Revisiting a Cordings Linen Suit, Three Years Later...

Three years ago, I posted about Cordings of Piccadilly and their linen suits. I did so having purchased a jacket and two pairs of trousers in April of that year, and I could not have been happier about my decision. Now three years later, I thought it time to again write about the very same suitings. If you are looking for something smart to wear this summer, don't wait to make a decision on Cordings linen, buy it now.

Cordings Sand Jacket, Trousers, and Waistcoat

Still Looking Fresh After A Full Day In The Sun On A Hot And Humid July Day

(Paired with a pair of Loake Chelsea Boots, Ray Ban Sunglasses, and a Panama Hat)

I'd visited J.C. Cordings & Co. in London a month earlier and had been properly fitted for a suit which I purchased at that time. I can't say enough good things about the staff and the incredible speed with which alterations were offered. Even if you are in London for a short duration, this is a must visit shop for both men's and women's clothing.

Cordings Navy Linen Jacket

My first selection was their navy linen jacket. As they clearly state on their website, "Can there be anything more evocative of an Englishman in the summer months than a linen jacket?" Made of 8-ounce Italian linen, it is cut to their classic three button style, with a single back vent, working four button cuff, ticket pocket, and it fully lined in 100% Viscose. For those who might not be familiar with the "working cuff" this simple means that the cuff buttons are not decorative, they really do unbutton. Another feature of the jacket is the lapel button hole which allows you to add a lapel pin or flower, as the back of the lapel features loops to secure the lapel flower stem. Small details that many do not notice or even feel they are missing, but details which set this jacket apart from the rest of the crowd.

Cordings Olive Green Linen Trousers

To pair with the jacket, I initially ordered two pairs of their linen trousers, one in sand and the second in olive green. In American terms, these equate to khaki and British khaki respectively. Also made of the same 8-ounce Italian linen, they are flat front with a button fly.

Since those initial purchases, I have added even more of their linen items to my wardrobe. Two months later I added two classic linen shirts to my wardrobe, one sky blue and the other white. These lightweight shirts feature single cuffs a traditional unfused collar, one left hand breast pocket, and have a traditional generous cut, perfect for hot humid days, with longs tails which ensure they stay tucked into your trousers. They pair perfectly with the linen jackets and trousers, and are well suited for the casual to the more formal summer events.

Cordings Sand Linen Waistcoat

By the following Spring, I decided to add a sand linen jacket to my wardrobe. With the matching sand trousers which I had ordered previously, I now had my first linen suit. I also made the decision to add a sand linen waistcoat to my wardrobe. Perhaps I was influenced by Gareth Southgate, but as an American, I was going out on a limb a bit here as you don't usually see men wearing three-piece suits these days. But whether you are slim or portly, the waistcoat does give you a slimmer more tailored look. I definite plus to the wardrobe. The waistcoat is single-breasted and made in the UK of Italian linen. It has five buttons, is fully lined and features a traditional two-part collar.

I've worn these trousers, shirts, and jackets quite a bit during the few rather hot and humid days we've experienced over the last three summers and still to this day wonder why it took me so long to throw off even the lightest of wool jackets I've worn most of my life, in exchange for linen. And paired with a Panama Hat, it is a classic look which is not only sharp looking, but extremely comfortable.

Yes, linen does wrinkle a bit more than wool, but both require the same dry-cleaning care so I am saving nothing in maintenance from one to the other. But what I am saving is my own personal comfort. And nothing beats these linen suitings on a summer day! If you live in places with hot and/or humid summers, then this is a wardrobe staple.

I ordered them in the exact same sizes as all the suits the suit I have purchased from Cordings. So, if you get fitted in London at their shop, you can order online with ease and confidence knowing that they remain true to the size of the clothing you bought in London. For those ordering online without visiting Piccadilly, I found that the Cordings jacket was the same fit as my American jackets, but that the trousers needed to be ordered two inches larger by size at the waist than my American trousers. (This was pointed out to me in London during the fitting when the staff member immediately suggested the trousers in the larger waist size, but provided both sizes for me in the fitting room. Needless to say he was spot on!)

