Clients are often surprised by the basted fitting. The garment arrives held together with long white stitches, one sleeve may be missing, and the chalk marks on it will multiply as the fitting goes on.

This is deliberate. A basted garment can be taken apart entirely, so it is the last moment at which balance, shoulder slope and collar height can be changed without compromise.

Stand as you normally stand. A fitting taken in a parade-ground posture produces a suit that only fits when you are standing to attention.

Speak up about how it feels rather than how it looks. Restriction across the back, a collar that lifts when you reach forward, a sleeve that pulls when you drive — these are the things we can only learn from you.