Men's Style Blog
Section: Men's Style - Blog
Formerly, bespoke suits were reserved for the wealthiest clients; nowadays, more men demand the luxury and comfort offered by hand tailored suits as a way to establish their personal brand. After not, nothing proclaims professionalism and the aura of success like the cut and fit of a sharply tailored suit.
So, you want to get good value for your monetary investment in custom made suits.
You're especially interested in quality business suits, as these are the suits you wear most often. How can you be sure you are getting a good deal? Well, you could spend time going from tailor to tailor to learn what you need to know, but that's not the easiest way.
The easy way? Take advantage of our experience in the custom tailoring industry and follow these dependable guidelines for gauging price vs. quality for custom tailored suits.Here's how to make sure your dream matches reality.What drives the price of tailored suits?
Key characteristics of custom tailored suits drive their overall price:
Given these intricate details and costs, it's surprising the final price of a custom tailored suit is affordable and typically, less expensive than most of the big name suiting brands.
A custom tailored suit's cost depends on three main things:
There's usually no need to worry if the tailor makes his or her suits in Asia (e.g. Bangkok, Singapore etc.). These countries have well developed tailoring industries. There is, however, a big difference between suits made in Asia for local Asian markets and suits made in Asia for export markets.
Tailors local to Bangkok, Singapore and Hong Kong generally use cheaper labour and materials, while a local brick and mortar tailor who sources from Asia usually opts for higher-quality.
If the suits are made elsewhere, especially in Australia, US, Canada, UK, the Netherlands, Switzerland or Japan, expect the tailoring costs to be higher due to the high cost of labour in these markets.
As with any business, the structure of the operation affects its overheads and costs. Some tailors buy and stock their own material, while others operate a shopfront and outsource their work to overseas tailors. Always ask if they buy their own fabrics. If they do, you can depend on them to know what they are doing, and they should be able to pass their cost savings of buying in bulk on to you.
As most custom tailors use the same tailor for all their suits, price differences are chiefly affected by the quality of the suit fabric you select. A good quality Super 110s is always cheaper than the luxurious Super 150s. In fact, expect to pay as much as double the price once you start purchasing fabrics in the super range.
So, what does this boil down to? How much should a good quality custom tailored suit cost you? Well, funnily enough, it's about the same as a regular priced off-the-rack suit:
But like off-the-rack, unless you're buying Super 150s and above, you could be paying for the brand name alone.
When considering how much you're willing to pay for your next suit keep these pros and cons in mind:
These tailors have a local showroom. They stock suit samples and fabric swatches and offer back-to-base support close to you. They may manufacture locally or outsource overseas, but if they do outsource, they usually use export quality tailors.
These tailors do not have a local showroom, but instead fly-in occasionally and book a hotel room for a couple of days. They stock suit samples and fabric swatches but offer limited support. They manufacture entirely overseas in areas like Singapore, Bangkok, or Hong Kong (i.e. China).
These tailors have online websites but no physical locations. You cannot see suit samples and fabric swatches and there's often limited support. They generally manufacture entirely overseas, usually in Singapore, Bangkok, or Hong Kong (i.e. China).
This may turn out to be a cheap option with quality issues. Does the suit seem too cheap to be true? It probably is because online tailors may not tell the truth about suit construction and fabric.
These tailors have overseas shops only. You do get to see suit samples and fabric swatches but there's no support once you leave. They manufacture entirely overseas using cheaper tailors for the local Asian market (not export quality).
While this is a cheap option, beware if the suits seem too cheap. Often overseas tailors tell you “white lies” about suit construction and fabric. After all, they're not likely to see you again!
Fortunately, you don't have to buy a complete suit; most custom tailors offer the option to purchase a blazer, dinner jacket or sports coats. If you select this option, expect to pay about 2/3 of the full suit cost just for the jacket.
As you can see, there's more to this business of buying a custom suit than meets the eye. Fortunately for you, at Montagio Custom Tailoring we've done the legwork for you. Our staff of master tailors guide you through every step of the process from picking a complementary design to choosing fabric to tweaking the finished garment for a glove-like fit.
We offer world class customer service as our goal is to establish a long term relationship with you. Schedule your no-obligation styling session today and start experience the luxury and comfort that was once reserved for only the wealthiest men. Don't you deserve it?
Note: Prices in this article are stated in $AUD at January 1 2012.
With over 20,000 satisfied clients, Montagio's distinction as the top-rated tailor in Sydney and Brisbane is no coincidence. Our success lies in our commitment to personalisation, ensuring each suit is a true reflection of the individual wearing it. Unlike others, we focus on providing unparalleled service, meticulous attention to detail, and an array of bespoke options, making every Montagio suit a testament to quality and individuality. If it lacks that personal touch, it simply isn't Montagio.
Named in GQ Magazine's "Best Tailors" list, and the highest reviewed tailor on Google, Montagio has paved the way for discerning men to get suited up with style. A truly personalised experience, we deliver perfectly fitted bespoke suits, shirts and coats for business, weddings, formal and casual events. Our showrooms are visually packed with designs that inspire and 1,000s of fabrics, making it easy for you to get the look you want. Our difference? We won't let you walk out until we've tailored your perfect garment. It's personal. To experience the same red-carpet service, book your personal appointment today.