Custom Tailored Suits

Do any of the guys here have any custom tailored suits?

How much do they cost? Do you know any good tailors in Toronto? Are they better quality than a suit off the shelf?

Share your experiences here.

A MTM (made to measure) suit would start at around $700 at the low end. A totally bespoke would probably start at two grand?

Made to measure means the tailor already has patterns set out for suits, and all they do is measure you, and then they alter the patterns to fit you.

Bespoke means it 100% totally custom made for you, from new patterns.

I have suits made by Hong Kong tailors that travel to major Canadian cities and do fitting, etc. then send the suits to you. Here is one I have used:

http://www.maxwellsclothiers.com/

Originally Posted by CanAm

I have suits made by Hong Kong tailors that travel to major Canadian cities and do fitting, etc. then send the suits to you. Here is one I have used:

http://www.maxwellsclothiers.com/

What's the typical cost on these? I know that getting custom suits in HK/China are really cheap (well depending on the fabric).

Cost depends on fabric and your size. Typical suits require 2 yards. But some ppl need 3 years. Cost also depend on suit design/style. There's no easy answer.

In China, if you find the right tailor (who knows how to make western suits), a suit can be made for less than $80 labour ($500 RMB). You just have to supply your own fabric because they can't easily source nice fabric there. Some other tailors sell you overpriced fabric but will make the suit for you for free.

Whatever you do, keep in mind that it'll take about a week (2 - 3 fittings) to make a nice suit. Some tailors require you visit their shops. Other tailors show up at your home/office so it's a lot more convenient. Costs vary with the degree of convnience.

If you are actually planning to get custom made suit in China/HK or other cheap place, make sure you go to a reputable tailor. Many "tailors" can measure you and sew a suit - but they don't necessarily have a high degree of skill. Also, many tailors have a standard cut that they use...i.e. Asian suits generally have a lot of padding in the shoulders. When I went to China, I had planned to get custom made suits, but everyone I talked to said that upscale department store RTW was better. Department store RTW is about 2000 RMB, tailor MTM is about 1000 RMB or less. Of course, there are good HK tailors, but I wouldn't recommend that you go to the typical tourist places. In China, locals do not go to the tailors...expats go because local sizes don't fit them. OTOH, if you're Asian, local RTW will probably fit you very well.

Originally Posted by S14_Raven

What's the typical cost on these? I know that getting custom suits in HK/China are really cheap (well depending on the fabric).

They are very well priced and excellent quality. They were recommended to me by a top lawyer. Apparently many lawyers use them.

Originally Posted by S14_Raven

What's the typical cost on these? I know that getting custom suits in HK/China are really cheap (well depending on the fabric).

I used Maxwell's a year and a half ago. $495 for 1 suit and 3 monogrammed shirts. paid $10 extra for lined pants. shipping was $50-60 if I recall correctly and customs/duties/tax ended up being around $120.

I was super happy with the quality and the fit... Been meaning to go get some more shirts and maybe another suit made, but I've been busy whenever they come back to the GTA... They usually come twice a year (mar/sept).

The problem with custom-fit suits, shirts and pants is that you might be spending a couple of grand on everything but by next year none of the stuff fits because you went out for drinks a little too much and have a beer belly then everything looks a little too fit and you have to give all the stuff to your little brother if you know what i mean. That's a couple of grand down the drain unless you can make a comeback

sucka is abosolutely right. if you are going to go made to measure or bespoke, don't gain or lose too much weight, an inch or inch and a half tops. also, go for a conservative style as you don't want to be out of style two years down the road after unloading 1000s of bucks. one other thing, always go for an extra pair of pants as the pants will wear faster than the jacket.

look into options like buttons that work on the cuff of the jacket or buttons for suspenders etc. have fun

Originally Posted by sucka

The problem with custom-fit suits, shirts and pants is that you might be spending a couple of grand on everything but by next year none of the stuff fits because you went out for drinks a little too much and have a beer belly then everything looks a little too fit and you have to give all the stuff to your little brother if you know what i mean. That's a couple of grand down the drain unless you can make a comeback

For a nice suit you are looking at over 1G anyways so why not go custom. If you do some research, you can get a pretty good suit for little over a grand.

The key to a good suit is the fit, so if you gained some weight and the suit still fits you, your suit did not fit you properly to begin with.

i have one. it's a coppley that I got from holt renfrew a few years ago. I was quite happy with it then, now my taste has changed and I find the suit rather boaring. It's a great suit though, depending on the fabric, and options you want a TTM suit at holts (or harrys) can run you from 900 to a few thousand.