Graduates hope their tailoring business has the X-Factor

Gentlemen prefer blondes, it is said.

But do blondes prefer gentlemen?

I don’t know, but young businessmen Matthew McIntyre and Matthew Oxborrow think there should be a return to the traditional values of courtesy, good manners and fine clothes.

All the attributes of a well turned-out young gentleman.

The two pals, originally from Felixstowe, have launched their own business offering bespoke tailoring of suits and jackets, after two years of planning and preparation.

Their Gentlemen by Conduct online business has been founded by the two graduates with a passion for fine tailoring.

Their business model includes offering jackets, blazers and suits all individually tailored.

“We want to offer people Saville row quality tailoring direct,” explained Matt McIntyre.

The friends met again at universtiy in Portsmouth, and it was there they first thought about launching their own business.

“We met up in the uni bar and got talking,” explained Matt Oxborrow.

They are close to having their first celebrity client having recently met up with X-Factor judge Louis Walsh, at a hotel in London.

Matt McIntyre said: “He tried on a GBC Harris Tweed jacket and then had extensive measurements taken for a full bespoke English-made woollen suit.”

I met them in the centre of Ipswich, stylishly turned out in their own handmade suits.

They had with them fine sample woollen cloths and other items from their range.

Matt Oxborrow’s suit was made from a Holland and Sherry cloth, merino wool worsted, in a classic design.

Matt McIntyre’s suit is a super 130s design, with peak lapels, in a wood and cashmere blend.

“It is going very well,” said Matt Oxborrow. “We are doing a lot of work in London and we aim to develop it around here (in Suffolk), offering home visits by tailors to order suits.

“Once a customer’s measurements are in our system, it will be easy to alter a design for another product, the length of sleeve for a different jacket, or perhaps a different weight and colour of suit for summer wearing.”

From suits they have already moved on to offer individual tailored shirts, silk ties and handkerchiefs.

Customers can have a tailor turn up at their home, or office, to measure them up for the first time, explained Matt Oxborrow.

Matt McIntyre said: “We want to become the number one on-line destination for men’s jackets and blazers.”

They have recruited experienced tailors and are offering a wide range of styles in fine British and Italian cloths.

Matthew Oxborrow said: “The idea is simple ... to produce the best quality made-to-measure men’s clothes with no compromise on quality, without having to visit a bricks and mortar store.”

“We would like to have a physical shop, in Ipswich early next year, where people can visit, try on our clothes and get advice about what designs would best suit them.”

Their website also has a great social media following, with articles about what it means to be a modern gentleman for the 21st Century.

www.gbconduct.com