Captain Tom’s Bespoke Regimental Blazer

Captain Tom Moore’s local tailors wanted to gift the hero with new bespoke regimental blazer and trousers, to coincide with his 100th birthday celebrations, but also as a fitting tribute for the war veteran’s VE day celebrations.

The heroic war veteran raised over £32 million for the NHS, provided a beacon of hope for the world at such a dark time and is now a Guinness World record holder for the oldest person to have a number one single.

Souster & Hicks, a family tailoring business in the beautiful village of Woburn in Bedfordshire is just down the road from Captain Tom’s residency of Marston Moretaine. The family is made up of husband and wife duo, Geoff and Laura Souster, and their two sons Wes and Scott, and Daughter-in-law Natalie. They have well over 100 years of experience between them and tailor to the same high standards as the world-renowned Savile Row tailors.

The outfit was made by their team of craft tailors, and London based Benson & Clegg helping with the badge and having the buttons specially hand engraved with Captain Tom’s regiment, all pulling together to get this made in time.

Captain Tom Moore commented: “It’s a beautiful bespoke blazer, and one that I will wear with pride for the rest of my days. The craftsmanship and the finer details that have been put into the blazer is astonishing for just 10 days’ work. I was concerned that it would be hard for them to get my measurements and fit me, due to the social distancing regulations, but they done fantastically, and it fits me like a glove. Thank you Souster & Hicks – I love it and shall wear with pride”.

Geoff Souster, Managing Director of Souster & Hicks who personally hand-cut the blazer and trousers commented: “We wanted to provide a special gift for a very special man, so exceptions were made and seeing as we know the family well, we just had to make Captain Tom a new outfit his 100^th birthday.

“It was made in just 10 days, with strict social distancing and no fittings, it was a job worth doing for this wonderful gentleman. Using over 50 years of bespoke cutting knowledge, and by looking at pictures of Captain Tom, plus taking measurements off his existing famous blazer and then making posture adjustments, we designed a new blazer to celebrate his successes.

“We are extremely pleased with the results and proud to have had the honour of contributing to such a special day in history”.

Souster & Hicks are also supporting the NHS by supplying frontline staff with approved medical scrubs. As the business is currently closed, the team brainstormed ways that they could support the NHS and they have raised over £10,000 from customers and friends to purchase approved medical fabrics which will supply over 750 staff members locally.

Geoff went onto say: “The generosity and love for Captain Tom Moore, as I am sure everyone will agree, has just been so overwhelming and extremely heart-warming in these uncertain times, and inspired us all. It is a pleasure to have a family association with him, and to have dressed him for his 100^th birthday”.

Souster & Hicks have also made for many celebrities over the years including Michael Bublé, Eamonn Holmes, Bob Monkhouse and Eric Morecambe, but in the words of Geoff ‘none as famous as Captain Tom’.

Watch Geoff in-action cutting Tom’s bespoke outfit here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OroovINcfk0