What to Wear to Your Own Bespoke Fitting (And What Not To Wear)
Your bespoke fitting appointment represents one of the most important moments in your tailoring journey—the precise moment when expert measurements, professional consultation, and your unique vision converge to create garments designed exclusively for your body, your lifestyle, and your personal style. What you wear to this appointment profoundly influences the accuracy of your measurements, the quality of your tailoring experience, the clarity of your communication with your tailor, and ultimately, the exceptional fit of your finished garments. Your clothing choices communicate respect for the tailoring process, demonstrate your understanding of professional standards, and ensure your tailor can capture your true proportions with absolute precision. Whether you're attending your first consultation, undergoing initial measurements, or visiting for a fitting of your basted garment, your attire should prioritize accuracy, comfort, clarity, and professional presentation—ensuring your tailor can create garments that fit your body perfectly and flatter your unique frame.
At A Hand Tailored Suit, we understand that bespoke fitting appointments demand thoughtful clothing choices that support accurate measurements and exceptional tailoring results. Our expert tailors have spent decades perfecting the art of reading body proportions, understanding movement patterns, and creating garments that fit absolutely perfectly—and your fitting attire plays a crucial role in this process.
Why Your Fitting Attire Matters
The Critical Role of Accurate Measurements
Body truth: Your tailor must see your actual body proportions—loose, oversized, or heavily layered clothing obscures true measurements.
Shoulder assessment: Proper shoulder fit requires seeing natural shoulder width—bulky fabrics or padding distort this critical measurement.
Chest and waist: Your tailor needs to assess your actual torso proportions—oversized clothing hides your true dimensions.
Sleeve length: Accurate sleeve measurement requires seeing your arm length without baggy sleeves obscuring the line.
Trouser length: Proper trouser length depends on your actual leg proportions and the shoes you'll wear—casual footwear gives inaccurate measurements.
Movement observation: Your tailor needs to see how you naturally move—restrictive or overly loose clothing prevents proper assessment.
Professional Communication
Clarity of vision: Your tailor can better understand your style preferences when seeing how you naturally present yourself.
Fit preferences: Your natural posture and movement patterns inform how your tailor will construct your garments.
Lifestyle alignment: Your fitting attire communicates how you typically dress—informing appropriate styling recommendations.
Confidence projection: Professional, thoughtful fitting attire demonstrates respect for the tailoring process and your tailor's expertise.
Consultation quality: Clear communication about your body and style preferences leads to better garment construction.
Fitting Experience Quality
Comfort during fitting: Appropriate fitting attire allows you to stand comfortably for extended measurements and consultations.
Movement freedom: Clothing that allows natural movement helps your tailor assess how garments will move on your body.
Confidence building: Feeling appropriately dressed during fitting increases your comfort and confidence in the process.
Professional atmosphere: Thoughtful attire contributes to the professional, respectful tone of your fitting experience.
Measurement accuracy: Proper fitting clothing ensures measurements are as accurate as possible.
What to Wear for Men's Bespoke Fittings
The Ideal Fitting Outfit for Men
Shirt: Fitted dress shirt or simple t-shirt, allows clear view of chest and shoulder proportions.
Trousers: Well-fitted dress trousers or jeans, shows your actual leg proportions and waist measurement.
Shoes: Dress shoes in the style you'll wear with finished garments—critical for accurate trouser length.
Undergarments: Proper underwear and undershirt—ensures accurate measurements and professional presentation.
Accessories: Minimal jewelry, watch optional, nothing that restricts movement or obscures measurements.
Overall aesthetic: Clean, professional, fitted, respectful of the tailoring process.
Why it works: Allows tailor to see true body proportions, facilitates accurate measurements, enables proper assessment of fit preferences.
Specific Recommendations for Men
For suit fittings: Fitted dress shirt, well-fitted trousers, dress shoes, minimal accessories—professional presentation.
For shirt fittings: Simple fitted t-shirt or undershirt, allows clear view of shoulder and chest proportions.
