A few months ago I discovered the "AA" (or is it "AAA"?) tailor shop 1/4
mile from home in the nice-ish strip mall just to my west. I had 2 pr of
Endura cycling pants that I got discount from a Spanish vendor, only to
find that they did not fit -- way to big in waist while being cut way too
low -- hipster fashion. I had a nearby seamstress/tailoress take 4" out of
the waists, add center belt loops, and peg the legs with ankle zippers.
Better, but shoddy job -- just $30 each, though.
Still felt uncomfortable in the waist. Took them in to AA/AAA -- wonderful
job: $60 each, but waist, 2" more out of them, and somehow modified in
shape, fit perfectly for such low-rise pants -- still too low, but now
quite usable. Saved me abandoning these and buying new ones and, at total
of $180 per for final tailored fit, not hugely objectionable. (Moral of the
story tho' is to try before you buy and spend $$ the first time to get what
fits and works.)
Moving on: Bought a modestly colored cycling shell (actually light shell
with lighter nylon lining) at LBS to wear over civilian clothing when I
ride to church. Slim and long but not tight; hood with magnet catch to keep
furled or else to mate to matching magnet (included) for helmet -- I don't
wear helmet. Nice; $100, so not too bad.
But even in cold weather: the sweating! Can't unzip neck because must keep
neck warm. Ready to sell on list for $50 shipped. Took to AA/AAA on Fri
morning; owner Reza put in pit zips for $25 each -- initially asked $20 but
when he agreed to have them ready by Sat at 6 pm, I told him to charge a
rush fee, so he added $5/ea.
Wonderful -- very professional job and, this am, stopped 2/3 way and
unzipped; yes, pit zips do help with ventilation. Total outlay: $150; not
bad. Wore over civilian button down and new/used eBay Ibex wool vest --
much less sweating!
Talked with Reza and wife on Friday; from Afghanistan; probably Shia
feeling Sunni oppression. A real professional; will bend your ear about
tailoring if you let him -- like my rug cleaner of 20 years, 4 Seasons
cleaning of ABQ -- will bend your ear about rugs and cleaning; talk for
hours.
Riv content? Obvious! Wonderful to deal with people who love what they do
and do it well, to the point of recommending against spending more because
you don't need to as both Reza and Michael of 4 S have done.
I think I will look for a nice pair of dress trousers in good, heavy wool
-- no 4-seasons suiting -- and have Reza tailor them for cycling fit. And
this leads to a question, since I've not bought new dress clothing for
30-35 years: where can you find good, tightly woven wool suits or pants;
either 100% wool or mostly wool/a bit of synthetic? I recall a suit my
father had made circa 1970 out of German wool -- densely woven,
non-gabardine -- straight up and down weave, charcoal, mid- (not light)
weight; I had the suit cut down for me about 25 years ago, wish I'd kept
the pants.
Ideas? I'd have Reza peg and add zippers, and add nylon knee lining and
seat lining.
*------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*
*Still 'round the corner there may waitA new road or a secret gate,And
though we pass them by today,Tomorrow we may come this wayAnd take the
hidden paths that runTowards the Moon or to the Sun.*
--- J.R.R. Tolkien
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique
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