How to Buy Suits Online & Take Measurements
In today’s article, we discuss how to buy suits online, what mistakes to avoid, the pros and cons of buying suits online, which brands to consider, and all the ins and outs you need to know to get a suit that ultimately fits you. Fortunately, these days the internet gives you limitless opportunities to buy a suit. But that wasn’t always the case. In the past, you were limited to local shops and department stores, or, if you traveled, you could pick up a suit at a haberdashery or a tailor.
Pros and Cons of Buying a Suit Online
So, first of all, what are the pros and cons of buying a suit online? Use the free Wedding Tuxedo Size Calculator
The Pros
Let’s start with the pros. The biggest pro is arguably your choice. You find tons of brands from around the world, in different price brackets, with different stylistic details, and different levels of workmanship. You can find exactly what you’re after, something you wouldn’t be able to get at your local tailor or haberdashery. Let alone your city or probably even your state.
The second pro is price. Whether you shop for a pre-owned or vintage suit or an off-the-rack suit, chances are you can find better value in the price bracket you’re looking at online. I think that’s particularly true for pre-owned garments, where you can sometimes save up to 80%. New garments online are sometimes less expensive, but generally they’re not more expensive than in-store. Read our complete guide on Men’s Suit Sizes and How to Measure
The third big pro is the ease of use: you can look for suits online in your off time, at home or wherever you are, on your phone or computer. You can interrupt your search without traveling anywhere, incurring travel costs, or wasting entire days or blocks of time.
Another pro that many men don’t even consider is that you have all the time in the world to try on the suit at home, look it over, and decide whether it’s for you, without feeling hassled by a salesperson who wants to close the sale. It gives me time to calmly assess which suit alterations are necessary.
Also, if you buy a custom or a made-to-measure suit online, most companies offer a fit guarantee. So, if it doesn’t work out, you can have the suit remade. Just make sure you actually read the fine print of their fit guarantee because, sometimes, they provide you with an alterations credit and you have to hand in receipts, but that’s not what you want. Learn more about Temu Plus Size Fashion
If I buy sized clothes online from a brand, I typically order multiple sizes so I can try things on and determine what size is right for me, because in the menswear world, there’s a lot of vanity sizing and, sometimes, a size large is exactly right; sometimes I need a medium, sometimes I need an extra-extra-large. Yes, it pays to take a closer look at the size chart, but sometimes I’ve found they’re not 100% accurate.
The Cons
Of course, depending on how expensive the items that you buy are, you may hit a credit card limit and have to deal with returns, which brings us to the cons. Personally, I hate making returns. Whether it’s online or offline, it’s always a hassle. It always feels like a total waste of time to me. And it’s simply something I don’t enjoy.
Another major con of online suit shopping is that you cannot physically feel the garment. Yes, companies can throw out the fabric brands they use and talk about their soft construction and all those things, but it means different things to different vendors. And, ultimately, you have to feel it, you have to wear it, and see how you like it to really make that call.
Also, unless you’re able to buy multiple models and compare them side by side, you won’t get that aspect. If you buy one or two suits, you get them, and then you have to return them. Then maybe you have to buy the next ones, and by the time you have the third suit, you may have forgotten how the first one felt. Obviously, even if you find something that really works for you, the process is much longer, which is another con. Discover everything about Budget Blazers
Different Ways You Can Buy a Suit Online
Now that we’ve got the pros and cons squared away, let’s look at the different ways you can buy a suit online. First, you can buy pre-owned or vintage suits on sites like Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay. In different countries, there are so many smaller sites that focus on higher-end suits where you can buy them. The second option is to buy a new off-the-rack suit that is ready to wear, where you can see pictures, it’s in stock, and they can ship it right away in the size that, at least, you think will fit you. Then there is the market for custom suits, typically online made-to-measure suits. And finally, I’ve also recently seen the term “online bespoke suit.” Explore our article on the detailed Suit Size Chart by Height and Weight
In a nutshell, each one of those has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Vintage or Pre-Owned Suits
Vintage or pre-owned suits are probably the least expensive, but that also means you’re wearing someone else’s men’s clothes.
Off-the-Rack Suits
Off-the-rack suits are typically a step up in price, but you get what you see. You can get them quickly, but the problem is that they’re all symmetrical, and humans are not. Because of that, fit is often an issue.