For trouser fittings: Fitted trousers or jeans showing your actual waist and leg proportions, dress shoes for accurate length.
For overcoat fittings: Fitted shirt and trousers underneath, dress shoes, allows assessment of how coat will layer over garments.
For casual wear fittings: Fitted casual shirt or t-shirt, well-fitted jeans, casual shoes you'll wear with finished garments.
What to Avoid for Men
Oversized or baggy clothing: Hides true body proportions and prevents accurate measurements.
Heavily layered outfits: Multiple layers obscure your actual dimensions and confuse measurements.
Bulky sweaters or hoodies: Thick fabrics distort shoulder width and chest measurement.
Athletic wear or gym clothes: Inappropriate for professional fitting and doesn't represent your actual proportions.
Wrinkled or stained clothing: Disrespects the tailoring process and your tailor's expertise.
Loose, sagging trousers: Prevents accurate waist and leg measurement.
Casual sneakers for suit fittings: Gives inaccurate trouser length—you need dress shoes for proper measurement.
Multiple belts or restrictive accessories: Interferes with accurate waist measurement.
Extremely tight or restrictive clothing: Prevents natural movement assessment and creates discomfort during fitting.
Ill-fitting garments: Confuses your tailor about your actual body proportions.
Men's Fitting Success Strategies
Wear what you normally wear: Choose clothing similar to what you typically wear—helps tailor understand your lifestyle.
Ensure proper fit: Your fitting clothes should fit well but not be overly tight or restrictive.
Choose appropriate shoes: Wear shoes similar to those you'll wear with finished garments—critical for trouser length.
Maintain natural posture: Stand naturally during measurements—don't suck in or change your posture.
Be prepared to move: Your tailor may ask you to move your arms or walk—wear clothing that allows this.
Communicate clearly: Discuss any fit preferences or concerns with your tailor during the appointment.
Ask questions: Understand your measurements and how they inform garment construction.
Bring reference images: If you have style inspiration, bring photos to discuss with your tailor.
Plan ahead: Arrive early, allow adequate time for thorough measurements and consultation.
Trust the process: Your tailor's expertise ensures your garments will fit perfectly.
What to Wear for Women's Bespoke Fittings
The Ideal Fitting Outfit for Women
Top: Fitted dress, simple fitted top, or fitted t-shirt, allows clear view of shoulder and bust proportions.
Bottom: Well-fitted trousers, skirt, or jeans, shows your actual waist and hip proportions.
Shoes: Dress shoes or heels in the style you'll wear with finished garments—critical for accurate skirt/dress length.
Undergarments: Proper bra and undergarments—essential for accurate bust measurement and professional presentation.
Accessories: Minimal jewelry, nothing that restricts movement or obscures measurements.
Overall aesthetic: Clean, professional, fitted, respectful of the tailoring process.
Why it works: Allows tailor to see true body proportions, facilitates accurate measurements, enables proper assessment of fit preferences.
Specific Recommendations for Women
For dress fittings: Fitted dress or fitted top with fitted skirt/trousers, dress shoes, minimal accessories—professional presentation.
For suit fittings: Fitted dress shirt or fitted top, well-fitted trousers, dress shoes, minimal accessories.
For skirt fittings: Fitted top, well-fitted skirt or trousers showing your actual waist and hip proportions, dress shoes for accurate length.
For blouse fittings: Simple fitted t-shirt or undershirt, allows clear view of shoulder and bust proportions.
For overcoat fittings: Fitted dress or fitted top with fitted trousers underneath, dress shoes, allows assessment of layering.
For casual wear fittings: Fitted casual top or t-shirt, well-fitted jeans, casual shoes you'll wear with finished garments.
What to Avoid for Women
Oversized or baggy clothing: Hides true body proportions and prevents accurate measurements.
Heavily layered outfits: Multiple layers obscure your actual dimensions and confuse measurements.
Bulky sweaters or sweatshirts: Thick fabrics distort shoulder width and bust measurement.
