Save Savile Row !

A placard wielding gaggle of besuited ladies and gents descended on London's Savile Row this week to protest against the proposed arrival of high street brand Abercrombie & Fitch. Organised by satirical magazine, The Chap.

The best dressed protest ever witnessed on the streets of the city marched it's peaceful message from no.3 Savile Row, around the corner to A&F's Burlington Gardens flagship store. Waving home made banners and chanting 'Give Three Piece a Chance' (adapted from John Lennon's classic) the dapper chaps and chapesses were demonstrating against what they see as the potential demise of a street synonymous with traditional bespoke tailoring. 

The Row has a bespoke tailoring history dating back over two centuries. Yesterday's Guardian reported 'It was here that tailors made the uniform worn by Horatio Nelson when he was killed at the Battle of Trafalgar; it was here that Edward VII invented the dinner jacket. Savile Row is where the 20th century's most iconic fashion moments were dreamt up: production on Hollywood movies would be halted while actors from Rudolph Valentino to Frank Sinatra were flown over to the Row to have a waistcoat cut properly'. Clearly, the reputation of the row knows no equal.

Abercrombie & Fitch are an American chain store selling casual wear the world over. The Row is a unique street, selling a traditional bespoke service, recognised the world over. Currently it's THE place to go once you can afford life's little luxuries, but if Westminster Council grants the A&F application all that is set to drastically change.


By allowing a high street brand to trade on the Row, is it only a matter of time before it becomes just another shopping street, losing the exclusivity and reputation for excellence that it's many esteemed clients value so highly? Here at Get Waisted, as practitioners of the bespoke craft, we definitely think so and hope the council sees sense in preserving it for generations to come. 

Mac Attack: Aquascutum to April Showers

Like so many others, we were devastated to hear the news that Aquascutum has gone into administration this week. As one of Britain's long standing luxury brands, it comes as real blow. Created during WW1, the label's classic trench coats have enjoyed a glittering roll call or wearers from old school royalty and top politician, through to modern day celebrity and teeny bop icons.

This week we've decided to pay tribute to the mac as a year round wardrobe staple. The fact that it's been raining pretty much non stop for the past seven days also makes it a perfectly timely topic!

First up we're honouring Aquascutum with a few Hollywood faces that provided the brand with some of it's classic glamour and esteem; Michael Cain, Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant.

And a couple of newer celebrity faces, Harry Stiles and Alexandra Burke, both looking casual yet stylish at the labels AW12 catwalk show.

But just how does one go about finding the ideal mac for those rainy days? Well here comes the fun part!

Whether taking your inspiration from the classic trench shades of beige (Burberry, Aquascutum).....

perhaps with some added sophisticated detailing (all Burberry)....

maybe a bolder, brighter burst of colour (Oscar de la Renta, Liz Claiborne, Burberry).....

or really pushing the boat out with these gorgeously decadent animal prints (Micheal Kors, Emanuel Ungaro, Alice & Olivia) 

The world really is your oyster when it comes to mac's. This timeless classic can be so many things; belted, double breasted, edged, full skirted, simple, embellished. It's really up to you to add your own style to the mix. Here at Get Waisted we can make you a bespoke mac, truly unique and tailored to your exact size, shape and specifications. Luckily for us (!) the rain doesn't just come in spring time, giving us ample opportunity to get endless wear out of our mac's, making it the ultimate investment piece too.

Raf Simons at Dior

With the news that Raf Simons is to take over the helm at Christian Dior, here at Get Waisted we just can't wait for his debut at Paris couture week in July. "My aim is a very modern Dior, but at the end of the day, I also look back," he told the New York Times. He said: "I find that period between 1947 and 1957 extremely attractive, and there was a lot of modernity". His last collection for Jil Sander, emphasized ’50s and ’60s silhouettes with couture shapes and received much critical acclaim.

As you'll know, we're big fans of 1940's and 1950's glamour (see our 'Age of Elegance' blog post) so are anticipating wonders for his future at Dior.We really mean this when we say, we cannot wait to see what he does there.

Here's a selection of features from his previous collections, including pastels, florals and colour block brights which will continue to feature in womenswear throughout the rest of the year.

And, a couple more looks with the trends we love, including head to toe floral at DKNY and a vibrant tribal vibe from high street brand Warehouse.

So with our wardrobes all prepped and ready to roll, now all we have to do is get it to stop raining!!