What is Bespoke Tailoring?
Posted on: 09.07.2025
Everyone knows the feeling of finding a ‘perfect’ item of clothing. You know the one we mean right? Where you throw it on, look in the mirror, and can’t help but think ‘cor blimey, I brush up good’.
Well, those pieces (and that feeling) are what Norton & Townsend specialise in.
On modern tailoring
Tailors have been creating, altering and customising garments down the Lane for centuries. But the trade has evolved over the years.
“We take a modern approach to tailoring,” Graham explains. “We forget what’s ‘current’ or ‘on trend’, and work with the customer to create a digital pattern that is completely unique to them. It’s an exact interpretation of our conversation, which then transfers directly to the cutter, so there’s no waste and no interference.
Tailoring is never something that can be done by AI, it’s a hands-on business. All of us have been in this game a long time. We know you need to relax the customer to get an accurate picture of their posture. We measure on instinct and the tape only confirms what we see. We can hear a word and know exactly what fabric will work. AI can’t do that for you.”
On bespoke vs off the rack
Victoria used to grade patterns for the high street, so she knows a thing or two when it comes to standardised fits.
“When you’re buying from the high street, you’re buying from a company who have decided to fit their clothes to a ‘typical customer’ – but clearly, not every individual is the same height or size. And with these standardised patterns, bigger sizes also mean longer arms and legs – that just doesn’t happen in reality, and so nothing on the high street is ever going to fit you properly because it simply wasn’t made for you.
With bespoke tailoring, we cut to make you feel amazing. We can give you the room where you need it and take it away where you want to show it off for that crisp side profile. These things make such a difference to our clients, and they won’t go back to readymade after one of our suits.”
On fashion vs style
Speaking with Victoria and Graham, one thing become very clear: shopping at Norton & Townsend isn’t some impulse buy on your lunchbreak, it’s a process of exploration.
In Victoria’s experience, “Tailoring is about finding your personal style. A lot of these trends just don’t suit everyone, so you’ve got to find the pieces that work for you, for your day-to-day life and the weekend version of you.
As contrary as it sounds, ignore the fashion magazines. They overload the market and try to convince you to buy things, when really, you’ve got to focus on what works for you. If it fits you, if it looks good and you’re comfortable in it, then that’s stylish.
And when you find those pieces that work for you – that particular cut, or length of blazer and jeans – every time you put your clothes on, you will know you look and feel good. That’s the most important thing. I don’t want you to put things on and be adjusting yourself all day. I want to help you find your style. Yes, it will grow and adapt over time, but the key elements will always stay the same.”
“And then,” Graham chips in, “by working out what your style is, you have the confidence to dip into that little bit of current, that little bit of fashion. But let that be a thread, not the whole fabric.”
Nodding vigorously, Victoria goes on: “It’s especially important now. We have these constantly changing trends with retailers pushing new products on you all the time. It’s driving fast fashion, which is harming the environment and so unrealistic. You don’t want to buy something just to wear it once. You want to invest in something you can wear time and time again.”
On sustainable tailoring
Norton & Townsend have two goals when creating a bespoke piece:
- To make you feel as amazing as you look.
- To add prolonged value to your wardrobe.
As Graham puts it, “Nothing we make is disposable, with that ‘in one season, out the next’ shelf life. We create unique pieces that last.”
“We’re focused on building your wardrobe with investment pieces,” Victoria agrees. “It’s about adding pieces each season that complement your existing collection. We’re here for the long haul with our clients.”
So there we have it: you won’t get that instant retail high from spending a few quid on some tat, but at Norton & Townsend the delayed gratification of timeless style is definitely worth it.
You can find Norton & Townsend’s London boutique at 10 Artillery Passage, or their showroom in Ilkley, Yorkshire. Visit their website to check out some one-size products and find out more about their full tailoring services.
