The Art Of Summer Suiting With Infamous London Tailors Edward Sexton

Discerning, dapper, and charismatic, Edward Sexton is the London tailoring house that’s long been associated with the rock ‘n’ roll glamour, having dressed everyone from The Beatles, Mick Jagger (in the cream suit he wore to marry Bianca in St. Tropez), and Andy Warhol to David Hockney, and ladies including Twiggy and Naomi Campbell.

Now, in time for dashing summer escapades, Dominic Sebag-Montefiore, Creative Director of Edward Sexton has shared his guide to summer tailoring.

Material Matters

Start with the right cloth and you will look and feel great. If you are going to be wearing tailoring in the warmer weather fabric selection is key. Linen is dry and porous, so it keeps you feeling fresh, but has a tendency to crease, so best kept for more relaxed occasions, evenings out, holidays and events, but not so much in an air-conditioned boardroom. Linen will keep you cool, but it has no natural stretch, so if you go too fitted it can feel restrictive and uncomfortable.

High twisted open weave wools are excellent; they are woven using twisted yarns of wool that are constantly trying to untwist, so they do not crease easily. This means you can create a lighter cloth that resists creasing. Having an open weave allows air to pass through. We work with some fantastic mills that have perfected this technique. But these clothes are great for the warm weather and travelling. Some of the high twist fabrics can be flowing and drapey and others can be firmer and hold their shape. A good tailor should be able to tell you which are which and what would work best for your figure and the style of garment you want.

It Is Not All Or Nothing

In summer, you don’t need to commit to a full three-piece suit or shorts and a linen shirt. There is a lot of room to play. Loose-fitting tailored trousers in a flowing fabric can be great dressed down. A light, unstructured suit worn with a t-shirt or linen shirt can be easy and elegant. A structured jacket can add a touch of formality to a pair of trousers and an open shirt, and makes a great layer if the temperature drops as the sun goes down.

Feel Good, Look Good

How you feel in your clothes has as much of an impact as the quality and fit on how you look and how well you function in them. This may be about how soft or rough the fabric is, it could also be a psychological association with the brand, it could be how well suited to the weather you are going to be in the clothes. It could be how the cut of the clothes make you stand. The right clothes will feel right. Don’t think it see how clothes feel on.

Classics Are Classics For A Reason

A good classic is, classic. This is not to be ignored or dismissed, but get it right and you will have an awesome piece for years, until you get bored of it, then put it away and wait 10 years (don’t put on or lose weight) and you will fall in love with it again. Quality, construction and colour are imperative. Key classics for summer: white linen suit or just the trousers if the suit is too much; a navy high twist blazer can be worn with the white linen trousers for a riviera look. A navy mohair blend suit for when you want to look impeccable but not too heavy, dark chocolate brown linen suit, a real suit wearer’s summer suit in Irish linen, of course. Get them right and you will feel and look a million dollars in them even when they are old and worn in. They will get character like a pair of indigo denim jeans.

Meet Your Needs – Go Bespoke

Whether you know them or not, get all of your needs from your clothing met. A good bespoke tailor will sit down with you and want to understand how you want to feel in your clothes, what context and climate you are going to wear them in and build garments that flawlessly flatter your physique and meet your needs, or tell you when they can’t all be met. Get the expert consultation and then something handmade for you and your lifestyle.

See more on edwardsexton.co.uk.