Getting a custom garment is worth the investment if you’re looking for the best-fitting suit. While bespoke is the gold standard, other options are available depending on your budget and timeline. In this guide, we’ll break down the differences between ready-to-wear (RTW), made-to-measure (MTM), and bespoke tailored suits so that you can be confident in choosing the right fit for your body type and style preferences.
Ready-to-Wear Suits
Ready-to-wear suits are a little bit different than made-to-measure and bespoke. Ready-to-wear suits are mass-produced in factories, where each suit is cut to the same pattern and then sewn together. They’re available for purchase off the rack at any department store or menswear store with ties to that brand.
In contrast, made-to-measure suits are tailor-made from scratch using measurements taken from your body by a professional tailor (usually you). You can get a custom fit for your body type and for things like sleeve length, shoulder width and torso length—all of which will impact how good you look in your new suit. Made-to-measure is also more expensive than ready-to-wear because it takes more time and effort on behalf of the tailor involved.
Bespoke tailoring isn’t quite like either of those two options, though! Bespoke tailoring means that every single aspect of your suit has been handcrafted just for you – not just general measurements but also details like pockets and lapels; everything down to how many buttons go down each side of your jacket (3? 2? 4?!). That’s why bespoke suits tend to cost significantly more than either ready-to-wear or made-to-measure options (and why they’re often only accessible if you have money).
Made-to-Measure Suits
Made-to-Measure suits are custom-made, just like bespoke suits. But they’re more affordable and easier to obtain because they don’t require a professional fitting or an in-person appointment with a tailor. Instead of going to your local tailor, you’ll fill out a questionnaire about your measurements and style preferences. After that, the tailor will create your suit from scratch using those measurements and preferences as guides—and then send it off for final inspection before shipping!
Bespoke Suits
Bespoke suits are the ultimate in luxury, and they’re also the most expensive. If you’re wearing a bespoke suit and someone asks why you paid so much for it, just tell them that it was made specifically for you by an expert tailor who pays attention to every detail.
Bespoke suits are made-to-measure at their core—the difference is that when a bespoke suit is built, your measurements are taken directly from your body. Your body measurements will be recorded using a pattern based on your unique shape, which may take up to 6 fittings to complete. A fitted shirt or blouse can also be made with other bespoke features such as hand-sewn buttons or custom embroidery on the inside of each buttonhole (a technique known as “buttonhole stitching”).
In addition to taking more time than ready-to-wear pieces, bespoke suits are more personalized and comfortable than most other types of tailoring services available today—although this comes at an additional cost!
