Are Huntsman Suits Worth the Price? Bespoke, Made-to-Measure and Ready-to-Wear Compared

Huntsman’s Heritage

Originally located at 126 New Bond Street, the company lists royal warrants from 1876 onwards, including one as leather breeches maker to the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) in 1886 and one from Queen Victoria herself in 1888.

By 1919, Huntsman had moved to its current location at 11 Savile Row, just in time for its golden age.

In the 1920s, Huntsman’s client list included Winston Churchill, the film star Rudolph Valentino and the dancer Adele Astaire, according to the house’s own history.

This mix of aristocratic and silver-screen clients helped build Huntsman’s reputation.

What Makes Huntsman Suits so Distinctive?

At the heart of Huntsman’s allure lies its distinctive house style, defined by Colin Hammick, Huntsman’s head cutter in the 1950s.

The Huntsman cut is characterised by a strong shoulder with high armholes, a defined waist, and a flared skirt.

This is the house silhouette; how well a jacket fits you still depends on your individual pattern and fittings, or on alterations if you buy ready-to-wear.

Most notably, Huntsman jackets typically feature a single-button fastening, a daring departure from the more common two or three-button styles.

This unique silhouette combines a dinner jacket’s elegance with a riding coat’s practicality, reflecting Huntsman’s equestrian roots.

The result is a distinctive silhouette; whether it suits you is best judged by trying a jacket on.

But is this distinctive cut worth the premium price?

Some argue that while the Huntsman style is undoubtedly elegant, it may be too bold for some occasions and not versatile enough to justify its cost.

However, we think the Huntsman cut is timeless.

It transcends fleeting fashion trends and stands apart from the softer cuts found elsewhere on the Row.

Huntsman’s Bespoke vs. Ready-to-Wear

Huntsman offers three ways to buy its suits: bespoke, made-to-measure and ready-to-wear.

According to Huntsman’s FAQ (read in October 2026), a two-piece bespoke suit starts from £7,500, involves over 80 hours of handwork and two to three fittings for a new customer, with delivery aimed at 14 to 16 weeks from the first appointment.

Huntsman also offers a made-to-measure service with a choice of more than 2,000 fabrics, linings and house style details; made-to-measure usually adjusts an existing pattern to your measurements rather than cutting a new one, so check current prices with the house.

Ready-to-wear suits and jackets give you the Huntsman look without the wait; prices change, so check Huntsman’s own shop.

Huntsman’s offerings cater to different needs, budgets and timelines.

We think ready-to-wear makes sense if you need a suit quickly or want to try the Huntsman style before committing to a more expensive option.

Whether ready-to-wear fits you depends on how closely the pattern matches your build, not on a body shape label; try it on, and remember that a tailor can often adjust sleeve length, trouser length and the waist, while changes to the shoulders are harder.

If alterations cannot solve the fit, made-to-measure offers a middle ground between ready-to-wear and bespoke, with a choice of cloth, lining and some styling details, and usually a closer fit than an unaltered ready-to-wear suit.

The fullest Huntsman experience is bespoke.

It suits those who want a pattern cut for them, several fittings and a suit they view as a long-term investment.

Bespoke is a good choice if you have a specific vision for your suit, fit needs that ready-to-wear and made-to-measure do not meet (our body shape guide explains how outline and fit differ), or simply want the full process.

Ultimately, your choice should depend on your budget, timeline and how much importance you place on fit and customisation.

For many, starting with ready-to-wear or made-to-measure can be a good introduction to Huntsman before stepping up to bespoke.

Others prefer to save for bespoke from the start and treat it as a once-in-a-lifetime purchase.

Whichever option you choose, you are buying into Huntsman’s house style.

Huntsman’s Craftsmanship

The stratospheric price of a Huntsman suit is partially justified by the level of craftsmanship involved.

Huntsman says each bespoke commission involves over 80 hours of handwork.

Huntsman prides itself on training its staff in-house, ensuring the continuation of traditional tailoring techniques.

For instance, in 2015, two of Huntsman’s apprentice tailors, Dionne Reeves and Vanessa Black, qualified as finalists for The Golden Shears, often called the Oscars of Savile Row for new tailors.

The company’s commitment to quality extends to its materials: Huntsman has long worked with the Islay Woollen Mill on the Isle of Islay in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland, for its house tweeds.

This attention to detail and commitment to tradition is undoubtedly impressive.