Made-to-Measure Suits
With a made-to-measure suit, you provide your measurements, and they adapt an existing pattern to fit you. Typically, you can choose from a broad range of fabrics and a detailed menu. So, you can pick different linings, different buttons, and stylistic things. But it’s typically limited to a menu. Check out our guide to Best Women’s Plus-Size
Bespoke Suits
Bespoke traditionally means a tailor takes your measurements and considers your body, your imperfections, your asymmetries, and the little details you want. Design-wise, the sky is really the limit. On top of that, you get a lot more handwork, a fully floating canvas, and details that are spot on and exactly to your specifications. The downside is that it is also expensive because it requires many hours of tailoring. And you probably want to use really high-quality fabric, because why spend all that money if it isn’t up to snuff?
Online Bespoke Suits
Now, online bespoke is a bit more difficult because you don’t have that physical tailor connection. Yes, there is software that can analyze your body and provide a precise breakdown of what’s going on, including measurements and imperfections. But there’s also a certain chemistry between a tailor and you that gets lost online. Oftentimes, companies try to counterbalance that by sending you trial and try-on garments, so you can test things along the way without having to finish the entire suit and then present it to you only to find out it doesn’t fit the way you want it to.
The Key to a Well-Fitting Suit Is the Proper Measurements
In any case, no matter which of those four options you choose, the key to a well-fitting suit is the proper measurements. You’ve probably heard a hundred times that the fit of a suit matters most. That being said, people have differing opinions of what a well-fitting suit looks like.
Garment Measurements for Vintage or Pre-Owned Suits
Now, if you buy a vintage or pre-owned suit online, chances are you’ll need actual garment measurements. Why? Well, because that’s what most people will be able to provide you with. So, ideally, you already have a suit and know which measurements to look for. If that’s not you and you don’t have a jacket or trousers you can actually start with, then I would say you have to estimate, eyeball it, get something, then pin it down and determine the exact garment measurements that will work for you.
Off-the-Rack Suits Online
If you buy an off-the-rack suit online, some brands will provide their garment measurements, and others will provide body measurements. So, it’s best to have both.
Made-to-Measure and Bespoke Suits Online
For made-to-measure and bespoke suits, you generally need body measurements, even though some companies may offer an app to help you measure yourself or use their AI-powered sizing algorithm. Honestly, don’t do that. Take the extra time to get your real measurements and follow their instructions. Why? Well, some companies measure the arm length from the back of your spine; others measure it from the sleeve. The inside, the outside, and you want to make sure you give them the right measurements. Otherwise, the suit fit will be a disaster. Sometimes, even made-to-measure bespoke companies offer to provide garment measurements so they can copy what you have at home. But then, that’s not truly a made-to-measure bespoke company anymore in my book.
How Do You Get Your Measurements?
Well, garment measurements are easy to take yourself. For body measurements, you want a second person involved. Ideally, it could be a tailor or someone experienced in measuring, but even your partner or a friend can do it, since you typically have step-by-step instructions. Don’t even try to measure yourself. It simply is not going to work.
Use a Soft Sewing Measuring Tape
No, don’t get a tape measure out of your toolbox. Instead, get a soft sewing measuring tape from a reputable brand like Singer. You can find them at sewing supply stores, drugstores, or online for under $5. Why is it so important? Whether you get the cheaper ones or the ones the brand provides, they may change over time and may not be the right length. And if you measure and your measuring tape is off by an inch, well, that defeats the point of accurate measurements.
What to Wear When Taking Body Measurements
When taking body measurements for a suit, you should wear dress pants, dress shoes, and a dress shirt. Do not wear the jacket when you take the measurements. Unless, of course, the specific company instructs you to do so. Even if it might hurt your ego a little bit, you always want to measure the body you have, not the body you aspire to.
Honestly, I’ve seen it time and time again. Once people get measured, they’re excited, they’re nervous, and all of a sudden they stand up, their shoulders go back, and their chests come out. Sometimes, the arms don’t hang the way they normally do. And even the way they stand changes. The problem is that all these artificial changes will later result in a garment that will not fit you in your normal state, which is terrible.
