Tailor Made London Blog

Dressing a Dragon

admin — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 10:04:10 +0000

Tailor Made London were recently commissoned by entrepeneur and former BBC dragon James Caan to make a suit fit for such a distinguished individual.

It has been an amazing few months for Tailor Made after making suits for the Royal wedding and now for one of the countries most influential business leaders.

So what do you choose if you are only used to wearing the best?

You choose British and one of the best is Holland and Sherry

James chose a beautiful electric blue cloth with a detailed birdseye pattern from the Cape Horn selection.

Cape Horn is an island situated at the southern-most tip of Chile in South America. The waters surrounding the island have been used for centuries as the main trade route for ships exporting goods throughout the world, including grain, gold and fine merino wools. This exclusive range of cloth has been woven from fine merino wool imported from the Patagonian region of Argentina. With abundant fresh water and nutritional vegetation, the valleys of Patagonia are the ideal habitat for merino sheep. The fibres are cleaner and stronger, resulting in a superior quality and high performance cloth.

The fabrics in this collection are a lighter version of our iconic Cape Horn classics quality: their plain weave construction makes them ideal for warmer climates as they allow the body to breathe and stay cool. The yarn used for this collection is a 64/2 new metric yarn, and whilst the warp yarn has a conventional twist for softness the weft yarn has been uptwisted to achieve a high twist yarn for durability. This formation makes it the ideal cloth for the ultimate travel suit as the high twist prevents excessive creasing. Included in this collection are a variety of traditional classics including Glen plaids, windowpanes, hound’s-tooth and our best selling chalk- and pin-stripes.

All fabrics have been carefully selected for their durable and lightweight qualities which in turn make them cool and comfortable to wear and easy to tailor. This bunch represents the ultimate in global business travel wear.

James completes the look with his signature wide peak lapels.

To get this bespoke tailored look for £885 or to just have a chat about your tailoring requirements then please book a consultation online or by calling 020 7566 0077

Opening Hours are Monday to Sunday 9am to 8pm by appointment only.

Dressing for a Royal wedding

info — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:10:49 +0000

It is an honour for everyone at Tailor Made London that we have been commissioned by many dignitaries and distinguished guests of the Royal Wedding to provide the appropriate dress code garments; so we thought we would give you some advice about what to wear on your special occasion.

The official invitation request a dress code of “Uniform, Morning Coat or Lounge Suit so what are good options for these.

The Uniform

PRINCE William will wear a military uniform made by Savile Row outfitters Gieves & Hawkes for the wedding. The 28-year-old has decided to follow the example set by his father Prince Charles and his uncle Prince Andrew who were both married in uniform.

This option is obviously not applicable to most unless you’re a fan of An Officer and a Gentleman.

The Morning Coat

A morning coat is a single-breasted coat, the front parts usually meeting at one button in the middle, and curving away gradually into a pair of tails behind, topped by two ornamental buttons on the waist seam. The lapels are usually pointed (American English peak), not step (notch), since the coat is now only worn as formalwear; when it was first introduced, the step lapel was common, since it was worn as half dress. The coat can be grey or black as part of morning dress, and is usually worn with striped, or very occasionally checked, trousers.

The morning coat may also be worn as part of a morning suit, which is mid-grey with matching trousers and waistcoat.

Some popular samples taken from our Holland & Sherry Black tie bunch

The Lounge Suit

Lounge suits are a perfect treat for those men who have a more relaxed approach at work, and they are becoming more and more popular. Whether you want a single button or double button single breasted suit is up to you.

The amazing thing about lounge suits is they flatter anyone’s physique no matter what size you are. The beauty about lounge suits is that you can dress them up or down, it’s your choice. Most of our customers buy lounge suits in a linen fabric or light wool which we strongly recommend, as they have a more relaxed look. Popular colours for lounge suits are black, navy or grey for the office, or for beach weddings for example, an ivory colored lounge suit. Lounge suits can sound like informal versions of a suit that one would buy for work, but in many big cities, a lounge suit is synonymous with an office suit. They consist of matching trousers and jacket.

