Trouser Bar

[E.Martin]

Got to know Montreal in the mid fifties,one thing I thought was ahead of it's time was I think called
trouser bars,all size trouser had the same leg length ,you would pick your trousers,they would measure
you for length,go back a while later they were cut to your size and ready to wear.

[Jim Brady]

Shopping in Montreal for gear was a bit of a nightmare.Go into Honest Harry's see a nice padded zip up winter jacket $18 dollars barter with him for an hour,hard work get him down to 14 bucks and walk out the shop feeling quite smug a good bargain.Go up to St.Catherine and there is the exact same coat 12 bucks.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[j.sabourn]

#1... Trousers cut while you wait re leg length, was the same in most states, pity other countries dont practice more of it.. JS

[alf corbyn]

what about Vancouver (tie city). in the fifties you could go in the shop with your girls photo and come out with her picture on a tie.

[Jim Brady]

Alf Tie City in Montreal I recall the different racks with ties at different prices I'm sure when i was a bell boy myself and the other lads used to go in there and move expensive ties onto the dollar rack and get away with it.Another shop we used to shop in was this woman who we called "Sexy Frenchy" one of the bell boys bought a jacket there a few trips later he swapped it for a new one (the same) as we were on our way out she said put your old one back on that one is to big for you,caught!!!
Regards.
Jim.B.

[j.sabourn]

Pictures(photos) could be put on plates in Japan in the late 50"s. Other countries a long time following up on this little money earner. Still have plate with wife and family on taken in 1965. JS

[Doc Vernon]

Used to be a Malay Tailor in Longmarket Street during the 50's where you could also go in and have yourself measured for whatever,Suit,Pants etc!
I had a suit made from him it was a Pin Stripe one with Narrow bottom Trousers,and the lining of the Jacket was with Red Silk,really fancy!

His prices were very low,but his workmanship was to perfection!
Get measured up at 9am,collect the goods in time for a good Lunch!
He was so fast it was just unbelievable!
Full Suit went at ten quid! And good material,dont ask where he got it from though!

He was such a nice person,and on more than one occasion went to his House in Bo Kaap (that's where the Majority live) for his Wife's delicious and Aromatic Malay Curry! Not too hot but with the best flavour I have ever had!
Cheers

Some may be interested in looking at a few Pics from good old Cape Town and surrounds!
http://www.travelstart.co.za/blog/50...e-mother-city/

[happy daze john in oz]

Bespoke tailors some thing from the past. Now they all come ready made off the rack, no doubt there are still a few who will make to order but no doubt at some crazy price. What ever happened to Burtons?

[Doc Vernon]

Earlier on in my life,I did start working for a bespoke Tailor in Cape Town,it WS very interesting indeed,learning to cut ,measure and then hand stitch.
The person I worked for was called James Hinton Lever
Should have stayed,but as many other jobs I had,I just could not settle.
How I sometimes wish I had stuck to one good job.
Oh well wasn't meant to be.
But I am happy.
Cheers

[j.sabourn]

#9... Did you have to ask the customers Vernon, which side they dressed. Nowadays if someone asked me that I would just say the Middle. Cheers John S