Spring has sprung but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.  After all, the weather in the UK is not known for being reliable and things could change overnight.

So what does that mean for your wardrobe?

Certainly don’t put away the tweeds and the overcoats yet but it is time to start working those mid weights into the regular circulation.

We love a 10/11oz cloth here at Hardman & Hemming as it covers you for most eventualities, not too heavy if the spring sun pops up to say hello but not that light if its a more chilly day.  Essentially it’s the right cloth for the job and that is something that really shouldn’t be overlooked when it comes to getting your garments tailored.

Ask yourself the right questions before committing to a cloth, the ‘wh’ questions essentially.

Where am I going to wear this?

When am I going to wear it?

What does this garment need to do for me?

What impression do I want this garment to make? 

What colour am I going for?

How often am I going to wear it (Yes I know that isn’t a ‘wh’ question but you get the idea)

And these principles should apply to whatever you order with your tailor.  It isn’t just wanting it to look a certain way, although of course that is important, you also need to think about what you need the garment to do and for how long, what your other requirements are.

Cloth plays such an important part in that decision, much more than just the look.  A right weight to a cloth will keep you warm or cool, and something with a good spring to it will keep you looking smart all day and creases will drop out when you need them too but might not be right for that light flowing jacket.  Pick the wrong cloth for the wrong job and you could be in trouble.

That’s where a good tailor will help you make the right decisions, not just about the cloth but the whole outfit. We make sure we ask you all the right questions so that we can help you make the right choices.  Don’t leave it to chance or the UK weather, both can be fickle at best.

Trust your tailor!

The post Spring Into action , first appeared on Hardman & Hemming Tailors and is written by Stuart Hardman

Well, 2026 is off to an interesting start, isn’t it?

Everything seems to be a struggle and world events are definitely not helping anyone’s mood and let’s be honest, there isn’t much a Tailor can do about that now is there? Or so you would think!

OK, maybe we can’t solve the big issues or right all the worlds’ wrongs but what we are really good at is self-esteem.  Why do people come and see a tailor, because they want to look their best, present a view of themselves to the world that they feel good about, that they know speaks of how they conduct themselves or show how much they care about a special occasion. Essentially, here I am, I feel good, look good and I’m ready.

This may seem obvious and you may even be reading this thinking I just want a nice suit for work and that’s valid too but what if you are getting married, you’ve got the biggest job interview you’ve ever had, maybe you’re heading to the Palace for a big event or you’re heading to Ascot. All instances of where you want to look and more importantly feel at your best.

Now, this isn’t always easy to navigate, all of the whats, the wheres, the whens. The how much and the will it fit?  There are many things to consider but remember, you aren’t on your own.  

As if by magic, the shopkeeper appears.  Enter the Tailor.  We will help you pick cloth, get your timings right, make sure it fits, remind you of the other things you need to think about, cufflinks, shoes and so on.

We all want to have less stress, more time to do things and a bit more money in our pockets and to look the part whatever the reason and we can help with all of those.

We spend all of our time thinking about these things, designing outfits, matching colours, keeping an eye on the big dates in the diary, all of which can help take the load off you.

So why not open up your emails, drop us a line and take the first step to a stylish and easy way to feel like the best version of you.  No trudging round the shops, no wasted Saturday afternoons, just an hour or so spent with your tailor, drinking coffee and putting together the look you want.

World peace won’t be achieved for sure but a little peace of mind will and in today’s day and age, that is worth its weight in gold.

The post Reducing the stress in 2026 , first appeared on Hardman & Hemming Tailors and is written by Stuart Hardman

The more things change, the more they stay the same!

A lot has changed for us recently.  New showrooms to see clients in, on The Strand no less, an expanded workshop in East Sussex, wedding fairs booked for 2026 and more visiting appointments available than ever before.  Not to mention the fact that we have extended our offering and started working with denim, different styles and if you ask us nicely even shoes.

The sky really is the limit.  

But if that’s all the change, what has stayed the same?

