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Clear intervals Men's Luxury Fashion in London
A "Savile Row suit" is a term that describes the best of English bespoke tailoring. This "golden mile" of tailoring also includes Old Burlington Street and Cork Street. The tailors originally moved into the area in the early 19th century to provide military uniforms for the Battle of Waterloo. Remarkably, many of the original names are still cutting cloth.
Credited with inventing the dinner jacket (tuxedo), Henry Poole & Co was the first Savile Row tailor, and is still in operation at No 15. Other big names include Gieves & Hawkes at No 1, H Huntsman & Sons at No 11, James & James at No 38, and Richard James at No 29. All are predictably brilliant and all predictably expensive.
Bates the Hatter
Jermyn Street in aristocratic St James's has long been one of the smartest locations in town for a bachelor pad. To this day its many traditional shops are enough to bring out the old-fashioned gentleman in anyone. There was a time when no British gent would feel properly dressed without a hat. One place keeping alive that tradition is the gloriously unmodernised Bates the Hatter, where you could imagine a Dickens character getting fitted out. Tweed caps are a speciality of this family business. But you are unlikely to be disappointed by the selection of bowler hats, panamas, top hats, fedoras, trilbies, deerstalkers and even fezzes.
Beale & Inman
For those of you familiar with the classic sitcom Are You Being Served?, this has nothing whatsoever to do with John Inman, who played camp shop assistant Mister Humphries. Beale & Inman is a name that's long been associated with old-world glamour. To give you an idea of exactly how long, Charles Dickens famously visited the store to buy a new suit for himself after finishing A Tale of Two Cities. Modern-day clients include Pierce Brosnan, Kofi Annan and Mob boss John Gotti.
Gieves & Hawkes
The original tailor to the Royal Navy, Gieves & Hawkes boasts former clients including, staggeringly, Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington. A bastion of traditional gentlemen's tailoring, Gieves & Hawkes has managed to stay at the top of its game by using contemporary designers.
Joseph
Generally associated with womenswear, Joseph's swanky emporiums also provide some splendid menswear - making them perfect for that bit of his'n'hers shopping. As well as Joseph's own stylish and tasteful lines, some of the stores stock Dior Homme, Prada, Yohji Yamamoto and Gucci.
Ozwald Boateng
Currently one of the hottest tailors around, Ozwald Boateng has cut suits for the likes of Keanu Reeves, Jude Law, Seal and David Bowie. As those in the know will know, Mr Boateng is also the creative director of Givenchy menswear.
Ralph Lauren
To dress well the American way, head to the Ralph Lauren UK flagship store in New Bond Street - if you can cope with those dazzling, white teeth in the poster ads. With lines like Polo Sport and Ralph, you'll soon be top of the Ivy League.
Vertice Uomo
For something a little less sombre and low-key, try Vertice Uomo. Labels here include Roberto Cavalli, D Squared and Dirk Bikkenberg. The style of Vertice Uomo is Italian and features slim-fitted jackets, designer jeans and some very flamboyant shirts.
