Who is the best taylor in Austin?

If you're like most guys in Austin all you ever wear is wrinkled cargo shorts, a tee shirt and sandals. The universal conformity of this in Austin is like most things in Austin....conformity...samenes s practiced by everyone....no dissent....no variety....conformity....confo rmity.

In fact Austin is the least weird city I've ever lived in, and for that reason I will be leaving it soon. I can't stand the sameness of everything here. I'm going back to someplace with more action, and more variety of opinions, tastes, etc. I would also like to again know what it's like to live in a city where there are not beggers on every corner, and a tattoo parlor around every corner as well. If anyone wants to run a busy agency let me know because I'm interviewing prospects.

But what about those of us who are from someplace like New York or LA, or San Francisco, or London, or Madrid, or even Mexico City, where men don't dress like little boys, and actually have need of a taylor to finish their clothes. What about guys like us? Where do we find the most efficient, talented, inexpensive person to fit us?

Not to mention all the girls who need their clothes fitted?

I've found one person here who is the best. Let me know who you've found and I will tell you later.

Ya might start with an ENGLISH course bub. It's commonly used around this "boring" part of the country.
The word you're looking for is "tailor". Since you obviously prefer to be anywhere but here, ya might get back to Mexico City.
Leaving Austin? buh bye!

If you're like most guys in Austin all you ever wear is wrinkled cargo shorts, a tee shirt and sandals. The universal conformity of this in Austin is like most things in Austin....conformity...samenes s practiced by everyone....no dissent....no variety....conformity....confo rmity.

I'm wearing jeans, VFF Mocs, and a polo right now; keep my suits in my office closet, haven't owned a slave collar since I moved here from Chicago. Dry cleaner and tailor my secretary uses to keep my suits presentable are pretty good, I could ask her if you really want to know.

In fact Austin is the least weird city I've ever lived in, and for that reason I will be leaving it soon. I can't stand the sameness of everything here. I'm going back to someplace with more action, and more variety of opinions, tastes, etc. I would also like to again know what it's like to live in a city where there are not beggers on every corner, and a tattoo parlor around every corner as well. If anyone wants to run a busy agency let me know because I'm interviewing prospects.

Beggars. Mendicants, if you wish to ape your betters. I wouldn't recommend New York for variety in men's fashion; a million black suits and shirts.

But what about those of us who are from someplace like New York or LA, or San Francisco, or London, or Madrid, or even Mexico City, where men don't dress like little boys, and actually have need of a taylor to finish their clothes. What about guys like us? Where do we find the most efficient, talented, inexpensive person to fit us?

Yelp, likely; I'd guess you don't have friends to make recommendations or introductions. Search term is 'tailor', by the way.

Not to mention all the girls who need their clothes fitted?

I'll be dining with married friends this evening, but she generally wears suits for business and casual clothes informally, so likely can't help you with your women; pardon, girls.

I've found one person here who is the best. Let me know who you've found and I will tell you later. Originally Posted by theaustinescorts

I found a woman at the ROT rally a few years ago who does my leathers. I inherited my tailor from my uncle, family secret, but he just makes my suits, doesn't maintain them.

Taylor? Damn, I was going to sugest taylormaiden. I bet she can make your levi's rise without starch. lol

Okay since there's no consensus on this pressing issue because men in Austin rarely use them, here is mine.

The venerable family Kassem from Lebanon at Gassane Tailors on West Anderson is who I trust for fitting Armani and Boss items. They are still the best in town as far as I know, but they are a little pricey since they put up all those pics of themselves with Geo. W. Bush and Lyndon Johnson and therefore are reputed to be a tailor to Presidents.

Having a competent tailor is important for poor guys like me who have to buy off the rack. No custom items in my closet, alas. But I've bought Boss at the Dillards clearance store in Highland Mall for about 80% off label. I just bought a tope super 120 Calvin Klein suit there which is the equal of any Armani I've had, for only $200. [label is $800.] I've also found Armani and Boss at Second Looks in Austin. The last Armani jacket I bought there is a light brown linen for $80. [label was $700]. I also just bought a white polo lambswool sweater for $12. [label probably $250+].

But the find I'm excited about, and few things excit me as much as clothes, is Oscar at Oscar's tailors on the corner of Mesa and Spicewood Springs road, next to the sandwich shop. He's a dilligent fellow with good service and reasonable prices for Austin, which is the most over-priced, self-important, entitled city of meritless, talentless slackers [all present company excluded of course] I've ever lived in, and I've been living here off and on since I was an undergraduate at UT.

Yes, it's true that I will be moving on in a few months. I've been marooned in this slackercity for over two years now and it's time to experience something different. But no it won't be Mexico City. I missed my otherwise yearly trip to Italy last year and am considering living there for a while. The weather there is identical to this part of Texas, and there was even a tornado when I was there three years ago, which reminded me of the Lone Star State.

Does anyone have any ideas of where I should move to? Please don't anyone say eastern Congo, because I've been there already and wish not to return.

No one has to *buy* off the rack, go to Jos. E Banks or the Mens Wearhouse. Both have suits that they will custom tailor to you. Requires a fitting and then a return to check it out, if all good you are out the door. Both will also re-fit you and adjust the tailoring if you've lost or gained weight.