Typically, before I get measured, I close my eyes, take some deep breaths, shake my limbs, and relax. And then, I stand normally and don’t even think about being measured. That way, I’m standing in my normal posture, in my normal position, just the way I will be 90% of the time later on when I actually wear the suit.
What Exactly Should You Measure for a Jacket?
So, what exactly should you measure for a jacket? The most important measurements are the chest, shoulders, and jacket length, and maybe the sleeve length. For pants, it’s the inseam and the waist size.
Shoulders
So, how do you actually measure your shoulders? Take your measuring tape and start where you can feel the shoulder bone. Keep it snug. Go over the top of your spine to the other side of your shoulder; you can reach the bone and measure that distance. Most men measure between 18 and 21 inches, about 45 to 53 centimeters.
Also, pay attention to the shoulder shape. Some people have a very upright posture; others have a very rounded back. If your back is round, you may want to add about half an inch or a centimeter to the measurements for better comfort when you wear the jacket. Otherwise, if it’s too tight in the back, you always feel like your movement is restricted.
If you want to take garment measurements, you can do so on a mannequin. And you do it from one sleeve head to the other. Typically, the area where the shoulder seam meets the sleeve head. For certain bespoke suits, sometimes, that seam can be a little off, a little further down. You typically want to be on top of the shoulder.
Some made-to-measure companies will also ask whether you have square or very sloping shoulders. And even better ones will let you set different slopes on each side, since many men have different shoulder slopes. For example, my right shoulder is about 2 inches (5 cm) lower than my left. That has a significant impact on how a suit fits.
Chest
Measuring the chest is fairly easy. You take the measuring tape and hold it around your chest at the widest point. You can breathe in and breathe out to find the right length. And you want it pretty snug, but not super tight. Typically, measurement is right around your nipples. Take this measurement while you stand, not while you sit, because it can change slightly. Most men will fall between 38 and 46 inches in chest measurement, which is about 96 to 116 centimeters.
In the US and UK, most suit jackets, or even entire suits, are sized by chest size. So, if you measure 42 inches around your chest and you’re of normal height, your size will be 42 regular. The European equivalent of a 42 regular is a size 52. So, typically, you add 10 to the size. So, an American 44 is a European 54. On a more technical level, a size 52 is the pit-to-pit measurement, measured one way. So, you take 42 inches and convert it to centimeters, and you get 106 centimeters. If you divide it by two to get the half-measurement, you get around 53 centimeters, which is very close to the 52-centimeter size in the European system.
Let’s say your chest measures 42 and you’re a taller person. Typically. Typically, you’d get a size 42L. If you measure 42 inches around your chest and you’re shorter, you get the size 42 short or 42S. Now, European suit sizing for long and short sizes is a bit different. The equivalent of 42 long is not 52 long but 106 long, which is a little more than double 52. If you’re shorter, your size will not be 52 short; it will be 26, which is half of 52.
If you want garment measurements for the chest, you just lay the jacket on the floor, you button it, you kind of slightly lift up the sleeves, and measure from pit to pit. No, don’t put a lot on the garment because, as you can see, there’s a bit of flex. But you want the accurate measurement, which is when it lies flat in a normal silhouette.
Jacket Length
A common rule of thumb for determining the proper jacket length is to measure from the top of your spine down your back to the level of your knuckles when your hand is clenched into a half-fist; that should be the length of your jacket. Now, frankly, in my mind, this is a bogus rule because men of identical height can have drastically different arm lengths. Also, men of the same height may have longer torsos and shorter legs, and vice versa.
So, to get the proper jacket length, measure from the top of your spine, where your jacket collar would usually sit, down to the bottom hem of your pants. And then, divide it by tw,o and that would be your jacket length. In recent years, trendy jackets have been cut quite a bit shorter. So, when you subtract it in half, subtract an additional one to two inches or two and a half to five centimeters, so you get that shorter jacket look.
If you measure the garment, lay it flat on the floor and measure from just under the collar to the base of the jacket. Also measure the jacket back length,h including the collar,r because different vendors provide different back-length measurements.