So if you are looking for the perfect suit, or jacket and trousers for less formal events, this summer, be sure to take a serious look at the linen offerings from Cordings.

Cordings advertises a "no quibble returns" so as long as none of the clothing has been altered, you may want to take a chance on an online order without visiting London, though I can't imagine not visiting their shop in Piccadilly if you have the chance, as it is an experience not to be missed. Also, note that their website prices include VAT of 20% so this is removed from your order before payment is made.

You can find Cordings online here at www.cordings.co.uk

I eagerly look forward to my next visit to Cording of Piccadilly later this year and will be sure to leave space in my luggage for new acquisitions I am positive I will be making!

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Revisting A Cordings Tweed Suit, One Year Later...

Last August I posted about Cordings of Piccadilly and their tweed suits. I did so having purchased the suit in early March, which unfortunately gave me a very short window of opportunity to wear the suit. Now a year later, I thought it time to write again about the very same suit. And while you may have to wait until next year to wear one the Cheltenham, the Maryland Steeplechase season is almost upon us, which if the current state of the weather is any indication of what the weeks ahead may bring, will bring ample opportunities to wear tweed.

While I have a rather tidy collection of American Tweed Sack Coats, this suit is entirely different. You just don't see tweed suits this, the American, side of the pond. I’m not sure why, but after enjoying my tweed suit from Crodings for the past year, I am already making plans to add another to my wardrobe.

J.C. Cording & Company began business as an outfitter and waterproofer in 1839. By 1843, Cordings was selling the Mackintosh, which is still sold today. This is a waterproof coat made possible by Charles Mackintosh who perfecting the process of dissolving rubber and binding it to cotton to allow the creation of waterproof garments. 

Cordings was awarded a Royal Warrant in 1909 as waterproofers to the Prince of Wales, and future King George V. In 1922, the Prince of Wales, and future Duke of Windsor adopted Cordings as one of his outfitters. It was at this time that their famous Newmarket boots were patented, boots which were made for Elizabeth, mother of the current Queen Elizabeth, the Duke of Windsor, and Mrs. Simpson. Unfortunately, Cordings no longer makes these waterproof canvas and leather boots. It was during the 1920s and 30s that Cordings established the five core items which they are still known for to this day, the covert coat, Mackintosh, tweed jackets, corduroy and Moleskin trousers, and Tattersall shirts.

In 2003, after weathering the Second World War, the post war years, the rejection of tradition, and the years of outsourcing production from the UK by man businesses, the current management team approached their best customer, Eric Clapton, and asked if he would assist them in a management buyout. “I first became aware of Cordings in my mid-teens,” Clapton explains. “I come from the country and it was the highlight of our week to come up to London and listen to the musicians. It was difficult to get home late, so I would spend that time till dawn just walking the West End. I remembered Cordings. It stuck in my mind as a place of tradition; the heritage of England.”

Thanks to the assistance of Cordings friendly and extremely helpful staff, I was outfitted in their House Check Tweed in short order with turnups on my trousers ready in a few days. 

Their House Check Tweed jacket is made of 14 ounce 100% Scottish Tweed woven exclusively for Cordings, and features a three button front, with a single back vent, working four button cuffs, and a ticket pocket. As I mentioned in the previous article, for those who might not be familiar with the "working cuff" this simple means that the cuff buttons are not decorative, they really do unbutton. This jacket, like every one I have purchased from them also features a functional lapel button hole which allows you to add a lapel pin or flower, as the back of the lapel features loops to secure the lapel flower stem. Small details that many do not notice or even feel they are missing, but details which set this jacket apart from the rest of the crowd and make it a staple jacket in my wardrobe. 

The trousers are also made of the same 14 ounce 100% Scottish Tweed, are half lined in 100% cotton, and feature a pleated front and button fly.

The weight of this fabric is wonderful, and something not seen in many American off the peg suits with their wispy fabric to attempt to create a four season suit but creates one suit not suitable for much. This is a weighty suit, though not the heaviest weight Cordings offers. 

