May 6

Having just returned from a nice sunny break in Tenerife, Jayne was filling me in on what has been happening whilst I was away. She mentioned that whilst phoning one of our suppliers, (Douglas & Grahame who produce the Douglas range, DG ranges, Cruise and Wellington ranges) they mentioned that they had seen this Menswear Blog!!

So, it would appear that its not only Laurie and Jayne who read my posts on Menswear but some of our suppliers are starting to take an interest also.

With this in mind, I would like to say hello to the boys and girls at Douglas and Grahame, in particular the sales team who are amongst some of the best in the country - thanks for all your help, particularly when we ring up and say - ‘I have a customer who is looking for a brown trouser, do you have such a thing’ and who then have to describe around 10 different style of trousers, shades and variations. Thank you for being so patient with us!!

Posted in Shop Floor Gossip | No Comments »
Jan 23

Whilst its still only January and no doubt we have a fair bit of bad weather still to come (especially if this summer is anything like last years!!) its always nice at this time of year in a menswear shop to see the new season stock coming in.

Spring is always exciting in clothes retailing, we see the dark colours associated to the winter months gradually give way to the brighter, lighter colours of spring.

Our banks of trousers (Have I told you we have over 1000 pairs of trousers in stock at any one time?) are the best indication; the arms that hold the trousers gradually get lighter as we fill up empty spaces with new stock that is arriving daily, gradually over the next 6 - 8 weeks, the whole shop will change colour - just like the countryside does as the spring bulbs first emerge from the ground and then start to flower.

Oh, I do like the spring!

Posted in Spring Summer 2009 | No Comments »
Jan 9

Well, it seems ages since I last posted, many things have happened; Christmas came and went (as did our 2 days off!! - still role on next Christmas when we get 3!).

The new year came in and so did the start of our GENUINE MENSWEAR SALE. I say Genuine because we only have 2 sales a year, they are our Winter one and the Summer one where the stock we ordered for our menswear shop that is left is sold at reduced prices.

So, were now into our second week of the sale and trade is holding up very well despite what the media would have everyone believe.

We have many bargains throughout the store including bargain rails where all the stock on these rails is half price or less.

So, why not call into our shop and grab yourself a menswear bargain?

Posted in A/W 2008/9 | 1 Comment »
Aug 18

A few years ago, we had what can only be described as a true Yorkshireman come into our shop here at Laurie Hopkins Menswear.

We offer an alteration service (if you buy the garment from us its FREE of charge - but that’s another story!) and an elderly man came in to see if Lauire could taper a pair of trousers he had that went with a Jacket to form a suit.

The Suit was over 30 years old, the jacket still fit him and despite the lapels being wide, the customer said he could live with that. It was the trousers that were the problem, they were flaired trousers and very obviously, they were not of the fashion of the day.

The customer asked Laurie if he could taper the trousers so that he could wear the suit again and not look out of place.

Laurie told him that he could and there would be no problem.

Our customer then asked ‘Only, can you leave the material on the inside when you taper them, just incase flared trousers make a come back!’

On an already 30 year old suit, a true Yorkshireman if ever I have met one.

Posted in A bit of fun | No Comments »