MADE-TO-MEASURE
Don’t be fooled, investing in a made-to-measure suit is not the same as investing in a bespoke suit. High-end brands have been able to overlap the terms, however, by offering their customers suits constructed using multiple measurements – with a few added personal touches – to create a garment that accurately fits. The truth is that made-to-measure suits still conform to a design template being mass-produced by a company to make its sales.
Brands that offer made-to-measure suits have made the process a fairly easy and a quick one for all types of men. Measurements taken by a consultant or calculated by an online tailoring system are sent off to a factory machine that is programmed to know basic proportions. In a matter of days, the suit is ready for wear. If additional alterations are required, they might be done on site, but these days little or no hand-made elements are incorporated into the assembly of a made-to-measure suit.
Ultimately, the effort in creating a suit that is unique to a single wearer is lost in the made-to-measure process. The one-on-one consultations between client and tailor are compromised to simply submitting measurements, picking a lining, choosing some buttons and possibly having the suit monogrammed. Other than that, you end up with a swatch that has been customised to fit you in the best way it can.
BESPOKE
Buying a bespoke suit is not cheap, but nothing compares to the experience of creating a quality garment that is tailored specifically for your body and lifestyle. Unlike an off-the-rack or made-to-measure suit, every material, cut and detail used to construct a bespoke suit is decided upon multiple consultations and fittings with a trusted tailor. As Simon Crompton writes, your suit should “(be)spoken for in person.”
Designing a bespoke suit requires more time and patience than a made-to-measure suit. This is because you are not buying into any sort of model or prototype. The options are essentially endless in bespoke, whereas a made-to-measure suit has limits on the adjustments available on predetermined materials. On top of all the planning involved is the extensive assembly of the bespoke suit. Every part of the suit is handmade by expert craftsman.
Beyond that, the bespoke suit is designed to highlight the best features and undermine any potential flaws of its wearer. An honest tailor will work with a client to select the shapes and patterns that suit his body and make the most flattering statements. Multiple fittings then take place along the suits construction to make sure the fit is completely accurate.
All this time and money gets invested into a suit that will last you a lifetime. Not only will the craftsmanship of the garment stand the test of time, but bespoke suits incorporate hidden material inside the jacket’s lining so that necessary adjustments can be made as the body changes. This means the quality and feeling of the suit will never be compromised.