Ledbury Lab: The Gates Shirt Jacket
When we acquired a century old shirtmaker in 2015, we also inherited the storied history and ephemera of Creery Custom Shirtmakers. Creery served as Richmond’s custom shirtmaker since 1907, and we have the shirt patterns of past presidents and a vast pattern archive to prove it. The operation also employed many colorful characters throughout the years, and the stories about Beverly “Pearly” Gates are some of our favorites.
Gates was a well-known salesman who traveled up and down the Southeast selling menswear to long-gone mom and pop shops, meeting hundreds of people along the way. Former associates of Gates described him as a theatrical and flamboyant man who loved the performative aspects of sales. Conversations with Gates were called “a long walk for a ham sandwich.” We’re not exactly sure what this means, but we love the legend of Pearly Gates so much, we decided to name this jacket after him.
The Gates Shirt Jacket is constructed by hand at our Bespoke Workshop in Richmond, Virginia. Inspired by a vintage jacket made of 100% cotton twill, the Gates Jacket is named after legendary Creery salesman, Beverly "Pearly" Gates. The two front pockets are bellowed, creating four pockets and a comfortable place to place your hands. It is finished with an adjustable drawstring waist with eye-catching antique bronze cord stoppers and tonal elbow reinforcements. The jacket has a comfortable fit and can easily layer over your favorite Ledbury shirt or lightweight sweater. Ledbury Lab products are a collection of vintage-inspired and heritage pieces handmade in our workshop in Richmond, VA.