I have some limited experience with the suit last Spring, but this past Autumn and Winter the suit really made its mark on my opinion. Because of the natural wool fibers, this suit was never too hot, but always just right throughout the Autumn and Winter. I don't need a four season suit, that is why I wear different suiting for different seasons, and this Tweed is excellent for the seasons for which it is designed. But it is this suit which makes me enjoy the cooler days of those seasons and dread the hot and humid days of summer which will cause it to be retired for a season or two. 

As I mentioned before, the jacket is true to my American size, but the trousers are slightly different. The very helpful staff member at Cordings suggested a waist size 2 inches larger than my American. Needless to say, he was spot on in his recommendation.

I decided to not purchase the matching waistcoat, as I thought it a bit much for me, though it does look ever so smart! I’ve been regretting this decision ever since and will make this an addition in the future.

Another item which I did not originally purchase were breeks. Offered as plus twos or plus fours, these wardrobe items eluded me until last Autumn. I was out at a steeplechase race and it was rather damp to say the least. I’d worn my Cordings tweed suit, as I knew it would keep me comfortable all day. But with the rain I switched my country brogues for a pair of wellies. I tucked my tweed trousers neatly into the boots and went on my way dry and comfortable at the races. But unfortunately, the trouser lining does not go much below the knee and the top of the boot began to rub against the wool and in turn against my shin. Lesson learned, wool trousers are not to be worn with wellies.

The solution was obvious, breeks. In two different lengths below the knee, two inches with plus twos or four inches with plus fours, they are worn with long shooting stockings, perfect for wear with wellies. Their were photos of this everywhere from print magazines to websites, and I’d ignored them. But no more. Now I’ve got my breeks and I’m ready for the rain and damp in true Cordings style. They might not be for everyone, and perhaps as an American, you might feel a bit self-conscious about wearing these, but they are a classic British look designed for sporting events in the nasty damp, wet and cool weather, and Cordings will get you outfitted in style.

Tweed suits are not easy to find in America and when you wear one from Cordings, even without a waistcoat, you will stand out in a crowd, well dressed and comfortable.

And while you are getting yourself outfitted with a suit, do not fail to pick up a pair of their boxcloth braces. More on these in a future blog post, but these are brilliant!

Cordings make a wide range of items in their House Check Tweed, including caps, bags, and accessories. They also offer a number of other Tweeds in addition to their House Tweed. I would be remiss in mentioning that they also offer Tweed Action Back jackets designed for shooting, which give you superb ease of movement while at the same time retaining the perfect silhouette associated with a Cordings jacket, as well as Tweed shooting waistcoats which feature generous bellow pockets for cartridges, Alcanta gun patches on both sides and inside shoulder insert pockets for the addition of a recoil pad.

Over the past year, I have worn the suit jacket numerous times alone as a sports jackets, as well as paired with the trousers as a suit, and cannot recall a time when I have received so many compliments on my clothing as I have wearing this suit.

Cordings does advertise a "no quibble returns" so as long as none of the clothing has been altered, you may want to take a chance on an order without visiting London, though I can't imagine not visiting their shop in Piccadilly, as it is an experience not to be missed. Also, note that their website prices include VAT of 20% so this is removed from your order before payment is made. For online orders, they generally arrive in less than a week, but with their shipping fees, but to place a larger order and spread the cost of shipping out over many items rather than just one.

And for those buying in London, they will provide you with the paperwork needed to recover your VAT payment at the airport when you are leaving the UK.

You can find Cordings online here at www.cordings.co.uk.

I eagerly look forward to my next visit to Cording of Piccadilly and as always will be sure to leave space in my luggage for new acquisitions I am positive I will be making!

More Than Just Tweed... Cordings of Piccadilly

In a previous blog post I spoke of Cordings of Piccadilly and their wonderful tweeds. Founded in 1839, J.C. Cording & Company began business as an outfitter and waterproofer. By the 1920s and 30s, Cordings established five core items which they are still known for to this day, the covert coat, Mackintosh, tweed jackets, corduroy and Moleskin trousers, and Tattersall shirts.

