Shortly after I wrote in an earlier post about Patrick Grant for Debenhams Hammond & Co collection I was able to obtain one of my favourites, a double-breasted Prince of Wales check suit made from cloth from Alfred Brown (Worsted Mills) Ltd in Leeds, Yorkshire.
I'm always a bit nervous about obtaining clothes online, as sizes, quality and cut vary so much from brand to brand. Luckily the suit fitted well and extra length in the legs enabled me to have turn-ups.
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| Go on, smile Grey Fox! |
The mobile phone image above (taken at the launch of Debenhams' excellent new menswear floor) isn't the best, but the soft cloth and slim-ish cut combine to make a suit in which I feel very comfortable. I've worn it a lot and it has shown no signs of permanently creasing, bagging, going shiny or losing its shape - hooray for British cloth. To my amazement, after a few weeks ownership, I found that the cuff buttons undo - not something often found on suits of this price (see below).
Patrick Grant has created a winner for Debenhams, who tell me that Hammond & Co sales have exceeded their expectations. This isn't surprising, Grant's eye for detail, genuine enthusiasm for the brand and his own undoubted style make him an ideal designer/ambassador for the collection. Look out for him wearing suits from the range in the new BBC series of The Great British Sewing Bee early next year (and see the image below in which, dammit, he looks a lot better than I do in the same suit).
The suit price? £299 - not a misprint. Get yours before they sell out. See web links below for information.
My previous review of Hammond & Co can be found here.
Debenhams, Hammond & Co online here.
Alfred Brown Worsted Mills, Leeds - website here.
Many thanks to Debenhams for providing this suit for review.
Have you got any views about grey or tan POW suits? I have come across some lovely fabric at Dugdales. My feeling is the tan is more year round but would welcome advice.
ReplyDeleteBarry, thank you. I'd like to try a tan or brownish PoW check cloth as I also have seen some very nice ones.
ReplyDeleteIt will depend on shade, weight etc but my feeling is that grey PoW check is more adaptable as it can be used for both casual and formal and for town and country looks. Tan PoW check probably will give more of a country look perhaps less suited to a formal meeting - but no less smart and attractive for that.
GF
I also have one of these suits. Interesting to see that the button stance is skewed on yours too - some problems with quality control? Had to reposition three buttons on mine to correct this.
ReplyDeleteOverall, though, nice cloth and very good value, but (unfortunately for me at least!) trousers rather on the slim-cut side of classic. Will get more wear come spring time.
I hadn't noticed that - there is a couple of mm height difference, but the photo seems to exaggerate this, maybe because I've left the bottom button undone.
ReplyDeleteYes, the cut verges on the slim; but not too extreme.
GF.
It looks great David, I really like that check, very nice colour!
ReplyDelete:)
Price seems decent for a fella of his calibre
ReplyDeleteBuckets & Spades
Hi Charlotte - thanks, yes, I love PoW check.
ReplyDeleteAgreed Matthew - a good price.
GF
To put my earlier response into perspective, I've had other (considerably more expensive!) DB's where the button stance has also been off. The PoW check on this one just makes it very easy to spot....
ReplyDeleteLeaving this (easily correctable) issue aside though, the Hammond DB is a very nicely put together suit for the money, which will get a lot of wear in a lot of different environments. I'm jealous that you had enough length to create turn ups - I'd certainly have preferred cuffed trousers, but no spare length available on mine.
Oh well, just have to start saving my pennies for a Norton & Sons.....
I had to send mine back. The problem is, 'working' cuff buttons. No alterations tailor, of my acquaintance, can - or will shorten sleeves at the shoulder of a wool suit. The only satisfactory remedy, it would seem. They are a nice sartorial touch, provided you have 'ready to wear' arms. Debenhams never replied to my email queries about alterations when placing the order. I agree though. A great looking suit.
ReplyDelete