Written by Rakelle Maurici in Tips & Advice on the 13th October 2015

Years ago our ancestors were lucky enough to have had most of, if not all of their clothes handmade. However at the time it wasn’t seen as the luxury it is today. Bespoke clothing is rare and unless you are lucky enough to have this kind of clothing accessible to you, it is an expensive investment. This is simply down to the fact that due to mass production bespoke clothing is a dying art which younger generations sadly don’t want. However, if you're looking to invest in a bespoke suit here is a little guide of factors to consider.

The Purpose 

A tailor will always ask you why you’re buying a bespoke suit to help him establish the best style. So it could be a wedding, a formal dinner or that you want to treat yourself after a recent work promotion. Whatever the reason, you'll need to convey this information to the tailor.

Fabric 

This goes hand-in-hand as to what occasion you are buying for. Summer suits are made from very different fabrics than winter suits, so think about how you want it to look and how you want to feel. If you are unsure on which fabric works for the current season speak with your tailor, they will give expert advice.

Evaluate the Costs 

Be careful, the sale is agreed before the suit is made, so you have to be 100% sure of what the manufacturing involves. If this is a brand you know and you've been made aware of their labour hours and number of fittings then you will know how much you are likely to pay. However, do your homework when it comes to fabric costs and make sure the tailor has on-site manufacturing. If the cost is considerably lower, chances are they're not as authentic as advertised.

House Cut 

Whether you are going to a reputable brand on Savile Row or to a local tailor in Naples, it won’t make a difference to how you feel about the suit unless you like the house cut of the brand. Consider the difference between a British cut and Italian cut - for example both are great cuts of suits but are very different and it is likely that you'll prefer one of the other. The more research and information you can find out about each tailor will help your decision.

Body Transformation 

If you have just started dieting or working out to get into shape or you are planning on undergoing any kind of body transformation, don’t invest in a bespoke suit just yet. Wait until you are happy with your body and plan to remain a certain size and build. It's also worth considering that investing in a bespoke suit is good motivation to stay in shape.

Take Care of It 

Do not dry clean a suit unless you really have to, such as spills or stains. You can get suits steamed or pressed if it needs freshening up but generally speaking, dry cleaning erodes at the fabric. It’s an important garment which needs to be kept in good condition for as long as possible.

We take a look at the world of tailored and made to measure suits in this Guide to Buying Your First Bespoke Suit in 2015.