Edit Suits Co.: Fine tailoring at your doorstep
PUBLISHED May 9th, 2014 01:00 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:44 pm
Upon stepping into the bustling cafe where we had agreed to meet, I was quickly received by the two very approachable gentlemen behind Edit Suits Co., and after some genial pleasantries, Mr. Q and Reto Peter launched into a detailed rundown of their brand new start-up Edit Suits Co, which fundamentally intends to bring to customers superior custom clothing at the convenience of their doorstep.
It works like this: Outfitters personally trained by the pair consult with customers at their homes or offices (or any other convenient location) to assess their needs and preferences, and thereafter take their measurements for entry into a database. Customers are then able to place subsequent orders online, which gets delivered in 2 to 3 weeks.
‘The name Edit,’ Mr. Q tells me, ‘is a euphemism and our ethos about how men should dress, which is to ‘edit” your choices and colours. That is the approach that we want to propagate when they buy our products. “Many tailors lack a sense for modern cuts or don’t carry the fabrics that are sought after by fashion-conscious customers,’ Reto adds on, ‘With some shops, aside from having to travel long distances multiple times to make a shirt, the quality of the end product is inferior.’
As of now, the company only does shirts (at a price of $99 for all fabrics), but chinos in a spectrum of popular colours are expected to come into the mix soon. Plans for made-to-measure suits are in the works as well, though they say it may take awhile before that comes about.
The pair later showed me the fabrics that they had sourced from Singapore and Bangkok (where production is currently carried out). While traditional shirting patterns like oxfords, checks, stripes, twill, and herringbone were aplenty, I noticed the lack of more ‘casual’ textiles like linen and chambray, though it’s something they plan to change in due time.
At the time, I was looking for the perfect white oxford shirt—a staple for any well-dressed man — so I was relieved to be in the capable hands of the pair. Mr. Q especially, had an impressive sartorial repertoire—he used be a textile printer in London and also developed a ready-to-wear clothing line called ‘Gentleman of Disorder’ which he sold in Belgium. After taking up an internship with a tailor there before moving to Singapore, he worked here under the tutelage of a long established ‘shifu’ at bespoke label Clothesmith.
On their insightful advice, I decided on a rather matte variety of oxford with a loose weave to achieve a more casual look, and after an enlightening discussion on the effects of collar styles—from cutaway, to pointed, to spread—on the face, I went with a button-down collar (‘It’s a classic with oxford shirts,’ Mr Q. confirmed).
A few extra details were decided on as well: a rounded cuff with single-button side plackets, straight plackets at the front, a monogram of my initials on the left cuff—in a classic navy blue script font—, a shorter hem (or tuck-out length, as the duo calls it), a plain yoke at the back of the shirt, and troca shell mother-of-pearl buttons—superior to the ‘pearl-ised plastic’ ones off-the-rack shirts use.
It was then time for the hardest part of the afternoon: Taking my measurements in a crowded cafe with eyes bearing down on self-conscious me. The deed was completed fast enough though, and while some tailors I’ve patronised in the past neglected to measure my armholes, wrists, and elbows, Mr Q. measured them all to ensure a perfect fit.
After revelations that I have rather wide shoulders for my size, we parted company as they headed off to another business meeting, and I must say that Edit Suits Co. is an exciting new entrant into our rather sparse menswear scene. Now, head to their website here and book an appointment — it’s quite a fond experience!
Written by Grimlay