Tailor Made London can produce an impressive range of lounge suits, as we have such advanced technology to ensure the perfect fit, and in addition, fabrics from the world’s best designers and wool merchants. Our lounge suits are tailored to fit your body exactly, and can before you buy, you choose all of the design and style options you like.

Your lounge suit can have a single or double breasted jacket, which has 1, 2, 3 or 4 buttons, single or double vented. Tailor Made London will create your ultimate tailored lounge suit.

Some examples of Lounge suit cloths picked for the wedding by Dormeuil.

To get any of these looks or to just have a chat about your requirements for your special day then please book a consultation online or by calling 020 7566 0077

Opening Hours are Monday to Sunday 9am to 8pm by appointment only.

How to elevate an ordinary occasion

natasha — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 09:26:19 +0000

Coming up to Christmas period with all the occasional invitations and activities, one comes to ask himself how this time he could make a difference, make this period special to remember. A ticket to the theater, an invitation to a cocktail party, a meal to a fancy restaurant? Something unique? Something formal maybe?

Whatever that might be, the dressing code should be one: Black-tie; also known as dinner jacket (DJ) -in the Commonwealth, or tuxedo -mainly in the United States.
Have you ever wondered how Frank Sinatra would look singing with a T-shirt? How Gary Grant would have acted with a pair of jeans or James Bond sipping his Martini with a bikers jacket?

The story of the dinner jacket that began as dining attire for Victorian aristocrats since 1860 oozes prestige, class and elegance, it became a symbol of high society and power, a choice of sophistication. Usually it is found black or a combination of black and white but sometimes seen in other colours with midnight blue (introduced by the Prince of Wales) the only acceptable alternative colour for the standard dinner jacket. Whatever your preference though, the traditional rule is that white dinner jackets are never worn, even on the hottest day of summer, but are reserved for wear abroad, like Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca. Another precious tip: tall men, generally, tend to look better in white dinner jacket / black trousers combination.

The typical black-tie jacket:

1. dinner jacket	color:• black is the norm• midnight blue is equally correct model can be:• single-breasted• double-breasted lapels can be:• peaked lapel• shawl collar• notched collar is most popular but considered inappropriate by traditionalists and can have:• satin facing• grosgrain facing sleeve buttons: covered in same fabric as lapel facings vents: no vents is most formal
2. black-tie trousers	color and material to match jacket single braid along seams to match lapel facings cut for suspenders
3. black-tie waist covering	black waist covering can be either:• cummerbund made from silk to match jacket facings• waistcoat made from silk or same material as jacket worn with single-breasted jacket models but not with double-breasted some style experts claim that waist coverings are not worn much these days
4. black-tie shirt	white fabric collar can be:• wing collar, described by many authorities as the most formal but some insist it is the exclusive domain of white tie• turndown collar fronts can be either pleated or piqué shirt has eyelets for studs and French cuffs for links; some authorities allow for fly-fronts
5. black-tie neckwear	black silk bow tie to match lapel facings
6. black-tie footwear	black shoes:• patent leather pumps are most traditional• patent or highly polished oxfords are acceptable
7. black-tie accessories	black silk or fine fabric hose, over-the-calf length suspenders of black or white silk harmonizing black, gold or mother-of-pearl studs and cufflinks white silk or linen handkerchief

This dressing code has many variations through the years. Combined with a given etiquette it fashions a social ritual that elevates one type of happening above another. The true definition of black tie lies in its details, so do your research, pick up your favourite period in time and we can help you create your very own dinner jacket for a special Christmas. Remember, the right garment helps to generate a sense of occasion, whatever that is.

To get this look now please book a consultation online or by calling 020 7566 0077

Opening Hours are Monday to Sunday 9am to 8pm by appointment only.

