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Custom-made jacket, suit or garment vs. off the rack.
A friend of mine once told me that she likes the way I dress. We were standing next to one another in a crowded room. I noticed that she was looking at me and giving me the once-over. She said, “I like the way you are always well put together.” I humbly thanked her and then consciously made a note of each piece that I was wearing that day. One of the pieces was a custom-made jacket. It was a two-buttoned classic tailored jacket that I custom made for myself. The jacket was actually part of a suit, which I occasionally mixed and matched. When I got home that day and took off my jacket, my friends’ words, ‘well put together’ went through my head. Since this was a custom-made jacket that I made myself, I associated the words ‘well put together ‘, with well made.
I liked the thought of someone seeing me as being well put together. This made me feel good. Isn’t that the way we all should feel when we put on a well-made suit.
Whether you are a man or woman, shopping for a well-made suit that fits like a glove can be quite daunting at times.
1. Avoid buying off the rack.
Face it, most of us may never have a body like a supermodel. We come in all shapes and sizes. When I say shapes, I mean squares, rectangles, ovals and even triangles. Take my husband for instance. He’s technically shaped like a triangle. But, in my opinion, he’s more like a double-scooped ice cream cone with a cherry on top. I say this because he is very broad in the shoulders. He has a round belly and a very small waist and hips (and a small baldhead). The off the rack suit jackets may fit him in the shoulders but the middle is always tight and the waist too big. His suit jackets are 44 and his pants are 33. He always has a hard time finding a match. This is why he will look better in a custom-made jacket.
I find it hard buying a woman’s skirt suit. I’m short so I can’t buy a regular size suit. The arms are usually too long. The petite suit jacket fits well but I like my skirts to fall 1 inch below my knees. That’s my personal preference.
2. Find a tailor or dressmaker
Do you know someone who you think is always well put together? Why not ask them where do they get their suits. Most people will appreciate that you noticed their style. They will consider this a compliment. Deciding to invest in a custom-made jacket, suit or any garment, means you will need to have several fittings. Search the Internet for a tailor or dressmaker near you. Finding someone near you will help you keep your appointments. To find a good custom clothes designer, use sites like Find a Dressmaker.com or Thumbtack. Consider ratings, references, customer reviews, and price. Choose a few and have a consultation with each one. Be upfront with your needs, wants and expectations. You will know who’s right for you.
3. Classic tailoring vs. modern techniques
I happen to prefer classic tailoring rather than modern sewing techniques. As I mentioned in the beginning, the jacket that I was wearing was classically tailored. The construction of the garment is well put together from the inside out. This type of construction helps the garment to mold to perfectly to your body. The garment holds up well over time. I’ve had clients bring well-made designer pieces to me for repair to hem or replacement of the buttons. Certain designers take pride in their labels. I’m usually not surprised that the pieces are constructed so well.
As the designer for my company, R&Z Couture, I make sure to put the same care into each piece. Quality is important in each well-made suit.
Thank you for reading.
