What to Wear When Ordering Your First Bespoke Suit
Ordering your first bespoke suit represents a significant investment in your wardrobe and personal style—a transformative moment where expert tailors translate your measurements, preferences, and lifestyle into a perfectly fitted garment crafted exclusively for you. Your consultation appointment is both a practical fitting session and a collaborative design experience, requiring attire that allows accurate measurements, demonstrates your style preferences, and facilitates productive conversation with your tailor. The consultation environment—combining professional measurement taking with fabric selection, style discussion, and design decisions—requires clothing that reveals your natural silhouette, allows unrestricted movement for measurement accuracy, and communicates your aesthetic sensibility to guide your tailor's recommendations. Mastering consultation dressing ensures your tailor captures precise measurements, understands your style vision, and creates a bespoke suit that exceeds your expectations and becomes a cornerstone of your wardrobe.
At A Hand Tailored Suit, we guide first-time bespoke clients through every step of the consultation process. Our expert tailors understand the importance of accurate measurements and clear style communication, creating custom suits that reflect your unique proportions, personal style, and lifestyle requirements with exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Understanding the Bespoke Consultation
What Happens During Your Appointment
Measurement session: Comprehensive measurements of chest, shoulders, waist, hips, inseam, arms, and posture.
Fabric selection: Exploring fabric swatches, weights, patterns, and seasonal appropriateness.
Style discussion: Reviewing lapel styles, button configurations, pocket options, and design details.
Lifestyle assessment: Understanding how you'll wear the suit—business, formal events, versatile occasions.
Timeline planning: Discussing production schedule, fitting appointments, and delivery expectations.
Why Your Consultation Attire Matters
Measurement accuracy: Fitted clothing reveals your natural silhouette for precise measurements.
Style communication: Your current wardrobe demonstrates aesthetic preferences and fit expectations.
Comfort priority: You'll spend 60-90 minutes being measured and discussing options.
Professional respect: Appropriate attire honors the craftsmanship and expertise of your tailor.
Menswear: Consultation Attire
The Ideal Consultation Look
Shirt: Fitted dress shirt or quality polo—avoid oversized or baggy styles.
Trousers: Well-fitted dress trousers or quality chinos—avoid loose or athletic fits.
Footwear: Dress shoes or quality leather shoes you'll wear with your finished suit.
Undergarments: Fitted undershirt or what you typically wear under suits.
Accessories: Minimal—belt, watch, items you'd wear with your finished suit.
Overall aesthetic: Clean, fitted, representative of your typical style.
Why it works: Reveals natural silhouette, demonstrates fit preferences, allows accurate measurements.
What to Avoid for Men
Oversized clothing: Baggy shirts or loose trousers hide your natural silhouette.
Athletic wear: Gym clothes, joggers, or athletic fits don't represent suit-wearing context.
Extreme casual: T-shirts, jeans, or sneakers don't communicate formal style preferences.
Bulky layers: Heavy sweaters or jackets interfere with measurement accuracy.
Unusual footwear: Sneakers or casual shoes don't represent dress shoe posture and height.
The Smart Approach for Men
Bring reference suits: If you own suits you love, wear one or bring photos.
Wear dress shoes: Your consultation shoes affect posture and trouser measurements.
Choose fitted basics: Well-fitted shirt and trousers reveal your proportions clearly.
Consider your lifestyle: Dress similarly to how you'll wear your finished suit.
Bring inspiration: Photos of suits, styles, or looks you admire.
Ladieswear: Consultation Attire
The Ideal Consultation Look
Top: Fitted blouse, quality knit, or tailored shirt—avoid oversized or flowing styles.
Bottoms: Well-fitted trousers, pencil skirt, or tailored dress—avoid loose or oversized fits.
Footwear: Heels or dress shoes you'll wear with your finished suit.
Undergarments: Proper foundation garments you'll wear under your suit.
Accessories: Minimal—items you'd wear with your finished suit.
Overall aesthetic: Clean, fitted, representative of your typical professional style.
Why it works: Reveals natural silhouette, demonstrates fit preferences, allows accurate measurements.
