Update: EXTREME SUIT MAKEOVER

[Marc Chevalier]

A lot was done by hand, yes. A lot still is, but not in America at low cost. Thailand is a different story!

The best repro vintage suit I've ever seen was a sample made for the J. Peterman Company. It was made in South Africa, of all places. I was very intrigued by this -- could South Africa be a tailoring/manufacturing option?

Here are some pics of the repro:

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I reckon finding good fabrics would be the biggest challenge.

And the costliest.

 

[Wild Root]

Marc, that suit can be saved, it’s just going to take some money to do so. Take it to French’s in Pasadena, they will hold it for a wile but, clean it deeply and get most if not all of the dirt out. Then take it to a place where the holes can be re-woven… I know Ben knew of a gal who did top notch work… not sure any more if she’s still doing it but, worth finding out.

After all that, you’ll have a drop dead gorgeous suit! One that will make all of us eat our hats over!

Best of luck with the ol’ Fixer Upper! It’s worth it!!!

=WR=

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I gave it to Veronica to take to Santiago, Chile with her. Santiago has an incredible reweaving place called "Japanese Reweavers". They work wonders!

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I'm sure Magnoli would have an opinion on it. He has some beautiful items on his website.

Could you kindly give me the website's address? Thanks!

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Could you kindly give me the website's address? Thanks!

I am only too happy to oblige.

That J. Peterman suit is amazing, amazing.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Thanks as always!

The photos don't capture it, but the repro suit's color is a very dark chocolate brown. And yes, it has a belted, bi-swing action back. (No pleats going up from the half-belt, though.)

This repro suit dates back to just before J. Peterman's bankruptcy. It's a sample that the company never ended up mass producing. Too bad, eh?

.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Thanks as always!
...This repro suit dates back to just before J. Peterman's bankruptcy. It's a sample that the company never ended up mass producing. Too bad, eh?
.

It may have saved the company.

 

[scotrace]

Mr. Peterman

I sometimes wonder if he lurks here now and then.

Anyway. I've written him (them) a few times with suggestions (begging), without result.

I want SO badly to order that Victoria Falls jacket. Alas, mommy sez no.

On the good side, I found a source for some nice heavy (got to be 20+ oz.) woolen fabrics right in my backyard yesterday.

 

[John in Covina]

South Africa

The best repro vintage suit I've ever seen was a sample made for the J. Peterman Company. It was made in South Africa, of all places. I was very intrigued by this -- could South Africa be a tailoring/manufacturing option?

Some of the shirts and pants I have bought from the outfitter Cabela's were made in South Africa. Seemed pretty good work too.

Sincerely,

 

[Grimstar]

Actually, it wouldn't be necessary to deconstruct the suit to get a pattern, measurements can be taken from it and a pattern drafted accordingly. Also, there are services that can take a basic block pattern and grade it for different sizes. I'm not sure of the cost, or any particular company that does it, but I have seen references to it being done. Fabric cost could be a stumbling block or not, depending on just how much you were willing/able to buy...in quantity, nice woolens can be had for 1-3 dollars a yard (however, by quantity, I mean 500-1000 yards or more) The labor is the real issue in getting anything duplicated. The construction of a suit takes about 36-40 man hours (for custom; mass production is probably about half that) so you would need a source of labor in some developing country where the wages are low, or some seamstresses who are willing to work really cheap (I don't know any lol )
Still, that is a fantastic suit, I can't wait to see it's rebirth!

 

[Fu Manchu]

How about Taiwan?

If you told me exactly what you need done, I can ask around town here to get you some prices. The tailors here seem to be fairly skilled and their work would certainly be cheaper than in the West. Of course, tailoring in China would be cheaper...

Fu Manchu

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Thank you, Fu Manchu! I'll do some online research on it.

 

["Doc" Devereux]

Are there any other folks around here who'd want a repro of a suit like this?

If you can do it in black, I'll take a 44" regular!

 

[Lauren]

Sorry, jumping on late- Marc, that first suit you posted is Increadable! One of the most beautiful things I have ever seen for men. I love the color and cut of it.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

 

[Fu Manchu]

Been thinking...

I'm actually looking for a tailor here in Taipei fairly actively. I need to get a blazer made and was thinking that I could make some inquiries about tailoring a suit like this beauty. Any ideas on how to determine whether a tailor will do a good job without actually buying a suit? I'm concerned that the tailors here just won't have the skills necessary to accurately reproduce the fine details.

Fu Manchu

 

[tonyb]

I'm bumping this old thread because I wish to know if that groovy old suit ever found its way to the reweaver and old-fabric cleaner/restorer.
My more selfish motive is that I'll retrieve a pair of WWII vintage trousers from the seamstress next week and I'm still searching for reliable cleaning tips. (Lord, I really want to save those pants. They look great on me, if I do say so myself.) I started a thread on this very subject in the General Attire and Accouterments section, but with the exception of a bit of input from the always friendly and helpful John in Covina, I've gotten no response. The pants appear to be less challenging a project than Marc's old suit (they have very little sign of wear, absolutely no insect damage or mildew or any of those sorts of horrors), but they do have noticable soiling in places, and that dirt (atmospheric fallout -- dust and such, I think) has very likely had a few decades to establish itself in the fabric. How to lift it without damaging the wool?

 

[Jay]

I'm curious to the outcome of this as well.

 

[slicedbread]

im curious if any tailors can make this at an affordable price.