It's Brad Pitt's fault, really, as I've explained to my accountant on several occasions, by way of justifying a rather large number dancing across my credit card bill.

Until 'Oceans 11' came along (the new version — I've yet to see the original, but I'll get there), the suit didn't hold much currency in my wardrobe.

I had a couple — certainly the uniform from spending countless evenings behind microphones at one function or another — but there'd always been the lingering whiff of accountant while wearing a suit, and so they occupied the functional corner of my wardrobe, only a rung or two above my socks and raincoats.

'An absolute must-have…'

And then Pitt burst onto screen in the most dazzling, über-cool, I'll-have-any-woman-I-want wardrobe cinema. There's no doubt he won over Angelina Jolie by simply sending her the DVD of 'Ocean's 11' with his mobile number on a Post-it note on the cover.

Fitted cut, disdainfully expensive fabric, colours certainly not garish, but nodding condescendingly to the bleak greys and grim blacks of the white-collar world. The suit, for me, was suddenly chic, elegant, an absolute must-have. And so began a simmering desire to get my hands on something a little special… which brings me to Mauritius, 2007, and a grand, unapologetic act of self-indulgence.

Besides offering white beaches, perfect seas, swaying palm trees and low-profile plastic surgery for 'B-list' French celebrities, Mauritius is clothing country — textiles are second only to sugarcane in fuelling the island's economy.

And not shapeless t-shirts and brand-name knock-offs from backstreet factories powered by eight-year-olds (although the knock-offs are in ready supply in the markets of Port Louis), no, Mauritius supplies almost every big name in the business. The likes of Benetton, Hugo Boss, Dolce and Gabbana, Diesel and Armani headline the array of fashion houses sourcing fabric from Mauritius. And then there's Gucci.

A Gucci wool/cashmere blend suit is a thing of beauty, fabric slipping luxuriantly through your fingers, almost as quickly as the money needed to buy one slips out of your bank account.

A not-so-delicious price

Unattainable? Yes, unless you sell your car — or have a Mauritian tailor produce a bespoke gem for you from the same cashmere/wool blend headed for Gucci, and at (relatively speaking) a fraction of the cost.

There's twofold appeal here. The first obviously being what's effectively a Gucci suit at a great price. The second is the bespoke option. 'Ocean's 11' sparked the desire for a made-to-measure number, and since then every issue of British GQ or Esquire I pore through celebrates the joy of bespoke.

And so, when the route from restaurant to bar at my Mauritian hotel crossed the path of a gentleman named Hoosain, armed with reams of fabric, assorted designs, and the promise of sartorial heaven in just 48 hours, saying no simply wasn't an option.

This is where the fun began. Wool, wool/cashmere, pure cashmere, linen? Gucci, Armani, or a dozen other houses? Single-breast or double? Pin-stripe or plain? Fitted or loose? And then the challenge of colour…

I spent a good hour mixing and matching options, all the while fleeting images of Mr Pitt strolling casually through Las Vegas popping up. Eventually, after much consideration (how often will I wear it, what works best for me, how likely am I to get a walk-on role in 'Oceans 14' once I've got it), the choice was made — fitted, two-button single-breasted suit in pin-striped dark charcoal. Devastating? Absolutely no doubt.

The 48-hour option

A blur of measurements later, and a quick discussion on price, and the deal was done. Hoosain would be back in 24 hours with the skeleton of the suit to try on, and he'd have it done a further day later, in time for me to get my flight home. Cue much celebration at the hotel bar, and a mental note not to answer any calls from my accountant for at least the next six months.

There's a great scene from an old episode of 'Friends' that you may or may not recall — the one where Joey discovers that the family tailor’s habit of 'cupping' the nether regions of gentlemen clients isn't on the approved standard practice manual.

The thought, I confess, did emerge during a distracted morning of filming on the island, the process of presenting a travel show a minor consideration in the context of the impending addition to my wardrobe. Hoosain proved remarkably Spartan upon his return, however, one or two quick adjustments of what was already looking like an exceptionally cool suit, and off he went to get the piece completed.

And a day later, in the end less than 48 hours after I'd bumped into him, I was presented with a suit every bit as splendid as I'd hoped, and which Hoosain assured me knocked the socks off Pitt (his words, not mine).

Suave, faintly regal, and a world away from tax lawyers and actuaries; this was 'Oceans 11' and then some. Expensive? Well, yes. Indulgent? Unquestionably. Worth it? No doubt whatsoever — and if you don't believe me, look out for me on-screen in conversation with George Clooney and Matt Damon at a cinema near you soon…

Dan Nicholl is still waiting to hear from the producers of 'Ocean 14'.