Everything You Should Ask Your Tailor
Whether you’ve had experience with a tailor or you are planning on visiting one for the first time, there are some questions that you should be prepared to ask your tailor. You want to let the tailor know exactly what you need, and you also need to make sure the suit turns out the way it should. Tailor-made suits are almost always more expensive than the suits you buy off the rack, so you want to make sure you’re getting a superior product for the extra expenditure and for your time investment. Here are some questions you should be prepared to ask at your next suit fitting session.
What else do I need?
The first time you speak with your tailor, it’s merely a consultation session. You will likely discuss your tastes in fashion, what occasion the suit is being purchased for. The tailor will take some measurements and show you some sample fabrics. He might also show you some suit styles if you aren’t sure what you want. These initial steps only serve as a rough estimate of what your final product will look like. After this session, you probably should ask the tailor what else is left to do with the suit so that you can get a clearer picture of how it might look when it’s finished. The tailor should be happy to give you this information.
Is this really a good fit?
If you’re not very experienced with suit fittings, you might not have a good sense of how the garment should hang on you. In this case, it’s a good idea to ask the tailor’s opinion of the fit. The first fitting of the suit is not likely to be perfect. The tailor will probably make some adjustments and suggest some things that might need to be altered. If the suit feels tight around the chest or snug in the crotch area, this is a good reason to speak up about the fit.
It’s important to note that tailors in different parts of the world fit suits differently. For example, British tailors tend to cut suits for a more relaxed fit than Italian tailors. Keep cultural norms in mind when you visit a tailor, and ask if you have any questions about the tailor’s approach. It’s also a good idea to estimate your weight fluctuation for fitting purposes. Let the tailor know if you are at a normal weight or if you are expecting to gain or lose weight. If you expect your weight to change, it would be ideal to reach your goal weight before the fitting session.
Ask about fixes or changes
After you have gone through consultations and fitting sessions, it’s still possible that you are not satisfied with the final result. No one wants to appear like a fussy customer, but bear in mind that you’re paying a lot for a special product, so it’s a shame if you are not completely happy with it. If there is anything wrong with the sleeve length or waist size, the tailor should be more than willing to alter the suit so that it is a good fit. After all, it’s not just your money at stake. The tailor’s reputation is on the line as well.
Last minute recommendations
The tailor is knowledgeable and experienced about men’s fashion. They know how to analyze your build, how you move, and how you carry yourself. They take all these things into account when they create your suit. They also should be able to advise you about other accessories that could enhance your overall look. Ask the tailor if you might look better with a belt, cuff links and other accessories. If they’re good at their profession, they should have valuable input on all matters pertaining to the suit and men’s fashion in general.
