Final Adjustments

Tailor Thomas Mahon was in San Francisco a few days ago and that provided the opportunity to get what should be final adjustments to my first Mahon suit, an effort that we began a year ago. It was fitted for the first time this past Spring.

The suit is a half lined summer weight (ten ounce) mohair and wool blend cut as a 6x2 double breasted. There is a slight sheen to the mohair so I'll wear it on days when I might want to look a bit dressier than normal, and in the evening.


The suit had cleared customs a few days prior which gave me time to wear it for a day to see how it settled. It looked pretty darned good for a first effort with only one previous fitting.


Of course there were some nits. The trousers were a bit tight in the thighs when I sat, which Thomas picked up on before a word left my mouth, the coat needed a bit of shape and the jacket sleeve length was a bit off. I also asked for an eyeglass pocket in the jacket and an English back to the trousers instead of a straight waistband so the trousers will ride like my other suits and won't require me to adjust my braces each time I put it on.


If someone looks closely they may notice the turnback cuffs on the sleeves (click on the photo to see it full size), a subtle Edwardian touch. I think they add a little interest to an otherwise conservative double breasted. The jacket might have been a bit bolder if the lining was the paisley I'd requested, but it arrived navy blue and I elected not to make an issue of it. I've never received a bespoke suit that was exactly what I asked for, so why start now?

All that means this mission is mostly accomplished. In a couple of weeks I'll have a suit that I won't be able to wear until the end of March '08. I'd like to get delivery and season synchronized next time, so I'm planning to order a fresco next. With luck, both the suit and the appropriate season for it will arrive in the Spring.