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A new suit on an old body
Feb. 8th, 2014 08:38 amThere are few things more sobering than having a new suit made. It's a process of categorizing every defect in one's body and, worse, the ravages of age. I have been going to the same tailor for 25 years although, until yesterday, it had been some time since I'd bought anything as I don't really have a "suit and tie" job anymore. Also I was hoping, with decreasing likelihood, that one day I might again fit into the several perfectly serviceable suits that I had made in the early 90s.
Oh the fun conversations between the salesman and the cutter. "Should we cut for a slight stoop?", "The right shoulder has always been a bit lower but has it got worse?". (Yes it has. A class 3 AC separation will do that!). Also, of course, the quantitative metrics of physical decline. Sobering.
Actually though it was quite fun and, for once, the lemur was if anything being a little more conservative than me in some respects. We do have one difference of opinion though. She thinks I should buy a suit with some sort of greeny/browny colours in it. As I am not about to buy tweeds it isn't happening. Some prejudices run deep. What we ended up with was a 6x2 double breasted in a grey and light blue window pane fabric. It will be fairly dressy but not out of place for a meeting at the Ministry. Oh yes, cuffs and pleats on the trousers. Why do all the ready to wear places cut trousers for men who don't have thighs?
One thing was rather curious. I was asked what sort of lining material I wanted. That's never happened before. Apparently among the younger Bay Street types lining is all important. It must be a function of the jacket spending more time on a chair than on the owner I suppose. Still, plain and serviceable is what I want in that department. It's an odd world where a suit's lining is considered more important than how it fits.
Oh the fun conversations between the salesman and the cutter. "Should we cut for a slight stoop?", "The right shoulder has always been a bit lower but has it got worse?". (Yes it has. A class 3 AC separation will do that!). Also, of course, the quantitative metrics of physical decline. Sobering.
Actually though it was quite fun and, for once, the lemur was if anything being a little more conservative than me in some respects. We do have one difference of opinion though. She thinks I should buy a suit with some sort of greeny/browny colours in it. As I am not about to buy tweeds it isn't happening. Some prejudices run deep. What we ended up with was a 6x2 double breasted in a grey and light blue window pane fabric. It will be fairly dressy but not out of place for a meeting at the Ministry. Oh yes, cuffs and pleats on the trousers. Why do all the ready to wear places cut trousers for men who don't have thighs?
One thing was rather curious. I was asked what sort of lining material I wanted. That's never happened before. Apparently among the younger Bay Street types lining is all important. It must be a function of the jacket spending more time on a chair than on the owner I suppose. Still, plain and serviceable is what I want in that department. It's an odd world where a suit's lining is considered more important than how it fits.
