Bespoke, from the phrase ‘spoken for,’ is the British word that refers to a custom tailored suit. The bespoke experience is a mile above that of the typical menswear section, where a salesman accumulates an armful of prefabrications in your size for fitting and alteration. Bespoke bespeaks a relationship between wearer and designer – and as Andrew Lock would have it – a conversation on the merits of style, preferably over espresso and the voice of Sinatra backed by brassy trumpets.
Five Town residents now have the opportunity to luxuriate in the bespoke with local haberdasher Andrew Lock, who is opening his first boutique showroom upstairs at 403 Central Avenue, Cedarhurst. Walk-ins can be fitted for an original suit with selected fabric, handmade shoes and all the accoutrements that delight the senses of a well-dressed man.
“There are a number of reasons why people buy custom suits,” says Lock. “They want the perfect fit, or have a unique body shape that is hard to fit off the rack. Many just want to express themselves. You customize your drink, your car – but what’s closer to who you are than your suit?”
The only thing that Lock likes as much as selling clothes is talking about them. He says that shoes derailed his law career.
“I had no passion for law school – I was too distracted by clothing. I envisioned a shoe line based on the quality and brands I needed to fit the lawyer mold. Entry level into this world was $350 for a pair of Allen Edmonds. But I wanted to make a shoe of similar quality that was slightly more fashionable, and much more affordable.”
Lock traveled to shoe factories and shows as far away as England, Italy, China, and Taiwan to find someone who could create the shoe he wanted. “Eventually, I found a small, family owned workshop in Spain, a country with a great shoemaking heritage. They were able to make the shoe that I desired at a very reasonable price.”
He’s earned a referral-based fan club that extends from coast to coast. Clients range from sixteen years old to men in their mid-sixties and come with disparate finances. “For some it’s the most expensive clothing they've ever bought. For others it can be thousands less than they normally spend. Each wants a suit that is a unique expression of who he is. His ‘brand,’ if you will.”
Lock sees his shop as the embodiment of a bygone age when people had a relationship with their tailors. In his classically inspired showroom men can experience the art of outfitting, try on unique cufflinks, design custom shirts, belts and briefcases, and polish up on the finer points of sartorial style over a single malt scotch or cappuccino.
“If I can inspire my clients to love these products the way I do, then I've accomplished my goal.”
Five Town residents now have the opportunity to luxuriate in the bespoke with local haberdasher Andrew Lock, who is opening his first boutique showroom upstairs at 403 Central Avenue, Cedarhurst. Walk-ins can be fitted for an original suit with selected fabric, handmade shoes and all the accoutrements that delight the senses of a well-dressed man.
“There are a number of reasons why people buy custom suits,” says Lock. “They want the perfect fit, or have a unique body shape that is hard to fit off the rack. Many just want to express themselves. You customize your drink, your car – but what’s closer to who you are than your suit?”
The only thing that Lock likes as much as selling clothes is talking about them. He says that shoes derailed his law career.
“I had no passion for law school – I was too distracted by clothing. I envisioned a shoe line based on the quality and brands I needed to fit the lawyer mold. Entry level into this world was $350 for a pair of Allen Edmonds. But I wanted to make a shoe of similar quality that was slightly more fashionable, and much more affordable.”
Lock traveled to shoe factories and shows as far away as England, Italy, China, and Taiwan to find someone who could create the shoe he wanted. “Eventually, I found a small, family owned workshop in Spain, a country with a great shoemaking heritage. They were able to make the shoe that I desired at a very reasonable price.”
He’s earned a referral-based fan club that extends from coast to coast. Clients range from sixteen years old to men in their mid-sixties and come with disparate finances. “For some it’s the most expensive clothing they've ever bought. For others it can be thousands less than they normally spend. Each wants a suit that is a unique expression of who he is. His ‘brand,’ if you will.”
Lock sees his shop as the embodiment of a bygone age when people had a relationship with their tailors. In his classically inspired showroom men can experience the art of outfitting, try on unique cufflinks, design custom shirts, belts and briefcases, and polish up on the finer points of sartorial style over a single malt scotch or cappuccino.
“If I can inspire my clients to love these products the way I do, then I've accomplished my goal.”