Tag Archives: tailor

Suits & Spies

 

static1.squarespace

EVERY little boy has a spy fantasy that involves high-level espionage, fast cars and sharp bespoke suits. The James Bond influence has long inspired classic bespoke tailoring and opened the door for a host of Secret Service movies to impact on our imaginations. The most recent, Kingsman: The Secret Service, sees a suave and sophisticated Colin Firth (looking as dapper as usual), play Harry Hart (code name: Galahad) who says “the suit is the modern gentleman’s armour”.  We couldn’t agree more.

Spies, and their counterparts, the villains/criminals, are undoubtedly some of the best-dressed men in the movies. They effortlessly know how to wear a classic three-piece bespoke suit whilst brandishing a lethal weapon (which may or may not be housed inside an umbrella, another quintessential gentleman’s accessory), and dangling a damsel in distress on one arm. Stylish spies ooze sophistication, elegance and power.

Kingsman: The Secret Service

With headquarters cleverly disguised within a Savile Row tailor’s shop, the elite private team of spies battle to save the world, displaying death defying stunts, sky diving antics and striking bespoke attire along the way. The extensive bespoke wardrobe worn throughout Kingsman: The Secret Service is central to the movie’s appeal. The classic suit collection features distinctively English tailoring and styling, and brings back the double-breasted suit, a style that Henry Herbert has also championed  recently (with the Campaign to Bring Back the Double Breasted).

As movie goers we’ve become familiar with Firth, always looking impeccably attired and comfortable playing roles that require a dapper appearance. “I only really came to understand a good suit when I made A Single Man and realised that it does the work for you,” Firth has openly stated. “It affects your bearing and makes you look good.”

Worn as modern day armour by cinematic spies and secret agents, the bespoke suit has become the acceptable uniform that can also be worn in real life. Bespoke tailoring should make you look good and feel great.

Taron Egerton plays Gary “Eggsy” Unwin, a seemingly unrefined petty criminal who is recruited by Firth and painstakingly taught everything he needs to know about acceptable table manners and occasion-appropriate footwear. The elite team may look like high-end accountants but don’t be fooled because they can handle any high-octane fight without breaking a sweat or ripping a seam.

Spies With Style

  • Tinkler, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is a British espionage thriller starring Gary Oldman as George Smiley, the spy who is brought out of retirement to track down a double agent. The bespoke tailoring is civil service chic and reflective of the ‘70s. Colin Firth (yes, him again), Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Hardy also star.
  • The Ipcress File stars Michael Caine’s skint MI5 agent Harry Palmer. The iconic wardrobe features classic ‘60’s bespoke style and distinctive thick-rimmed glasses.
  • Bond. Any and all films. So iconic is the character’s sartorial elegance and style that any actor playing the part appears believable. Bond is always impeccably dressed and ready for action or any occasion – casual or formal. This super spy wears black tie like no one else, and we applaud his ability to stay immaculate in any situation.

Besides the gadgets and cars, all you need is a handmade suit that flatters your physique, enhances your appearance and creates the allure of mystery. So who wants to play James Bond in real life?

The Nehru jacket

We have been invited to design and tailor a unique Nehru jacket for a gentleman’s wedding. The Nehru jacket is a hip-length tailored coat for men or women, crated in India in the 1940s. The jacket essentially blends the collar of the achkan, historically the royal court dress of Indian nobles, with the Western suit jacket. It was popularised by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.  (Source: Wikipedia).

More recently, the Nehru jacket was made popular in the 60s by no other than The Beatles.  In August 2013, John Lennon’s teal nehru jacket, with mandarin collar and slightly flared sleeves was bought by a fan for £7,000 in an auction, reported the BBC.

Bespoke Nehru Jacket Price: Contact Henry Herbert Tailors.

 

Henry Herbert Tailors: London’s Wedding Tailor


London’s Wedding Tailor

Henry Herbert Tailors wedding suits offer tailored elegance for wedding days – from morning suits for the groom to wedding suits and bespoke shirts for the whole wedding party. We use the most luxurious English, Scottish and Italian fabrics, and the finest cottons.

Our tailors can visit you anywhere in London, with our Savile Row by Scooter Service, or you can meet with our trained tailors by appointment on Savile Row.

To make an appointment, simply Book a Tailor.  Or let us know your wedding day requirements, and we can provide you with a quote.

The Tailor’s Table – Revealed!

What’s on a tailor’s table?! Pictured is Charlie – the creator of Henry Herbert Tailors – at his Savile Row desk. It is not the tidiest desk in the world, but it has all the tools he needs to go through an order with each customer – tape measures, pins, chalk, books (and books) of fabrics and an order form. Henry Herbert is a scootering tailor service, using our fleet of Piaggio scooters to meet customers wherever and whenever is good for them. Or they can meet us, by appointment on Savile Row. To Book a Tailor, just click here.

Time for a Three-Piece Suit

Three Piece Suit WaistcoatBespoke Wedding Waistcoat

An example of an excellent and very fine cloth from Taylor & Lodge of Huddersfield, England, in a recent Henry Herbert three-piece suit. The customer chose a simple and elegant style to the suit – a two button single breasted jacket, with a straight pocket either side. The suit is enhanced hugely by:

1. Excellent choice of cloth,

2. Savile Row tapering to the sides of the jacket, and

3. A very simple coat style complemented by a waistcoat.

An Electric Blue Suit for a Henry Herbert Customer

Bespoke Baste Suit Fitting

A Henry Herbert Tailors work in progress: a brave and very striking fabric for a suit we are making for the Managing Director of a large media firm. The fabric is from Bateman Ogden, a Yorkshire based mill who are so old-school they don’t even have a website. The colour looks fabulous and will serve as a great suit for all occasions, professional and special.

Tailor made waistcoat in Taylor & Lodge fabric

Bespoke Wedding Waistcoat

An example of an excellent and very fine cloth from Taylor & Lodge of Huddersfield, England, in a recent Henry Herbert three-piece suit. The secret is, “always keep the style simple and the cloth special.”

Henry Herbert use the most luxurious fabrics

Holland and Sherry

Henry Herbert Tailors use the most luxurious wools in our suits and the smoothest cottons in our tailored shirts. We visit customers whenever and wherever is good for them, with our Savile Row by Scooter service. However, for those customers which prefer to meet on Savile Row, we meet customers by appointment at the Holland & Sherry showrooms. The photograph above (taken by the excellent photographer Greg Funnell for Henry Herbert) is a glimpse into one of the many cupboards of fabrics they house there. If you ever have a special or unusual fabric request, the chances are extremely high that they will have it. To have a Henry Herbert Tailors visit you, or if you wish to visit us simply call 020 7837 1452, or book a tailor here.

Henry Herbert Makes Ladies Suits!

Bespoke Ladies Suits

Yes, that’s right….Henry Herbert makes ladies suits! We make two and three piece suits and you can choose between jackets, trousers, skirts and waistcoats. All we ask is that, when a tailor comes to visit you, we are allowed to take away with us a jacket that already fits you well, which we use a base pattern. (We can include any alterations that you wish to be incorporated). The jackets are always safely returned. All you have to do is Book a Tailor! We offer a great range of pure wools which we always carry with us. However, if you wish to choose from the immaculate and colourful range of Linton fabrics, then please let us know when booking a tailor so that we know to bring them with us. As a footnote, Linton is the fabric of choice for haute couture Chanel jackets.