So you have decided to invest in a tailored, bespoke suit made just for you instead of buying a mass-made suit off the rack.
We congratulate you on entrusting yourself to the hands of professional stylists and tailors and jump straight to providing insights into how to choose and style a tailored suit.
This in-depth guide is designed to help you become familiar (and comfortable) with the steps of the bespoke process, get to know the variety of customizable options, and give you confidence in your choice.
What is a Tailored Suit?
Tailored suits are a happy middle ground between bespoke suits and off-the-rack suits.
They are off-the-rack suits that have been custom-tailored to fit your body, following principles of proper fitting and tailoring for men.
Ready-made vs Tailored vs Made-to-Measure vs Bespoke
Off-the-rack clothing consists of ready-made suits designed to fit a wide range of body types predetermined by the fashion industry. The idea is that you buy the garment and wear it “off the rack.”
The problem with this is fit. There is a high chance that off-the-rack suits will not fit you well off the bat, and you’ll require tailoring to perfect it, especially if you’re looking to achieve an old money style appearance.
A tailored suit is a ready-made suit that a tailor adjusts for you, ensuring it follows proper fitting guidelines for an elegant look.
Similar to tailored suits, made-to-measure suits are usually cut from existing patterns using machines. The tailor then adjusts it as needed for a perfect fit.
Bespoke suits are the highest order – make no mistake, these are works of art. For a truly exceptional experience, you might consider working with renowned tailors like those from Savile Row, known for their exceptional craftsmanship.
These suits are built from scratch to your measurements. The process may require multiple fittings to get it just right, similar to how haute couture pieces are created.
The Main Components of A Suit
A well-tailored suit consists of several key pieces that work together to create a cohesive look. Let’s examine each component:
The Suit Jacket
When it comes to suit jackets, there are two main styles:
1. Single-breasted Suit Jacket
- Features a single column of buttons with narrow fabric overlap
- Most versatile option suitable for both business attire and social occasions
- Typically has two or three buttons
- Creates a sleek, modern silhouette
- Ideal for achieving a classic style
2. Double-breasted Suit Jacket
- Features two parallel columns of buttons with wider fabric overlap
- More formal appearance, traditionally associated with old money style
- Usually has four to six buttons
- Creates a more powerful, distinguished look
- Best suited for formal business and special occasions
The Suit Trousers
Suit trousers come in three main styles:
1. Flat-Front Trousers
- Clean, modern appearance
- No pleats at the waist
- Ideal for slim and athletic builds
- Creates a streamlined silhouette
2. Pleated Trousers
- Features one or two pleats at the waist
- It provides more comfort and movement
- Traditional style as seen in formal business attire
- Better suited for classic body types
3. High-Waisted Trousers
- It sits at the natural waist
- Creates an elongated leg line
- Popular in traditional menswear
- It can be worn with or without suspenders
Suit Construction
The quality of your suit largely depends on its construction. There are three main types:
1. Fused Construction
- It uses fusible interlining glued to the outer fabric
- Most affordable option
- Less conforming to body shape
- Shorter lifespan compared to other constructions
2. Half-canvassed Construction
- Combines fused base with canvas chest piece
- Better drape through chest and lapels
- Good balance of quality and cost
- Common in modern luxury tailoring
3. Full-canvassed Construction
- Highest-quality construction method
- Uses entire canvas throughout front panels
- Superior drape and longevity
- Found in haute couture and premium suits
Best Suit Materials and Fabrics
Suit fabric consists of two essential layers:
1. Outer Fabric
- Common materials include wool, cotton, linen, and microfiber blends
- Each textile offers different properties
- Selection should consider climate and occasion
- Linen is particularly popular for warm weather
2. Inner Lining
- Usually silk or Bemberg
- Available in unlined, half-lined, or fully-lined options
- The choice affects breathability and structure
- It can be customized for personal style
Essential Suit Details
Jacket Details
1. Lapels
- Notched: Most versatile, ideal for business suits and blazers
- Peaked: Formal option, common on double-breasted suits
- Shawl: Reserved for black tie events
2. Buttons and Vents
- Quality button materials include horn, mother of pearl, and corozo
- Vent options: none (formal), single, or double (most versatile)
- Button placement follows traditional rules
3. Pockets
- Flap pockets: Standard, versatile option
- Jetted pockets: Most formal style
- Patch pockets: Casual option
- Optional ticket pocket for traditional detail
Trouser Details
1. Waistband Options
- Belt loops: Contemporary choice
- Side adjusters: Traditional option
- Suspender buttons: Classic formal wear detail
2. Hem and Break
- Plain hem or cuffed finish
- Break options from no break to full break
- Length should coordinate with dress shoes
Suit Customization and Final Touches
- Monogram options
- Pick stitching details
- Functional buttonholes
- Contrast threads or linings
- Personal measurements and adjustments
Remember that investing in a well-tailored suit is about achieving both timeless style and personal comfort.