One aspect to keep in mind is that many off-the-rack and made-to-measure jackets are cut slightly longer in the front and back, whereas true bespoke jackets are typically designed so the front and back are the exact same length when the wearer stands. Now, obviously, it also depends on your posture. If you have sloped shoulders, your front will likely appear longer than it does when you stand erect in the same clothing. Getting the front-to-back balance exactly right is really difficult, even with made-to-measure, and, for many programs, it’s not something they can do. And I know of people who’ve gone bespoke for that sole reason.
Sleeve Length
Next up is sleeve length. You measure it from your shoulder bone, down on your relaxed arm to your knuckle or the base of your thumb. Most men want to show a bit of shirt cuff, so some subtract an inch and a half, an inch, a quarter inch, three-quarters of an inch, or anywhere from one to three centimeters. It looks particularly dapper if the amount of shirt peeking out above your collar matches the length of your shirt cuffs.
It’s important that you measure both arms because many men have slightly different arm lengths. That being said, the final sleeve length is not determined solely by your arm length. But it can also be impacted by the slope of your shoulder. For example, my left arm is a quarter inch longer than my right arm. But my right arm is also about two inches more sloped than my left. Because of that, with ready-to-wear jackets, typically, my left sleeve needs to be more than a quarter inch longer than my right sleeve. In a bespoke garment, all this can be considered when drafting the pattern. The right armhole can be cut lower for me. Then, maybe, a shoulder pad can be added or not, depending on my preference. Ultimately, the exact sleeve length is determined when you try it on. So, the tailor can ensure you get exactly the proper length on each side, which should be identical.
For garment measurements, you typically lay the jacket flat or place it on a mannequin, then measure from the sleeve head, along the outside of the sleeve, to the bottom tip. Sometimes, people also measure it to the middle of the sleeve. Unfortunately, there is no gold standard. More importantly, I check if the cuffs have working sleeve buttons or not because if they do, lengthening or shortening the jacket is a lot more difficult because you can’t do it from the bottom without screwing up the proportions of the button distance to the hem of the sleeve. And so, you have to shorten or lengthen it from the shoulder.
Waist
Next up is the waist measurement, which is the point where traditional men’s trousers would sit. And today, most trousers sit a little lower, closer to the hip. However, it’s also used for jackets to create that nice hourglass silhouette that’s so attractive in a suit. Many men will have a drop of roughly 6 inches between their chest and waist measurements. So, let’s say I’m a size 42 regular; my waist is often a 36. That’s about a 15-centimeter drop from your chest to your waist. Sometimes, on higher-end ready-to-wear jackets, that’s even reflected in the size, and you can see a size 54 drop 8, which means it’s a size 54, but the drop is actually 8 inches, not just 6 inches.
To measure your waist, measure the slimmest point of your upper body, typically around your belly button. Again, keep the tape snug but not too tight. For garment measurements, you can just lay it flat on the floor, button the jacket, and then measure right around the buttoning point or at the narrowest point. Of course, if the jacket has a super-low or super-high buttoning point, you need to adjust that measurement slightly.
Hips or Seat
Next up is the hips or seat measurement, which is taken at the widest part of your bum. For most men, it ranges from 30 to 40 inches (about 75 to 100 centimeters). My seat measurement is, in fact, quite a bit larger than even my chest measurement. So, yes, it gives me somewhat of an hourglass shape. But it also means it’s quite hard for me to find well-fitting pants. Why is that? Well, I also have a relatively normal waist size and big thighs, so I need big, full-cut pleated trousers with darts at the top so I don’t end up with a huge amount of fabric puddling around my waistline.
So, why am I telling you all of this? Well, it’s really important to be aware of your body and the challenges and problem areas you might have, because if you’re not, you’ll likely end up with a suit that won’t fit you. For example, I expect that any pair of trousers or pants I buy online will need to be heavily altered because they’re not cut for me.
Inseam
Next up is the inseam, measured from your crotch to the bottom hem along the inside of your leg. Typically, it’s between 28 and 38 inches, which is about 70 to 95 centimeters.
Note: If you like super-slim pants, they will start puddling much earlier because they touch your foot sooner. In that case, you have to shorten your inseam by about half an inch to an inch. Sometimes, even more, about 1 to 3 centimeters, when you buy pre-owned trousers with cuffs you can typically let out, shortening is never a problem, unless they’re faux cuffs. High-end off-the-rack brands typically come unfinished, so you can take them to your tailor and get the length exactly right. When you have a pair of pants you like, you can lay them flat and measure along the seam from the crotch to the bottom hem.
