Nothing better signifies one’s sense of style and refined taste quite like a perfectly fitted suit. The ideal suit enhances posture, flatters one’s physique and visually communicates an elevated aesthetic with a cleaner silhouette and greater balance of proportions. With the perfectly constructed suit, the individual feels emboldened and ready to move and engage with others with a greater reservoir of inner power.
There are different ways of achieving a custom fit, the two most popular being made-to-measure and bespoke. These two terms are often confused and used interchangeably, though the differences are quite stark once you dig into the minutiae. Let’s set the record straight and take a closer look at the difference between made to measure and bespoke.
Made to measure
Made to measure is a delightfully descriptive term, suggesting that the suit is made after the wearer’s measurements are taken. This much is true, and is what sets made to measure miles apart from the more common off the rack (OTR) options you’ll find in everyday men’s clothing stores. To order a made to measure suit, a client will walk into a clothier’s, an expert tailor will take a series of measurements to ensure a custom fit, and the purchaser will select from a range of different fabrics and style options. However, like OTR, made to measure is produced from an established pattern. Some elements of a made to measure suit may be hand-tailored but the bulk of the work is mass-produced.
There are many customization options available in made to measure: one can choose their desired fabric, usually from hundreds of different options, plus the style of buttons, and even the stitching. The customer will typically visit their clothier two or three times: the first to take measurements, select their custom options and place their order; and a second and possibly third for fitting and refinements.
Bespoke
A bespoke suit is the pinnacle of form and function. Everything about a bespoke suit is custom, beginning with the pattern. The very foundation of a bespoke suit isn’t born until the client has their measurements taken by the tailor. These unique measurements are the source of the suit’s pattern. Everything unique about one’s physique can be taken into consideration, including posture, the slope of one’s back and shoulders, and so much more. There is also a dizzying array of options available across every aspect, including thousands upon thousands of fabric choices, plus endless customization possibilities on styles, accents, linings and internal construction.
The bespoke process typically takes four or five visits, given that the pattern is in a constant flux, with refinements made meticulously throughout each of these visits. Every stitch is hand-drawn by an expert tailor. Bespoke suits are also made to last far longer than any other option due to superior craftsmanship and materials. Antonacci jackets also include a layer of horsehair canvas sewn under the fabric, which helps the jacket hold its shape while conforming to the wearer’s physique as their body’s dimensions slightly evolve over time.
Naturally, given the level of customization involved and the hands-on effort required, a bespoke suit costs significantly more than its made to measure counterpart, but is a true investment that will pay greater dividends in confidence and self-esteem over a longer period of time.
It should be noted that made to measure suits can still come with a lofty price tag, especially at the top end of the market with ultra-luxe brands such as Zegna, Brioni, Canali, Corneliani, Isaia and Tom Ford.
Ultimately, the decision between purchasing a made to measure or a bespoke suit comes down to a couple of important factors. A made to measure suit costs less and is produced faster, while a bespoke suit is completely unique in every facet of its conception and will last longer.
If you’re even considering the purchase of a bespoke suit, contact us now to book a no-obligation consultation and fitting. During your appointment, we can explain in greater detail all the benefits of investing in an Antonacci bespoke suit.