Why a made-to-measure suit is a cut above the rest
Why a made-to-measure suit is a cut above the rest
Until you have experienced the cut and feel of a made-to-measure (MTM) suit, it can be hard to understand what all the fuss is about. But once you have, it can be very difficult to return to ‘off the peg’.
Of course, many men have long been in on the secret of made-to-measure and routinely enjoy the experience of choosing the fabric and getting their suits fitted just-so. And, as any MTM convert will profess, the benefits—look, fit, quality and increased confidence, to name but a few—of a beautifully fitted suit far outweigh its cost. Menswear journalist, podcaster and consultant Aleks Cvetkovic is a strong advocate of the MTM experience:
“Having a suit made to measure is a special experience, befitting an occasion such as a wedding or christening, or as a reward to yourself ahead of starting a new job. I think it’s also important to say that made-to-measure tailoring shouldn’t just be considered appropriate for occasion-wear; it also exists to provide a solution to men who aren’t a good fit for a stock size.”
But for some men, the thought of indulging in an MTM suit is exactly that—an indulgence. With dress codes in the workplace becoming more relaxed, there is much less need for men to own a suit in everyday life. So much so, many would only consider treating themselves to a superior piece of clothing for a special occasion.
With this in mind, we surveyed British males to find out more about their suit-buying habits and what would motivate them to purchase a made-to-measure suit. Here’s what we discovered:
When would men treat themselves to a made-to-measure suit?
My own wedding
40%
A special occasion
27
Someone else’s wedding
13%
An important business meeting/event
7%
A charity event (e.g. gala or ball)
6%
A sporting event (e.g. horse racing)
4%
Other
3%
Wedding finery
Unsurprisingly, the main reason why men would treat themselves to a made-to-measure suit would be for their own wedding. Getting married is one of the most significant events of a person's life - not to mention one of the most photographed. If there's an occasion to go all-out on a truly special outfit, it's this.
The emotional benefits of selecting the perfect material and having the suit expertly fitted can also contribute to the excitement of the wedding planning, ensuring that the groom looks and feels his very best on the big day. In general, weddings proved a popular reason to opt for made-to-measure; a further 13% of men suggested they would treat themselves if they were attending someone else’s wedding.