Athletic wear or gym clothes: Inappropriate for professional fitting and doesn't represent your actual proportions.
Wrinkled or stained clothing: Disrespects the tailoring process and your tailor's expertise.
Loose, sagging trousers or skirts: Prevents accurate waist and hip measurement.
Casual sneakers for dress fittings: Gives inaccurate hemline length—you need appropriate shoes for proper measurement.
Excessive jewelry or scarves: Interferes with accurate shoulder and neck measurement.
Extremely tight or restrictive clothing: Prevents natural movement assessment and creates discomfort during fitting.
Wrong bra size or fit: Affects bust measurement accuracy—wear your proper-fitting bra.
Ill-fitting garments: Confuses your tailor about your actual body proportions.
Women's Fitting Success Strategies
Wear what you normally wear: Choose clothing similar to what you typically wear—helps tailor understand your lifestyle.
Ensure proper undergarments: Wear your proper-fitting bra—critical for accurate bust measurement.
Choose appropriate shoes: Wear shoes similar to those you'll wear with finished garments—critical for hemline length.
Maintain natural posture: Stand naturally during measurements—don't suck in or change your posture.
Be prepared to move: Your tailor may ask you to move your arms or walk—wear clothing that allows this.
Communicate clearly: Discuss any fit preferences or concerns with your tailor during the appointment.
Ask questions: Understand your measurements and how they inform garment construction.
Bring reference images: If you have style inspiration, bring photos to discuss with your tailor.
Plan ahead: Arrive early, allow adequate time for thorough measurements and consultation.
Trust the process: Your tailor's expertise ensures your garments will fit perfectly.
The Bespoke Fitting Process and Your Attire
Initial Consultation Fitting
Purpose: Understand your vision, assess your body, discuss style preferences and lifestyle needs.
Attire importance: Your tailor needs to see your natural body proportions and understand your typical style.
What to wear: Fitted, professional clothing that represents how you typically dress.
Measurement focus: Overall proportions, posture, movement patterns, lifestyle assessment.
Consultation elements: Style discussion, fabric selection, design preferences, timeline review.
Outcome: Clear understanding of your vision and initial measurements for garment construction.
Initial Measurement Fitting
Purpose: Take precise measurements for garment construction, confirm fit preferences, review design details.
Attire importance: Accurate measurements depend on seeing your true body proportions without obstruction.
What to wear: Fitted, professional clothing that allows clear view of body proportions.
Measurement focus: Precise measurements for jacket, shirt, trousers, or dress construction.
Consultation elements: Measurement review, fit preference confirmation, design detail finalization.
Outcome: Precise measurements and confirmed design specifications for garment construction.
Basted Fitting
Purpose: Try on partially constructed garment, assess fit, make adjustments before final construction.
Attire importance: Wear similar clothing to what you'll wear with finished garment—affects fit assessment.
What to wear: Fitted undergarments, appropriate shoes, minimal accessories that won't interfere with fitting.
Measurement focus: Fit assessment, adjustment identification, movement evaluation.
Consultation elements: Fit discussion, adjustment confirmation, final detail review.
Outcome: Confirmed fit adjustments and final specifications before completing garment construction.
Final Fitting
Purpose: Try on completed garment, confirm perfect fit, make any final minor adjustments.
Attire importance: Wear similar clothing to what you'll wear with finished garment—final fit confirmation.
What to wear: Fitted undergarments, appropriate shoes, minimal accessories that won't interfere with fitting.
Measurement focus: Final fit confirmation, any last-minute adjustments, wear and care instructions.
Consultation elements: Final fit review, alteration confirmation if needed, care instructions discussion.
Outcome: Perfect-fitting garment ready for collection and years of wear.
Critical Fitting Attire Details
Footwear Considerations
Why shoes matter: Trouser and skirt length depend on the shoes you'll wear—wearing wrong shoes gives inaccurate measurements.
For men's trousers: Wear dress shoes similar to those you'll wear with finished garments—typically leather oxfords or loafers.