Dressing Dan Humphrey

admin — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 19:03:27 +0000

Dan Humphrey has a ‘Downtown’ look – think Vintage scarves.

This former loner from Brooklyn is kind of a geek, but his style screams cool. Humphrey is into skinny jeans and khakis, striped skinny cardigans and his all-time fave, the military jacket he wears about town. He wears a lot of earth tones like browns, greys and greens, either to match Serena van der Woodsen’s wardrobe palette, or possibly to show that he’s more down-to-earth than the other guys on the show. Like Jenny, Dan doesn’t have the luxury of shopping on Fifth Avenue, but unlike his lil’ sis, he doesn’t care about wearing designer duds and prefers to kick it in vintage tees and dress shirts that don’t cost him an arm and a leg.

We discovered this picture (left) of Penn Badgley’s ‘London look’. His taste is my personal favourite. When he does smart he still looks effortlessly suave without being stuffy or OTT. The result here is simple, understated elegance for the chice of suit colour in grey against white shirt and pocket square. The thick striped tie adds a quirky edge -Overall this look is very on-trend and leaning towards Mark Ronsonesque. To achieve this cool look from TML opt for a 2-piece 2-button suit, starting at £620.

Keep the shirt simple and go for a plain white linen from Thomas Pink.

Accessorise with a white pocket square (think Don Draper), Regimental stripe tie by Hackett and a black IGLOO casual leather belt from Ted Baker. Dual functional – as a new party trick, the belt buckle double ups as a bottle opener!

For footwear, we recommend the Black Calf leather Cap Toe Oxford Shoe by Fratelli Rossetti.

To get this look now please book a consultation online or by calling 020 7566 0077

Opening Hours are Monday to Sunday 9am to 8pm by appointment only.

Dressing Nate Archibald

admin — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:29:59 +0000

Nate Archibald’s style is quite similar to Chuck’s but a little more athletic, a little more preppy.

Nate loves his argyle vests, cable-knit sweaters and pinstripe dress shirts, but pulls it off without looking too stuffy by unbuttoning his collars, loosening his ties, rolling up his sleeves and leaving his shirts untucked. He has a bit of a disheveled prepster look going for him, which is why all the girls on the Upper East Side, especially B, are crazy about him!

He will wear a smart/casual blazer to get into the right private member’s club and can be taken off to dress down, roam the city and meet up with friends.

How to achieve his look…

A Tailor Made London Casual Blazer starts at £300. Go for a one-button, cream, slim-fit, with notched classic lapels. Wear straight or slim fitted trousers in a non-matching colour, to not appear too formal. TML offer tailored trousers from £180. Alternatively, Chino’s are a popular choice for Nate and would also work: available from Asos.

Then, for under the jacket, select a casual white shirt from Lanvin. Nate wears the first two buttons undone and a black tie loosely hanging to create a smart/casual effect. We recommend The Black Rose skinny tie from Peckham Rye.

For footware Loafers are the best – classic and comfortable. Cole Haan ‘Pinch Air’ Penny Loafers, fitted with cushionend Nike Air soles for added comfort, are available from Nordstrom.

To get this look now please book a consultation online or by calling 020 7566 0077

Opening Hours are Monday to Sunday 9am to 8pm by appointment only.

Dressing Chuck Bass

admin — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 13:19:41 +0000

The bad boy of the group, Chuck Bass is the ultimate stuck-up rich kid whose closet is packed with designer clothing (kinda like the boy version of Blair Waldorf). He likes to dress in clashing bright colours. In fact, he wears the most colourful clothes out of the three guys! He can wear a bowtie like nobody’s business, and accessorises with cuff links, braces, rugby striped scarves and handkerchiefs that are either tucked into his upper pocket or tied around his neck.

