Savile Row is to tailoring what Bordeaux is to wine: the reference point against which everything else is measured. But London's bespoke tailoring scene extends well beyond that famous street — and the best option for you depends on your style, budget, and what you want from the experience.
Savile Row: The Heritage Houses
Henry Poole & Co.
The oldest tailor on the Row (founded 1806) and inventor of the dinner jacket. Henry Poole maintains perhaps the purest expression of traditional Savile Row tailoring: structured shoulders, clean chest, suppressed waist. The house style is military-influenced and unmistakably British. First suit from £5,500. Allow 8–12 weeks.
Huntsman
Famous for its one-button coat — a long, dramatic silhouette that's unmistakably Huntsman. The house style emphasises a high, nipped waist and long skirt, creating a distinctive, confident look. Gregory Peck and Katherine Hepburn were clients. First suit from £6,000. Allow 10–14 weeks.
Anderson & Sheppard
The soft tailor's tailor. Where most Savile Row houses build structure into the jacket, Anderson & Sheppard drapes fabric over the body, creating a natural, fluid silhouette. The result is supremely comfortable — a suit you barely feel you're wearing. Prince Charles is a famous devotee. First suit from £5,000. Allow 10–12 weeks.
Modern Savile Row
Ozwald Boateng
The man who brought colour, energy, and a younger clientele to Savile Row. Boateng's suits are sharper, more fashion-forward, and more diverse in fabric choice than the traditional houses. His ready-to-wear line makes the style accessible, but bespoke is where the magic happens. First suit from £3,500. Allow 6–10 weeks.
Richard James
Established in 1992, Richard James bridges traditional craftsmanship and contemporary style. Known for inventive use of colour and fabric — electric blue linings, unexpected textures — while maintaining impeccable construction. First suit from £3,800. Allow 6–8 weeks.
Beyond the Row
Thom Sweeney, Mayfair
A modern atelier that combines Italian-influenced soft tailoring with British precision. The fitting rooms (in a beautiful Weighhouse Street townhouse) offer a more relaxed experience than the traditional Row. Excellent knitwear and casualwear too. First suit from £3,200. Allow 6–8 weeks.
Edward Sexton, Knightsbridge
A legendary figure — Tommy Nutter's former partner — now working from Knightsbridge. Sexton's suits are bold, confident, and unmistakably his: wide lapels, strong shoulders, nipped waists. He dressed the Beatles, Mick Jagger, and continues to make some of London's most distinctive suits. First suit from £4,500. Allow 8–12 weeks.
Cifonelli London, Mount Street
The Parisian house's London outpost brings French-Italian tailoring to Mayfair. The house signature — a dramatically curved shoulder — is instantly recognisable. Lighter construction than British houses, ideal for those who prefer a Continental silhouette. First suit from £5,000. Allow 8–12 weeks.
The Bespoke Process
A bespoke suit requires 3–4 fittings over 6–14 weeks. The first appointment involves choosing cloth, discussing style, and having 30+ measurements taken. A paper pattern is cut by hand and a 'baste' (a roughly constructed trial garment) is fitted at the second appointment. Adjustments are made, and the suit is completed over one or two further fittings.
Most houses offer cloth from the world's finest mills — Loro Piana, Dormeuil, Holland & Sherry, Scabal — with prices varying according to fibre and weight. A worsted wool suit cloth typically adds £200–800 to the making charge.
What It Costs
Two-piece bespoke suit: £3,200–6,500+
Three-piece: Add 15–20%
Overcoat: £3,500–7,000
Bespoke shirt: £200–500
Made-to-measure (an alternative): £1,200–2,500
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