For women's skirts/dresses: Wear heels or shoes similar to those you'll wear with finished garments—heel height affects hemline length.
For casual wear: Wear casual shoes you'll actually wear with finished garments—sneakers, flats, or casual shoes.
Heel height impact: Different heel heights change leg proportions and hemline appearance—wear appropriate shoes.
Sock consideration: Men should wear dress socks similar to those they'll wear—affects trouser break and length.
Shoe cleanliness: Clean, well-maintained shoes demonstrate respect for the fitting process.
Comfort priority: Wear shoes you can stand in comfortably for extended fitting appointments.
Undergarment Importance
Why undergarments matter: Proper undergarments ensure accurate measurements and professional presentation.
For men: Wear undershirt and proper underwear—affects chest and waist measurement accuracy.
For women: Wear proper-fitting bra—critical for accurate bust measurement and fit assessment.
Bra fit for women: Improper bra fit distorts bust measurement—ensure your bra fits correctly before fitting.
Undershirt for men: Simple undershirt shows true chest proportions—avoid bulky or loose undershirts.
Cleanliness and freshness: Clean undergarments demonstrate respect for your tailor and the fitting process.
Professional presentation: Proper undergarments ensure professional appearance during fitting.
Comfort during fitting: Comfortable, well-fitting undergarments allow you to focus on the fitting process.
Posture and Movement
Natural stance: Stand naturally during measurements—don't suck in, puff out, or change your posture.
Arm position: Keep arms in natural position unless tailor instructs otherwise—allows accurate sleeve measurement.
Shoulder relaxation: Keep shoulders relaxed and natural—tensed shoulders distort measurements.
Leg position: Stand with feet naturally positioned—affects trouser and skirt measurement accuracy.
Movement assessment: Your tailor may ask you to move, walk, or raise your arms—wear clothing that allows this.
Breathing naturally: Breathe normally during measurements—holding your breath distorts chest and waist measurement.
Honest communication: Tell your tailor if measurements feel uncomfortable or incorrect—accuracy is essential.
Trust the process: Your tailor's expertise ensures measurements capture your true proportions.
Fabric Selection and Fitting Attire
Preparing for Fabric Consultation
Fabric swatches: Your tailor will show fabric samples—bring your fitting attire to compare colors against your skin tone.
Color matching: Hold fabric swatches against your body to assess color compatibility with your complexion.
Texture assessment: Feel fabric textures to understand weight, drape, and construction quality.
Weight consideration: Understand how fabric weight affects garment drape and fit—discuss with your tailor.
Seasonal appropriateness: Discuss seasonal suitability of fabric choices with your tailor.
Care requirements: Understand care instructions for chosen fabrics—affects long-term garment maintenance.
Budget alignment: Discuss pricing for different fabric options—quality fabrics justify investment.
Final selection: Choose fabrics that align with your vision, lifestyle, and budget.
What Not to Wear to Your Bespoke Fitting
The Major Mistakes
Oversized or baggy clothing: Completely obscures your true body proportions—prevents accurate measurements.
Heavily layered outfits: Multiple layers hide your actual dimensions and confuse measurement process.
Bulky sweaters or hoodies: Thick fabrics distort shoulder width and chest measurement—inaccurate results.
Athletic wear or gym clothes: Inappropriate for professional fitting and doesn't represent your actual body.
Wrinkled or stained clothing: Disrespects the tailoring process and your tailor's expertise and time.
Loose, sagging trousers: Prevents accurate waist and leg measurement—measurements will be incorrect.
Wrong shoes for garment type: Casual sneakers for suit fittings give inaccurate trouser length—critical error.
Excessive jewelry or accessories: Interferes with accurate shoulder, neck, and waist measurement.
Extremely tight or restrictive clothing: Prevents natural movement assessment and creates fitting discomfort.
Ill-fitting garments: Confuses your tailor about your actual body proportions—leads to poor results.
The Bespoke Fitting Experience
Before Your Appointment
Confirm appointment time: Verify date, time, and location—arrive 10-15 minutes early.
