correct collar size the mid buttons tend to stretch taut like a spinnaker during the Sydney to Hobart yacht race! A bespoke shirt can work by fitting comfortably looser and relaxed around the middle to de-emphasise this unfortunate issue.
BUT ... a bespoke shirt does not end there. It also takes into account your shoulder width and sleeve length so that as a gentleman your shoulder seams and cuffs appear at exactly the proper place. When wearing a suit jacket or blazer, etiquette and clothing style dictates that a visible portion of the cuff should appear under the jacket sleeve, just touching at the joint of your thumb.
AND ... the pinnacle of a bespoke hand tailored shirt? Vast choices of fabrics and colours, special details including smooth poplin linings inside the cuffs and collar to enhance comfort and create a luxurious feel next to the skin, contrast collars, any choice of cuff and collar combinations, breast pockets or not … if you really want it, you may have it.
The quality finish and durability ensures that your custom made investment will last and wear exceptionally well. And, of course, the mother of peal buttons and single needle stitching that goes into every Edward Stripe shirt, both ready-to-wear and bespoke, all contribute to the true bespoke gentleman’s wardrobe.
Please excuse me sounding like an advertisement. But BESPOKE by Edward Stripe is a new and exciting program, and a surprisingly affordable investment.
In today’s ultra-competitive market, how one presents himself to customers and colleagues alike can speak volumes and may well set one above another. It is understood that a well-tailored gentleman stands out from the crowd in an understated and elegant manner.
So there you have it, another chapter in ‘Ask Our Butler’. Soon, I’ll be chronicling some of my travels and sharing some photographs of where Edward Stripe shirts have been making their overseas appearances.
Yours in faithful service,
Mark
The Butler
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