The Chicago thread - local recommendations, trunk shows, goings-on, etc.

[letsgofire]

If it is a high end garment for you, definitely go to Without A Trace in the Gold Coast.

 

[Despos]

Hello All - a couple of seams on the lining in my Oxxford suit has come undone. Can someone recommend a tailor or seamstress downtown that can fix this? Thanks in advance.

Without a trace is a reweaver for tears or holes in the cloth.
If the lining came loose and needs to be sewn, you need an alteration tailor.
Try Nick at Oak Street Tailors first.

 

[Illini72]

Without a trace is a reweaver for tears or holes in the cloth.
If the lining came loose and needs to be sewn, you need an alteration tailor.
Try Nick at Oak Street Tailors first.

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated. I'll give Nick a try.

 

[apolloali]

Folks... I'm dying laughing. For the first time, I really fucked up an eBay order. Got a really beautiful Brooks Brothers golden fleece. All the measurements are good. Except somehow its for someone maybe half a foot or more taller taller than me. The jacket length goes to about top of my thigh.

It was cheap, its in good quality, and I like it. Should I swing trying to shorten the jacket Weirdly it does look like it could be possible given the huge extra length below the pockets. I'm dying at the idea of bringing this to Nick at Oak Street. He would probably shoo me right out hahah.


I can't post a picture. It's too embarrassing.

 

[apolloali]

Second post here: anyone got any reccomendations for where they'd take vintage suits for cleaning? My local dry cleaner does not seem particular enough to me about what they offer. Prefer closer to Little Italy area.

 

[letsgofire]

I think Davis Imperial Cleaners is considered one of the very best places. They do pickups and mail service too, I think. If your local place can’t handle it, I think they are worth looking into.

 

[yuchunchang]

Folks... I'm dying laughing. For the first time, I really fucked up an eBay order. Got a really beautiful Brooks Brothers golden fleece. All the measurements are good. Except somehow its for someone maybe half a foot or more taller taller than me. The jacket length goes to about top of my thigh.

It was cheap, its in good quality, and I like it. Should I swing trying to shorten the jacket Weirdly it does look like it could be possible given the huge extra length below the pockets. I'm dying at the idea of bringing this to Nick at Oak Street. He would probably shoo me right out hahah.


I can't post a picture. It's too embarrassing.

Made the same mistake with an overcoat lmao, goes all the way to my the bottom of my shin, but fits my arms fine. Makes me wonder who it was for before.

I say if the buttons land at the right place and it's literally just the bottom that needs to be cut off go for it.

 

[Duke Santos]

Sad to report that Dan at Broadway Shoe Repair has permanently closed. This is a real loss. He did a couple of jobs for me, and the quality of his work was exceptional. I sincerely hope that this was his choice to enjoy retirement and that he wasn't forced out by the cost in that neighborhood.

I was about to drop off my C&J Moltons to have him switch over from Dainite to Vibram Londra. He did a great job doing the same on my Islays. Any thoughts on an alternative?

 

[jimney]

Sad to report that Dan at Broadway Shoe Repair has permanently closed. This is a real loss. He did a couple of jobs for me, and the quality of his work was exceptional. I sincerely hope that this was his choice to enjoy retirement and that he wasn't forced out by the cost in that neighborhood.

I was about to drop off my C&J Moltons to have him switch over from Dainite to Vibram Londra. He did a great job doing the same on my Islays. Any thoughts on an alternative?

Sorry to hear they closed. I just reached out to see if he’s selling any equipment since I’m getting started making shoes and boots.

I’ve taken stuff to Beehive downtown before and they’ve done well enough.

 

[Budd]

Pretty sure they closed because Dan passed away

 

[Duke Santos]

Pretty sure they closed because Dan passed away

Oh ****. That's infinitely worse. RIP. He was a great guy who'd drop what he was doing to talk at length about shoes and give his unvarnished opinion on things.

 

[chickenfark]

Damn, only 59 too. https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/0...ears-in-business-due-to-beloved-owners-death/

 

[jimney]

Wow, that's really unfortunate. Wasn't what I was expecting.

 

[Duke Santos]

Wow, that's really unfortunate. Wasn't what I was expecting.

He was one of those old school craftsmen that it wasn't just about knowing your best pairs would be in great hands after dropping them off, it was the pure pleasure of talking with him for 20 or 30 minutes while you dropped off or picked up.

He also had a huge amount of integrity. One time while we were talking, somebody came in asking about resoling a cement job. Rather than just take the guy's money, he told him that he could probably buy a new pair for what he'd charge to try and resole them.

 

[zissou]

Do you guys have any recommendations for SWD shops besides Independence and Machus? I’m also looking for Japanese magazines like Lightning, 2nd, and Popeye and know that Independence and Kinokuniya carry them. Any other places I should look?