Outseam and Rise
Next, we measure the outseam length to determine the rise. And you measure it from the top waistline to the bottom hem, on the outside of the pants. Now, you subtract the inseam from the outseam; you have the rise measurement. Some bespoke tailors or made-to-measure companies also measure the rise from your front waistband, through your crotch, to your back waistband. Personally, I really like high-waisted trousers. I think they’re more comfortable throughout the course of the day, and I also don’t want to have a crotch that is too tight and constricting. Most ready-to-wear brands do not provide a crotch or rise measurement. Higher-end made-to-measure companies will take the measurement, and so will a bespoke tailor.
Thigh
Next up is a thigh measurement. Typically, in a body, it’s measured around the widest part of your thigh or pretty much in the middle of your crotch and your knee. Since there’s no particular point, it’s a little trickier to measure it on a pair of pants, but you can roughly eyeball it a little bit underneath the crotch, in that middle area where it’s still quite wide. On an off-the-rack suit, your thigh measurement typically determines how slim your pants can be. If you have an athletic build with really big thigh muscles, it can be tricky to find off-the-rack stuff. You need a bit more space; pleats are really the way to go because they give you extra room, which is why I always favor pleats.
Five General Things to Consider Before You Buy a Suit Online
Now that you know what to measure, let’s look at five general considerations before you buy a suit online.
Number One: The Occasion
Number one is the occasion. Do you wear the suit for a funeral, for a job interview, for formal board meetings, or are you maybe an artist who wants to stand out from the crowd? A lightweight cotton seersucker suit will feel and perform very differently than a really heavy, 14-oz. flannel suit. Also, your stylistic choices matter – the fabric, the cut, and the details. A brown tweed suit may be great for the countryside or for someone who lives in a very casual environment and wants to wear this textured suit. But it won’t be a good idea for a formal board meeting.
Number Two: Don’t Just Buy Something Because It’s on Sale
Number two: Don’t just buy something because it’s on sale. Yes, I know you want that deal, and I do, too. But if you look at the cost per wear, that’s the most important aspect. If you buy this really nice jacket and you only wear it three times, well, it’s actually quite expensive per wear. Compare that to a single-breasted navy suit you can wear over and over again, which may cost slightly more and doesn’t go on sale regularly, but will be a much better investment for you. Also, the navy suit may not be the best suit for you. So, not sure where to start? We even have some cool articles on building a capsule wardrobe, which consists of interchangeable pieces that can be worn with one another, resulting in a super versatile wardrobe.
Number Three: Be Intentional
Which brings us to the next point, number three: be intentional. For many men, that means sticking to classic, traditional, and not-too-flashy patterns. On the other hand, if you’re an artist and want a rust-bronze-orange suit, go for it.
Number Four: Know What Kind of Buyer You Are
Number four: Know what kind of buyer you are beforehand. You want something that looks good, isn’t too complicated, and you don’t want to spend too much time on it, and money isn’t a big concern? Yes, by all means, go with higher-end off-the-rack or made-to-measure if you have time between when you want to start buying and when you actually need it. Otherwise, you’ll get frustrated. On the flip side, if you don’t have money, want a steal, and have time, pre-owned or vintage suits are your best bet. At the end of the day, the clearer your vision of the experience you want and your needs, the better the results will be.
Number Five: Be Grateful for the Convenience
Number five: Be grateful and take joy in the sheer convenience you have today that enables you to order a suit just by sitting on your couch. Even though suits aren’t worn nowadays, a growing number of people choose to wear them because they feel good and enjoy them. There are devoted groups where people enjoy wearing suits and dressing up, and there are also tons of menswear channels where you can learn a lot about classic men’s clothing.
How Do You Actually Buy Suits Online?
Vintage Suits
Let’s start with the vintage suits. This option is really great for men who want a specific period silhouette or who like heavier fabrics or patterns they can’t find today. Of course, in order to hunt one down that fits you, it requires quite a bit of time, so if you can place a value on your time and take that into consideration, I think that will really help to not just spend a hundred hours on finding one suit when your time is worth a hundred dollars an hour.
