The Alexander West Experience – Part 1
My ever expanding knowledge and education of custom shirt makers has grown more after my introduction to Alexander West. Being approached by Alexander Yoo, owner and founder, to have a custom shirt of my choice made did not only prove to help me better understand the process and traditions of shirt making, but it also proved to be an all around incredible experience.
When I used to buy off the rack shirts, there was immediate gratification. After the shirt deteriorated or started to fit quite poorly after only a few washes that gratification soon turned into frustration. Enter the custom shirt process where, yes, you pay quite a bit more up front but you end up owning a shirt longer than the average off the rack with a better fit and all the trimmings of your choice.
One of the two Alexander West showrooms in Manhattan is located in a beautifully modern Soho loft space on Greene Street. There you get to sift through some lovely Thomas Mason, Alumo and Sea Island, Cotton, and Linen fabrics as well as get measured (by appointment only). But the wonderful part about Alexander West is that the shirts are not just available to New Yorkers. The entire process can be done online and delivered right to your door where ever you may live.
Although going through the process of picking out your fabrics and trimmings may seem a daunting task, the experience that Alexander Yoo provides during the process helps to speed it along greatly. When I went in for my fitting and fabric choice, I was stumped with all the options. After mentioning to Alex that I had just purchased a tuxedo, he suggested a beautifully traditional shirt to wear with it. He works very well with what you feel comfortable with and not from an opinionated stand point which was also very refreshing. For example, I knew what collar worked for me and he agreed rather than push what he felt was “correct”. I feel this an imperative when dealing with a customer.
After completion of fabric choice, collar, cuffs, monogramming, and measurements it takes a few weeks (2-3) for your shirt to arrive by UPS and you are alerted by e-mail with all the tracking information. Customer service at Alexander West is really a 10 out of 10 as they are very quick to respond to any questions you may have during the process*.
*Editors Note: Alexander West will be implementing a new online tracking system soon that brings you through the entire progress of your shirt week by week.
Stay tuned for the results in Part 2 tomorrow.
To order online go to:
Pricing is as follows:
1. Cotton fabrics $105 to $120
2. Linen $150
3. Thomas Mason Fabrics $150 (limited selection on Internet)
4. Alumo and Sea Island $175 to $200 (In NY showrooms only)
5. Tuxedo Shirts $175
Alexander West has two locations in Manhattan:
(866) 647-1740
NY SOHO SHOWROOM (*By Appointment Only*) (one block away from SoHo Apple Store) 110 Greene, Suite 404 New York, NY 10012
NY TRIBECA SHOWROOM (*By Appointment Only*)
12 Desbrosses
New York, NY 10013
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