Alan David Blog

Client in a basted blue suit, canvas exposed.

Bespoke vs. Made-to-Measure

By: Alan Horowitz | October 20, 2017

The quality of a suit is heavily influenced by its material, style, and the way that it is tailored (the extent to which it is truly fitted to the individual). Related to that last element, let’s look at a few terms used to describe different approaches — particularly definitions of bespoke and made-to-measure (MTM)

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  • button up vs button down shirt comparison image

    Button Down vs Button Up Shirts – What are the Main Differences?

    By: Alan Horowitz

    June 29, 2026

    Most people say “button-down” when they just mean any shirt with buttons down the front. It happens all the time. Even big retailers and magazines use it that way. This is not about correcting people over small details. If a man calls his office shirt a button-down in everyday conversation, no one is going to...

  • How to Choose the Right Beach Wedding Attire for Men?

    How to Choose the Right Beach Wedding Attire for Men?

    By: Alan Horowitz

    June 28, 2026

    Seaside weddings under bright sun change how formal wear works. Beach wedding attire for men has to do two things well: look right for the occasion, and feel right in the heat and wind. That usually means rethinking the usual choices. You can’t wear a dark city suit that works in formal occasions to a...

  • master tailer taking measurements from the client for custom suit

    Types of Suits for Men: A Complete Style Guide

    By: Alan Horowitz

    June 28, 2026

    Most men can find a suit. The hard part is knowing which one suits the occasion, which cut suits their body, and which details make it look right rather than simply expensive. A navy business suit, a three-piece suit for a wedding, and a tuxedo may all read as formal to the untrained eye, yet...

  • How to Style a Men’s Suit?

    How to Style a Men’s Suit?

    By: Alan Horowitz

    June 27, 2026

    The first time a man puts on a suit that fits him well, he stands a little taller and with a straight posture. His shoulders settle. His hands stop tugging at the jacket. He looks in the mirror and sees confidence. That feeling is what most men want, even if they don’t often know how...

  • black tie vs white dress code for men

    White Tie vs Black Tie: What’s the Difference?

    By: Alan Horowitz

    June 12, 2026

    Many men assume that white tie and black tie are similar. They are not. The difference is bigger than it seems, and the rules don’t overlap much. A tuxedo can feel spot-on at a gala, then suddenly too casual at a state dinner. A tailcoat, on the other hand, fits a formal banquet perfectly but...

  • Morning Coat vs Tailcoat

    Morning Coat vs Tailcoat: Choosing the Right Formal Menswear

    By: Alan Horowitz

    June 12, 2026

    Many men get stuck when choosing the right attire for formal events. A morning coat and a tailcoat both have tails, both belong to formal dress, and both tend to appear on strictly formal invitations. At a glance, they seem close enough to confuse. That confusion is easy to understand. Even men who dress well...

  • men wearing a black tuxedo

    3 Tuxedo Lapel Styles Explained

    By: Alan Horowitz

    June 12, 2026

    You put on a tuxedo and look in the mirror. The fit is good. Still, something is not right. Then you try on another jacket. The front falls into place straight away.  Often, the difference is the lapel shape. A small change in shape can shift the whole look. That is why one tuxedo looks...

  • Groom and his five groomsmen standing outside church. All wearing vested custom tuxedos.

    What Color Suit Should You Wear to a Wedding?

    By: Alan Horowitz

    May 29, 2026

    You’ve got the wedding invitation. The date is set. The dress code is cocktail attire. It’s a garden wedding. You look at the suit hanging in your closet, and it does not feel right. What should you do? Is a black suit too somber? Is a grey suit wedding-appropriate, or does it read like office...

  • master fitter taking measurements to make a bespoke tuxedo

    How to Wear a Tuxedo: A Practical Guide to Tuxedo Etiquette

    By: Alan Horowitz

    May 29, 2026

    Most men rent an ill‑fitting tuxedo and call it good. It’s a common mistake. A tuxedo should make you look sharp, not uncomfortable. When your garments fit properly, it changes how you move and how confident you feel throughout the evening.  The difference between average and impressive is simple. To get it right, wear the...