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Nobody likes a man who takes his clothes too seriously. Thank heavens, then, that the custom-made suits, shirts, and accessories at this small Nolita store owned by British expats Alex and Betty Wilcox come with a leavening dose of humor. The logo shows a besuited gentleman with an umbrella and without his pants, the boxer-short sizes range from “big Willy’s” to “massive Willy’s,” and the shirts come in bright, rakish colors. There is a small off-the-rack selection, but the custom suits, which use Savile Row fabrics like Holland & Sherry, Harrisons of Edinburgh, and the occasional vintage one, are the real draw—they’re a classic English sixties slim cut that you don’t have to be six-two to wear. “Look at Michael Caine in The Italian Job,” says Wilcox. “The suit at that point in history was perfect. It’s all downhill since then.”

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Formalwear

British husband-and-wife team Betty and Alex Wilcox have been providing New Yorkers with custom-tailored menswear since 2005, but their detail-oriented aesthetic has already attracted a loyal following. Lord Willy's signature shirts and a suit in all-British fabrics can be designed to include a nod to a favorite period or even a wedding theme.

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Best of New York Awards

• Best Store for Dandies (2006)

Featured In

• Lord Willy's Opens on Mott St. (1/16/06)