In 2003, after weathering the Second World War, the post war years, the rejection of tradition, and the years of outsourcing production from the UK by man businesses, the current management team approached their best customer, Eric Clapton, and asked if he would assist them in a management buyout. “I first became aware of Cordings in my mid-teens,” Clapton explains. “I come from the country and it was the highlight of our week to come up to London and listen to the musicians. It was difficult to get home late, so I would spend that time till dawn just walking the West End. I remembered Cordings. It stuck in my mind as a place of tradition; the heritage of England.”

After my first visit to Cordings, I began to place orders with them online with extreme satisfation. I already knew my sizes with Cordings so I'd not have to worry about returns. They do offer no quibble returns and the speed of the shipments to the States from the UK was within a weeks time.

One of the items I received from Cordings was a pair of their corduroy trousers. I eagerly awaited the cooler weather of the Autumn season so that I could enjoy them at long last. Long having grown up with a fixation on the sedate navy blue or brown shades for corduroy trousers, I was excited to enjoy something a bit more adventurous, I this case a pair of their 17oz sage green 8 wale corduroy.

Made of 100% cotton, they feature a plain waist band with tunnel top side adjusters, a flat front and button fly. There is one back jetted pocket with a button fastening, a hook and bar, plus button, fastening on the waist band, and has a fully lined waist band in 100% cotton. 

I ordered mine unfinished so that I could have my local tailor finish them with turn ups.

Cordings Sage Green Corduroy Trousers, paired with their House Check Tweed Jacket and Navy Blue Slipover

I find corduroy trousers the perfect trouser for the weekend and they work well with or without a jacket. These corduroys are warm and comfortable without measure. And while Cordings offers the sedate shades of navy blue and brown, they offer 14 colors in a full spectrum of the rainbow, for the conservative to the adventurous.

As with my tweed trousers from Cordings, these corduroys measure 2 inches larger than my American trousers.

If I wear these half as much as I've already worn their House Check Tweed Jacket, these trousers will be getting plenty of service this Autumn and Winter, and that is something to which I very much look forward. And I am quite certain that other colours of these corduroys will be added to my wardrobe over the years.

Please note that Cordings website prices includes VAT of 20% so this is removed from your order before payment is made. For those buying in London, they will provide you with the paperwork needed to recover your VAT payment at the airport when you are leaving the UK.

You can find Cordings online here at www.cordings.co.uk.

I eagerly look forward to my next visit to Cording of Piccadilly and will be sure to always leave space in my luggage for new acquisitions I am positive I will be making! Until then I remain quite the regular customer on their website.

Cordings Tweed.... The Perfect Kit for the Fall Season

In an earlier blog post, I mentioned a visit I made to a shop in Piccadilly which I'd not previously had a chance to investigate. As I mentioned, it had been more than a few years since my last visit to London and after some friendly recommendations to visit the shop, it became a must visit this past March while I was in London. My quest was tweed. I have owned a few tweed sports jackets over the years, but this quest was slightly different. This was a quest for the elusive tweed suit. I say elusive from an American perspective. You just don't see tweed suits this side of the pond. I'm not sure why, perhaps it is the climate, personal preference, who knows, but that fact remains, tweed suits are not easily found. Thus with a trip to London on the horizon, finding one was on my list for that visit.

Founded in 1839, J.C. Cording & Company began business as an outfitter and waterproofer. By 1843, Cordings was selling the Mackintosh, which is still sold today. This is a waterproof coat made possible by Charles Mackintosh who perfecting the process of dissolving rubber and binding it to cotton to allow the creation of waterproof garments. They moved into their current location at 19 Piccadilly in 1877.

