So, you’ve decided to ditch the off-the-rack world and dive into the bespoke sea of suits. Excellent choice! But wait, what’s this confusion between made-to-measure vs bespoke suits?
These are two frequently tailoring terms that are commonly treated as synonymous by everyone. Despite some similarities, they are distinct terms, and mislabeling them is a common error. Let’s delve into the nuances in this blog.
Made-to-Measure Suits
Made-to-measure (MTM) suits begin with a pre-cut pattern, prepared for customization based on your preferences. This limits the level of control over features like fabric, cut, design, and fit compared to bespoke suits.
Despite being pre-designed they can still be altered to fit your measurements. Unlike bespoke suits, they may lack precision in accommodating minor nuances in your body structure and stance, resulting in a comparatively less accurate fit.
Bespoke Suits
A bespoke suit is a masterpiece of quality and craftsmanship. It demands a meticulous process taking up to 30 hours, entirely handmade and requiring a minimum of 1-2 weeks for completion. During this time, clients must visit their tailor for multiple fitting sessions. This allows the tailor to refine the suit precisely according to your measurements, creating a unique garment to showcase your personality.
Bespoke suits are crafted entirely from scratch, exclusively for you. The fabric is cut only after you’ve chosen it, and your exact measurements have been carefully recorded. You have the liberty to select every detail, from fabrics and buttons to style and stitching.
Fittings and Measurements
Made-to-measure suits usually starts with a basic pattern or sometimes a pre-made outfit then constructed to fit each customer individually using a few body measurements. Therefore, you still have to go in for a fitting or two for adjustments. These suits may lack the precision of bespoke suits, failing to consider subtle nuances in body structure and stance as some tailors aren’t able to adjust every aspect of the suit. The overall fit of a made-to-measure suit is commendable, providing a tailored and comfortable feel.
In contrast, a bespoke suit is meticulously crafted from scratch, requiring multiple fittings and over 25 body measurements. Bespoke tailors typically conduct 1-2 fittings before the semi-finished garment is approved by the customer. The fit of a bespoke suit surpasses a made-to-measure one as the tailor considers small details like shoulder angles, sleeve angles, posture, and shoulder width to enhance the overall fit.
Fabric Choices
Made-to-measure tailors typically offer fabric choices from one or two mills, focusing on fitting garments rather than building them. In contrast, bespoke tailors provide a broader selection from eight to ten mills or more, aiming to craft outfits from scratch for individuals.
Customization Options
For made-to-measure suits, you get the basics. The number of buttons, pocket style, vents, pleats, and cuffs. Sometimes you can spice it up with things like interior lining, lapel width, button-stance, and gorge height. However, you won’t be able to make any more customizations.
Bespoke tailoring offers countless customization possibilities, allowing you to personalize virtually every element of the garment.
Pricing
Made-to-measure suits fall in between off-the-rack and bespoke in terms of cost. Therefore, in this case, it’s a more affordable option than bespoke.
Conversely, bespoke outfits are truly unique, designed to make the wearer stand out, and are typically pricier. However, you can tailor both made-to-measure and bespoke pieces to fit your budget by making mindful choices.
Time With the Tailor
In the made-to-measure scenario, a sales representative, armed with a fundamental understanding of tailoring, gathers the initial measurements from the client. Subsequently, these measurements are passed on to a tailor for further assessment and adjustments.
The bespoke experience involves a more intimate interaction between the tailor and the client. Here, the tailor directly takes the measurements, emphasizing the need for a meticulous and detailed approach to achieve a precise fit tailored to the client’s unique physique.
In Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision between made-to-measure vs bespoke suits depends on your budget, the garment’s purpose, and the desired level of detailing or customization.
Whether you seek made-to-measure or bespoke garments, President Tailors is your all-in-one destination. Our skilled tailors will adeptly fit your ready-made garments, make minor adjustments, or craft an entirely new piece tailored to your preferences. Moreover, our prices for bespoke suits are exceptionally competitive in Thailand.
