The Ultimate Insider's Guide To All The Tailors On Savile Row
Savile Row is changing. Situated in the heart of Mayfair, the world’s most famous bespoke street has influenced the way men dress for more than 200 years. Now, in the 21st century, ‘The Row’ (not to be confused with the Olsen twins’ luxury venture of the same name) is adapting to modern tastes – without compromising on its English heritage and artisanal spirit. From traditional military-inspired cuts, to something slicker, Savile Row is more than the sum of its stuffier parts; and along with the beloved great houses (which are nowhere near as intimidating as they’re perceived to be) the street is flourishing under another generation of tailors and ready-to-wear designers.
The Savile Row of your imagination? It’s still there. It’s still magic. Except today, there is a service to match most budgets, with ready-to-wear now as common as bespoke and made-to-measure offerings. With all this choice, it can be quite tricky to know where to begin. So, join us on a journey down Savile Row, as we get into the basics of each establishment (whether tailor or retail), helping you find what suits your tastes best.
ANDERSON AND SHEPPARD
32 Old Burlington St, W1S 3AT; anderson-sheppard.co.uk
Looking through the window is like looking at a tiny stage play. So welcoming is Anderson and Sheppard’s shop, it will dispel any fears you have about stepping inside. Since 1906, it's been at the front of innovation, specialising in the ‘English drape cut’: a softer and more relaxed fit than the military-inspired styles on offer nearby. Fred Astaire was a fan, noting how it stayed flush against his neck when dancing. Works just as well for non-tap dancing folks, too.
Expect: A traditional English cut and impeccable quality.
Prices: From around £5,000 for a bespoke two-piece suit.
OZWALD BOATENG
30 Savile Row, W1S 3PT; ozwaldboateng.co.uk
Since the Nineties, Ozwald Boateng has been a go-to for city and media types that want a suit their grandparents didn’t own. This is one of the less conventional sites on the street, with vibrant embroidered suits – some in orange and purple – displayed wall-to-wall. Boateng’s Savile Row store (like his suiting) is about making a statement, a little like Ozwald himself, who made history as the first tailor from Savile Row to present a collection at Paris Fashion Week.
Expect: Colour, even if only in a contrast jacket lining.
Prices: From around £5,000 for a bespoke two-piece suit.
YURI AND YURI
13 Savile Row, W1S 3NE; yuriyuri.co.uk
Head designer Yuri Choi is considered one of the most creative tailors in the area, and along with her partner, and Savile Row svengali/journalist Will Field, finally opened a workshop in 2018. The brand's line of trousers and polo shirts are highly-sought out staples, evoking Chet Baker and Miles Davis’s jazzier, preppier styles from the Fifties and Sixties, alongside a selection of dandyish tailored loungewear (including underwear). It almost feels like rebellion, if it weren’t for the fact that Y&Y remains up to the street’s standards for quality and taste.
Expect: Smart casual staples crafted with Savile Row techniques.
Prices: Polos from £280, trousers from £450, off-the-rack; made-to-measure and bespoke POA.
DEGE AND SKINNER
10 Savile Row, W1S 3PF; dege-skinner.co.uk
Times haven’t always been easy on Savile Row. But through it all, Dege and Skinner has remained a family-run business, in continued operation since 1865. No fancy branding, no fashion trends; just Savile Row as it always was (and many believe, should remain). This is a proper tailor, a thread back the days when much of the area’s clientele were military, politicians, or Royals (Prince Harry – a veteran himself – owns a few items from Dege and Skinner).
Expect: Traditional cuts, traditional service and traditional clientele (Prince Harry married Meghan Markle in a Dege and Skinner uniform).
Prices: From around £5,000 for a bespoke two-piece suit.
