The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2024 - Issue 35

Jada Brookes is fascinated by the narrative on tailored suits in Patrick Grant’s The Savile Row Suit. bitebookreview The Savile Row Suit Book Review A s a young child, Patrick Grant was particular about what he would or would not wear. In the opening chapter of his book The Savile Row Suit, ‘A Life in Clothes’, he describes how he acquired a taste for tailored suits, from being tall enough to wear his father’s suits, which were tailored in the 1960s by an Edinburgh firm called Thompson, his first new suit from Marks & Spencer and interest in the Savile Row suit to the purchase of bespoke tailor Nortons & Sons and his other endeav- ours. A renowned clothier, television per- sonality, and judge on BBC’s The Great British Sewing Bee, Grant delves into the intricate and illustrious world of bespoke tailoring. This manual for the sartorially inclined provides a rich tapestry of histo- ry, culture, and personal anecdotes cele- brating the artistry of bespoke suit-mak- ing. It pays homage to the famed street in London that has become synonymous with high-quality, custom-made suits. With its storied past dating back to the 18th century, Savile Row is depicted as the epicentre of a sartorial tradition that values craftsmanship, precision, and indi- viduality. The author meticulously traces the evolution of the iconic landmark, weaving in tales of legendary tailors and illustrious clients, from royalty and poli- ticians to celebrities and style icons. Grant’s ability to blend historical context with technical insights is one of the book’s greatest strengths. Readers are treated to a detailed chronicle of how Savile Row became the cradle of bespoke tailoring, highlighting key figures who contributed to its reputation. Names such as Henry Poole, credited with establish- ing the first tailor’s shop on Savile Row, and modern-day titans like Anderson & Sheppard and Huntsman are brought to life through Grant’s vivid prose.