Obsessions: Tailoring

Obsessions: Tailoring is a small, pocket-sized guide to all aspects of buying suits, from finding quality ready-to-wear to selecting cloth for a bespoke linen jacket.

It covers having suits altered, the advantages of made-to-measure and tips on visiting a proper tailor for the first time. 

There are also personal contributions from many of tailoring’s leading lights, including Pat Murphy, John Hitchcock, Antonio de Matteis of Kiton, Patrick Grant and Michael Drake. In a ‘Words from the Wise’ section in each chapter, they give their advice on cloth, colour combinations and standing naturally when you’re being measured. 

There are chapters on style icons, black tie, maintenance, and something brief on accessories. There is also a short glossary and a list of recommended tailors around the world. 

For those that are regular readers of Permanent Style, much of the information may be familiar. And it is not as comprehensive as Flusser’s Dressing the Man. But it is a good introduction to those wanting to explore the world of tailoring for the first time. 

The book was republished and updated, with new shop recommendations and photography from Jamie Ferguson, in 2016.