A polished look from the upper east side; Chuck’s style is Fashion forward/Classic. Double breasted jackets are retro (see pic), so he has modernised the cut to be short and slim-fitting to avoid being ‘old-fashioned’. A bright, patterned, pocket square brightens the look. He will often wear colours that do not necessarily go together. A look that says you are fashion forward but in charge.

We recreate this look at TML. Opt for a slim-fitted, navy, short double breasted jacket, with 3/3 gold buttons, and matching navy trousers. To accessorise…

Purchase a Nordstrom Medallion Silk Pocket Square for a fancy design to contrast against the classic navy. For tips on how to fold have a look at our Pocket Square Guide.

A crisp white plain shirt is a neutral base and always makes an impression. You can never have too many white shirts, so we suggest the Classic Slim-Fitted (in-keeping with the jacket) Plain Poplin White Shirt from Hawes and Curtis.

Underneath that jacket we are pretty sure Chuck would be wearing braces. Keep it nautical and go for a plain red pair from M & S.

Footwear: we recommend Trickers (hand-made in England) Regent Toe-capped Oxford Shoes from ASOS.

To get this look now please book a consultation online or by calling 020 7566 0077

Opening Hours are Monday to Sunday 9am to 8pm by appointment only.

The Men from Gossip Girl

admin — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:12:43 +0000

This month – We look at the three male characters from the hugely popular series Gossip Girl. Tailor Made London recreates the ‘looks’ of Chuck Bass, Dan Humphrey and Nate Archibald.

Week One begins with Chuck Bass.

Week Four – Sal Romano: Sartorial Savant

admin — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 10:32:05 +0000

If it’s a spoiler to say that Salvatore Romano is Mad Men’s token gay character, you weren’t paying much attention to the costuming. Mad Men costumier Jamie Byrant has described Sal’s costuming as being not only flamboyant, but also tight-fitted and muti-layered to echo his repressed personal life. But does it work for him as more than symbolism? We’ll take a closer look, but overall the answer seems to be “yes”…

Salvatore’s Mad Men Style: Creative at Work

“Odd Jackets” and Trousers: Classic Menswear

Salvatore seems less dedicated to the full suit than his fellow Mad Men, often sporting unmatched jackets and trousers (“odd jackets” and “odd trousers” in the old-fashioned parlance) around the office. When we do see him in a matched suit, he’s often wearing a differently-patterned waistcoat underneath it. The look is a touch informal for the business world of the 1960s, but it’s worth remembering that Sal’s the Art Director. He’s the creative side of the business, and people expect him to look the part.

Making an unmatched look like Sal’s work takes a bit of careful choosing. With three, four, or even five colours all going on at once, he can’t opt for basic complementary colours or other comfortable contrasts – at that point, the variety would just become garish. Instead we see him in outfits all based around a basic palate, with each piece coming in a different shade of the same basic colour.

When he can, Sal also likes to vary up the textures of his clothes. He will break up the smooth front of his tie with a repeating dot pattern, and wear a jacket with a rough weave that gives it a distinct texture of its own. For the bottom half he will wear brown trousers with smooth material though not nearly as fine as the shirt, making them yet another distinct element that still blends with the overall impression. The careful coordination of colour and pattern makes Salvatore’s odd jacket/trouser combination business-appropriate for in-house meetings at least, but we do occasionally see him sporting a matched suit – then and now, there is no substitute for true business dress.

European Style, American Suits

Besides making it clear that he’s a creative and colourful character, Salvatore’s costume design also emphasises him as a lone European among the Sterling Cooper WASPs. He does not wear a true European suit as they were thought of in the 1960s, which would feature more squared shoulders and a tighter fit through the chest and hips, but he does wear a higher armscye (the hole where the sleeve meets the jacket) and a tighter shoulder than most of his fellow Mad Men, and his trousers fit snugly throughout the thigh.

Despite their tighter fit, Salvatore’s jackets are still fundamentally American, however – loose in the waist and hips, they’re usually vented in the back and softer at the edges than anything a European businessman would have worn at the time as well. He sometimes wears very small peaked lapels as another American take on classic European style.

