How to Choose a Custom-made Suit Design
The case for both men and women having their suits custom-made by a Master Tailor is stronger than ever. The justification is enhanced when you need to buy multiple suits along with custom-made shirts and blouses. The primary benefit is workmanship and quality; real Master Tailors are true artisans. They combine extensive expertise and experience with fashion, fabric, styling, and finishing knowledge to make suits and other custom-made clothes that meet client specifications and fit perfectly.
While the design of a high quality custom-made women and men's suit should reflect very personal preferences, most people buy suits that are mass-merchandized and sold through retail stores and specialty clothing shops. These suits are altered to adjust pant and sleeve lengths, waist measurements, and sometimes upper body jacket shape. In no way does this kind of alteration render a mass-merchandized suit a custom suit. It fits to the extent you can take a standard size, say 42, and adjust it to the shape and dimensions of someone remotely fitting a size 42 frame.
Problems related to trying to have a store-bought suit fit as well as possible, occur for both men and women. Frustration and disappointment are enhanced when you happen to have a body shape that is not remotely average. Some people are forced to buy suits with one component size that works for their upper body and a different component size that fits the lower part of their body. That may be an extreme example of how getting a perfect fit takes a lot of effort and expense but to some degree this happens all the time as multiple folds and lengths have to be taken in or let out to give the buyer a reasonable fit.
The most effective strategy for choosing the best custom made suit design is to engage a Master Tailor. While many men’s and women’s specialty clothing shops claim to have master or custom tailors on their staff, true Master Tailors that work with clients to make custom-made suits are a very rare breed. Many people that call themselves tailors can adjust a suit to make it fit your general frame, but the result is not even close to a custom-made fit.
My Custom Tailor is a third-generation manufacturer of custom made suits that serves men and women all over the world. Their tailors and cutters are true craftsmen with extensive expertise and experience designing and assembling custom-fit suits. They are true Bespoke or Master Tailors. They understand the full cycle of discovering the needs and desires of a new client, suggesting design fundamentals, choosing optimal fabric and color combinations, getting final approval, assembling the garment, delivering it to the client, and confirming their total satisfaction. In no way is this a manufacturing process as when one design defines the shell for making hundreds of suits in various sizes for both men and women.
So, how does a Master Tailor approach the assignment of scoping a custom-made suit design? He starts with a detailed client discussion to understand what kind of suit they want and the characteristics they want reflected in the finished product. The process is identical for both men and women. Someone who has only bought suits from a retail outlet may not be able to define what they want so they need expert guidance on all the options and the tradeoffs that must be considered. A buyer who has impeccable taste may describe what amounts to a suit that could cost upwards of $3000+. Another buyer could describe needs that can be delivered for a cost of a few hundred dollars. The variables are styling, design, fabric, fitting, accessories, and finishing.
The starting point is always the physical dimensions and the shape of the client. These dimensions differ for everyone and are somewhat defined by the fit the client wants. Some clients like a tight fit that accentuates their physical shape while others prefer a more forgiving fit that neutralizes their physical shape or allows for more comfort and wearability. It is not uncommon for men and women to have different fits for different occasions. For business, you may want a more conservative fit, but for semi-formal and formal suits you may want a more fitted, flattering look. If you are wearing a suit for a more formal occasion, the silhouette is more tailored and form fitting, particularly for women. A Master Tailor will assist you in making those decisions.
In the back of your mind you need to understand that in a subtle way, or a not so subtle way, people judge you based on your appearance and associated demeanor. Nothing initiates a positive impression more than a flawless, distinguished appearance. An ill-fitting suit can distract from an otherwise positive presence in either a business or social setting. Do you think your appearance can hinder either your professional and/or personal life? People may fail to take you seriously if you are not dressed professionally.
Choosing Fabric for Custom Women and Men’s Suits
Next to styling and design, the decision of what fabric to choose is very important. Fabric choice can make a big difference in cost but the right fabric is an essential quality determinant of a custom-made suit design. Based on your budget, you will have many fabrics to choose from. The better fabrics have extraordinary texture, strength, and softness. They hold and accentuate color in a very unique way. Since wool is the most common material used in making custom-made suits, you will want to rely on the Master Tailor to confirm options that are best for you.
Color is integral in creating a women’s quality custom made suits. Colors like navy, black, grey, and charcoal are staples in any suit wardrobe. They are classic colors that stand the test of time. Different color patterns help to add versatility; pin stripes and herringbone are classic patterns. The pinstripe pattern is very popular in different widths and spacing; the window pane check is also very appropriate. These combinations of color and pattern can be worn year after year by simply changing the accessories that you pair them with.
