Just took my 16 year old boy, Tommy, into Cardiff to buy him a suit for his Prom. Had flashbacks of my Dad taking me for my first suit. We didn’t have school proms back then, mine was for an interview for a job! We went to Debenhams but it’s not there any more! So Tommy and I first went into some trendy name fashion stores, and they either didn’t do suits or they were just cheap n nasty. We went into some better fashion stores and they were just as tacky, just more expensive. Decided to dive into John Lewis and immediately felt we had a good choice of decent suits at fair prices. We were so well looked after by very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Nor, the lovely lady staffing the changing rooms, was so gentle, kind and attentive to Tommy. She asked him all about his Prom details, his date, his GCSE exams, what subjects he was hoping to study next year, all with genuine interest. Then along came Andy - who was clearly the senior suit and formal dress aficionado. He was, himself, very stylishly dressed. Andy really gave Tommy the full works, as if he was being kitted out in Saville Row. Andy advised on size, tailoring, cut, matching style and collar of shirt, type of shoe to wear with it, how to choose a tie to compliment his girlfriend’s Prom dress and even what sort of belt and how to hitch your trousers as you sit down. Tommy is a tall and handsome young man and he looked and felt a million dollars! While all of this was going on, I added some Italian Organic Cotton Socks and some designer trunk briefs to feel as good underneath as he looked on top. The fun and lovely staff at the till kept the exemplary John Lewis tag-team spirit going, again asking Tommy about the occasion for such a suit and shirt combo and celebrating with me my rite of passage as Dad taking his boy in for his first suit as my Dad had done for me. Listen, we all know and love John Lewis for being a cut above the rest in terms of quality of both goods and services. But this really was one of the very best retail experiences I have ever had. Tommy, on the way back to the car, gave me such a big smile and warm, touching gratitude for the suit and the shopping experience, it will never be forgotten. I hope John Lewis is still there when he takes his boy for his first suit! Andy may be retired by then, but I bet Nor will be head of department, store manager or a company director if she chooses to stay with them that long! Thank you…