If you are a shorter gentleman, of 5’7” or below, it helps to know that there are some particular concerns related to height when you buy a custom suit. Let’s review advice that can help you when working with a tailor. First, though, let’s briefly look at why this is so important through research on height bias – which you can minimize by getting perfect-fitting clothing that makes you look taller. Study shows the reality of height bias It may sound bizarre to suggest that you could assign a value to every additional inch of a person’s height. However, that is exactly what can be done using the data from research published in the Journal of Applied Psychology in 2004. The landmark study found that every inch over average height corresponded to an additional $789 of annual income. Psychologist Timothy A. Judge, Ph.D. (University of Florida) and management scholar Daniel […]

Think a suit is just a suit? Not if you want to make an impression. And not if you want a suit that fits you. But how to choose a suit that is the right fit? Leave behind the idea that you can properly present yourself with off-the-rack or made-to-measure options. Here is our suit buying guide to pick a bespoke or custom suit. Tips to buy a suit that fits 1. Be confident with your choice. If you are undecided on whether to get a bespoke suit, consider that anything you pull off a rack will not take into account the way the human body is actually built. Notably, 70% of people have one arm that is a quarter-inch longer than the other; your suit should reflect the reality of your body’s dimensions if you want to look your best. 2. Know what you want. You don’t need to […]

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). Other suit descriptors: ready-to-wear, off-the-rack, and custom 5 distinctions between bespoke & made-to-measure Evolution of suit creation Ambiguity & lack of law Getting the right fit Other suit descriptors: ready-to-wear, off-the-rack, and custom Before we get into detail related to bespoke and made-to-measure suits, let’s look at three other ways that suits are described or categorized: Ready-to-wear (RTW) – The designer comes up with cuts and styles for suits, offering ready-to-wear suits directly off the rack. “The development of the RTW suit was pioneered in the 1950s, when manufacturers segmented the male form into different sizes […]

It’s safe to say that having at least one suit isn’t a luxury, but a necessity. Every man will find himself in a situation where he’s going to need a suit, no matter what line of work he’s in. This is especially true in New York City where appearances are just as important as who you know. Competition is the name of the game in New York. There are plenty of qualified people here with impressive resumes and networks. So, more is needed to stand apart. Never underestimate the value of signaling. And, what signals success better than looking good? Not much. Owning custom suits in NYC is one of the best things you can do for yourself professionally and personally. After all, in an increasingly social media dominated world, it’s telling that you’ll find many popular images tagged with the famous phrase “There is nothing like a well-tailored man […]

Selecting a custom tailor can be a rigorous process. Listed below are some of the main traits your custom tailor should have. 1. Custom tailoring is an art, not a science. Custom tailoring must be learned by doing; a high level of craftsmanship cannot be taught in a classroom or via books. It may seem like a collection of simple measurements but it is so much more. The eye of the custom tailor is crucial to the fitting process. He must be able to recognize things that a tape measure is unable to gauge, such as a low right or left shoulder, body posture, the position of the arms, button stance and many other variables. Look for a tailor who has been in business for a long period of time. Inferior custom tailors tend to go out of business quickly due to the difficulty of the craft. Don’t be afraid […]