Tl;dr: If you have a thing for clothes and want to experience the "best of the best" (in every…read moreregard), Jerry and Ivan at JB Clothiers are the guys to see. Period. From the first call to the final fitting - and their post-delivery followup - every aspect of my experience with them was aces.
In too much detail: Absolutely fantastic in every regard - JBC isn't merely the finest tailoring Los Angeles has to offer - it's literally a "Destination Clothier." This is going to be a long review - but then again I had a really wonderful experience, and in so many ways, that I can't sum it up quickly.
Personal background - I have 25 years' experience selling exotic cars to very high net worth clientele in Los Angeles, and I am very aware of a what a luxury experience looks and feels like. So I sort of walked in the door "loaded for bear." My other experiences had the veneer of luxury, but not the substance of luxury nor the quality of product. A glass of wine doesn't overcome the fact that the end result is a disappointment.
Anyway - I could no longer find clothes "on the rack" that were made of fabrics I wanted (sport coats and suits in particular). I had tried two "made to measure" clothing stores (Suit Supply and Indochino) and been disappointed with the results, so I searched for a literal in-Los Angeles custom tailoring service (where I could consult *directly* with the tailor - not just an on-site rep for a tailor half a world away). After much deliberation, I made an appointment with JB. I must admit I was somewhat skeptical by this point, when I arrived for my first consult, even after all my investigation.
The feel of JB Clothiers is EXACTLY what I was hoping to find when I walked in for my first consult. After meeting Jerry (the founder/proprietor) and his partner Ivan, I had great confidence that my research had paid off. The conversation about what I was looking for and how they could achieve it was quite in-depth (and I actually learned a few things about my taste). Jerry and Ivan suggested subtle ways of "expanding my taste envelope" while still well within my taste bandwidth. There are myriad choices to make - and with each one I was getting more excited to see the end result.
The measuring process was thorough and precise, having me adopt different postures and re-measuring many times. I was there for the better part of an hour.
About a month later, Jerry called to set up the first fitting appointment.
I about died when I saw my coat for the first time. It's gorgeous and not so much a coat, as a garment, I think. The details are exquisite - and they are everywhere, beyond the special embroidery you'll be offered. It is quite literally a work of art. We tried it on, and made various adjustments, and I left not sure I'd be able to wait until it came back.
Long story about how I Dunning-Kreuger'd the first alterations, which were literally put back on the 2d fitting. Sorry I wasted your time, guys. But by this time, I was so hooked on both the product and the experience, that I added a matching pair of slacks to the coat, turning it into a 2-Piece Suit.
Going back the third time, I picked up the pants - they are not only gorgeous with the same attention to detail as the coat, but they fit me unlike any pants I have ever owned IN MY LIFE. They are utterly incredible. Fantastic!
At the last fitting all of this was immediately and obviously worth every penny and every second of time. And admittedly, I'd added considerably to the time by the alterations I thought I wanted in the first fitting.
I have tried this suit on with nearly every shirt/tie combo I can put together - it it so wonderful!
This experience was very much a splurge for me - and I plan to do it again as soon as I can. Yes - I spent about 50% more than I would have for a Canali suit off the rack. But I got 5x the suit as a result. I'll never again waste money on clothing - what JB made for me is a lifetime investment, and no clothes I've ever had fit that description.
Really not sure how to better convey my enthusiasm than to say I can't wait for the next time I decide to tread myself and add to my wardrobe. At the end of the day, the expenditure at JB will actually saved me in the long run - no more wasted money on clothes that are sorta "close enough" but never right. And no more wasted time trying to find them, either. Did I mention I love this suit? I love this suit!
And I had a total blast along the way! Thanks guys!