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A Unique and Exquisite Experience

Bespoke and made to measure tailors based in Woburn, Bedfordshire

Using only the finest fabrics, Wes and Geoff combine time-honoured craftsmanship with modern tailoring techniques to create exceptional garments. Their commitment to quality and value means clients enjoy truly bespoke tailoring without compromising on budget.

Our Story

Woven into the fabric of who we are

Tailoring isn’t just something that Wes and Geoff Souster do, it’s woven into the fabric of who they are. The family business was founded in 1978, and they have since built a reputation across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and for clients across the UK and internationally, for exceptional, made-to-measure clothing that always puts traditional craftsmanship, high standards and comfort first.

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Wes and Geoff Souster wearing bespoke tailored suits

Craftsmanship, exceptional value and superb customer service

Souster & Hicks is based in the heart of Woburn Village, Bedfordshire

Internationally recognised for their tailoring expertise, Wes and Geoff have made Souster & Hicks in Woburn Village, Bedfordshire, a destination for discerning clients.

From the Georgian coaching village of Woburn, Bedfordshire, to the red brick Victorian townhouses on Savile Row, London, the world’s most famous street for bespoke tailoring, Souster and Hicks provide full bespoke tailoring for both men and women, as well as a vast range of made-to-measure clothing options.

With an international clientele including TV personalities, sportspeople, and musicians, Wes and Geoff combine over 80 years of tailoring heritage with expert craftsmanship and personal customer service.

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Why choose Souster & Hicks?

The quality is number one. It has to be the best. Otherwise it doesn’t go in a Souster & Hicks suit.
Geoff Souster

Range and Pricing

Bespoke tailoring options:

What does ‘bespoke’ mean in the world of tailoring?

Bespoke tailoring is when a suit or jacket is individually created for someone using their own body measurements and preferences. These preferences include selecting their own fabrics and linings, specific buttonhole colours, choosing the style of jacket right down to the lapel and pocket detail.

A true bespoke tailor makes a suit that is created by hand with the pattern being drafted by a cutter which is sculpted around a man or woman’s body shape, then after spending many hours conducting fittings, a coat maker and trouser maker hand finish the garment creating a stunning looking suit that fits, looks and feels impeccable.

Bespoke comes from the verb ‘bespeak’, i.e. speaking for something. Its use in fashion is mainly linked to men’s suits, although recent years have seen the term applied to women’s clothing too. Bespoke suits, shirts and jeans contrast with factory produced, off-the-shelf clothing that is found across high streets. Once you’ve worn a bespoke suit and seen the quality of both fit and fabrics, it’s very difficult to go back to wearing a ready to wear suit.

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Frequently asked questions about bespoke tailors and suits

What makes a bespoke suit different from an off-the-peg suit?

A bespoke tailor creates garments from scratch using your measurements and posture analysis. Unlike off-the-peg suits, every pattern piece is hand-cut specifically for your body shape. Souster & Hicks make each suit through multiple fittings in our Bedfordshire showroom, adjusting shoulder pitch, sleeve rotation and trouser breaks until the fit is perfect. You'll be able to choose from hundreds of cloth options and design details, such as lapel width, pocket style and buttons, giving you a one-off suit that moves with your body and doesn't feel restricted.

Are made-to-measure suits genuinely tailored to me?

Yes, though different from fully bespoke. Made-to-Measure tailoring starts with a carefully selected base pattern, which is then refined to your precise measurements, posture, body proportions, and figure. Adjustments are made to accommodate individual characteristics such as shoulder slope, stance, chest shape, and overall physique, ensuring a balanced and flattering fit. Combined with your choice of fabric, lining, and finishing details, the result is a suit that looks and feels distinctly personal – offering a level of fit and elegance far beyond off-the-peg garments. For clients across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and beyond, made-to-measure provides the ideal balance between exceptional tailoring and value.

What's the Savile Row connection with bespoke tailoring?

Savile Row has defined bespoke tailoring standards for over two centuries, using hand-stitched canvas fronts, unique buttonholes, and floating chest pieces that mould to your body over time. Many modern bespoke tailors, including those outside of London, are trained under Savile Row houses and use the same techniques. The Souster family respects that heritage while serving customers closer to home in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

Can I get a three-piece bespoke suit?

Absolutely. Three-piece suits (jacket, trousers and waistcoat) remain a popular choice, especially for weddings, adding a bit of formality and an extra layer if your ceremony or reception goes from inside to out. During your consultation, we'll discuss waistcoat style — single-breasted or double-breasted, lapelled or collarless, backed in cloth or lining — so you're happy with the design.

How far in advance should I order a bespoke suit?

Allow 12–16 weeks for a bespoke suit to ensure you have a more relaxed experience. Your first appointment involves detailed measuring and a style consultation. The second and third fittings show the suit taking shape, with adjustments made to lapels, trouser drape and general fit. If your timeline is tighter, we also offer made-to-measure suits with a 6-to-8-week turnaround.

How do I choose the right fabric for a made-to-measure suit?

It all starts with a conversation. When do you need the suit for? Where will you be wearing it? How often will you be wearing it? These are questions that Wes and Geoff will use to determine the right fabric for you to wear.

Traditional Savile Row bespoke suits require over 40 hours of skilled handwork

According to research published by the University of Huddersfield, “A typical bespoke suit produced on Savile Row at the heart of London’s tailoring industry can take up to forty hours to produce.” Much of this time is spent hand stitching the hundreds of stitches securing internal padding and canvassing, hand steaming cloth into shape and multiple fittings. The process creates garments that mould to the wearer’s body over time, a quality impossible to replicate with fused construction or mass production methods. (1)

Bespoke tailors record approximately 35 individual body measurements

A fully bespoke suit begins with detailed measurement taking. Most bespoke tailors take approximately 35 measurements from various points on the body, capturing chest, waist, hip, shoulder width, arm length, inside leg, back length and posture variations. These measurements form the basis for hand-drafted patterns unique to each person. Made-to-measure services use fewer measurements, typically 12–18 points, and adjust patterns rather than drafting entirely new blocks. (2)

Wool can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling wet

Wool’s properties make it ideal for tailored suits worn during long events like weddings. Research published in textile science journals confirms that wool fibres can absorb up to 30% of their weight in water vapour without the wearer feeling damp or clammy. This moisture is gradually released through evaporation, regulating body temperature naturally. (3)

Savile Row — over two centuries of tailoring tradition

Savile Row has dressed politicians, royalty and screen stars for over 200 years. Since the mid-1800s, the street has specialised in bespoke tailoring, one-off garments cut to individual measurements through multiple fittings. This highly skilled craft commands premium prices. While some firms have operated for centuries, others have arrived recently to challenge tradition, each house maintaining its own style and clientele. (4)