Well, our passion for what we do, our love for our customers and our desire to offer the best quality tailoring, at the right price and all for when you need it. 

We still make in the traditional way with our bespoke and we always will but we make sure our styles keep us contemporary and at the forefront of tailoring looks.  We make sure our made to measure moves with the times too but it will never forget where it is grounded, in high quality garments that pay homage to the tailors that helped build the style world in to what it is today.

It’s a very different world for Tailors, well for any business, and changes are coming thick and fast and it’s no good standing still and letting it all rush past you.  That’s why we have embraced change and jumped onboard that express train of the modern world and we are putting ourselves where our customers need us.  So don’t be shy, say hello, jump on board with us and enjoy the ride and the beauty is we can make sure you look stylish and at your best whilst you do it.

Don’t worry we saved you a seat, as if we would forget you.

The post New and Improved , first appeared on Hardman & Hemming Tailors and is written by Stuart Hardman

What?

H&H are on the move?  Yep, you did read that right, we are on the move.

Let us explain and clarify a few things too.

Firstly, and most importantly, Hardman & Hemming Bespoke Tailors isn’t closing down, stopping trading or disappearing any time soon. Far from it.

In fact, we are expanding our reach and the areas where we offer our services, it’s the how we are doing it that makes the difference.

So, what does this mean for the shop?  Well, this bit is sad, tissues at the ready, as our shop location in Southborough, Tunbridge Wells is closing its doors at the end of November.

The world, as we all know, is a very different place now compared to when we first took over the shop almost 10 years ago, there has been a lot of change and sometimes that means a business has to change and adapt with the times and for H&H that time is, well, now.

We love Southborough and being part of the community and we like to think we have been a positive part of the high street but more and more these days our business has come from different areas and has become less and less reliant on the shop itself, and as tough as it is to make the decision, it is time that we as a business embraced the other areas and where the growth is.

But don’t panic, we will still be in Tunbridge Wells and Southborough, taking appointments across a few venues in the area and that’s the same for Tonbridge, Sevenoaks and various other locations in Kent and Sussex. Surrey too!  

We are also delighted to say, you will also be able to come and see us in 3 locations across LONDON too. Yep, the big smoke!

The workshop in Sussex will be available for appointments too at selected times, if you ask nicely.

And as if that isn’t exciting enough, this next bit is something we have always loved doing, we will also be taking appointments to come and see you, at home or work, which in fact we have always done, but it’s time to really give those customers the time and resources they require.

As you can see, there is no need to worry if you have always wanted a H&H suit, you’ll still be able to benefit from our wonderful tailoring, only now you won’t even need to get in the car.

Get Shirty fans don’t need to panic either! We will still be doing our podcast thing and talking with great guests about all the little irritations in life and putting it out into the world. You can’t get rid of us that easily.

It’s a great time for us and the future is exciting.  Of course, we are sad that we won’t be based in Southborough all the time. We’ve made great friends and have always felt the love from the community, especially with our windows and we will miss not seeing everyone every day. Even positive change has its tough points.

How about some details then?

Well, we will be at the shop until the 25th October, still taking appointments and doing the work until that date and then our visiting service and various fittings rooms will be fully fledged on the 3rd November.  There is a lot to do in that week let me tell you. Busy times.

If you want to see us at the shop before we head on the road do book in quickly, we would love to see you and there will be a few deals available on suits and out other tailoring, if you pick from the cloth we have in stock, as we won’t have quite as much room without the shop of course!

Lastly but most importantly, thank you Southborough for being our friends, neighbours and colleagues, you are a special bunch and we are grateful to have been and to continue to be part of the community. I’m not crying, I’ve got something in my eye.

We won’t say good bye as you will still be seeing us, so let’s just say, here’s to the future!

