i used the word bespoke with a friend, (who is very book-learn'd, but has no knowledge of common social trends or fashion) and he looked at me as if i was speaking in tongues.

I have always used bespoke to define custom made to measure, hand taylored suits (well, men's suits!)

does anyone else use this word?

Well, I know the word, but would normally just say tailored, or custom-tailored, since it's not a word in common use here.

Dear of troy: I never heard or saw the word until about a year ago here, but can't remember which thread. My father had all his suits tailor made. I had just one. There used to be three tailors in the small town where I grew up. Now there isn't a single one. Only the wealthy and ultrafastidious, plus those unfortunates who can't find what they need at Wal-Mart "bespeak" clothing now.

Here's the URL to first post on "bespeak"
http://wordsmith.org/board/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=words&Number=14319&Search=true&Forum=All_Forums&Words=bespeak&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=allposts

http://makeashorterlink.com/?Q26415A75

by Capital Kiwi

yep, i'd recognise it, as the opposite to off the peg clothing.

I don't think I've ever used it myself, but I recognise it from signs for bespoke tailors.

Bingley

I have heard this word used/used it, more commonly in the, 'be indicative of' sense. As in, 'his appearance bespoke wealth and breeding'.

What is the etymology of this usage (customised tailoring); does anyone know?

Here's wwh's link again:

http://wordsmith.org/board/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=words&Number=14319

So, gathering from Maverick's off the peg clothing above, we could have at one end of the spectrum an off the peg tailor and, at the other end, a bespoke tailor? How very odd. I've never heard either term in Virginia--but here on AWAD--ah! There's a difference here!

I, too, have never heard bespoke except in the way maahey references. I think here in the US, we'd say "off the rack", or perhaps "off the shelf". I've never heard "off the peg".

http://www.leeds.gov.uk/armleymills/armpeg.html


Google trawls about 11,800 pages, a random survey of which seems to confirm this is at least predominantly a UK expression.

Last I knew, the world consisted of a bit more than Leeds...
I saw Ponden Mill, for whatever that wool's worth.

Helen, I know the word, but have never used it since I have never been able to afford bespoke clothes.

When you're my shape, if you want a suit to fit then getting one made is the ONLY option, believe me.

Just got back from England and parts continental and heard "bespoke" everywhere. Bespoke suits, bespoke computer desks (customized to your gadget collection), and a tour bus we had to reserve space at least one day ahead as they only handled bespoke tours.
I love the fact that when you hear of something obscure once it will immediately start popping up everywhere.