Details of the Mad Men: Dress and Style Accents

Shirts and Ties in the Mad Men Style

Like all his co-workers, Salvatore wears a white dress shirt to work. His wardrobe is more colourful, but he still observes that much of basic business etiquette. Nothing else was appropriate in the early 1960s (and white still remains the most formal option in dress shirts). He wears French cuffs like many of his fellows, and his cufflinks tend to be more flamboyant than theirs: For cufflinks of all shapes and designs we recommend Choice Cufflinks.

Salvatore also sports a wider-spread collar than most of the other Mad Men, which fits his broader face well. He leans toward smaller, tighter knots for his ties, which helps keep from making the small “V” of fabric above his habitual waistcoats appear completely smothered. Appropriately, it would be almost impossible to claim that Salvatore favours a specific pattern or colour of tie – we see plaids, stripes, figures, solid colours, and anything else imaginable in the business world of the early 1960s around his neck at one point or another.

Pocket Squares – Classic Men’s Style

Some of the Mad Men have a distinctive approach to pocket squares; a few choose not to wear them at all. Salvatore seems to mostly like variety, sporting rounded “puff” folds one day and very crisp, straight folds the next. He steers clear of the pointed peaks that we often see on Roger Sterling, perhaps out of deference – something about Sterling’s triple peak certainly seems to evoke a crown, befitting the boss of the office.

Regardless of the style, though, we rarely see Salvatore without some form of pocket adornment. Like many of his fellows, he seems to simply view it as a necessary accent for a truly well-dressed man.

For a flamboyantly stylish hankerchief we suggest the Savile Row Co.

To learn about the history of the Pocket square and different folding techniques have a look at our guide.

Shoes and Hats

Salvatore’s outerwear is another European nod, with very tight-fitted and flat-soled shoes in a brighter leather than the other Mad Men’s. To eminate his footwear we suggest Forzieri Italian handcrafted two tone Wing-tip Oxford shoes.

The only hat of his that we see is a soft felt casual number with a sporty little feather, in a very classic country green. His waistcoat’s make it hard to tell if he wears a belt or braces, but the latter seems more likely – a belt would be a difficult addition to work into his style, and would likely be less comfortable with Salvatore’s close-fitted trousers as well.

Wearing Salvatore’s Style: Creative Dress in the Workplace

Most of the lessons to take from Salvatore’s style are about moderation: he mixes and matches articles of clothing but always keeps his colour scheme very thematic, he borrows interesting styles like peaked lapels but wears them in very minimal forms; he breaks some of the rules of conventional office fashion but only one at a time. As a creative voice rather than a strictly business advisor he enjoys some extra leeway, and takes advantage of it. Too much more leeway, and he would not be dressed in appropriate business style anymore.

Now how do YOU get noticed for your style? Tailor-Made London re-creates a Romano Look…

Pick a 2-piece in Harris tweed and a waistcoat in a different colour or pattern; high armscye and tighter shoulder for the Jacket; keep trousers snug fitting; lapels small and peaked.

Cloth…

Cloth Code 867023

To get this look now please book a consultation online or by calling 020 7566 0077

Opening Hours are Monday to Sunday 9am to 8pm by appointment only.

The Pocket Square

admin — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:33:27 +0000

A Guide to the Pocket Square (Handkerchief) and folding.

The modern man wears a handkerchief in his suit pocket as a fashion accessory. Read on to discover the history of the handkerchief, where to purchase one and various ways to fold.

Few accessories for men have the ability to go from fashionable to functional in the blink of an eye like a well-folded pocket square. A true silk pocket square is best used to add a dash of colour and style to your wardrobe, and proper pocket square folds add a touch of uniqueness to your overall look. They also help you get more mileage out of a suit when travelling.

Changing the shirt and tie is a must, but a new pocket square in a neat fold rounds out the look and gives it a freshness that only this accessory can achieve.