Cordings was awarded a Royal Warrant in 1909 as waterproofers to the Prince of Wales, and future King George V. In 1922, the Prince of Wales, and future Duke of Windsor adopted Cordings as one of his outfitters. It was at this time that their famous Newmarket boots were patented, boots which were made for Elizabeth, mother of the current Queen Elizabeth, the Duke of Windsor, and Mrs Simpson. Unfortunately, Cordings no longer makes these waterproof canvas and leather boots. But it was this time in the 1920s and 30s that Cordings established five core items which they are still known for to this day, the covert coat, Mackintosh, tweed jackets, corduroy and Moleskin trousers, and Tattersall shirts.

In 2003, after weathering the Second World War, the post war years, the rejection of tradition, and the years of outsourcing production from the UK by man businesses, the current management team approached their best customer, Eric Clapton, and asked if he would assist them in a management buyout. “I first became aware of Cordings in my mid-teens,” Clapton explains. “I come from the country and it was the highlight of our week to come up to London and listen to the musicians. It was difficult to get home late, so I would spend that time till dawn just walking the West End. I remembered Cordings. It stuck in my mind as a place of tradition; the heritage of England.”

So, upon my arrival in London, Cordings was my first stop after visiting with family. Upon entering, I was directed downstairs to the gentlemens department, filled with Tattersall Shirts and Tweed. The staff was friendly and extremely helpful. I'd done some research online before my arrival and was already decided on their House Check Tweed. 

The jacket is made of 14 ounce 100% Scottish Tweed woven exclusively for Cordings, and features a three button front, with a single back vent, working four button cuffs, and a ticket pocket. As I mentioned in the previous article, for those who might not be familiar with the "working cuff" this simple means that the cuff button are not decorative, they really do unbutton. And like the linen jacket which I wrote about earlier, this jacket features is functional lapel button hole which allows you to add a lapel pin or flower, as the back of the lapel features loops to secure the lapel flower stem. Small details that many do not notice or even feel they are missing, but details which set this jacket apart from the rest of the crowd.

The trousers are also made of the same 14 ounce 100% Scottish Tweed, are half lined in 100% cotton, and feature a pleated front and button fly.

The weight of this fabric is wonderful, and something not seen in many American off the peg suits with their wispy fabric to attempt to create a four season suit but creates a suit not suitable for much. This is a weighty suit, though not the heaviest weight Cordings offers. This is exceptional for the cooler days of Fall and Spring and excellent for Winter. I don't need a four season suit, that is why I wear different suiting for different seasons, and this Tweed is excellent for the seasons for which it is designed.

The jacket is true to my American size, but the trousers as slightly different. the very helpful staff member suggested a waist size 2 inches larger than my American size and brought both sizes to the fitting room. Needless to say, he was spot on in his recommendation. I decided to not purchase the matching waistcoat, as I thought it a bit much for me, though it does look ever so smart! Perhaps I will get one at a later date, once I am more accustomed to wear a Tweed Suit. As I mentioned earlier, Tweed suits are not easy to find in America and when you wear one, even without a waistcoat, you will stand out in a crowd, well dressed and comfortable.

I should also not fail mention that when I purchased the suit, the trousers required hemming. I opted for turn ups rather than a straight hem. I mentioend that I was happy to have the finished trousers simply shipped to the States. The staff member checked and said that he perhaps could have the trousers ready that afternoon. Well, I still had a few more days in London, so I said that to avoid any rush on the part of staff, I could pick them up two days later on Monday after noon, which I did. Exceptional service, and another reason to make visiting Cordings a must on any visit to London. 

Cordings make a wide range of items in their House Check Tweed, including caps, bags, breeks, and accessories. They also offer a number of other Tweeds in addition to their House Tweed. I would be remiss in mentioning that they also offer Tweed Action Back jackets designed for shooting, which give you superb ease of movement while at the same time retaining the perfect silhouette associated with a cordings jacket, as well as Tweed shooting waistcoats which feature generous bellow pockets for cartridges, Alcanta gun patches on both sides and inside shoulder insert pockets for the addition of a recoil pad.

Returning to America, I have worn the jacket numerous times alone as a sports jackets, as well as paired with the trousers as a suit, and cannot recall a time when I have received so many compliments on my clothing as I have wearing this suit. I look forward to cooler weather when I can once again find occasion to wear it again.

