The Tailor Academy
Bespoke and Fit
Bespoke, made to measure and ready to wear, how a pattern is made, measurements and fittings, and the great house styles.
Bespoke, made to measure and ready to wear are often mixed up. Here we explain what each one means, how a pattern is cut for one person and what happens at each fitting.
- Bespoke vs Made-to-Measure vs Off-the-RackBespoke, made-to-measure and off-the-rack use the same word loosely online. Here is what actually separates the three, and the price gap between them.
- How do tailors take measurements correctly, and can I use my own measurements? Tailor Measurements 101: DIY or Professional?Self-measuring works for some pieces and fails for others. Here is when your own numbers are close enough, and when to let a tailor measure you.
- How Many Fittings Does a Bespoke Suit Need? (1, 2, or 3?)Most suits need two fittings, complex builds need three, and returning customers can often skip to one. Here is what each fitting checks.
- How to Measure Yourself for a Bespoke SuitHere are the 14 measurements a tailor actually needs, how to take each one at home, and the mistakes that throw off a remote order.
- What Is A Bespoke Suit?Bespoke means a garment made to order for one person, a term tracing back to Savile Row seamstresses. Here is what it means in practice.
