How to Get a Custom Suit: The 9-Step Tailoring Process Explained

　　When you need to customize a new suit — whether for work, for a wedding, or simply because you feel an update is in order — there are several different things to consider before you begin.

　　Is it better to get a bespoke suit or go for ready-to-wear? What style suits your body type? Does it need to be formal, or can it have a more casual feel?

　　Buying a suit can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, we have a process designed to ease all your concerns.

　　Whether buying a suit is a big deal for you or not, we help you find exactly what you need with the same care and consideration. Here’s our process so you can approach it with confidence and be well-prepared.

　　First Thing: Give Yourself Time

We mean this in two different ways:

　　First, set aside about an hour for your appointment. We'll take the time to ask questions, take measurements, and select fabrics. We want to truly get to know you so we can ensure we're crafting the perfect garment for you.

　　Second, try not to come for your new suit just one week before your event. We will always do our absolute best to meet your timeline, but if you don't have to rush, please don't. If you can manage it, a 6-8 week lead time is excellent. More time allows us to explore all options — bespoke and ready-to-wear — and helps you end up with the perfect product.

　　How to Customize a Suit

1. Consultation

　　Suit - Measurement

　　The first step in creating a custom suit is the consultation. Before diving into what type of suit you should get, it's important to understand your situation and what you need.

　　Here are some questions you might discuss when ordering a new suit:

　　Do you need a suit for a specific function? If so, what is the function?

　　What role do you play in the event? Groom, host, speaker, etc.

　　Will you wear this suit to work? If so, what is your profession?

　　How often do you hope to wear it?

　　What time of year do you need it?

　　How soon do you need it?

　　What is your typical style?

　　What other styles do you like?

　　What does your current wardrobe look like? We don't want to give you something identical to what you already own.

　　We will assess your needs along with your personal style to begin narrowing down the brands, styles, and fabrics that will suit you best.

2. Service Selection: Ready-to-Wear, Rapid Custom, Made-to-Measure, or Bespoke

　　The next step is determining which suit service is best for you. As we chat, we'll start to get a good idea of the type of service you need. If you're looking for something more personalized, we might suggest the bespoke route.

　　Here are the four suit services we recommend:

　　Ready-to-Wear

　　What it means: Ready-to-wear is clothing already made and sold in stores. You've tried it on, liked the fabric and fit, and you're ready to walk out with it after some minor adjustments by our in-house tailor. Ready-to-wear can sometimes have a second-tier connotation, but the truth is, they can be just as perfect as a custom suit. The quality, fabric, and construction are exactly the same as a bespoke suit. The only difference is you don't have to wait.

　　Pros: Usually fits 80% of men well, a wide variety of curated styles from multiple brands and designers, same quality as a bespoke suit, fastest turnaround time.

　　Rapid Custom

　　What it means: A Rapid Custom suit involves just one or two small alterations to something we carry in-store. For example, you find a suit you love, but you want a different color, or need a little extra length in the jacket or sleeves. These take about 7 days to arrive.

　　Pros: Fast turnaround, a unique suit without extra hassle, exceptional quality like all our other custom suits.

　　Made-to-Measure

　　What it means: A made-to-measure suit starts with a pre-existing pattern that is adjusted at the factory to meet your specifications. We take up to 50 different measurements and notes to create a suit unique to you. It's more personalized than Rapid Custom but less intensive than Bespoke. Our team will guide you, so don't let the many options overwhelm you.

　　Pros: Hundreds of fabric choices, tailored to your measurements, fits almost every body type, ability to choose almost every detail, faster turnaround than bespoke.

　　Bespoke

　　What it means: A bespoke suit is completely custom, down to the millimeter. We start from scratch, giving you full control over the final product. Up to three fittings can be scheduled to ensure perfection. This option is perfect for those who have a very specific look in mind and cannot find what they want in a pre-existing pattern.

　　Pros: Perfect fit, ability to design your dream suit, intermediate fittings to ensure perfect fit, pattern cut from scratch, a one-of-a-kind garment.

3. Measurement

　　Once we know what type of suit you need, we'll take measurements to determine how it should fit. This typically takes about 15 minutes. If minor adjustments are needed, our in-house tailor will handle them.

4. Fabric Selection

　　While there are hundreds of fabrics to choose from for a custom suit, we can narrow down your options based on our conversation. From the fabric composition to the pattern and weight, we'll ensure you only see options relevant to you.

5. Final Details

　　Next, we'll help you choose the details that truly make the suit yours. For a custom suit, this can include the lining, buttons, and style. Again, if you feel overwhelmed, our team will help you through this process based on your style and needs.

6. The Wait

　　Once the order is placed, we'll keep you updated on your suit and its expected delivery.

　　Ready-to-Wear - Up to 7 days

　　If you only need a hem on the trousers, you can usually walk out with the suit the same day if needed. If other adjustments are needed, our tailor will complete them in about a week.

　　Rapid Custom - 7 days

　　Since Rapid Custom suits involve only one or two small changes to an existing pattern, these will be ready in 7 days. When you come for a fitting, we'll help you try it on. If any final minor adjustments are needed, our in-house tailor might need a few extra days.

　　Made-to-Measure - 3-6 weeks

　　Made-to-measure suits take longer due to how they are customized. They are cut, sewn, and finished by hand according to your specifications. Again, after your fitting, you should allow a few extra days as a buffer in case our tailor needs to make final adjustments.

　　Bespoke - 5-8 weeks

　　Due to the labor involved in creating from scratch and the additional fittings required, your bespoke suit may take longer than a made-to-measure suit. When going bespoke, always give yourself ample time for creation.

7. Fitting

　　Custom Suit - The Process of Buying a New Suit

　　As soon as your suit arrives, we'll call you and schedule a time for you to come in for a fitting. This typically takes about 20 minutes. We'll have a shirt, shoes, and a tie ready for you to try on with the suit, so no need to bring your own.

8. Minor Alterations

　　Our in-house tailor will handle any modifications needed after your fitting, such as taking in the jacket, adjusting sleeve length, etc. All tailoring is complimentary with your suit purchase and does not include suits purchased on sale.

9. Delivery or Pickup

　　When your suit is ready, we'll call to let you know. We can deliver or you can pick it up, depending on what works best for you. We'll provide care instructions and a card for use at our preferred dry cleaner.

　　Remember, your suit comes with lifetime service, so if at any point during the life of your suit you need a minor repair or alteration, bring it back to us at Hangzhou Suit Customization-Landigeni, and we'll fix it right away.