Where to get a locally-made custom outfit

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Toronto is not a world style capital but that doesn’t mean we lack options when it comes to superb quality in menswear. In fact, I would argue, some of our craftspeople are amongst the best anywhere. And that’s why you don’t have to travel the world to build a high-quality, custom outfit. See all that stuff I’m wearing in the picture above? All of it is custom-made, all crafted here in Toronto. The Hogtown Rake is almost a year old and in that time I’ve profiled a number of clothes-makers in this city and now it call comes together in one outfit. Think of this as the 100-Mile diet, but for clothes. And here’s where I got it all:

Hat: Leon Drexler

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Stephen Temkin, the man behind Leon Drexler, is the only exclusive maker of men’s dress hats in Canada and one of only a handful in the world. If you want a hat, Drexler is your best choice because not only do you get to pick the colour, shape, even the ribbon, Stephen is very sartorially tuned in and can offer great advice for both the novice and seasoned hat wearer. His hats start at around $500 and you can read my full review here.

Shirt: Jean Paul

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There aren’t many tailors like Jean-Paul Lo Giacco in Toronto, especially when it comes to shirts. Jean-Paul will measure you and create a unique pattern for your shirt. Where he is truly distinct is that he does a basted try-on to insure the best fit possible. He is also an expert at matching shirt features with your own physique and style. His shirts start at around $300 and you can read my full review here.

Tie: Handsome & lace

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Keira Morgan makes neck ties and bow ties out of her apartment in Toronto. Her speciality is her vast collection of vintage fabrics which she sources herself at local shops and sales. Being able to pick the fabric and exact shape of your tie is half the fun in getting something custom made. Keira’s ties start at about $80 and you can read my full review here.

Suit: Francesco Bespoke

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While the word “bespoke” gets sorely abused these days, Signor Francesco is the real thing. He is Toronto’s most accomplished tailor and truly world-class. The work is done without any short-cuts and mostly by hand. And like most high-end tailors, cost depends on the fabric and the style of suit and is negotiated in person. Being truly bespoke, the cost is on the higher side. You can read my story about Signor Francesco here.

Shoes: Peter Feeney

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After spending over three years in Florence studying shoemaking with one of the world’s best masters, Peter set up shop in Toronto. With custom shoes you get to pick all the features, of course, like shape and colour and even the leathers used. But that’s just lovely window dressing; the fit is what it’s all about. Once you wear a pair of Peter’s shoes you may find it impossible to wear anything else. They start at about $1500 and you can read my full review here.