Getting a Custom Suit at Kuhlman’s

Getting a Custom Suit at Kuhlman’s

May 19th, 2008 @ 8:35 am by Mrs. Cherry Pie

NOTE: This post was contributed by Mr. Cherry Pie

As some might remember, when I last wrote for Weddingbee, it was because I was trying to decide what to wear for the Big Day. Well, I felt the same as most of you ladies: I wanted a suit. That left me with a few choices… I could buy a suit and have it altered or have one made.

Now, we have many fine stores here in Seattle. There’s Nordstrom’s and Brooks Brothers as well as any number of high end men’s boutiques that would be happy to sell me a suit that I could have tailored at a later date. Which one to pick, right?

The obvious choice, at least to those who know me, was none of the above. I decided that I wanted a custom-made suit. A bit of research turned up outstanding reviews for a local store named Kuhlman’s. This Kuhlman’s is different from the chain store of the same name - it’s a small boutique in Belltown. They sell trendy clothes and bags, but out of the back of the store the owner, Scott Kuhlman draws up individual patterns and hand tailors suits to order. They’re wonderful, but not cheap.

But I could have my own suit! To my exact measurements! Not only for my wedding, but for all sorts of occasions in the future! It had to be done.

So, Monday, I went down to Kuhlman’s with an appointment to meet with Scott and his measurement man. Yes, he has a gentleman who he calls in just to take measurements. I like to think of him as the tailor equivalent of “The Cleaner” from Point of No Return. Measurements are his thing and he does them well.

(Mr. Cherry Pie getting measured)

Here’s a short video of Mr. Kulhman and crew doing their thing. I’d just come from my nursing shift on my bike, hence the silly pants and shirt:

Truth be told, I don’t trust myself to go it alone. So I went to my appointment with Miss Cherry Pie on one arm and one of my incredibly fashion-conscious nursing friends on the other.

(The Cherry Pies looking at fabric swatches)

(Examining suit/vest lining in the natural light)

I thought I had decided what I wanted, but looking at all the fabric and design options raised a ton of questions and I started to reconsider everything. While I could get into all of our questions and answers right now, let’s start with the basics and I’ll fill you in once I have my first fitting… Classic black, white, gray, brown, tan, navy or pinstripe? What will your man be wearing on your wedding day?

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9 Responses to “Getting a Custom Suit at Kuhlman’s”

Member

MsAnge (message) 124 posts, Blushing bee

Ooh, I personally have a weakness for pinstripes. A great pinstripe suit is absolutely classic.

I actually discussed this with my fiance last night - I was kind of hoping he’d go for ultra formal with me and get a white dinner jacket (we were watching Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and I said he could pretend to be Indy all night. His response was he certainly didn’t want to emulate Temple of Doom Indy!). But no, he wants a classic tuxedo (complete with bow tie) and all of his groomsmen are getting them, too. He’s really excited about the tuxedo look for some reason, so I’m letting him have his fun

5/19/08 @ 9:32 am (reply)

Guest

Erin

My fiance surprised me by also requesting a classic tuxedo. I would have expected him to want a suit, too. Good thing I asked lol.

I would do black or charcoal gray (with or without pinstripes). If you’re going to get a custom suit, get a fabric that will be versatile and not risk going out of style. Brown comes in and out of fashion. I remember teasing my dad mercilessly for his brown suit 15 years ago… They are all the rage now, but who knows for how long.

5/19/08 @ 10:57 am (reply)

Guest

Suzanno

FI really thought he should wear a tux, but a minimal amount of questioning revealed his desire for a really nice suit. It is being tailored this week; we bought it at Nordstrom in Spokane. I didn’t think we would have a lot of luck shopping off the rack, is he is quite tall with a very athletic (broad shoulders but small waist) build, but it turns out the Nordstom sells ONE style of suit, recently added to their line, that fits him quite nicely. We are having two white shirts made-to-measure, which I’m sure will result in a need for him to have all his dress shirts made-to-measure, as he has the same problem with shirts - anything with a long enough sleeve has enough fabric around the waist for two of him, and even in a fitted style enough for 1.5 of him, while a slim cut is great in the waist but too small in the shoulders. We also have acquired the world’s most fabulous tie - a Seven Fold - which comes in it’s own fabulous black lacquered box. You should check them out, Mr. CherryPie!

5/19/08 @ 11:14 am (reply)

Bee

frenchbulldog (message) 6,063 posts, Bee Keeper

I’d say black… but since you are buying the suit and will be wearing it on other occasions I’d also keep in mind the color you would most like to wear again.

5/19/08 @ 12:18 pm (reply)

Guest

peony

my FI originally was quite adamant about doing a tux, even though we’re not doing an overly formal wedding. but after showing him some pictures online and on weddingbee, he’s become a huge fan of the custom tailored grey suit look =)! i look forward to seeing what you end up choosing for your suit so i can show FI!

5/19/08 @ 1:01 pm (reply)

Guest

lotusmoss

I agree with AliCherri1 and Erin–think about what you’d like to wear again and what you’d wear the most in the future. My guy almost went with a brownish suit with a very subtle bluish stripe, but I asked him how often he’d use the suit again and questioned whether it might go out of fashion as well. He changed his mind and opted for a black suit (subtle black stripes on black). Charcoal gray is very elegant too and almost as (or as useful as) a black suit. It’s also worth thinking about an all-season or other light kind of wool that you can wear year round in terms of material.

5/19/08 @ 1:16 pm (reply)

Guest

HCB

My husband wore a navy suit for our wedding.

I agree with others that you should think about versatility - navy and gray (pinstripe or solid) are just classic. You can wear them to most any business or social event any season of the year (assuming the fabric is for all seasons).

My husband just wore a great looking tan suit for a wedding we attended in Florida - but he would only wear that suit in warm/tropical climates or in the summer/warm months here in New England. (He wears a suit almost every work day.)

There are a lot of choices - good luck with your decision.

5/19/08 @ 4:13 pm (reply)

Guest

Mr. Cherry Pie

Kuhlman’s generally pushes lightweight summer fabrics that can be worn year round.

Suzanno: Those Seven Fold ties at Nordstroms are gorgeous! I probably shouldn’t go browse them though…I’ve spent enough on the suit that an extra $220 for a tie might be ill advised….But they are gorgeous!

5/19/08 @ 4:36 pm (reply)

Guest

chibride

Having spent a lifetime buying off the rack, I think it’s such a special treat to get something custom made…personally, I would be paralyzed by the possibilities. Although I really like pants with a herringbone texture.

5/19/08 @ 8:24 pm (reply)