JP HACKETT
14 Savile Row, W1S 3JN; hackett.com
It’s worth making the distinction now: Jeremy Hackett’s Savile Row service is unique to his hugely successful brand. With initials proudly on the mast, JP Hackett opened in 2019, bringing Jeremy back to one of his first loves: bespoke tailoring. The style is English, a dash eccentric and amongst the easiest to pull off. The house offers three made-to-measure cuts: the Windsor (a modern, lightly structured jacket); a classic English cut (more traditional); and Jeremy’s house cut – all to your specifications, over tea (or something a little stronger from the clubroom’s cocktail bar).
Expect: A very on-brand townhouse, which is almost as enjoyable as the suits themselves.
Prices: From £1,900 for made-to-measure; bespoke tailoring POA.
RICHARD JAMES
29 Savile Row, W1S 2EY; richard-james.com
One of the first stores on Savile Row to bring the classic silhouette into the modern era. Before setting off on his own in 1992, James made it clear that this would be something fresh and exciting. Rules were broken, silhouettes slimmed down, sneakers approved, and a new chapter in Savile Row began, influencing the direction many houses have followed ever since.
Expect: Classic British tailoring, but every suit has the option for a Richard James twist, be it an unexpected fabric or flash of colour.
Prices: Made-to-measure from £1,300; bespoke two-piece suits from £4,500.
GIEVES & HAWKES
1 Savile Row, W1S 3JR; gievesandhawkes.com
And so, to No 1 Savile Row. Established in 1771, and opening on the street in 1794, Gieves & Hawkes’s house style, with its high armhole and structured roped shoulder, is a classic, reflecting the house's continued work as suppliers to the British Navy and the Royal Family. Past clients have included Sir Winston Churchill, Ian Fleming, and Prince Charles. But that doesn’t mean Gieves is stuck in the past. The house cut looks as modern as ever, without diluting its prestige as a sacred site of British tailoring.
Expect: A temple to British dignity and craft and the emobodiment of Savile Row’s history and future
Prices: Made-to-measure from £1,150; bespoke two-piece suits from £5,000.
JOSEPH
2 Savile Row, W1S 3PA; joseph-fashion.com
Joseph opened its doors in 2016, and its modern, minimal take on Savile Row tailoring is great for first-time-buyers not quite ready to commit to an experience with one of the more prestigious houses nearby. At least, not just yet. Joseph proved that, with enough passion and respect, even a contemporary designer brand can make its mark on Savile Row. In many ways, the store felt like a much-needed addition, inviting younger customers to experience a brand they might be more familiar with, on a street they probably aren't.
What to expect: Quality off-the-rack suiting at affordable prices (they do not do bespoke or made-to-measure services).
Prices: Off-the-rack tailoring from around £500.
WILLIAM HUNT
41 Savile Row, W1S 3QQ; williamhunt.co.uk
William Hunt’s shop appears like a Baroque showroom and is often compared to a theatre, which might be a bit of a stretch if it wasn’t for the fact that many of its high-profile customers are entertainers themselves: from Queen’s Brian May to Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant. It’s easy to see why. While the cut is on the more structured and traditional end of the spectrum (they also opt for a single-button jacket), a William Hunt suit often features a unique silk lining, printed with vibrant or unusual patterns and motifs. You can hand-pick your own with the made-to-measure service, making this the clear winner for budding rock-stars.
What to expect: Savile Row tailoring that comes with a personal twist.
Prices: Off-the-rack tailoring from £495; made-to-measure suits, POA.
MAURICE SEDWELL
19 Savile Row, W1S 3PP
Fancy learning the craft? For many tailors, that journey begins at Maurice Sedwell’s The Savile Row Academy, situated beside the workshop itself. Maurice arrived on the Row in 1963, after a stint on Fleet Street. Today though, most of the staff train under Sedwell’s talented understudy Andrew Ramroop OBE, a respected name and the company’s current creative master tailor.
DRAKE'S
9 Savile Row, W1S 3PF; drakes.com
A very recent, highly anticipated opening. Since Michael Hill took over as creative director at Drake’s, the London luxury tie and handkerchief maker has evolved into a fully-fledged clothing emporium, supplying high quality garments and its signature Ivy League style tailoring (with a dash of English elegance).
