7 Tips for Buying a Bespoke Suit
In a world of changing trends and fast fashion, buying a bespoke suit is a completely different experience from what you are used to when shopping for clothes. It’s as much about the journey as the destination, and you will learn something about your personal style along the way.
At Modello Bespoke, we hear positive testimonials from our clients about this process because we know that they want to feel involved in one of the most long-lasting purchases of their lives.
Today, we will share 7 important ideas to think about before you get measured for your bespoke suit. This is foundational knowledge that helps you make better decisions and feel comfortable and confident in your suit.
1. Understand Different Suit Cuts
Most men have a general idea of how a suit should feel on their bodies. This intuition often comes from experiences wearing ill-fitting off-the-rack or custom suits.
But few men can give different fits or “cuts” a name. This is part of the “language” of custom tailor made suits, and thankfully you won’t need Rosetta Stone to understand the basics.
Our suit measurement guide blog post touches on how to determine whether a suit is cut in an American, British, or Italian cut, and which one is best for you based on your body type and preference in comfort versus style.
2. Don’t Chase Trends
It can be hard to stay away with a style that is “in”. When most men in your office or at a wedding are showing up with slim lapels and cropped trousers, there is a lot of social pressure that can make you feel out of place.
But when you start to make tailoring decisions based on this, remember that trends are always temporary, while class is timeless. All trends inevitably fall out of favour, and a bespoke suit is an investment that is meant to carry you through different parts of your life.
Talk with your suiting consultant about what timeless style looks like, both in the fit and features of your suit.
3. Consider Your Needs
Think realistically about where you will be wearing your suit in the coming months and years. For most men looking for custom suits in Vancouver, this means a less formal option - which will get you more value in the long run.
It’s a shame for a bespoke suit to end up spending months at a time untouched in your closet, and as we mentioned in our post on suit care, this can result in damage if it is left unworn for too long.
4. Find a Seller You Can Trust
Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation in the menswear industry. Lower quality suits are often branded as bespoke, and many brands are happy to claim that their products come from Italy, England, or the USA, when they are actually sourced from locations with poor working conditions and relaxed quality standards.
At Modello Bespoke, we are happy to talk about the heritage of the fabric mills we source our products from. Ask your seller about their tailoring and manufacturing locations, and don’t be afraid to walk away if you don’t get a solid answer.
5. Measure at a Stable Body Shape
Many men go through big fluctuations in weight, which affects their posture and shape greatly. Whether this is for dietary or physical fitness reasons, it’s best to reach a middle-of-the-road point before you invest in a bespoke suit.
And remember, when it comes to custom tailor made suits, it is much easier to take away in the alterations process than to add on.
6. Know Your Pattern
Your suiting consultant will be able to decide your ideal fit with a little bit of your input. When it comes to patterns, it’s best to walk into your appointment with an idea of what you want.
Bespoke suiting means looking through a lot of fabric books, and if you don’t know where to start it can be easy to feel overwhelmed.
Think about your favourite suits from film, television, your coworkers, or social media. Then identify the patterns you like using this pattern guide. Once you have this step nailed down, you can talk with your suiting consultant about pattern and colour matching with your existing wardrobe.
7. Customize With a Purpose
Trying a bespoke suit is the first time that many men learn about the endless possibilities of customizing a suit. Ticket pockets, functional buttonholes, and other suit features were all created with a practical purpose that is likely no longer relevant.
Nowadays these customizations are signals of a bespoke suit, but it is easy to go overboard when you have the ability to choose.
Talk with your suiting consultant about deliberate, subtle ways to customize. This will ensure that your suit appears timeless and appropriate for the cut that you have chosen.
Bespoke: An Experience You Won’t Regret
These tips will make sure you get the most out of your bespoke suiting experience and develop a positive relationship with your suiting consultant.
The great thing about bespoke suiting is that once you start to learn the basics, you will notice the finer features of suits you see around town. Every cut, feature, and fabric comes from a rich history that you can be a part of - and we want to get you started on that journey.
Book a consultation with Modello Bespoke today for weddings, work, or anything in between.
