Most men feel that bespoke suits and clothing are not for them. Even men of means who can afford such luxury shy away from it. But why? Men like to see the finished product before they buy; they want to see and touch something tangible before deciding. That’s why custom-made clothing is seen as something for the “other guy.” It’s an unknown. This thinking, however, is a mistake. Bespoke clothing is custom made for the individual. A jacket is going to look like a jacket, but it’s going to fit the man it was tailored for and nobody else. Getting fitted for a suit is a pleasure in life that all men should experience. The tailoring process is nothing to fear but something to look forward to, being treated like royalty if only for an hour. We cover the basics of the bespoke tailoring process so you can discover true class for yourself.

Set Your Budget

There is no set price for bespoke clothing, only a baseline. There are many things that factor into the price of custom clothing, like the fabric, cut, and how much time it takes to tailor the garments. Figure out how much you are willing and able to spend on the suit before walking in for the first consultation. Your budget will guide many decisions in the process. If money is no object, then don’t worry about it and have a ball; otherwise, keep your budget in mind but know that you are paying for the experience as well as the clothing.

Select Your Style and Fabrics

Most men opt for either English style or Italian, but there are others to choose from. If you’re not sure what is available, what you want, or what will look best on you, speak to the tailor. At the first meeting, tell the tailor what you want, and they will be able to make suggestions and help you decide what looks good. Then decide what kind of fabric you’d like for your suit, or follow your tailor’s recommendations. Making this decision will seem daunting because of the options available, but break it down into color, pattern, and type (e.g., cotton, wool, silk).

Time for Multiple Fittings

Most tailors will have a minimum of two fittings. The tailor will have taken your measurements during the initial consult and have something for you to try on during the first fitting. At the first one, jackets won’t have sleeves, buttons, or pockets; all that will come at the second fitting. The first fitting is for the tailor, not the customer. The second fitting will be for fine-tuning the garments and making sure everything fits and falls the way it should. As mentioned, these are the basics of the bespoke tailoring process, but the details pull together the entire look.

When you are looking for a bespoke tailor in Boston, visit us at Hive & Colony. We have the finest fabrics and the most skilled tailors to make you look your best.