The Journal – Formalwear and Made to Measure

So another delivery of a rather unique “Made to Measure” suit by the team here at “Stephen Bishop Suiting”.

The spec’ was to exude “summer”, “different” and of course to fit. Here is a sneak preview. We thought that we would let the groom off the hook this time as he promises to send us some snaps from his wedding day.

A little teaser.

Stephen Bishop Suiting Say

The consultation for this particular suit took nearly 3 hours. When considering any product from any company do consider the expertise, the precision and of course time, care and attention paid to you. Whether it be Suit Hire or Made to Measure, the price list should also reflect whether you are afforded a decent level of service or not. Formal Wear, especially “Suit Hire” and Made to Measure are pretty specialist. One of the only way of creating something for your special day is to pay for decent service as well as the product itself.

“Stephen Bishop Suiting” are proud to announce their nomination at the 2014 “Bridal Buyer” awards 2014. This awards ceremony truly is the “big one” so simply being nominated is a real honour. Read on….

Best Groomswear Nomination

  Why Were We Nominated? Stephen Bishop himself is one of the most experienced “Formal Wear” Specialists in the UK. Having cut his teeth at “Hugh Harris” Formal who also offer “Suit Hire”, Stephen decided to spread his wings and unlock his design ideas. How? In February 2013 Stephen started his own business, “Stephen Bishop Suiting”. Having been honoured with several trade awards in the past Stephen is more than aware that being recognised as one of the best is all well and good but “where do you go from there?” The only way is up or to constantly strive to improve, adapt and upgrade. It is important to offer a product and service that is modern and relevant and hope that this constant evolution is also recognised. Offering products and service over a consistent period of time is the key and being nominated as a relatively new company is truly stunning. The awards take place in September 2014. We congratulate all nominees and will update you all as soon as we know.

Having taken part in many a photoshoot we are delighted to share our Victorian Theme with you. Included in this shoot was our “lightweight” Navy Wool Silk Morning Suits” or Tails as they are commonly called. As you can see even our most slim fitting suit can click right into that traditional wedding look. For more shots please register for our email via www.stephenbishopsuiting.com

Wedding Suit Hire whether it be traditional “top hat and tails” or a designer led standard lounge suit. 

Should you wish to view more shots from this amazing shoot the feel free to email mysuit@stephenbishopsuiting.com.

“Stephen Bishop Suiting” says

Creating comfort and fit isn’t easy. To do so normally requires specialist suiting to be made exclusively for us. Choosing more fitted shapes and the most lightweight and delicate fabric, a suit whether it be “suit hire” or a special “made to order” for you, a quality, classy and often individual look can be created. Our service includes “suit hire”, “designer suit hire”, “bespoke suits” and “made to measure”. You will also find a full accessory range from “waistcoat hire” to bespoke waistcoats, quality formal and business shirts, shoes by “Oliver Sweeney” and much more.

Photography by http://annesophiemaestracci.com/

Dear Stephen,

Just a quick note to thank you and your team for the great service you have provided when making the waistcoats for our wedding in Thailand. They looked great and there were lots of comments on how smart (“pretty”?) the Boys looked.

We had a fabulous time and I have attached a couple of photos for you (the photographer has tweaked the colours slightly).

The day went smoothly, even the afternoon thunderstorm took pity on us as it rained 1km north and south of us, missing us completely!

Rest assured, I will not hesitate to recommend you to any others who may be in need of quality, bespoke tailoring.

I will pop in next time I am in Woking to say hello.

Best Regards,

Gus

STEPHEN SAYS – It is really is wonderful to help create some outstanding and dare I say out of the box thinking garments, in this case “bespoke waistcoats”. I just happened to still be open late one Saturday evening when, as luck would have it Angus and his now wife were a little lost in Woking. As a result they found themselves passing the store and hey presto, they spot the PERFECT colour for their wedding in the form of one of our Slim Neckties in our shop window. The normal enquiry in Woking on a Saturday is for “Suit Hire” but this was a totally different ask. As luck would have it not only did we have the required colour “Peacock” in Dupion Silk, I had just taken delivery of paisley lining material that set things off nicely. As you can see by the wedding photo’s, we managed to create “waistcoats” that took the place of a jacket whilst totally coordination with the overall “wedding” colour scheme”. So as well as being a “Suit Hire” specialist, we can create some fantastic other of “Formal Wear” clothing as well. “Suit Hire” = check, “Made to Measure Suits” =check, thinking out of the box = check.

Another Suit Hire testimonial.

“The most amazing part of your service was that you made the suit fitting a special occasion for the grooms party with beers and food which is always overlooked at any other suit hire.”

Group “suit hire” a speciality.

www.gregkingdonphotography.co.uk

Stephen Bishop Suits Say

As well as a “suit hire” range that is without rival, “Stephen Bishop Suiting” hope to add your shopping experience with them to other fond memories of the planning stage of your wedding. “Suit Hire” can be laborious and a frankly horrible experience but it doesn’t have to be. With our exclusive “try on area” and with refreshments, from the initial “wedding suit” consultation all the way through to group try on sessions, fun times can be had by all.