Off-the-Rack Suits
Let’s move on to off-the-rack suits and how to buy them online. The most common way is to buy them from the brand’s website. But those will typically be more one-offs, with limited size options. Buying from a brand’s website usually means having a good size guide, being able to choose from a range of sizes, and getting more information about the product’s quality, so check the return policy, as it varies by country. But sometimes, it can be quite generous. And there’s a budget; you can also exactly dial in how much you want to spend, because you can find suits for $100 online or $5,000, and anything in between.
Don’t just rely on the size you always wear because sizes can vary greatly between brands. For example, with a Suitsupply jacket, I had to wear a size 46. I have other jackets in a 42. That’s a huge difference. Many sites will also use their own jargon and their own definitions. Sometimes they’ll talk about “super numbers,” but it’s not a legally protected term. In the same vein, some companies call their made-to-order program “custom program” or their made-to-measure program “bespoke program.” So, buyer beware, and always ask questions if they’re not transparent about exactly what they offer.
Brands specializing in suits often offer different cuts or styles off the rack. Typically, there’s something super slim, something in the middle, and something cut a little more traditionally. Companies like Suitsupply offer many options, but not every style suits every man. So, make sure you read up on the differences and decide what suits you best. Sometimes, that means you’ll find brands that work particularly well for tall men, others work better for shorter guys, or more portly guys. For example, I know that a size 54, drop 8, and Isaia with a 26-inch sleeve length is just a good off-the-rack fit for me. I like the way the armholes and sleeves are cut. It’s comfortable when I wear it, and it just looks good on me. On the other hand, I couldn’t find anything I liked at Suitsupply, and I tried on many different jackets, even in-store.
Realistically, you can’t expect to buy a suit online and have it magically fit perfectly when it arrives. Even if you think it does, hold your horses. Order from a few other brands or styles. Compare them all, then decide which one to buy. Honestly, you can read about soft structure and unlined all day long. But unless you wear it and feel it, you don’t know exactly what it’s going to be like.
Budget for Tailoring
Also, keep in mind that you should always budget for tailoring, and so it pays to have a good alterations tailor in town that you trust, and you can eyeball, “Oh, this alteration here will probably cost me $100, $150, $200 on top of what I pay for my suit.” So, even if you get a $50 deal on eBay, adding $200 for alterations still leaves you with a really well-fitting suit for $250. That being said, with some body types or certain shoulder slopes, you will never get a fit that is 100% perfect with pretty much any brand. That’s when you go with custom clothing, which is made-to-measure or bespoke.
Made-to-Measure Suits
Apart from the theory that you should end up with a better fit, you can also customize your suit, starting with a choice of thousands of fabrics. And then, also selecting from different linings, different buttonhole colors, different buttons, and also the lapel width or the number of closing buttons, the pocket details, the vents, and so forth. If you’ve never ordered a custom-made or made-to-measure suit before, there’s definitely a learning curve, and many men feel overwhelmed by the number of options. Because of that, many made-to-measure companies can actually offer far more customizations than they show on their websites. So, if you’re a seasoned made-to-measure guy, you can always reach out to them and ask about certain changes because, more often than not, they can actually accommodate them.
Now, the degree of customization varies widely among made-to-measure providers. Some pretty much let you change the curvature of your lapel or the size and position of your buttonhole, and you can tell them which gimp thread you won’t use for your buttonhole. Now, these are all very intricate details, but sometimes they will say, ” Sorry, can’t do that and that’s when you have to go to step to bespoke, where there shouldn’t be any limitations on the design front.
Also, with pretty much all the made-to-measure companies, there are limitations on the stylistic front. Sure, you can say, “I want a double-breasted waistcoat.” Bu, they may not be able to have the exact cut that you want. Or, let’s say you want 30s, 40s, or 50s suits; most online MTM companies won’t be able to fit you accurately.
