It has been awhile since I last bought a suit, probably because now that I am self-employed I don't often need to wear one. In the past I usually went to Neiman Marcus, chose a good off-the-rack suit, and had them fit it to me. But since I moved to Japan, I have resisted getting a new suit for a few reasons. First, I dislike the popular styles in Japan, and next, sizes here are quite limited. I usually put off buying any clothes or shoes until I visit America, where I can more easily find my size, and get a better price.
But my father-in-law gave me a nice gift for the spring, a new suit made by his suit maker. For the New Year's holiday, I gave him a new Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar, the suit was his way of saying thanks. And it was a generous thanks, the suit ended up costing much more than the guitar.
The tailor and his assistant came by our home, and brought a case of sample fabrics, buttons, lining material, and a few catalogs. I chose the cloth I wanted, then the style of suit which I wanted. Then the type of collar, pockets, vents, cell phone pocket, lining, button holes, and buttons. I was then measured in just about every way imaginable, and then measured again, to make sure the numbers were all correct. The process took about an hour.
Two weeks later, the tailor returned with a mocked up suit basted together with an assortment of threads. I put on the "suit", and the threads were removed while the sleeve length, openings for the arms, collar, and other parts were checked, and then pinned together. The tailor made sure that the suit hung just right, with enough room for comfort. He brought some more samples in case I changed my mind about any of the details, and after another hour, the fitting was done.
The suit will be delivered in about 3 weeks, in time for my sister-in-law's wedding. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished result, and to getting to wear it.
But my father-in-law gave me a nice gift for the spring, a new suit made by his suit maker. For the New Year's holiday, I gave him a new Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar, the suit was his way of saying thanks. And it was a generous thanks, the suit ended up costing much more than the guitar.
The tailor and his assistant came by our home, and brought a case of sample fabrics, buttons, lining material, and a few catalogs. I chose the cloth I wanted, then the style of suit which I wanted. Then the type of collar, pockets, vents, cell phone pocket, lining, button holes, and buttons. I was then measured in just about every way imaginable, and then measured again, to make sure the numbers were all correct. The process took about an hour.
Two weeks later, the tailor returned with a mocked up suit basted together with an assortment of threads. I put on the "suit", and the threads were removed while the sleeve length, openings for the arms, collar, and other parts were checked, and then pinned together. The tailor made sure that the suit hung just right, with enough room for comfort. He brought some more samples in case I changed my mind about any of the details, and after another hour, the fitting was done.
The suit will be delivered in about 3 weeks, in time for my sister-in-law's wedding. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished result, and to getting to wear it.
