Tailor Made

Sad news today, my feature wasn't published in the Fashion Journal.  Good news, neither were the other interns, so it wasn't just mine.  I know that shouldn't make me happy but it does.  The work was done so I thought I'd post it for you lot.  You may recall I've done a similar story but this one has a couple of recommendations.  I'm not going to lie, I don't have the final edit but still enjoy this version and send in your (constructive) criticism.  I nearly forgot, I did get a short feature published in FJ which I will post later this week.  Again there is some bad news, I wasn't credited for my 700 words.  Ah well next time... cross my fingers.  The life of an intern!

Love Me.

Clothes are made on mass, it's a fact.  Chain stores produce thousands of the same top, shirt, dress, pants, jeans and accessories.  It is hard to wear truly unique clothes in commercial Australia for it seems they value money over quality and diversity.  There comes a time when you don’t want to regurgitate trends.  When this day hits there is only one thing to do: get on the custom-made bandwagon.

Businessmen have been privy to this information for decades.  Bespoke has been around since the 19^th Century.  It is traditionally when shirts and suits have been tailored for men.  Custom-made clothing has only developed since the beginning of this long-established art form and now you can get shoes, jeans, jewellery, t-shirts and underwear all made to your exact specifications.

Don’t think plain, drab and boring.  St Looi Blues in Sydney will teach you that even the quirkiest person will be able to create their next shoe obsession.  They have a range of different leathers and fabrics.  St Looi Blues has even more colours and prints than your heart could desire.  Every wanted emerald green flats?  How about floral printed leather lace ups?  Or even black, brown, green and blue striped shoes? Nothing is out of reach, and all your dreams could be answered. 

If your dream of the perfect shoe is a little less ‘epic’ then Shoes of Prey may have the answer.  They’re an online store started by self proclaimed “fashion geeks”, Mike Knapp, Michael Fox and Jodie Fox.  Their current range offers more than 3 trillion combinations and continues to grow.

Every corner you turn there seems to be ‘muffin tops’ oozing out at you.  Max Olinjnk is helping to stop this unfortunate trend through his company Note To Self.  Olinjnk makes bespoke jeans as well as his general collection.  For men his styles range from straight leg, easy fit and skinny stretch.  For women he can create low-waist stretch, medium-waist stretch, high-waist stretch and tailored high waist jeans.

“It can get really collaborative and creative.  Someone might want some complex leather trims and fit requirements, or it might be really minimal, they might just have really long legs,” Olijnyk says in an interview with The Australian.

There is a reason bespoke has been around for decades.  The clothes are classic and sophisticated.  Oscar and Oscar offers tailoring services throughout Australia with their headquarters in Melbourne.  Each piece is highly crafted using traditional methods.  As they note on their website Coco Chanel once said, “The best colour in the whole world is the one that looks best on you.”  Tailoring allows for you to have outfits that suit your body-shape and complexion.

If the traditional isn’t your flavour bespoke can still be useful.  Borrie’s Tailors in Queensland is for the eccentric.  Borrie’s Tailors enjoys experimenting.  Most tailors only use natural fibres such as wool, silk and linen but they make shirts and suits out of lycra, spandex and lurex.  They push the boundaries of colour and patterns by creating bright pink, blue, yellow, paisley and purple garments.

Now you have a head-to-toe tailored outfit, but your opinions aren’t over yet.  Jewellery is another area where you can purchase custom-made pieces.  I’m not talking engagement rings and opal earrings.  House of Riches in Perth allows for the customer to become the designer.  They collaborate with you to put your ideas into reality.  

Made by White ships its designs all over Australia.  They make brooches, necklaces, earrings, bobby pins and buttons from plastic and wood.  Made by White is most famous for their already designed pieces yet they do offer custom made jewellery.  All you have to do is go on their website and fill in the form specifying what you picture the end result to look like. 

All evidence points to the fact that bespoke, tailoring and custom made pieces only manages to enrich your life.  Go on, get creative and let all your clothing dreams become a reality.