By "off the rack" I mean anything assembled in a factory and sold to the public in pre-made sizes, and that would include the inventory at stores such as Jos. Bank and Men's Wearhouse. The traditional manner a gentlemen has for obtaining his garments is not to buy at a store at all, but to go to a tailoring shop, such as Gassane in Austin, and have suits, shirts, and trousers all custom made. This is the way women's fashions used to be as well until relatively recently, and still is in Africa for that matter, where most women go to a tailoring shop to have their clothes custom made. I suspect that's the case in many other parts of poorer, traditional countries as well with which I am less familiar.

I don't want to disparage Jos. Banks and Men's Wearhouse, but even though I'm poor I'm also too stupid to adjust to being so, and insist on being a snob and wearing Armani, even if I can't really afford it. I think I did see Calvin Klein labels in the Men's Wearhouse though. The Klein suit I just bought is constructed, designed, and styled as well as anything I've had.

Well, I guess you aren't as *poor* as you would like us to believe, are you?? So, by off the rack, you meant "nothing any of you could afford" like you shop on Seville Row in London or something. Thanks, guess being a pimp has its perks, like having $5000 suits.

If you are meaning to belittle most of us, in my opinion you did a most excellent job.

I'm not sure why this posting should be taken as belittling anyone. It's a preference, many of us have an indulgence or two that might be considered extravagant to others - be it the selection of cigars, scotch, women, electronics, etc.. Besides, he said he can't afford custom made suits.

The choice of having suits made for you is precisely that, a choice. There are some benefits and drawbacks.

I don't know of any tailors I would get suits made from in Austin. I would be wary of getting a secondhand suit tailored, I would be surprised if said suits weren't already altered for the first owner. Second alteration could easily ruin the structure.

What you are finding is that Austin hasn't reached the critical mass needed for the 'action'.

As for the conformity and sameness, you should get out more. Just because your circle of friends or acquaintances dress in tee-shirts and cargo shorts does not mean everyone here does. Some of us don't even own a pair of sandals.

The venerable family Kassem from Lebanon at Gassane Tailors on West Anderson is who I trust for fitting Armani and Boss items. They are still the best in town as far as I know, but they are a little pricey since they put up all those pics of themselves with Geo. W. Bush and Lyndon Johnson and therefore are reputed to be a tailor to Presidents.

Damned good choice; Gus has been first rank for fifty years.

Having a competent tailor is important for poor guys like me who have to buy off the rack. No custom items in my closet, alas. But I've bought Boss at the Dillards clearance store in Highland Mall for about 80% off label. I just bought a taupe super 120 Calvin Klein suit there which is the equal of any Armani I've had, for only $200. [label is $800.] I've also found Armani and Boss at Second Looks in Austin. The last Armani jacket I bought there is a light brown linen for $80. [label was $700]. I also just bought a white polo lambswool sweater for $12. [label probably $250+].

I have an oddly shaped torso, off the rack looks terrible on me. I'm jealous.

But the find I'm excited about, and few things excite me as much as clothes, is Oscar at Oscar's tailors on the corner of Mesa and Spicewood Springs road, next to the sandwich shop. He's a diligent fellow with good service and reasonable prices for Austin, which is the most over-priced, self-important, entitled city of meritless, talentless slackers [all present company excluded of course] I've ever lived in, and I've been living here off and on since I was an undergraduate at UT.

For expense, self-importance, and entitlement you may wish to reconsider the coasts. Slackers, though... when I'd recently moved here from Chicago I showed up for a party at the start time indicated on the invitation; the *hosts* weren't there yet.

Yes, it's true that I will be moving on in a few months. I've been marooned in this slacker city for over two years now and it's time to experience something different. But no it won't be Mexico City. I missed my otherwise yearly trip to Italy last year and am considering living there for a while. The weather there is identical to this part of Texas, and there was even a tornado when I was there three years ago, which reminded me of the Lone Star State.

Does anyone have any ideas of where I should move to? Please don't anyone say eastern Congo, because I've been there already and wish not to return. Originally Posted by theaustinescorts

Berlin is great fun, no kidding.

Thanks for the leads on tailors. As for Taylors, Taylor of Mint gets my vote.

I've been using Texas Clothier for 15 years. I love their work, and it keeps it local. I'm just a local boy. I'm sure there are others that are sufficient.

Texas Clothiers is indeed a great place as is Capra and Cavelli. I have used Gus at Gassane as well ad he is way pricey for this market.

I currently use Tom James, Cos. out of Franklin TN. They come to my office with fabrics, fit me, deliver the goods when they arrive and do any and all alterations needed for the life of the garment. They are competetively priced and I have some custom shirts that have lasted over 10 years.

On the other hand, every day when I get home, i can't wait to put on my favorite pair of cargos and a nice well worn Harley t shirt with a pair of nice flip flops!!!!

I'm with playing...definitely TaylorMaiden....she always makes me wish I had a little more room in the crotch....

Kittylover,

My point is that I don't have to pay $300 per suit at places like Men's Wearhouse because I really can't afford $300 right now, and I've been finding better label suits at Dillards Clearance and Second Looks for $160-$200.

Around Austin wearing any kind of suit is okay, but the reality is that when I'm in New York or Europe I can't show up wearing something less than Boss or Armani. Sorry if I sound like a snob, but people in places like that make judgements based on such matters, whether I like it or not. And besides, I like dressing up sometimes.

Just thought I'd pass along some finds I made to save money. I also shop at thrift shops and antique malls for furnishings and rugs. I havn't bought new furnishings in twenty years. I havn't bought a new car in almost as long, and even if my wallet should grow bigger in the future I would not do it anyway. The ways I've learned for saving in my recent penury condition have been hard-learned, and I don't ever want to got back to paying full price for anything again.