What to Avoid for Ladies
Oversized clothing: Baggy tops or loose trousers hide your natural silhouette.
Flowing dresses: Loose, flowing styles don't reveal proportions for tailored suiting.
Extreme casual: Leggings, athletic wear, or casual separates don't represent suit context.
Bulky layers: Heavy sweaters or oversized cardigans interfere with measurements.
Flat shoes only: If you'll wear heels with your suit, wear them to consultation.
The Smart Approach for Ladies
Bring reference pieces: If you own suits you love, wear one or bring photos.
Wear appropriate heels: Your consultation shoes affect posture and trouser/skirt measurements.
Choose fitted basics: Well-fitted separates reveal your proportions clearly.
Consider your lifestyle: Dress similarly to how you'll wear your finished suit.
Bring inspiration: Photos of suits, styles, or looks you admire.
Bespoke Suit Fabrics
Wool Worsted (Year-Round Suiting)
Why it's perfect: Premium suiting fabric with smooth finish, excellent drape, and versatile performance.
Characteristics: Fine weave, subtle sheen, refined elegance, superior structure.
Best weights: 10-12oz for year-round wear; 9-10oz for warmer climates; 12-14oz for cooler seasons.
Best for: Business suits, formal occasions, versatile wardrobe foundations.
Performance: Maintains crisp appearance, resists wrinkles, breathes well, photographs beautifully.
Super Numbers (Super 100s-150s)
Why it's perfect: Finer wool fibers create softer hand feel and luxurious drape.
Characteristics: Silky texture, elegant drape, refined appearance, premium quality.
Best weights: Super 100s-120s for durability; Super 130s-150s for special occasions.
Best for: Formal business suits, special event suits, luxury wardrobe pieces.
Performance: Exceptional comfort, elegant appearance, requires careful maintenance.
Wool Flannel (Autumn/Winter Suiting)
Why it's perfect: Brushed surface creates warmth, texture, and sophisticated seasonal style.
Characteristics: Soft hand feel, matte finish, excellent warmth, refined texture.
Best weights: 11-14oz for autumn/winter suits; 14-16oz for heavy winter wear.
Best for: Seasonal business suits, winter formal wear, textured wardrobe variety.
Performance: Excellent warmth, sophisticated appearance, comfortable in cold weather.
Tropical Wool (Spring/Summer Suiting)
Why it's perfect: Lightweight weave provides breathability while maintaining structure and elegance.
Characteristics: Open weave, excellent breathability, crisp appearance, refined drape.
Best weights: 8-10oz for warm weather suiting.
Best for: Summer business suits, warm climate wear, seasonal formal occasions.
Performance: Exceptional breathability, maintains structure, comfortable in warm weather.
Linen and Linen Blends (Summer Suiting)
Why it's perfect: Natural fiber provides maximum breathability and relaxed summer elegance.
Characteristics: Natural texture, excellent breathability, relaxed drape, sophisticated casual.
Best weights: Medium weight for structured suits; lighter for relaxed summer wear.
Best for: Summer business casual, warm weather events, relaxed formal occasions.
Performance: Maximum breathability, natural wrinkle character, comfortable in heat.
Mohair Blends (Formal Suiting)
Why it's perfect: Natural luster and resilience create elegant drape and wrinkle resistance.
Characteristics: Subtle sheen, crisp hand feel, excellent recovery, refined elegance.
Best weights: Blended with wool at 10-12oz for optimal performance.
Best for: Formal business suits, evening wear, special occasion suits.
Performance: Resists wrinkles exceptionally, elegant sheen, maintains crisp appearance.
Consultation Preparation Tips
Before Your Appointment
Research styles: Browse suit styles, lapel options, and design details you prefer.
Consider purpose: Think about where you'll wear your suit—business, weddings, versatile occasions.
Set budget: Understand your investment range and communicate openly with your tailor.
Gather inspiration: Collect photos of suits, fabrics, or styles you admire.
Plan timing: Schedule consultation when you have 90 minutes without rushing.
Questions to Ask Your Tailor
Fabric recommendations: Which fabrics suit your lifestyle, climate, and intended use?
