A well-made suit is an essential outfit that every man needs to own. Regardless of whether or not your job requires a "formal" dress code, there are certain occasions that call for one. Weddings, meetings, graduation ceremonies and formal dinners, for instance, generally require men to wear a suit. But you shouldn't just wear any suit; you need to make sure your suit fits properly. If it's too big or too small, it simply won't look right, in which case you'll probably stick out -- and not in a good way. This is why many men seek professional tailoring services to adjust their suits. If you're thinking about a visiting a tailor, however, there are a few things you should know.
Local vs Distance vs Traveling Tailors
There are three different types of professional tailors: local, distance and traveling. Local tailors are the most common, as they work from local shops where customers take their garments for adjustments. A distance tailor, on the other hand, offers out-of-town services to customers. The customer gets his or her own measurements and sends them, along with their order instructions, to the tailor. The distance tailor creates a ready-to-wear garment or outfit and sends it to the customer. Finally, a traveling tailor is a professional tailor who offers a more personal service. Traveling tailors travel between populated cities, where they offer their services to customers.
Tailor-Made Suits
When researching tailoring services, you may come across the term "tailor-made." Many tailors sell tailor-made suits, which as the name suggests are customized according to the customer's measurements. Normally, however, tailor-made suits are made of specific fabrics, some of which include woolen or tweed. The use of woolen or tweed offers a superior level of comfort that's not found in other fabrics. With that said, you can find tailor-made suits available in all fabrics. There are both pros and cons associated with tailor-made suits. While they tend to fit better than off-the-rack suits, they typically come at a premium price. So if you're looking to buy a suit on a budget, you may want to consider a different type. With that said, a tailor-made suit can be a smart investment, assuming you choose the right type.
See Examples of Past Work
Before agreeing to buy tailoring services, it's recommended that you check the tailor's past work. In other words, ask the tailor for examples of his or her past work. This will give you a better understanding of whether or not they are qualified for the job. Does the finished product look clean? Is there frayed fabric or stitching exposed? Can you tell where exactly the tailor made the adjustments? These are all questions you should try to answer when choosing a professional tailor. The more you know about the tailor and his or her work, the better.
Remember, Tailors Can Make Garments Smaller AND Bigger
It's a common assumption that professional tailors can only make garments smaller. This is generally done by removing a small amount of fabric in a discreet location, after which they bring the garment in and sew it together. However, many tailors are also capable of making garments bigger. Whether you need a larger shirt or pair of trousers, a tailor can help. In some cases, they may need to add extra fabric to make the garment bigger. Assuming you just need an extra size or two, however, most professional tailors are fully capable of performing this type of adjustment.
Check the Price
You should also consider the price when seeking professional tailoring services. Conventional wisdom should tell you that different tailors charge different amounts for their services. Some may charge a flat fee, such as $20 per adjustment, whereas others charge by the hour. The only way you'll know how much a tailor charges, however, is by inquiring about his or her services. Some tailors may display their prices on their website, but others require you to call and ask. Regardless, you need to find out how much the tailor charges before buying his or her services. With that said, you can expect to pay more for professional tailoring services is busy urban areas as opposed to rural areas. If you live in a big city, for instance, you'll pay more to get your suit tailored than you would in a rural city. This doesn't apply strictly to tailoring services; this rule applies to many professional services. And as you may have guessed, traveling tailoring services generally cost more than local. Therefore, you should stick with a local tailor if you're looking to save money.
Alternatives to Tailoring
Of course, there are other ways to get the perfect fit,
without spending a fortune at the local tailor. One solution is to order your suit here at
StudioSuit. We offer custom sizing on all suits at no additional charge, meaning you don't have to worry about taking your suit to the tailor. When ordering, you'll have the option to specify your own body measurements, which we'll use to create the perfect fit. As long as you supply the right measurements, you'll receive a suit that's been customized to fit your specific body. This eliminates the time-consuming, costly and burdensome task of trying to find a professional tailor. In the end, you get a personalized suit that fits snugly on your body without being too large or too small. Hopefully, this gives you a better understanding of whether or not professional tailoring is right for you. To recap, professional tailors offer a wide variety of services, including both increasing and decreasing the size of garments. But regardless of the service, you can expect to pay a premium for professional tailoring. This has led many fashion-forward men to seek alternatives, such as made-to-measure suits like those sold here at StudioSuit.
