I have recently been asked by several clients what distinguishes a CUSTOM-TAILORED garment from the “made- to- measure” suits being offered by some high-end retail clothing chains. The differences start with workmanship and materials, but in the end, it comes down to value.
At Bullochs, our CUSTOM-TAILORED garments are cut by hand and sewn by experienced tailors while most made-to measure suits are typically mass produced in a factory where cutting and sewing is done by machines.
Another key difference can be hidden below the surface of the suit. The canvas that is used to construct a suit is like the framing used to build a house. Better quality canvas means the suit will retain its shape for the life of the garment. Machine manufactured “made-to-measure” suits will often use inexpensive construction materials that can quickly lose their shape and form. The result is a garment that gets relegated to the back of the closet well before its time.
If you want to know what you’re really paying for the next time you think about buying a “made to measure” suit, ask the retailer when the basted fitting will be ready. You’ll likely be told “there is no basted fitting session…the suit will be ready in finished condition in four weeks.”
This manufacturing method is called “STRAIGHT FINISH”. While it saves time and money, once the garment is finished, only minor alterations can be made. Basically what you see is what you get.
CUSTOM TAILORED suits begin with a basted fitting at which point numerous adjustments can be made to the garment to ensure the perfect fit and drape of the final product. CUSTOM TAILORED suits also offer personal touches that allow the garment to truly reflect its owner – from Surgeon’s Cuffs (functional button holes on the jacket sleeves) to a broad choice of linings.
So if you’re looking for a garment that not only retains its shape and structure, but ultimately its value, consider a CUSTOM TAILORED suit from Bullochs and experience the quality of custom tailoring in the old world tradition.