History

Historically, white handkerchiefs have been used in place of a white flag to indicate surrender or a flag of truce; in addition to waving away sailors from port. King Richard II of England, who reigned from 1377 to 1399, is widely believed to have invented the cloth handkerchief, as surviving documents written by his courtiers describe his use of square pieces of cloth to wipe his nose.

Where to Purchase One

For a silk handkerchief we recommend Aspinal of London.

John Lewis do simple cotton handkerchiefs as a more affordable alternative.

For a variety of colourful and vibrant designs, have a look at Savile Row Co London.

Master the following pocket square folds to add a touch of class to your suits and blazers…

Things You’ll Need

Suit jacket or sports jacket with an external breast pocket.
Handkerchief

How to fold a pocket square

Over the last hundred years many different techinques of folding a pocket square have been created. Depending on your attire, as well as the fabric of the pocket square, different folding techniques are advisable. Here are some of the most common…

Corners Up

Folding a pocket square with the corners up is the most common technique. There are many different ways to fold the hanky with the corners up, and each one is only different in how many corners are visible.

One Corner Up Pocket square fold:

The fold that shows one corner is the most common way to fold a pocket square. It is especially well suited for pocket squares made from a thicker linen type fabric, as this type of material can be stiffened using a little bit starch, and ironed to keep is straight. The one corner up pocket square fold is well suited when wearing a necktie.

Two Corner Up Pocket square fold:

Folding a pocket square with two corners up gives the fabric more hold. This fold is therefore better suited for silk pocket squares than the “One corner up” method. IN fact, of all the corners up folding methods, this pocket square fold is the best for hankies made from silk, since the square and flat bottom holds well in the pocket and prevents the hanky from slipping. The clean and classy look of the two corners up fold looks great for formal black tie attire: Tuxedo, black bow tie, and white pocket square.

Three corners up Pocket Square fold:

The three three corners up give the pocket square a good hold, and the tips of the corners tend to stay straight. On the other hand, having a bottom that is not straight, might cause the pocket square to slip and become cricket. This fold is therefore best suited for a pocket square that is either made from linen, fine cotton or a thicker and stiffer silk.

The flat pocket square fold:

The flat folding method is one of the easiest ways to fold a pocket square. The pocket square is flat at the bottom and only about 1/2 inch of the fabric sticks out of the pocket. This fold is exceptionally well suited for even the finest and thinest silk fabrics. It classy look compliments particularly formal black tie attire.

The “puff” pocket square fold:

Next to the flat fold, the “puff” folding technique is one of the simplest one to master. Since the “puff” look is what is desired, fine silk pocket squares are the top pick. The finer and softer the fabric the better. The puff fold looks great when matching the pocket square color and fabric with the necktie. It is well suited for business, wedding parties, and other events during the day. For formal black tie attire, the puff fold is less suited.

Tips

If your handkerchief sags after you flute it, try ironing your handkerchief with a little starch. You don’t absolutely have to have an upright flute, but it does look better.
If your folded handkerchief is so small that it keeps disappearing into your pocket, use a little tissue in the bottom of the pocket to take up some room. Don’t use so much that it causes a bulge.
For a clean, Italian look, use a cotton or linen handkerchief and fold into a square shape. Use the long side of a playing card to approximate the width of the pocket square and use an iron to make it extra clean.
Keep dress for court appearances conservative and neat. Flashy accessories or excessively bold colors may subtly influence judges, attorneys, or juries in negative ways. When in doubt, leave the pocket square out.

Week Three – Powerful Dressing; Roger Sterling

admin — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:45:22 +0000

Roger Sterling dresses impeccably and consistently in older and sometimes flashier fashions, mixing classic cuts with colours and patterns that suit his bon vivant lifestyle within the boundaries of business wear.