Stuart, Stuart and Sam 

x

The post Breaking news! Hardman & Hemming are on the move , first appeared on Hardman & Hemming Tailors and is written by Stuart Hardman

We delve deep into the psyche of musician / writer / film-maker and funeral director, Pete “Nod” Owden. Pete loves a work poo and has a constant companion that keeps him on the straight and narrow. Roundabouts are a topic, again, along with respectfulness and music. Is John Travolta the greatest method actor of our time? Listen and find out, definitively!

Episode 5 of Season 3 is a corker.

Hosted by Stuart Hardman, interruptions from #Stu2 and Sam Whiskers, music by DatHazza

Pete’s Music Links

Word Of Nod Linktree
Word Of Nod Band

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Links to DatHazza, the music man!
YouTube
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The post Pete Owden – I Try Not To Yuk Someone Else’s Yum , first appeared on Hardman & Hemming Tailors and is written by Stuart Wilson

None.

Well, that seems to be one viewpoint which can at times be quite vocal.

That is until…..

I’m getting married and I need a suit and not one like I wear for work

I’ve got a big interview coming up and I would really like to look the part

Unfortunately, I’ve got to go to a funeral and I want to show respect

It’s my wedding anniversary

I can’t find anything that fits off the peg

I’ve brought this suit from the High Street and it doesn’t fit quite right.

There is this particular colour I’m looking for and no one does it

I wore this jacket a couple of times and it’s falling to bits, can you fix it?

No one seems to do waistcoats anymore!

And on it goes.

Tailoring is often viewed as expensive or something from a bygone age but both things couldn’t be further from the truth.

Tailoring is cost effective and more relevant now than ever before.  In a world where fast fashion dominates, climate change worries us all and how we spend every penny counts, it’s tailoring (and dressmakers) time to shine.

Having garments made creates much less waste, no landfill or stock rooms full of unwanted clothes from last year’s trend of the month. Better fitting clothes made from quality cloths last much longer negating any extra spend, you get your money’s worth essentially.

Any spend with your local tailor or seamstress goes directly back into ‘your’ local economy not to the big corporations.  

You get what you want, not what’s on offer.  You build a relationship with someone who understands your needs and reacts to them on a one to one basis, not a generalisation of what you and the 1000’s of other people they think are a bit like you might want.

And on it goes again.

Having garments made isn’t a luxury, sure, sometimes it costs more and sometimes the reason you get something tailored might be a one off,  but even then you’ll be wearing that jacket, suit or whatever it is for years to come, not something you would say about the fast fashion alternative.

So support your local trades, whatever they may be, it applies across the board really, local skilled people want to help you and give you a service and product that will endure long after you bought it, tailoring is no different.

The post What Place Does tailoring Have In The Modern World? , first appeared on Hardman & Hemming Tailors and is written by Stuart Hardman

Buckle up it’s Salvage Sister Charis Williams with their Get Shirtys. We delve into a little bit of politics, gender and American, can we turn arseholes into renewable energy? The answer is here in Episode 4 of Season 3. Limited area, inability to listen are amongst the talking points. Is marriage on the cards for Charis? Listen and find out. 

Hosted by Stuart Hardman with the disembodied voice of #Stu2 in the background. Sam Whiskers was “sick” during this episode, I reckon she couldn’t be bothered, but still managed to tell us to remember stuff.

Music by DatHazza

Charis’ Instagram

Charis’ Website

Charis’ Facebook

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The post Charis Williams – The Trump, Musk & Putin Wind Turdbine , first appeared on Hardman & Hemming Tailors and is written by Stuart Wilson

Episode 3 comes to you from the fringes of comedy. To be more precise we talk to Daniel McKeon before his stand up set at our shop, as part of Tunbridge Wells Fringe 2025, during his preparation for Edinburgh Fringe. It’s a solitary affair, #stu2 and Sam Whiskers found something better to do! Although Whiskers manages to turn up near the end. Money, who would have thought that would make you shirty? Cooking and jobsworths on the menu for this one and don’t forget to sign up to our Patreon if you want to hear the Collared question. 

It all gets a bit echoey at the end, I think they moved to a grand cavernous church and didn’t tell me.