Plan your attire: Choose appropriate fitting clothing days in advance—don't scramble morning-of.
Prepare your vision: Gather style inspiration, fabric preferences, and design ideas.
Understand your measurements: If you have previous measurements, bring them for reference.
List your preferences: Write down fit preferences, lifestyle needs, and style goals.
Bring reference images: Photos of styles you love help communicate your vision clearly.
Prepare questions: Think about what you want to ask your tailor during the appointment.
Allow adequate time: Don't rush—fitting appointments require time for thorough consultation and measurement.
During Your Appointment
Arrive on time: Punctuality demonstrates respect for your tailor's schedule and expertise.
Maintain natural posture: Stand naturally during measurements—don't change your posture.
Communicate clearly: Discuss your vision, preferences, and lifestyle needs with your tailor.
Ask questions: Understand your measurements and how they inform garment construction.
Be honest about fit: Tell your tailor if anything feels uncomfortable or incorrect.
Discuss adjustments: Talk about any fit preferences or concerns during the appointment.
Review specifications: Confirm all design details, measurements, and fabric selections before leaving.
Take notes: Write down important information about your garment specifications.
After Your Appointment
Confirm next steps: Understand timeline for garment construction and next fitting appointment.
Review notes: Review your measurements and specifications to ensure accuracy.
Prepare for next fitting: Plan what you'll wear for your basted or final fitting.
Communicate any changes: Contact your tailor immediately if your body changes or preferences shift.
Maintain excitement: Look forward to receiving your perfectly-fitted bespoke garment.
Plan wear strategy: Think about how you'll style and wear your finished garment.
Prepare for collection: Plan what you'll wear when collecting your finished garment.
Fitting Attire for Different Garment Types
Suit Fittings
What to wear: Fitted dress shirt, well-fitted trousers, dress shoes, minimal accessories.
Why this works: Allows tailor to assess jacket fit, shoulder width, chest proportions, and trouser length accurately.
Measurement focus: Jacket length, shoulder width, chest, waist, sleeve length, trouser length and break.
Fit preferences: Discuss how you prefer jacket to fit—structured or relaxed, button stance, lapel style.
Movement assessment: Your tailor will assess how jacket moves on your body during normal movement.
Outcome: Perfectly-fitted suit that flatters your proportions and suits your lifestyle.
Shirt Fittings
What to wear: Simple fitted t-shirt or undershirt, allows clear view of shoulder and chest proportions.
Why this works: Allows tailor to assess shoulder width, chest proportions, and arm length accurately.
Measurement focus: Shoulder width, chest, sleeve length, neck measurement, shirt length.
Fit preferences: Discuss how you prefer shirt to fit—fitted or relaxed, collar style, cuff preference.
Movement assessment: Your tailor will assess how shirt moves on your body during normal movement.
Outcome: Perfectly-fitted shirt that flatters your proportions and suits your lifestyle.
Trouser Fittings
What to wear: Well-fitted trousers or jeans, dress shoes you'll wear with finished trousers.
Why this works: Allows tailor to assess waist, hip, thigh, and leg proportions accurately.
Measurement focus: Waist, hip, thigh, inseam, trouser break, rise preference.
Fit preferences: Discuss how you prefer trousers to fit—slim, regular, or relaxed, break style, pocket preference.
Movement assessment: Your tailor will assess how trousers move on your body during normal movement.
Outcome: Perfectly-fitted trousers that flatter your proportions and suit your lifestyle.
Dress or Skirt Fittings
What to wear: Fitted top or dress, appropriate shoes for hemline length assessment.
Why this works: Allows tailor to assess shoulder, bust, waist, hip, and leg proportions accurately.
Measurement focus: Shoulder width, bust, waist, hip, length, neckline depth, armhole fit.
Fit preferences: Discuss how you prefer dress/skirt to fit—fitted or relaxed, neckline style, hemline preference.
Movement assessment: Your tailor will assess how dress/skirt moves on your body during normal movement.
