Tailor shows winner how to wear it well

Posted 7th July 2021

Jack Walding, a Northampton carpenter who had to postpone his wedding through lockdown, can now step out in style after winning a capsule wardrobe of clothes courtesy of St Crispin Bespoke Menswear.

Jack visited the shop just as lockdown finished for non-essential businesses to be measured for his first ever made-to-measure suit, shirts, blazer and chinos which was the prize for the lucky winner of the competition which ran in Pulse Magazine and sister title Business Times. 

He was guided, with the expert help of Dean Anderson, the director of Saint Crispin Bespoke Menswear, to a formal three-piece suit using the finest English pure worsted wool fabric from Holland and Sherry in an eye-catching Prince of Wales check.

For his smart casual blazer, Jack selected a sophisticated wool silk mix Italian cloth from Reda in a fine blue check with a pale blue lining and bespoke touches in the same lining to the sleeve vent and buttonhole detail. This can be worn with his new crisp white shirt with blue buttonholes. To finish off the look, a pair of beige chinos made from 98 per cent cotton and two per cent Lycra mix for comfort, especially when travelling.

The three extra shirts, which would complete his capsule wardrobe, were gifted to his groomsmen for his up-and-coming wedding.

This fantastic wardrobe of clothing was then put into production taking around six weeks to create. Jack then returned to the shop to try on the garments for Dean to make any fine adjustments required to ensure they fitted him to perfection. 

Jack said “I could not believe how well all the garments fitted me. I was finding it incredibly difficult to find a suit that would fit me correctly. At 6 feet 4 inches with long legs and broad shoulders and a narrow waist, suits were a nightmare without costly alterations. In addition, the fabric and finish were poor and lacked any of the superb bespoke touches that Dean could provide. It means the quality of all the garments are incredible. I certainly could not have found anything like this on the high street. 

“I now have all the key elements for my wardrobe I need to take me to any occasion I am likely to attend.” 

Dean said: “Jack’s suit can be worn to many other special occasions such as the races, christenings, special anniversaries and parties. The jacket and chinos can be worn on his honeymoon and weekends away. The jacket can be worn with a smart pair of jeans and a shirt or polo shirt.”

Jack said: “The chinos could be worn with a smart shirt, polo shirt or crisp white t-shirt and a great piece of Allen Paine knitwear I have my eye on. I will certainly be getting a lot of wear from all of the items.

“I found Dean incredibly approachable and easy to get along with. I was quite nervous when I walked through the door as I do not normally ever consider going into a place like Saint Crispin’s Bespoke Menswear. It is an experience and service I will definitely be repeating, “Dean has shown me that I don’t need many clothes in my wardrobe, just the right ones. I would thoroughly recommend anyone considering this experience to give Dean a call. You will not be disappointed.”

Made-to-Measure | Suits | Weddings | Evening Wear | Smart Casual | Shirts

Saint Crispin Retail Village, 22 Kent Road, Northampton NN5 4DR

Visit us online at www.saintcrispin.co.uk or call 01604 589907