Comments on: Bespoke suit from Raja Fashions – Don’t do it

By: ylw

ylw — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 02:32:08 +0000

Thanks Jonathan – it’s great when people take the time to write up real reviews to offset the corporate blah web message. I’m in Sydney and today I had a disappointing non-meeting with John Tellis of Germanicos (http://tailor.com.au) – he missed the fitting, and the other tailor had no clue re women’s suits (didn’t know the styles on offer, the pricing, nothing). I’ve also booked with Raja Fashions, and am going to print this page out to show them that I come forewarned! Will post back how that goes.

By: noreply@blogger.com (Niall Sullivan)

noreply@blogger.com (Niall Sullivan) — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:53:00 +0000

I bought two suits in 2005. They fit reasonably well, but I would have fared just as well off the peg at between a half and a third the price. They purport to be in competition with the bespoke brigade, but the finish is anything but. Over time I have found corners of the suits where final stitching leaves much to be desired, and the buttons have not been adequately sewn on..to the extent that even those I don’t use (e.g. buttons to attach braces to trousers) come away of their own volition. The advertising is a little bit economical with the verite as well. The £169 suits are linen only (no wool in sight) and in colours that would make Max Miller blanche. The £325 one in medium weight British cloth turns out to be at least double that for a lightweight version in a presentable colour. There may be 20,000 swatches available in the hotel room where the fittings are made, but less than 20 of those would pass muster for anybody seeking a stylish suit.

I acknowledge I needn’t have purchased at the price, but it was only when the first suit arrived I began to see the difference between the spin and the reality. I fully accept that “caveat emptor” applies in spades, but once bitten twice shy. I won’t be back.

Saville Row may cost more, but they’re always close by, they pay attention to detail and they finish professionally…and they don’t send their carefully crafted products by post in a jiffy bag reinforced by yards of sellotape, necessitating months of pressing before the suit sits half right. Their shirts are inferior quality for the price as well. You will do better and cheaper with T M Lewin or Thomas Pink.

By: noreply@blogger.com (Rob)

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:35:00 +0000

Jonathan, your experience is very interesting. I went along to fitting day in the South West and was left very unimpressed with the service I was receiving. So much so, that I decided not to do business with them.

I was rushed to make a choice, there were no example suits, only swatches of cloth, no discussion of the type of cut I require.

Invariably the decent cloths were priced up accordingly and the lower end clothes just didn't impress me. I'm quite suit-savvy and was looking for something very specific, but I was simply told our tailors will make a suit that looks good on you.

In your case it may have been better to go to Gieves and Hawkes. They do some lovely off the peg suits on Savile Row for around £600.

However, I'm currently looking at King and Allen, a UK bespoke suit company. I've heard good things about them.