Launched in 1990 in the city of London, Norton & Townsend Bespoke Tailoring was a response to the growing demand for convenient quality bespoke tailoring at an affordable price.  Working with incredibly busy solicitors, bankers and accountants who were cash rich but time poor, N&T filled a real gap in the market place.  As a result, N&T grew rapidly throughout the 90s, developing a network of tailors across the UK affording a nationwide reach. 
 
N&T now have showrooms in Spitalfields, London and Ilkley, West Yorkshire and yet still carry out the vast majority of their business on a visiting basis.  Their bespoke tailors will visit clients in the comfort of their offices or homes, in order to amass the careful measurements and body figure observations needed to make a truly bespoke garment – all this information is used to create a unique pattern for each client, ensuring the perfect fit.  Not only has N&T always focused on making their services as convenient as possible, they have also invested heavily into the continuing development of their pattern and styling options.  Although men’s fashion does not change as often (or as dramatically) as ladies tailoring does season by season, it is their ability to adapt to these small shifts in style and detail that allow N&T to stay ahead of the curve. 

The History of N&T
 
For over two decades, Norton& Townsend have been at the forefront of bespoke designs and unequalled quality.  The Luxury Travel Guideteam spoke with Richard Jupp, Operations Director & Visiting Tailor at N&T, to learn about the history of the business and how it gained a reputation for affordable excellence. 
 
Having studied a Business and Marketing degree at Lancaster University Management School, graduating with 2:1 honours in 2002, I proceeded to follow the typical student path and travel the world for a year trying to decide what I wanted to do with my life and career. 
 
Having returned from my travels I explored a number of graduate positions with large organisations but the rigid corporate environment (with a distinct void of anything remotely entrepreneurial) became increasingly unappealing.  At this point I saw an advert on a local graduate website that stated briefly that the managing director was looking for someone to work alongside him to set up a tailoring business.  Tailoring had never been on my radar and I even turned up to my interview in a washable M&S suit!  The MD Austen Pickles –who is the epitome of what I would call an entrepreneur –captured my imagination with his clear passion for all things tailoring… and the rest is history.
 
In 2004 Austen and I put the foundations in place to build the business and I trained in the arts of tailoring.  Based out of the historic Salts Mill, Saltaire, West Yorkshire, we bought the old trading name of the Mill and Salts Tailoring was launched.  The business grew, enabling up to develop a team in London.  In 2008 we were approached with an offer to take over Norton & Townsend, which would provide us with a larger London based team in addition to a nationwide reach through a network of tailors across the UK.  Shortly after this, the recession hot hard but despite our increased overhead our size actually helped us weather the storm and keep going, unlike the smaller tailoring business who fell victim to the severity and longevity of the recession. 
 
I now split my time between running the business on a day to day basis and maintaining my own client base, with the initial passion I first witnessed in Austen now imbedded in my own psyche. 

The Benefits of Buying an N&T Suit
 
Despite the lures of convenience or price, those who work in a professional capacity (and those who simply appreciate quality) should always uphold bespoke over off-the-rail attire.  So why buy a suit from Norton & Townsend?
 
 Quality
 
 Most men look and feel their best in a suit.  The better the quality in terms of fabric, construction, fit and style, the better he looks and feels – it really is that simple.  N&T fabrics are made by the finest mills in the world, mainly British.  The patterns are cut by hand and garments sewn by tailors with years of experience using traditional methods.  Styling is personal but N&T tailors will always offer their experience and advice if required, and the finished garment is only presented once the client is completely satisfied.
 
 Time
 
 Most men do not enjoy shopping and they may not have a lot of free time.  But there is no need to shop around for tailoring – two meetings with your N&T tailor will suffice.  Once your individual measurements and figuration records are in place, your own block pattern will be stored.  If your first suit still fits perfectly, a phone call is all that is necessary when you require a new suit. 
 
Choice
 
Most men have faced disappointment when they have not been able to find what they were looking for at their usual retailers, because the right size and style in the right cloth can be difficult to find.  And the more discerning the customer, the smaller his chance of finding what he wants.  N&T have over 5,000 stock fabrics available in every colour, stripe, check or texture, all available in several hundred style variations.  That makes hundreds of thousands of suits available to each client. 

Cost

Everyone appreciates value for money.  Low prices will always grab the headlines, but quality is an essential part of the equation; a £50 suit which is worn twice and then abandoned in the wardrobe is more expensive than a £600 suit that can be worn once every two weeks for a year.  N&T is one of the biggest bespoke makers and negotiate the best deals with fabric mills, which are then always passed on to their clients.
 
Advice
 
Not everyone is confident when selecting their wardrobe.  This can lead to reliance on the opinions of partners, or costly mistakes such as buying a suit on price or label alone.  N&T advise their clients to be wary of designer labels as price does not necessarily equate quality – designer suits often fail to last as long as the trends.  N&T tailors are dedicated to individuality and expert advice; they work carefully with each client to ensure the final product is right for them and meets their high standards. 
 
The Process
 
Purchasing a bespoke N&T suit is easy.  Simply contact the team to arrange your initial consultation at your convenience; during this 30 minute meeting, your personal tailor will discuss your requirements for an N&T suit, take meticulous measurements and provide you the opportunity to select your desired fabric, trim and styling, based on your needs and personal style. 
 
Once you have made your decisions, your unique pattern will be carefully created and the suit will be made in in the N&T workrooms, hand cut and stitched using the finest Gutterman thread.  This is a meticulous process and can take up to six weeks, at which point your tailor will arrange a delivery fitting.  During this part of the process, you will have the opportunity to suggest any further alterations (which will be swiftly undertaken) until you are completely satisfied with the fit and quality.  Your bespoke suit is then yours to enjoy.
 
An incredible range of suit styles are available at N&T, making them the ideal choice for whatever the occasion.  Offering work wear and casual tailoring, alongside wedding and formal attire, N&T ensure that their clients will both look and feel great, no matter if they’re in the office, enjoying a relaxed event or partaking in a joyous celebration.  N&T also offer an eclectic range of high quality accessories in their online shop, including belts, ties, cufflinks and bags, as they know that no bespoke suit is complete without the finishing touches.  With two piece suits starting from £495, now is the time to build your perfect suit.  

Website: http://www.nortonandtownsend.co.uk/
Email: bespoke@nortonandtownsend.co.uk
Tel: 0845 200 2510 

Share this article: