Every man needs at least one elegant, high quality suit. Whether it's for work or a special occasion, we all need one suit that sets itself apart from the rest.
Many people love Canali, Cerrutti or Zegna, but you can buy a tailor-made suit that really fits, for the same price or less. If you're worried about not being trendy enough, just cut out a magazine picture and let the tailor duplicate the style you're looking for.
Good tailors are usually found in the high-end shopping districts. Friends, family and influential colleagues might also refer you to a trustworthy tailor. Ask around and inquire about references.
Once you've chosen a highly regarded tailor, the next step is to settle on a suitable fabric. The suit's fabric will make the difference between a US$300 suit and a US$3000 one. That's why many popular designers use fabrics with a grade of 100s or 110s to cut costs and increase markups.
Because you're not paying for the brand name, you can opt for higher quality grades and still pay the same price or cheaper. Anything above a grade of 110s is guaranteed to make a respectable looking and durable suit. As you may have guessed, higher grade equals better quality and an elevated price.
At this stage, your tailor will take all the required measurements to make your suit fit like a glove. It's important to maintain open communication at all stages of your suit's fabrication. Tell him how you'd like your suit to fall on your shoulders, waist and shoes. That's the beauty of a tailor-made suit.
Customization is especially attractive to those with distinctive body types. Tall men won't have any problems with short sleeves or pants that don't fit. Chubby men, on the other hand, can have suits made to make them look thinner and more attractive.
Three buttons or four? Double-breasted or single? It all depends on the current styles at the time of your purchase. If you are more conservative and don't follow fashion trends, opt for a classic suit. You can discuss your options with your tailor, as he has probably seen every suit style and knows every trick in the book.
At this stage, you'll have to look over every detail. Don't hesitate to ask for a little adjustment because you're paying for the suit, and you should make sure that everything fits to your liking.
The tailor will ask you to try on the suit, while he personally checks every angle to make sure your suit is perfect. Unfortunately, at this stage, it's also time to pay the bill. I suggest that you pay with cold hard cash because we all know that "cash is the king" and the price might become somewhat more... let's just say interesting!