There are few times a man will ever look better than when he is wearing a well-fitting suit. The best way to find a proper suit is to work with a tailor to custom-make one that is just for you. There are three options for a custom suit: off-the-rack, made-to-measure, and bespoke. Here is what you need to know about the tailoring options for new suits before your tailor even takes the first measurement.
Off-the-Rack
An off-the-rack suit, sometimes called “ready-to-wear,” is a suit that you can wear as-is, but it almost always requires alterations. These are the suits that most men own, typically due to the expense of the other two styles. The materials that make them up are typically not as durable as the more expensive options, but they will still make most men look good. The tailoring for this type usually takes place at the department store where you buy the suit, but it can also take place at a professional alteration shop.
Made-To-Measure
A made-to-measure suit is the second option. Partially premade, these suits need only the buyer’s measurements to complete. Because these suits are mostly complete before purchase, you won’t have many options for materials or design, but they will be of a higher quality than one you could grab off the rack. Any suit that you order online after providing your own measurements is usually made-to-measure. These will usually cost more than an off-the-rack one, but there will be an obvious improvement in quality.
Bespoke
Bespoke suits are the epitome of sophistication and style. Made completely from scratch with materials and style selected by you and your tailor, these are the most customizable of the tailoring options for new suits. When being measured for a bespoke suit, it is important to communicate with the tailor so that your suit feels as good as it looks. There is a higher price point associated with bespoke due to the amount of time and labor that goes into each suit. Because of all the work that goes into making one, the result for the wearer is a one-of-a-kind suit that will undoubtedly make you look your best. The other benefit to a proper bespoke suit is that it can last much longer than off-the-rack or made-to-measure suits, depending on the quality of the fabric that you select. Finally, it is easier to make alterations to a bespoke suit as if your body changes with age.