However, critics argue that other Savile Row tailors offer similar craftsmanship at lower prices.

Is Huntsman’s craftsmanship superior, or are customers paying a premium for the name?

The answer likely lies in the eye (and wallet) of the beholder.

Huntsman’s Celebrity Endorsement

Huntsman’s client list reads like a Who’s Who of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Gregory Peck, who began a fifty-year relationship with Huntsman in 1953 and placed more than 160 orders, stands out as a particularly devoted customer.

Other notable clients have included Clark Gable, Laurence Olivier, Paul Newman, Katharine Hepburn, and even Winston Churchill.

Later patrons include David Bowie.

Even fictional characters have donned Huntsman suits, with the shop featured prominently in the Kingsman film series.

This celebrity endorsement adds to Huntsman’s allure and mystique.

But does it add tangible value to the suits themselves?

While some argue that this star power justifies the premium price, others contend it’s simply clever marketing.

After all, a well-made suit should stand on its own merits, regardless of who else has worn the brand.

Huntsman vs. Similar Savile Row Tailors

Savile Row is home to numerous prestigious tailors, each with its own house style and pricing structure.

Huntsman’s published bespoke starting price puts it among the more expensive houses, so compare like-for-like quotations.

Prices change and are not always published, so ask each house for a current quotation for the same garment, such as a two-piece bespoke suit, before comparing.

In terms of style, Huntsman’s structured silhouette contrasts with the softer, draped look favoured by Anderson & Sheppard.

This difference in house styles means that the ‘best’ Savile Row tailor is largely a matter of personal preference.

What cannot be denied is that Huntsman’s pricing positions it as a luxury option even within the rarefied world of bespoke tailoring.

Huntsman Suits’ Longevity

One argument often made in favour of investing in a Huntsman suit is its potential longevity.

A well-made bespoke suit, properly cared for, can last for decades.

Huntsman’s FAQ also mentions an Inherited Garment Service for altering inherited Huntsman garments; ask the house about terms and any charges.

A service like this reflects how long a well-made suit can stay in use.

However, whether a suit that remains wearable for decades is a good investment is worth considering.

Fashion changes, bodies change, and a suit that seemed perfect in one’s thirties might feel dated or ill-fitting in one’s fifties.

While the quality of a Huntsman suit is undeniable, potential buyers should consider how their needs and tastes might evolve.

Huntsman Shopping Experience

Purchasing a bespoke Huntsman suit is more than just a transaction; it’s an experience.

From the initial consultation to the multiple fittings, customers are treated to a level of service that goes beyond mere tailoring.

The shop, with its wood-panelled walls and mounted stag heads (left behind by a customer in 1921), exudes a sense of history and tradition.

Bespoke clients also become members of The Huntsman Club, which, according to Huntsman, gives access to private fitting areas and event spaces.

For many, this experience is part of what they’re paying for when they commission a Huntsman suit.

It’s a chance to be part of a tradition that has clothed some of the most influential figures of the past two centuries.

But is this experience worth the premium price?

Some would argue that the end product, the suit itself, should be the primary consideration.

Others contend that the journey is as important as the destination, particularly when investing in a luxury item.

Huntsman Alternatives to Consider

There are alternatives worth considering for those drawn to the idea of a Huntsman suit but baulking at the price tag.

Some other Savile Row tailors may quote less for bespoke, though it still costs thousands of pounds.

For a more accessible option, consider Huntsman’s ready-to-wear line, which offers a taste of the house style at a fraction of the bespoke price.

Alternatively, other luxury brands such as Tom Ford or Kiton sell ready-to-wear and made-to-measure suits; their prices vary widely, so compare them on the brands’ own sites.

Made-to-measure services from luxury brands can also provide a personalised fit without the full bespoke price tag.

While these alternatives may not offer the full Huntsman experience, they can provide excellent quality and style at a more palatable price.

Are Huntsman Suits Worth the High Price? Our Verdict

So, is a Huntsman suit worth it?

If you value old money tradition, craftsmanship, and the cachet of wearing a suit from one of Savile Row’s most storied houses, we think a Huntsman suit may be worth every penny.

The distinctive cut, impeccable construction, and the experience of commissioning a bespoke garment all contribute to its appeal.

However, the price tag will be too high for many.

But if you can afford it and value the house style, the handwork and the commissioning process, we think it can be worth it; if fit is your main goal, a good tailor or made-to-measure service may get you most of the way for less.