What to expect: All your preppy essentials, from rowing blazers to knitted ties.
Prices: Off-the-rack tailoring from around £700.
DAVIES & SON
38 Savile Row, W1S 3QE
With a proud history that goes back to 1803, Davies & Son occupy a rare space: being one of the only true bespoke tailors on the street’s west end. This is a no-nonsense, professional service, with suits cut to the specific order of each client and a journey that begins with selecting cloth, suit-style, and your own personal features. It’s an experience you'll share with some of the world's most powerful men: four kings, seven crown princes, eighteen Knights of the Realm, two US presidents, and the likes of Sir Robert Peel have made Davies and Son their choice when looking for a suit.
What to expect: A service – and suit – that is as personal and classy as it is comfortable .
Prices: From around £5,000 for a bespoke two-piece suit.
HENRY POOLE & CO
15 Savile Row, W1S 3PJ
Hallowed ground as far as Savile Row is concerned. Henry Poole opened its doors as far back as 1806, and has been credited with such innovations as the Tuxedo. Its favoured cut, The Mayfair, sits somewhere between the formality of Huntsman and drape of Anderson &Sheppard, with a high-armhole and flattering pinched-in waist. With the highest-quality fabrics and a team of supremely experienced and friendly staff, Henry Poole & Co is not only one of the best tailoring experiences on Savile Row, but surely one of the best in the world.
What to expect: A strong but flattering cut that lengthens the legs, slims the torso and broadens the shoulders.
Prices: From around £5,200 for a bespoke two-piece suit.
NORTON AND SONS
16 Savile Row, W1S 3PL; nortonandsons.co.uk
One of the longest established tailoring houses on Savile Row (200 years in 2021), Norton and Sons was also among the earliest to encourage a more unique clientele. Aside from lords and politicians, explorers bound for the East and Africa shopped here, thanks to its expertise in lightweight clothing. Today, much of its forward-thinking spirit remains, now that homegrown design talent Patrick Grant has taken the helm.
What to expect: British, British, British, from cloths to cuts to clientele.
Prices: From £4,400 for a bespoke two-piece suit.
HUNTSMAN
11 Savile Row, W1S 3PS; huntsmansavilerow.com
At every cultural crossroads, there is a man wearing a Huntsman suit. From the Twenties and the Sixties to today (its shopfront was used in the recent Kingsman movies), Huntsman has managed to attract both rebels and royals of any age, and in equal measure. Since moving to Savile Row in 1819, the house cut has become one of the most coveted in the world: including a padded shoulder; high armhole; and one-button jacket.
What to expect: One of the more structured and traditional fits in the area, with a strong riding heritage (hence its unrivalled range of tweed).
Prices: From £3,500 for a bespoke two-piece suit.
CHITTLEBOROUGH AND MORGAN
12 Savile Row, W1S 3PQ; chittleboroughandmorgan.co.uk
If you are seeking out a distinctive style, look no further than Chittleborough and Morgan. The modern iteration of the house bears the closest resemblance to the famous Tommy Nutter shape, which was developed by Nutter’s one-time-head-cutter, and Savile Row icon, Edward Sexton, in the Sixties. Nutter veterans Joe Morgan and Roy Chittleborough continued the legacy when they opened up their own house in 1989. This is a powerful look, with a heavy shoulder, wide, curved lapels, and a longer jacket. It was become the suit of choice for British rock stars, seen on the likes of The Beatles (the Abbey Road cover) and Mick Jagger (for his wedding with Bianca), and retains that swinging, Sixties cool today.
What to expect: A lot of presence. This is a suit for frontmen, not wallflowers.
Prices: Bespoke only; POA.
RICHARD ANDERSON
13 Savile Row, W1S 3PH; richardandersonltd.com
Richard Anderson rose to the rank of head cutter at Huntsman before setting off to start his own house in 2001. Like most new openings, he sought to create a modern environment. Unlike most new openings, he carried over the uncompromising brilliance of the ‘great houses’, making his suits amongst the most expensive and well-crafted in the street. Each tailor specialises in one individual part of your suit, meaning that complete focus is given to each element.
