It’s been so long since I’ve been in the trade that I’d completely forgotten about those genius shirt makers Hilditch & Key. 20+ years ago I spent 3 or 4 days in their shop on Jermyn Street in London, learning everything about the business from the cutting room to the cloth types, the curve of the cuff to the length of the tail. The attention to detail in the work they produce is phenomenal. I seem to remember that their factory was based at the UK’s home to the Jute industry, Dundee, although I’d be surprised if that was still the case.
To this day I’m still on the look out for a tattersal check shirt with a cut-away collar and double cuff – god knows what I’d wear it with . I just know I’ve always quite fancied one after seeing a customer try on a bespoke one when I was in the shop – he was in his tweeds, preparing to head to the country for the weekend.
One can dream.