Made-to-Measure vs. Off-the-Rack: Price and Quality
Price-wise, online made-to-measure suits have a price range almost as wide as that of off-the-rack garments. So, why should I buy an off-the-rack suit for $1,000 or more if I can buy a made-to-measure suit for $199? Well, even though the measurements may be good in terms of fit, that doesn’t mean they actually work out, and the fabric is often subpar. The interlinings are all glued. The cut is not as refined. And so, at the end of the day, even though the measurements may be right, it may be really uncomfortable to wear that suit because you overheat and sweat all the time, and you feel constricted when you move.
The best suits are all handmade, with flexible stitching and either a full floating canvas or a completely unlined construction. Less expensive suits often feature a half-canvas construction or a fully glued construction.
For example, for my build, I would choose a higher-end jacket from Attolini or Isaia from an off-the-rack line because I know how it fits and can feel the difference compared to a lower-end or even a medium made-to-measure suit.
Online Made-to-Measure Brands by Price
There are tons of brands on the online made-to-measure market, but we haven’t tested them all. Personally, I divide the entire online made-to-measure market into three separate categories. The below $400, the $400 to $1000, and the $1000+. Of course, these are all starting prices for your suits because, even though the construction is the same, fabric prices can vary considerably.
Below $400
In the sub-$400 bracket, you have suits from iTailor, Hockerty, Hangrr, Tailor Store, Suitopia, or Richmart.
$400 to $1000
In the medium $400 to $1000 category, you have suits from InStitchu, Indochino, Suitsupply, Sartoro, Luxire, Lanieri, Black Lapel, and Oliver Wicks.
$1000+
For over $1000, you have online made-to-measure and bespoke offerings, including Articles of Style, Senszio, Langelli, MyTailor.com, He Spoke Style, and Michael Andrews. However, keep in mind that at this price level, you can sometimes get made-to-measure from Savile Row houses such as Steed, Ilgour, or Richard Anderson. Of course, there are so many other made-to-measure programs, such as those from Attolini, Kiton, Beckett & Robb, Brioni, and so forth.
Which Brands Would I Skip?
Personally, I would stay clear of the sub-$400 online made-to-measure suits. And even at the next level, I would skip the lower end, such as Indochino, because I feel it’s too much of a compromise in quality and comfort. I will always opt for the full canvas rather than the half canvas, even if it means a $200 upcharge.
Now, I hear you. You’re on a really tight budget, but you want a made-to-measure suit. Wait for sales. Most of those online made-to-measure companies have certain sales in certain fabrics. And if you can wait, do that, and you’ll get a higher-quality suit at a price point you can afford.
You Will Probably Need One to Two, Sometimes Three Suits to Nail the Fit
Last but not least, please keep in mind that while all these companies promise a 100% fit satisfaction guarantee, you will probably need one to two, sometimes three, suits before you can really nail the fit. That’s even true for most bespoke garments, by the way. The first one is never 100% perfect. So, what does that mean for you? You may need to invest much more time to get the fit, details, and style right with one brand. But once you’re there, it’s very easy to reorder and get a suit with a fit you like and the customized style you’re after.
The suit I’m wearing today is, of course, one that I bought online years ago on eBay for just about €100. It is made by A. Caraceni in Milano and typically costs several thousand euros. It is made of a nice, crisp fresco fabric, which is perfect for summer. And a nice sleeve lining, handmade buttonholes, and you can even see the sleeve tip is rounded, so it doesn’t wear out so easily. These are all the small hallmarks of higher-end garments.
Final Thoughts
In any case, no matter which of those four options you choose, the key to a well-fitting suit is the proper measurements. Take the extra time to get your real measurements and follow their instructions. Even if it might hurt your ego a little bit, you always want to measure the body you have, not the body you aspire to.
Realistically, you can’t expect to buy a suit online and have it magically fit perfectly when it arrives. Even if you think it does, hold your horses. Order from a few other brands or styles. Compare them all and then ma, decide to buy. Also, keep in mind that you should always budget for tailoring.
While all these companies promise a 100% fit satisfaction guarantee, you’ll probably need one to two, sometimes three, suits before you can really nail the fit. You may need to invest much more time to get the fit, details, and style right with one brand. But once you’re there, it’s very easy to reorder and get a suit with a fit you like and the customized style you’re after.
At the end of the day, the clearer your vision of the experience you want and your needs, the better the results will be. Be grateful and take joy in the sheer convenience you have today, which lets you order a suit just by sitting on your couch.