Hosted by Stuart Hardman, no caustic interruptions this week from #stu2 or Sam Whiskers, and it’s Stu H’s turn for the sweary bloopers at the end, the frustration is real, he goes proper Saxon!

Daniel’s Website

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Daniel’s Podcast

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The post Daniel McKeon – He’s So Visible, he Knows Stuff , first appeared on Hardman & Hemming Tailors and is written by Stuart Wilson

Tailoring is a trade that has a lot of tradition, lots of history and also lots of rules.

Tradition covers a lot of ground of course, the cloths that are used, how things are made and constructed and how the trade is followed and passed down.

The same can be said for the history of the trade, who did what and when did they do it.  Who did they work for and who have they made for? 

Both of these things are of course important and should be cherished and held on to and passed down and the same can be said for the rules.  Can’t it?

Tailoring and suit wearing does tend to have a lot of rules.  You have to wear this sort of suit to this event; you can’t use this sort of cloth for this sort of garment.  This button should never be done up and this one should always be done up.  This sort of stitch shouldn’t be used here but can be used there. Only ever wear this sort of shoe with that sort of trouser and so on and so on.

“Never wear brown in town Sir” or “bottom button done up on your waistcoat Sir?  Tsk Tsk”

You get the idea.

Perhaps it all falls under etiquette instead.  Either way, there are lots of rules, lots of do and don’t, lots of ways to get it wrong or if you love the rules and many do, lots of ways to get it right.  Essentially there is nothing wrong with rules or wanting to follow them if that is your thing, in fact more power to you, but that does bring me to the other thing that suit wearing and tailoring has and that is gatekeepers.

Now I am a Tailor, I understand and know the rules but do I follow them? Some maybe but all of them?  No way. Do I enforce them on my customers? Well, never.

If there is one thing I have always hated, it’s feeling silly if I get something wrong. Feeling like I’ve made a misstep because I haven’t followed something that I ‘should have’ known about and my thoughts on this with tailoring is no different. 

I’m a very strong believer that style is a very personal thing, something individual to the person in question.  That doesn’t mean you need to dress completely differently to everyone else, in fact you can wear exactly the same as everyone else if you want to, and that is the key thing, IF YOU WANT TO.

Rules are great but they can be broken, perhaps should be broken, if you want to find your own style, be yourself and wear what you like and what you feel good or comfortable in, not what some gatekeeper tells you to wear or smirks if you’ve done one too many buttons up.

Our approach at H&H is to be yourself and for us to help you find the suit or jacket, trousers or waistcoat you want to wear. Always has been and always will be and of course that does include following the rules if that’s what you want to do, as I said there is nothing wrong with that, if that is what YOU want.

Be yourself, wear what you want and like, find your own style, borrow looks, try stuff out, wear something you will never wear again and fall in love with clothes and shoes but above all else be your own gatekeeper and don’t worry about what other people think.

Rules can be helpful and even fun but gatekeepers? Nah fuck em.

The post Following the rules? , first appeared on Hardman & Hemming Tailors and is written by Stuart Hardman

Season 3 Episode 2 is yet another first for Get Shirty. Nigel is our first returning guest, hence the title of 2nd measure. This time we ask Nigel what gets him shirty about childhood, Teenage years and being an adult. Justice is a recurring theme in this one and we discuss the idea of a new crime vigilante show, Tailored Justice, featuring Nigel Betts, James Barriscale and Barry Aird. It’s a winner if ever there was one. Weird food and trains make an appearance along with the resurgence of dishwashers, Nigel needs help! Web whiskers has her most bloopery recording session, which you will have to stay around until the very end for. Interruptions, as usual, from #stu2 and gravitas and rudeness in equal measure from Sam Whiskers. Hosted by Stuart Hardman

Nigel’s Spotlight

Nigel’s Instagram

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YouTube
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The post Nigel Betts 2nd Measure – Don’t Sniff It Before You Drink It , first appeared on Hardman & Hemming Tailors and is written by Stuart Wilson