Buying a bespoke suit is an investment. Both financially, but more importantly an investment in yourself. Something that is often forgotten is that a true suit tailor is an artist. They are not simply working at a job, but they are doing what they love.
Your suit is part of the first impression you make and considering how important it is to make an excellent first impression, you have to ensure you go to the right suit tailor. But how do you ensure you have found the right one for you?
They are a perfectionist
If your suit tailor is highly involved in every single significant detail of your suit, taking their time and ensuring each and every part is living up not only to your standards, but seemingly to their own?
You’re on the right track!
Tailors like this often cost a little more, but the extra cost is more than worth it in terms of the quality of the bespoke suit you end up with.
Remember, it’s an investment.
They are able to communicate with you effectively
The best bespoke suit tailors out there have a knack for this one because when you first enter their establishment they ask you exactly the right questions to get a feel for what it is you want.
They are professionals and the knowledge they have of their field will allow them to craft you the perfect bespoke suit. But it is their ability to put you at ease and get all the information they require from you that separates the good from the great.
You’ll know your suit tailor is right for you when not only they give you what you asked for, but they give you exactly what you wanted.
They are attentive
If your suit tailor takes care with everything they do, if they focus on you and are not rushing off to pander to another customer every 30 seconds, then that’s another sign you’re onto a winner.
The attentiveness of your tailor is something that is not to be understated and when deciding to invest in a bespoke suit, you cannot forget this key quality is something that will have a massive impact on the quality of your bespoke suit in the end.
If you want the elegant, perfectly fitted suit you set out for, this needs be something to look for in your suit tailor.
They really take note of your features
A good bespoke suit tailor will notice everything and anything about your body that is slightly off, from the shape of your shoulders to the length of your legs, they will take note.
It is their job to ensure the fit is truly perfect for you on a personal level, so if you find they take note of various things and you feel a sense of insecurity settling in, don’t head for the hills!
Instead know this is a strong sign that they are the tailor you’re looking for.
They are expensive (unfortunately)
As I have said several times, you must view the purchase of a bespoke suit as an investment. In Saville Row in London you can expect to pay anything from £3000 to £30,000 for a bespoke suit.
Though I am not saying you must spend this much, most don’t have this lying around, I am saying there is a reason that the price is high.
“You get what you pay for” is a truly accurate point to make in regards to the purchase of a suit.
But the quality is unrivaled, you could spend thousands on a designer suit and it wouldn’t fit anywhere near as well and wouldn’t last nearly as long.
However, when you go to a real tailor, the end product will last decades. After all, quality has its costs.
A bespoke suit is the best you will find, it beats made to measure suits, it beats off the rack suits. The cost may be significant, but it is not going to be a purchase you regret.
They are meticulous
A good “tell” that will show you the difference between a true suit tailor and simply a pretender is how much time they spend on you and how many measurements they take.
You should expect at least twenty different measurements to be taken and also expect anything from two to four different fitting sessions.
This shows just how seriously they take their job. It shows the level of professionalism and also give you a sense of money well spent for their expertise.
A bespoke suit is a piece of art to a true suit tailor, and a good way of judging an artists skill?
How much time they put in to each and every piece.
Do your research
As with any major purchase, ensure you do your due diligence when seeking a suit tailor with whom you can foster a relationship.
Just like finding a good barber, you want to ensure that you find the right one for you.
Look into their history, see how long they have been around, see if any notable people are among their clientele and always remember this is all about building a relationship.
Your tailor will likely become your go-to person for all your bespoke suit needs. It is much better to build a rapport and history with a tailor you know and trust. than to do as you would with normal clothing purchases and vary the shop at which you buy clothes.
This is why it is paramount that you choose correctly, not just because of the cost, but because this is a relationship you will aim to build and not simply a transaction.
If you follow the methods set out in this article you should have no trouble finding the perfect suit tailor for you, and in turn finding the bespoke suit you have been craving.