As an old hand in the advertising business and a military veteran, Roger is an understandably crisp-looking gentleman when he dresses for success. The fit of his suits is usually tighter than his fellow Mad Men’s, with higher armscyes (the hole where the sleeve meets the jacket) and less padded shoulders

The most striking feature of Sterling’s wardrobe, of course, is his dedication to the double-breasted jacket and single breasted suits with a vest. There’s more to these outfits: more cloth, more buttons, and more formality as well. Since the effect of all that visual weight can be stifling, Sterling is careful to lighten the suits up with lighter colours or pinstriping on the darker suits. The lighter threads keep him from seeming weighed down by the volume of the suit. His tight fit also helps here, keeping him from swimming in excess fabric.

Sterling is also the only Mad Man who regularly sports peaked lapels. The flaring, upward-pointing style has a dramatic effect, especially in a room filled with men wearing the more conventional notched lapels. Some of his peaks are more dramatic than others – the wider and more flared they are, the more lively they make his appearance, giving a good indication of the hard-drinking party-lover beneath the business suit.

Roger Sterling’s Pocket Squares

Neither Roger Sterling nor Don Draper likes to wear a suit without a pocket square. In the world of 1960s Madison Avenue, the pocket square is one of a very few personalized accents permitted by the business dress code, and they take advantage of it.

Don Draper’s consistent horizontal fold is fantastic characterisation: he wears a pocket square to show that he cares about his appearance beyond simply wearing the minimum requirement, but refuses to define himself by sporting an elaborate and unique style. Roger Sterling, in keeping with his changing ties, different collar styles, and fancy cuts of suit, wears differently-styled pocket squares to suit his mood. At his most formal, he’ll opt for a subdued horizontal fold as well.

Around the office, however, Sterling often folds his pocket square with multiple peaks, creating a very affected style indeed.

We recommend a silk handkerchief from Aspinal of London.

Have a look at our guide: The Pocket Square, to learn about its history and how to achieve the fold illustrated.

The key thing to note is that the style is always changing. Just as with his collars, his suits, and his ties, Sterling is not afraid to shake things up. He’s in charge, he has no one to impress but the ladies, and he has years of sartorial experience on most of the other Mad Men (except the ancient and eccentric Bertram Cooper), and he makes sure that no one forgets it.

Shoes Make the Mad Man

Stylistically, it’s hard to fault Sterling’s choice in footwear. The soles are perhaps a touch thick by 1960s standards, but actor John Slattery isn’t quite as tall as Jon Hamm (Don Draper). In fact, he probably wears lifts inside the shoes as well, strictly for production needs – Slattery is at least two inches shorter than Hamm, viewed off the set. But his choice of plain, black Oxfords with straight-horizontal “bar” style lacing is very professional, and whenver we catch a glance at Sterling’s ankles we learn that he properly matches his hose (socks) to his trousers, not his shoes.

For footwear Tailor Made London recommends a Classic capped oxford shoe, in black calf leather from Loake. They are royally certifed, offering very good quality and value.

Roger Sterling’s Style in Mad Men Terms

So what would one of our image-conscious Mad Men have to say about Roger Sterling, or about any man that emulates his style? First and foremost, this is a wealthy, powerful man with time and cash to spare on clothes that stand out. He’s also business-savvy and a touch old-fashioned – nothing about him is loud or pushes the boundaries of appropriate menswear for the corporate world. When he sets himself apart from the crowd, he does it by paying attention to details (elaborate pocket square folds, etc.) and by reaching back in time for unusual styles (double-breasted and vested suits, peak lapels, dark pinstripes).

How to achieve this look…

Select a slim fitting Three-piece suit with a pinstripe pattern, high armscyes and minimal shoulder padding. We recommend a light thread material in a darker shade, with subtle pin colour contrast. For the lapels; opt for a wider, flared style.

Cloth…

Cloth Code 747075

To get this look now please book a consultation online or by calling 020 7566 0077

Opening Hours are Monday to Sunday 9am to 8pm by appointment only.