The right combination of these elements creates a suit that looks exceptional and feels natural to wear.
Let me add the conclusion section that brings everything together:
Conclusion
A well-tailored suit represents more than just clothing – it’s an investment in your personal and professional presentation.
Through this comprehensive guide, we’ve explored every aspect of tailored suits, from basic components to intricate customization options.
Whether you’re choosing between ready-to-wear and bespoke, selecting fabrics, or deciding on details, remember that the goal is to create a garment that enhances your presence while maintaining comfort and functionality.
The journey to acquiring a tailored suit might seem complex, but with the guidance of experienced image consultants and skilled tailors, you can achieve the perfect balance of:
- Personal style and traditional craftsmanship
- Comfort and sophistication
- Modern trends and timeless elegance
Wearing a tailored suit is not just about the garment but about creating a lasting impression that speaks to both classic sophistication and personal style.
When done right, a tailored suit becomes not just an outfit but a powerful tool in your wardrobe that will serve you well for years to come.
Style Like A True Gentleman
Before we say goodbye, here’s one of the best-kept secrets in men’s styling circles, a secret that only a few expert image consultants know or are willing to share.
First and foremost, professional styling requires knowing your unique body shape and seasonal colour palette – paramount factors in choosing perfectly fitting clothes in colours that complement your skin, eyes, and hair.
Only then can a stylist engage in styling by occasion, location, season, and time of day, with garments, footwear, and accessories from stylistically relevant heritage fashion brands to depict high confidence and success.
Best part? You can find your body shape, seasonal colour palette, and ideal fashion style in less than 5 minutes by yourself, for free, thanks to our four simple steps:
1. Find Your Body Shape
Different garments flatter different silhouettes, so knowing your body shape is the first step in dressing like a confident man.
To find out your unique body shape, take our free body shape quiz for men.
Once you know your unique body shape, take the second free quiz to discover your unique colour palette.
2. Find Your Unique Colour Palette
Remember, the garments that compose your outfits come in various colours, and you must ensure that each hue complements your natural colour.
To do that, you have to find out your seasonal colour palette, and you can do it by taking our free seasonal colour quiz for men.
3. Find Your Ideal Fashion Style
By now, you should already know your body shape and unique colour palette; the next step is to discover your ideal personal fashion style.
The fastest and simplest way is to take our free fashion style quiz for men; it includes your ideal style, outfit ideas, relevant fashion brands, and much more.
4. Professional Image Consultancy with The VOU
And if you want to style like a professional, by occasion, location, season, and time of the day, you can always ask our expert image consultants and fashion stylists for help.
Our styling services for men are the most comprehensive and detailed on the market, backed up by leading stylists who will guide you step by step in creating looks that communicate affluence, elegance, and endless accomplishments.
Remember, wearing luxury brands isn’t enough; to look stylish, confident, and successful, you must first know your body shape, colour palette, and ideal personal style, and only then style by occasion, location, season, and time of day.
Contact us today to save headaches, time, and money – it’s time to dress like a confident, successful gentleman of exquisite fashion taste –Â the first styling assessment is on us!