Outcome: Perfectly-fitted dress or skirt that flatters your proportions and suits your lifestyle.
Overcoat Fittings
What to wear: Fitted shirt and trousers underneath, dress shoes, minimal accessories.
Why this works: Allows tailor to assess how coat will layer over your typical garments.
Measurement focus: Shoulder width, chest, length, sleeve length, how coat moves over layered garments.
Fit preferences: Discuss how you prefer coat to fit—structured or relaxed, button stance, pocket preference.
Movement assessment: Your tailor will assess how coat moves on your body and over layered garments.
Outcome: Perfectly-fitted overcoat that layers beautifully over your bespoke garments.
Maximizing Your Fitting Experience
Communication Strategies
Be specific about fit: Describe exactly how you want garments to fit—fitted, relaxed, structured, etc.
Discuss lifestyle: Tell your tailor how you'll wear finished garments—office, casual, formal events.
Share style inspiration: Bring photos of styles you love to communicate your vision clearly.
Ask about options: Discuss different fit and style options available for your garments.
Clarify measurements: Understand what each measurement means and how it affects garment construction.
Discuss timeline: Confirm when your garment will be ready and when fittings will occur.
Address concerns: Tell your tailor about any fit concerns or preferences immediately.
Build relationship: Your tailor's expertise improves with understanding your preferences and body.
Preparation Strategies
Gather inspiration: Collect style inspiration, photos, and design ideas before your appointment.
Know your preferences: Think about fit preferences, fabric preferences, and style goals.
Prepare questions: Write down questions you want to ask your tailor during appointment.
Allow adequate time: Don't rush—fitting appointments require time for thorough consultation.
Plan transportation: Ensure you can arrive on time without stress or rushing.
Bring reference items: Bring garments that fit well to show your tailor your preferred fit.
Document preferences: Keep notes about your measurements and specifications for future reference.
Stay organized: Keep all fitting appointment information and notes organized for easy reference.
Long-Term Success
Maintain your measurements: Significant body changes affect garment fit—communicate with your tailor.
Care for your garments: Proper care extends garment life and maintains perfect fit.
Build relationship with tailor: Your tailor learns your preferences and body over time—improves future garments.
Provide feedback: Tell your tailor how you love your finished garments—builds successful relationship.
Return for future garments: Bespoke tailoring is investment in quality—return for additional pieces.
Refer others: Share your positive experience with friends and family interested in bespoke tailoring.
Maintain confidence: Your perfectly-fitted bespoke garments boost confidence and style.
Enjoy your investment: Wear and enjoy your exceptional bespoke garments for years to come.
Your Bespoke Fitting Journey
At A Hand Tailored Suit, we understand that bespoke fitting appointments demand thoughtful preparation and appropriate attire that supports accurate measurements and exceptional tailoring results. Our expert tailors have spent decades perfecting the art of reading body proportions, understanding movement patterns, and creating garments that fit absolutely perfectly—and your fitting attire plays a crucial role in this process.
When you arrive for your fitting appointment wearing appropriate, fitted clothing that allows us to see your true body proportions, you're setting yourself up for success. You're demonstrating respect for the tailoring process, enabling accurate measurements, and ensuring your finished garments will fit your unique body perfectly.
Ready to begin your bespoke tailoring journey?
Visit A Hand Tailored Suit to book your fitting appointment. Our expert tailors are ready to create garments designed exclusively for your body, your lifestyle, and your personal style. Come prepared with your fitting attire, your vision, and your enthusiasm—we'll handle the rest.
"THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STYLE AND FASHION IS QUALITY." - GIORGIO ARMANI
Your bespoke fitting appointment is the foundation of perfectly-fitted garments that will serve you for years to come. Arrive prepared, wear appropriate attire, communicate clearly, and trust our expert tailors to create something truly exceptional.
Design online using our AI-powered measurement app or book an in-person consultation with our talented tailoring team. All garments hand-made to your unique measurements using premium fabrics and Savile Row techniques, ensuring perfect fit and lasting quality.