Having a Fit in the Fitting Room Part II

In our last post we talked you into taking a look at custom, rather than take a lot of time and possible waste a lot of money on clothes with a poor fit.  Before you set out, you need to know the truth about the custom clothing world.

Like with any product, a touch of marketing can be great for the retailer but not so great for the customer.  These marketing touches have resulted in what can only be called misrepresentation of what custom truly means.  Thanks in large part to the efforts of the multitudes of online tailors popping up, the terms custom and made to measure have become muddled, with the true meaning and value of custom getting lost in the mix.  But a little knowledge will go a long way, here is what you need to know.

Many “clothiers” claim to sell “custom” shirts and suits, but they are in fact “made to measure” garment- a shirt or suit that is sized from a model and then tailored to fit your frame.

It starts, naturally, with the pattern.  Made to measure garments start with an existing block pattern that is then altered to fit the customer as closely as possible.  Using standard-sized patterns to fit to the customer can give you a better fit than off the rack, but to promote and sell it as custom is not accurate.

Our custom program is truly in the bespoke tradition, meaning “to give order for it to be made”, or  individually patterned and crafted.  Bespoke clothing does not use an existing pattern.  Rather, the pattern is created and cut from scratch affording you the highest quality construction.  Your individually cut pattern then kept for future suits.

Moreover, true custom allows you to create your garment with the fabric, style and design personalized to you.  Not only is the construction the best, but the fabrics and materials are also the highest quality.

Bespoke is synonymous with a true custom garment.  Made to measure is not.  How can you tell the difference?  Ask about the process, and see where it involves standardization.  And check the price.  If the price seems too good to be true, deep down you know why.  You are getting what you pay for, not the best.  To invest in custom is to invest in quality and value over the long run.