The worse retail experience I've ever had, and a botched suit I can never wear again.
It's possible nobody will see this as Clifton Suits aren't registered here, but I have to vent about what was easily the worst retail experience I've had.
I needed a new suit for a funeral, a pretty common situation, and was referred to Clifton Suits in Bristol by a store clerk in John Lewis as they didn't have one in my size. Upon arrival I was assigned someone to help and everything was going well. Then we hit my first moment of doubt; they wanted to order the same size jacket that I'd already tried on in John Lewis, which didn't fit me. Wouldn't a size up be a better idea, I asked? No, the brand he had in mind was a looser fit and it would be fine, I was assured. I assumed that he knew what he was doing. The rest of my measurements were taken, including modifications that would be needed for the trousers, the arms, etc. We are given a date to come back.
On my return the store is busy but I'm eventually taken to the fitting room, and this is where everything falls apart. The jacket doesn't fit, it's not even close, neither do the trousers, I can't even get the clasp closed. I'm given my options; there's no time to send the jacket back so they'll have to modify it by adding material. This I'm told won't be noticeable. The trousers can be let out, that shouldn't be a problem. I'm given another date to return a few days later.
The day before the due date arrives and we've had no call. I phone them to check, only to be told the person I was dealing with isn't there. OK, but I *do* need a date, the funeral is fast approaching, so I'm told they'll call me back. I'm called the next day, and told I can come in the following weekend. This is cutting it close for the funeral.
The day arrives, and I try on my suit. The added panels aren't even close to the same material, the suit is a dark grey and the panels are black with a totally different pattern and texture. The trousers haven't been altered at all so of course I still can't get them on. This is when the fitter, an older man who seemed to be the most senior staff member there and who had stepped in because the person I was dealing with was absent, tried to claim I hadn't asked for the trousers to be altered. They *reluctantly* told me they'd get someone to look at the trousers now, and that we could come back in a few hours.
We return, and the mood has clearly soured. I'm now being "jokingly" called difficult. I try the trousers again, and am relieved that I can at least get them on; they're not exactly generous, but they'll do. Then I try my butchered jacket on again and realize what they've done to the arms. This is, and I'm not exaggerating here, a short sleeved suit jacket. The cuffs stop in the middle of my forearms. This is something *many* at the funeral commented on later, so that was fun. It's far too late to do anything about of course, the funeral is a day away, so I pay up. Modifications for a suit jacket that weren't needed, were botched, didn't fit, and with mismatched material, all cost extra of course! The ridiculously smug older clerk genuinely acts like we should be thoroughly impressed they went the extra mile to make sure I was happy, right up until we left.
So, hundreds of pounds spent on a suit I can never wear again, at least not without being rightfully laughed at for. If that sounds ideal to you, maybe you're in the clown business or something, I guess give Clifton Suits a call. If not, you'll want to go elsewhere.