When I purchased the suit at Cordings in Picadilly, being fitted there, Cordings does advertise a "no quibble returns" so as long as none of the clothing has been altered, you may want to take a chance on an order without visiting London, though I can't imagine not visiting their shop in Piccadilly, as it is an experience not to be missed. Also, note that their website prices includes VAT of 20% so this is removed from your order before payment is made. For those buying in London, they will provide you with the paperwork needed to recover your VAT payment at the airport when you are leaving the UK.

You can find Cordings online here at www.cordings.co.uk.

I eagerly look forward to my next visit to Cording of Piccadilly later this year and will be sure to leave space in my luggage for new acquisitions I am positive I will be making!

Staying Cool and Well Dressed in the Summer.... with Cordings...

On a recent trip to London, I had a chance to visit a shop in Piccadilly which I'd not previously had a chance to investigate. It had been more than a few years since my last visit to London and after some friendly recommendations to visit the shop, it became a must visit this past March while I was in London. I'll go into more detail about that which I discovered on that first visit in a future blog post, but with the warm summer days upon us at last, I wanted to share a more recent purchase.

I'd visited J.C. Cordings & Co. in March and had been properly fitted for a suit which I purchased at that time. I can't say enough good things about the staff and the incredible speed with which alterations were offered. More on that as well in a future post, but even if you are in London for a short duration, this is a must visit shop for both men's and women's clothing.

After my return to the States, I've kept an eye to their website and when their summer line was listed, my eye was immediately drawn to their linen jackets and trousers. It did not take much to push me to make my first online purchase and I can't say enough good things about that decision. My first selection was their navy linen jacket. As they clearly state on their website, "Can there be anything more evocative of an Englishman in the summer months than a linen jacket?" Made of 8 ounce Italian linen, it is cut to their classic three button style, with a single back vent, working four button cuff, ticket pocket, and it fully lined in 100% Viscose. For those who might not be familiar with the "working cuff" this simple means that the cuff button are not decorative, they really do unbutton. Another feature of the jacket is the lapel button hole which allows you to add a lapel pin or flower, as the back of the lapel features loops to secure the lapel flower stem. Small details that many do not notice or even feel they are missing, but details which set this jacket apart from the rest of the crowd.

To pair with the jacket, I ordered two pairs of their linen trousers, one in sand and the second in olive green. In American terms, these equate to khaki and British khaki respectively. Also made of the same 8 ounce Italian linen, they are flat front with a button fly.

I've worn these trousers and jacket quite a bit during the few rather warm days we've experienced this Spring and now into the much warmer days of summer. I now can only wonder why it has taken me so long to throw off even the lightest of wool jackets I've worn most of my life, in exchange for linen. Yes, linen does wrinkle a bit more than wool, but both require the same dry cleaning care so I am saving nothing in maintenance from one to the other. But what I am saving is my own personal comfort. And nothing beats these linen suitings on a warm or hot summer day! If you live in places with hot summer days and warm summer nights, this is a wardrobe staple.

I ordered them in the exact same sizes as the suit I purchased at Cordings in March. So, if you get fitted in London at their shop, you can order online with ease and confidence knowing that they remain true to the size of the clothing your bought in London. For those ordering online without visiting Piccadilly, I found that the jacket was the same fit as my American jackets, but that the trousers needed to be ordered two inches larger by size at the waist than my American trousers. (This was pointed out to me in London during the fitting when the staff member immediately suggested the trousers in the larger waist size, but provided both sizes for me in the fitting room. Needless to say he was spot on!)

Cordings advertises a "no quibble returns" so as long as none of the clothing has been altered, you may want to take a chance on an order without visiting London, though I can't imagine not visiting their shop in Piccadilly, as it is an experience not to be missed. Also, note that their website prices includes VAT of 20% so this is removed from your order before payment is made.

You can find Cordings online here at www.cordings.co.uk

I eagerly look forward to my next visit to Cording of Piccadilly later this year and will be sure to leave space in my luggage for new acquisitions I am positive I will be making!