Measurements Needed for Custom Suits
The most important part of making sure a custom-made suit fits perfectly is to have the Master Tailor conduct a comprehensive measurements profile. The process involves capturing every dimension of your body shape. Every individual has unique measurement characteristics that must be considered in designing and creating a perfect custom-made suit. They mostly involve the following:
Neck circumference and length
Arm length and the circumference of the biceps and triceps
Leg length and the circumference of the thighs and the calves
Chest size, waste size and the proportion between the two
Height; short torsos are handled much differently than tall ones
The measurements are very important to how the Master Tailor frames the suit and finishes it. He will use padding where it is needed. He will use special basting and layering where necessary to add substance and balance. Muscular frames require much less accessorizing unless the body frame is extremely thin. Muscle adds great dimension and shape to arms, necks, chests, legs and backs.
Finishing details are also essential in adding quality and dimension to a custom-made suit. A wide range of button styles are available. The thread that is used is important to the basting process and stitching all the components together. A Master Tailor has very distinct methods for attaching sleeves, finishing cuffs and lapels, formatting the waist and zipper, adding and spacing belt loops, and finishing the pockets. The attention to detail is extensive.
One last thing the tailor will ask you about is the type of shoes you wear, the kind of belts you wear, the ties you favor, and the shirt or blouse styles you prefer. While he will ask you if you wish for him to make you some custom-made shirts/blouses to complement your custom suit, he will certainly consider the collar widths you prefer and the type of ties you typically wear. Everything has to fit and work together in completing the final assembly process.
Even with a comprehensive measurements profile, the Master Tailor will make fine tuning adjustments based on perceived client preferences. When given the choice some men and women like extra room through the legs, the shoulders, the chest and the arms. They may like a longer crotch fit or extra room through the glutes or their rear end. Some people like more or fewer pockets or they may want deeper pockets to accommodate items they like to carry. Collar and cuff widths are also a personal preference. There is no end to the little things that help make a custom-made suit a perfect fit for the person it has been designed for. Try accomplishing that kind of detail with a store-bought suit that you attempt to have altered!
Meeting one of our Travelling Master Tailors is a unique experience. My Custom Tailor conducts Travelling Tailor Roadshows in major cities all over the world. These roadshows are the best way to really understand how these artisans engage and perform. They bring styling and fabric samples with them and give you access to their vast array of men’s and women’s clothing collections. Review the schedule to see when a roadshow will be close to your location. Make an appointment and come prepared to share essential information for helping you determine if ordering custom-made suits offers the quality and value you seek. My Custom Tailor Reviews on the website the quality standards they adhere to.
Men and women that attend these roadshow sites are encouraged to bring friends or spouses/partners to calibrate and reinforce what they see and what they decide to order. Working with friends, comparing options, and having common questions answered will give you the confidence you need to move forward. Make a party of the occasion. Bring a bottle of wine to help keep the environment casual and informal. You will learn a great deal about how custom-made clothes are a great alternative to mass merchandized clothes you buy in retail stores.
It may be that you can’t find a convenient location to attend a Travelling Tailor Roadshow. We have many clients that did their initial order and process all subsequent orders using the My Custom Tailor Website. Here’s how you gain the same information over the internet:
Visit the My Custom Tailor web site and review one of the online collection catalogs and review style options. Choose the one(s) that suit you best
Click on the form or the ‘order’ button to select the style, color, and fabric as shown in the image
When designating the style, review the many fabric and color choices. Choose the fabric and color you like
Select the measurements profile for this item. If this is your first order, you can add a measurements profile on this page and submit your measurements any time after you have submitted the order. Or, complete the information listed in the My Custom Tailor Measurements Kit that we send you. The measurements kit will help you capture all the dimensions the Master Tailor would take. With the help of a friend or spouse/partner you can document this information and submit it with your order.
Next, you will see a series of tabs for further customizing your item. Here, various finishing accessories can be specified such as buttons, sleeve cuffs, collars, monograms, etc.
After completing your selections, proceed to the check-out page. Your order total will be visible at all times at the top right-hand side of every page next to the shopping cart.
My Custom Tailor customer support personnel are available to answers any questions you have or help you make final decisions. Their contact information is provided as part of the order entry details.
Plan your wardrobe to reflect an authority figure without you having to say a word. A custom-made suit is a loud voice directed to everyone you come in contact with. Choosing a suit with a great fit says that you are confident and knowledgeable. Your custom suit will help confirm that you are ready to take on greater challenges.