Companies have emerged to customize products to assure they have met your specific needs. The idea of customization had once led the fashion industry. Supply versus demand has brought us into a market of mass production leading us to commoditization. That experience that your grandfather had at each visit to his tailor, ordering his next bespoke suit is still available, however with a hefty price tag when compared to a readymade suit. But not everyone is a designer’s ‘off the rack’ size, and more importantly not everyone has the same taste in fashion. Contrary to what one might believe the process to order a custom suit, bespoke, can be done online. And, done with savings in your pocket. Think about it, there are no tailors or seamstresses waiting in the trenches for a bell to chime upon a customer opening their front door. There are no back rooms full of already ordered fabrics to show each customer what’s available. And, no physical stores overhead to carry. Ordering online sounds like it may defeat the purpose of what all mankind knows about custom clothing and fittings, but there are plenty of ways to ensure you are on point with your measurements. Meet the modern day tailors; my top three online source for bespoke suits.
Falling on the affordable side of custom suits; Indochino offers a variety of fabrics to choose from. It is easy to navigate through styles and rates, making the daunting task (especially for first timers) of ordering a custom suit a pleasant suprise. There’s a step-by-step process to walk you through your measurements, which takes about 10 minutes. Once you’ve completed your order, you can expect your suit at your front door in four weeks with a guarantee to fit you perfectly.
Similar to Indochino, Black Lapel has all the aspects that a customer would require. From an easy navigation to a video guide for measuring, you will have no problems ordering from this site. Another amazing similarity between the two, is the belief in their product. Even after customizing your suit to fit your measurements, they are willing to compensate you at the chance your suit that does not fit ‘perfectly’. If visiting a local tailor is not an option, Black Lapel are willing to fully refund the suit if you’re not satisfied. Unheard of in the traditional industry of bespoke.
Blank Label has similar offerings from affordability, variety and guarantee. How it differentiates, is the overall web style and feel. As I browsed through Blank Label it has a much-more mature feel to the website and is where I would be inclined to purchase a suit for my father. Along with their shirt return guarantee, they promise to donate customized shirt returns to charity and work with you to produce a new one that fits.
Purchasing a suit from a familiar store to one online can be overwhelming. You don’t want to be the guy walking around with extra yards of fabric hanging around your body, you need a suit that hugs you just enough to make you walk with your chest inflated and head high. The next time you see your friend wearing a box for a suit, share these sites with him. Get a man in a fitted suit and your job here is done!
You’ve Got Male is a bi-weekly column by FASHIONOTES’ contributor, Justin Singh that explores the latest trends in digital fashion and lifestyle from a male perspective. For more information on Justin’s work, be sure to follow him on Twitter for the latest updates: @justindsingh