We are blessed with having fantastic clients regardless of whether it is for “Suit Hire” or a “Made to Measure” business suit. Typically the requirement is for “wedding suits” . We are committed to ensuring a perfect look with a tip top service based on experience and above all taking pride in you.

Take a look at our range by visiting our suit designer.

“The suits are beautiful, well cut and fit like a glove. Elliott actually said it felt the suit had been made for him.”

Congrats to the happy couple from all at “Stephen Bishop Suiting”

“Stephen Bishop Suiting” says

What an amazing couple. They chose Stephen Bishop Suiting specifically for the “designer” feel of the suiting. With the typical mixture of sizes required for any wedding, our range was used to the maximum both in size range but also quantity. So what did we achieve?  The overall look of the wedding was modern, crisp and most certainly did not look like they typical “suit hire”.

It really niggles me when you see a decent suit, irrespective of the style, and then you see the most awful shoe, waistcoat, or other accessories worn with it. To me this can “cheapen” even the most expensive suit, and if you have groomsmen you simply multiply or highlight this fact.

What Accessories Do I Need to Complement My Wedding Suit?

So you have your wedding suit; what next? A decent shirt is a start, but I advise a proper double cuff version requiring cufflinks. Correct etiquette yes, but also a very classy look. Cufflinks are also a great gift for your best man or all your groomsmen. I use fitted and semi fit shirt styles in whatever I do; some hire shirts are simply massive, double up as a spare duvet, and make you look like you are Arnold Schwarzenegger!

For some suit styles you may need a waistcoat. This can either add a huge element of style or damage the look. Typical hire waistcoats are a tad cheap, ill-fitting and frankly don’t “blend” with your outfit. I believe a waistcoat can make or break an entire outfit, so pure fabrics and relevant patterns are chosen to ensure class, fit and relevance.

Shoes are the most important accessory. Brown Shoes with a suit worn at a formal event – NO. That is my opinion, and actually I don’t mind this in general, but I do believe this can take the look of the outfit you create for a formal event into the realms of casual. To me a slick black, preferably patent shoe should be worn, especially in a group look scenario. Whether they are brown, black or bright pink shoes, a matching or coordinated group look must have some thought given to the footwear.

Oh dear, I have just had a thought, I sound just like my Dad.

A Groomswear Catwalk for 2014

The London, Milan, Paris and Rome catwalks do not tend to focus on formalwear at all, so a trend is difficult to see or even establish. The question I guess is, what sort of thing would I like to see on a groomswear catwalk in 2014?

I would start with the models. Bouncy, gorgeous male models are not you or I, we are normal, as in a typical group of guys. I would try and create a typical groom and groomsmen bunch to include an athletic groom, cheeky chappy best man, distinguished fathers, and that man mountain of an usher that cannot normally buy anything ‘off the shelf’. To dress an individual is one thing, co-ordinating a group to suit both their physique and to blend in with the wedding colour scheme is another tricky thing to achieve.

For the traditional tails look I would go for formal yet modern Black Tails made from lightweight fabrics, almost Italian fit from the tailcoat right through to the waistcoat, and slim fit trouser. Dress this with some bright modern neckwear such as turquoise or Cadbury’s purple, and that catwalk is alight. Imagine five or six guys strolling down the catwalk, some wearing toppers, some brandishing a cane; wow.

Ok, so that would be the traditional tails shown off. What about formal Lounge Suits? Again, being in the ‘formal wear box’ can limit suit choices, but there is no reason why, for instance, a standard black suit cannot be styled using the most delicate fabric to really push that formal wear boundary. With matching waistcoat or without, funky lining flashing away whilst the model’s jacket is flinging in and out; this detailing is modern and fun yet still exudes formal.

Of course, why not throw out some White Tie outfits to create a Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers catwalk theme. To add fun to the proceedings, why not dress the models in full blown kilt outfits? Fun, but relevant too, as the Gatsby trend has really made White Tie hot, and Kilts are always on the radar.

We all have our own opinions as to what is casual, smart or indeed formal wear. My definition of formal wear is this.

Formal Wear – clothing that isn’t classed as casual or “daywear” and is clothing that tries to reflect a particular event such as a wedding, dinner dance or knighthood. The definition of casual or daywear can be anything from jeans and t-shirt through to a sports jacket and slacks. The definition of formal wear can be anything from a smart suit to Top Hat & Tails.

What is Formal Wear?

Jeans and t-shirt as a guest to a wedding, I don’t think so. Sports jacket and slacks at a formal “black tie” ball, no sir. At the very least dressing in smart trousers, shirt and tie would be a start but isn’t really formal enough. If you don a suit with shirt and tie, now you are talking. Of course if these are items not normally found in your wardrobe, don’t worry, these can be hired easily nowadays.

Events such as weddings or dinner dances are of course a different matter. Many of these events will request a “dress code” such as Top Hat & Tails or Black Tie (dinner suit). The purpose of this being to ensure that the event is smartened up and elevates it from being an informal party to an actual event. With weddings, it is often the case that the groom dresses himself, his best man and ushers in coordinating outfits. This helps create a group look for the groomsmen on the day and are usually chosen to enhance or co-ordinate with the scheme or theme of the wedding. As an added bonus this “dressing up” ensures that these principal people stand out in a smart and formal way and do not simply look like just another guest.