So you own a period car and you are looking to buy vintage race clothing like 40 or 50s style racing trousers, a boating jacket or even a period suit to get that, just right look. Two alternatives present themselves:
1. You hunt around for new “old style” items from companies like Chapal, wince loudly and pay out serious amounts of money knowing fully well that you have just been taken for a ride financially.
Or:
2. You spot/search for also an image on the net or find a nice second-hand item, which requires alteration and realise that there is a life beyond the land of high spend.
I chose the latter and think it is one of my better decisions just lately. Some years ago, I had quite a bad bike accident, which has left me with limited movement in my left arm, which is now ¾ inch shorter than the right. Therefore some of my clothes need to be altered. One day I jokingly presented to Keith - the alterations wizard - Harris, a picture of a pair of racing trousers and asked whether he could copy them, particularly as these were really just a pair of pleat front chinos with ankle buckles. Two weeks later and hey presto, I am now the proud owner of a pair of seriously spot on trousers.
Not only does he perform miracles with ordinary day-to-day items, but he is also about the only person I trust with my barbours or my very ancient sheepskin.
One or two people already have already had various bits of kit altered for the Revival and you may find his services useful too. Based in East London.
Harris Valet,
Ground Floor, Rear of: 443 Bethnal Green Road,
London,
E2 9QH.
Tel: 07951 487068
Highly recommended.
Map:
http://www.multimap.com/maps/#t=l&map=51.52766...
And before you ask: no connection whatsoever, I just think the quality of his work is excellent.