What to expect: Uncompromising quality, and prices to match.
Prices: From £5,400 for a bespoke two-piece suit.
SCABAL
12 Savile Row, W1S 3PQ; scabal.com
At its heart, Scabal is a master of cloth, supplying fabrics to tailors on both Savile Row and internationally since 1938, from materials woven at its own Yorkshire mill. It makes sense then that there’s bespoke, made-to-measure, and ready-to-wear tailoring service on offer as Scabal shares its knowledge and experience.
What to expect: Something unique or special, especially if you're looking for an unexpected fabric.
Prices: POA.
CAD & THE DANDY
13 Savile Row, W1S 3NE; cadandthedandy.co.uk
Perhaps one of the most modern houses on the street, Cad has steered Savile Row in new and exciting directions. Standards here are incredibly high, immovable on the idea that garments be made by hand in the traditional way. The house was established by ex-bankers Ian Meiers and James Sleater, who wanted a space where they could create the kind of suits they were looking for: softer and more natural at the shoulders and with a stronger waist, for a sleeker look.
What to expect: An experience unrestricted by some of the traditions of the older tailors, at a more-than-fair price.
Prices: From £1,000 for a bespoke two-piece suit.
WELSH AND JEFFERIES
20 Savile Row, W1S 3PR; welshandjefferies.co
Starting out in 1917 as a military-uniform tailor in Eton, Welsh and Jeffries eventually moved to Savile Row and established themselves as official dressmakers to the Prince of Wales (who also gave it its first Royal Warrant). That’s a big deal, and it was upheld over time by the house’s dedication to tradition and craft. Today, they are led by head cutter James Cottrell and director (and Savile Row master cutter) Yingmei Quan.
What to expect: Traditional suits with a regimental inflection – think strong shoulders and a long jacket.
Prices: POA.
HIDALGO BROTHERS
2nd Floor, 13 Savile Row, W1S 3PH; hidalgobrothers.com
In the brothers’ native Ecuador, the Hidalgo name has long been associated with fine tailoring – a tradition passed down to them from their uncle. But London called, and Marco arrived in Savile Row at 24 to learn under the great masters. Before long, he was joined by his brother Ramon, establishing Hidalgo Brothers in 2007.
What to expect: High-quality bespoke suits with a fun but masculine flavour.
Prices: POA.
ALEXANDRA WOOD
By appointment only: 020 3369 8969; alexandrawoodbespoke.co.uk
Looking for a bespoke suit made exactly the way you want it? Since 2007, that has been Alexandra Wood’s mission: to find out what the customer wants, and build upon it. The store is favoured by tailoring first-timers, who note the expertise and friendliness of the staff. While respectful of Savile Row, Alexandra Wood prides itself on its open-mindedness. Your sense of shame and guilt for wanting a bright pink suit? You can leave it at the door.
What to expect: Whatever you want, with no judgment.
Prices: From £3,750 for a bespoke two-piece suit.
JASPER LITTMAN
By appointment only: 0845 612 1220; jasperlittman.com
Customers are fiercely loyal to Jasper Littman’s bespoke tailoring service, which was established back in 2007. Elegance is the order of the day, here, and while there’s an offer of a personal service, Littman is a champion of the traditions and luxury that made Savile Row the most famous tailoring street on earth.
What to expect: Elegance, tradition and craftmanship.
Prices: From £2,500 for a bespoke two-piece suit.
NICK TENTIS
37 Savile Row, W1S 3QD; nicktentis.com
Nick Tentis is another Savile Row site that marries fashion-house confidence with English tradition. Since 2007, men have shopped here for a more colourful (and perhaps more contemporary) take on suiting. Glen checks, herringbones, and various other shapes and patterns make up its selection of cloth each season, as well as a good dose of mid-century inspiration from music and movie stars.
What to expect: Modern, crisp tailoring with some Hollywood swagger.
Prices: POA.
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