Style guidance: What lapel width, button configuration, and details suit your build?
Timeline expectations: How long until first fitting, subsequent fittings, and final delivery?
Alteration policy: What adjustments are included if your weight or build changes?
Care instructions: How should you maintain and care for your finished suit?
What to Bring
Reference photos: Images of suits, styles, or details you admire.
Existing suits: Wear or bring suits that fit well or poorly for comparison.
Dress shoes: Shoes you'll wear with your finished suit for accurate measurements.
Open mind: Willingness to hear expert recommendations and explore options.
Clear vision: Ideas about color, pattern, and style preferences.
Understanding Measurements
Key Measurements Taken
Chest: Fullest part of chest for jacket body width.
Shoulders: Natural shoulder width for proper jacket structure.
Waist: Natural waist and preferred trouser waist position.
Hips: Fullest part of hips for trouser fit.
Inseam: Inside leg length for trouser length.
Sleeve length: Shoulder to wrist for proper sleeve length.
Posture assessment: Natural stance, shoulder slope, and body asymmetries.
Why Fitted Clothing Matters
Reveals silhouette: Fitted clothing shows your natural proportions clearly.
Demonstrates preferences: Your current fit communicates desired tightness or ease.
Allows accuracy: Tailors can measure over fitted clothing without distortion.
Communicates style: Your wardrobe choices guide style recommendations.
Common Consultation Mistakes
Wearing oversized clothing: Baggy attire hides your natural silhouette and proportions.
Arriving in athletic wear: Gym clothes don't represent suit-wearing context or posture.
Forgetting dress shoes: Casual footwear affects posture and trouser measurements.
No style research: Arriving without ideas makes design decisions overwhelming.
Unrealistic timeline: Expecting rushed production compromises quality and fit.
Ignoring lifestyle: Choosing styles unsuitable for your actual wearing occasions.
Skipping questions: Not asking about fabrics, care, or alterations limits understanding.
Extreme weight fluctuation: Planning bespoke suit during intentional weight change.
Bringing too many opinions: Multiple advisors create conflicting guidance and confusion.
Rushing the process: Hurrying through consultation compromises measurement accuracy and design clarity.
Consultation Success Strategies
Wear fitted basics: Choose clothing revealing your natural silhouette clearly.
Bring dress shoes: Wear shoes you'll pair with your finished suit.
Research beforehand: Understand basic suit styles, fabrics, and terminology.
Communicate openly: Share lifestyle, preferences, budget, and concerns honestly.
Trust expertise: Listen to tailor recommendations based on your build and needs.
Ask questions: Clarify anything about fabrics, construction, timeline, or care.
Bring inspiration: Photos help communicate visual preferences effectively.
Plan adequate time: Allow 90 minutes for thorough consultation without rushing.
Consider versatility: First bespoke suit should work across multiple occasions.
Embrace the process: Enjoy the collaborative experience of creating your custom suit.
Your Bespoke Journey
At A Hand Tailored Suit, we make your first bespoke experience exceptional. Our expert tailors guide you through fabric selection, style options, and design details, ensuring your custom suit reflects your unique proportions, personal style, and lifestyle requirements with exceptional craftsmanship.
Our bespoke process combines traditional Savile Row techniques with modern technology, including our AI-powered contactless measurement app for precise measurements and convenient fittings. Each suit is hand-crafted to your exact specifications using premium fabrics from renowned mills like Loro Piana and Vitale Barberis Canonico.
Ready to order your first bespoke suit?
Visit A Hand Tailored Suit to book your consultation or explore our bespoke collections. Experience the confidence, comfort, and timeless elegance of a suit crafted exclusively for you.
"STYLE IS A WAY TO SAY WHO YOU ARE WITHOUT HAVING TO SPEAK." - RACHEL ZOE
Your first bespoke suit represents an investment in quality, fit, and personal style. Our expert tailors ensure your consultation captures precise measurements, clear style vision, and lifestyle requirements, creating a custom suit that becomes a cornerstone of your wardrobe.
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 perfect for lasting quality and timeless style.