Alain Delon Magazine is here again to answer all your fashion questions. This month we decided to bring you some tips and tricks to take to heart when deciding on your first truly hand-sewn tailored suit.
A first visit to a tailor can be a nerve-wracking experience. You're leaving a relatively large amount of your hard-earned money with them for an item that you won't see for at least another four weeks. And not all of us have the gift of being able to visualize the finished result right from the start. So we asked our manager at Custom Made, Ms. Viera Giéciová, for some tips on how to make your first visit to a tailor as easy as possible. But first, an explanation of the main terms.
Prêt-à-porter or in English Ready-to-wear - are models sewn in standard ready-to-wear sizes available in stores.
Made-to-measure - is an existing cut adjusted to the customer's measurements.
Bespoke tailoring (or Custom made ) - is a cut created to the customer's measurements.
If you would like to try our advice in practice, do not hesitate to make an appointment on our website in the Custom Made section.
1. Get at least a rough idea
Before you go to your first appointment with a tailor, think about your expectations. Will you need a suit for work or for social events? Will you wear it in the summer, winter, or all year round? What color is dominant in your wardrobe? It's a good idea to check out a few specialized websites to see what style of suit you like.
You may also want to bring illustrative pictures with you. The answers to these questions will help you during your first consultation, as you won't have to make all the decisions on the spot, which can be confusing for many.
2. Ask questions
The most important thing to remember is that we are here for you. Don't be afraid to ask absolutely anything. Be interested in the production process, how the cuts are made. It is essential that each cut is made directly for the client and that pre-made ones are not used. You should also have at least two fittings before handing over the finished suit.
This will help you distinguish right from the start whether you are paying for a true handmade suit or just a better Made-to-measure version. At the end of the day, it is your money, and if you don't feel 100 percent sure that this is what you want, you can say thank you and go somewhere else.
3. Get advice
There are usually two types of clients who come to us: those who have a clear idea of what they want, and those who leave everything up to us.
If you are having a suit tailored for the first time, we recommend getting advice, especially when choosing the material.
It's hard to imagine a finished suit from a small sample, so let the professionals push you in the right direction.
4. Be selective
Don't be shy and tell us what we can improve. For the first fitting, we will only bring you a finely sewn pre-made suit, on which there are still major changes that can be made. So here is an opportunity for you to say things like: I would like a narrower silhouette of the jacket, my shoulders are small, etc. A suit will not stretch on its own and there is nothing worse than a poorly fitting custom-made suit. It will never leave the doors of your closet, and that is a waste of money.
The second test is designed to adjust small details such as the length of the pants or sleeves to make the final product perfect.
5. Remember, anything is possible when sewing by hand
A tailored suit should reflect your individuality. So it's good to know that anything is possible. Do you travel a lot and would you like a special pocket in your jacket for your travel documents? No problem.
Do you carry your mobile phone in your pants pocket and it keeps falling out? We'll make you a pocket that will keep it in place.
Also, ask for personalized touches that will make the suit truly yours. There's nothing better than having your initials embroidered on the inside of your jacket, or a unique lining. At the end of the day, the more you personalize your suit, the more you'll enjoy it. And that's what it's all about.
