Have you ever wondered what methods tailors use to achieve the perfect fit for your body type?
Sure, you can get a ready-to-wear suit off the rack, but those suits are designed for everyone and no one. What you want is a suit that’s tailor-made just for you, complimenting your form while still allowing for the natural movement of your body. A suit made by a master tailor will cover up your imperfections and display a symmetrical form that the Ancient Greek’s would admire. Whatever your body type, a good tailor from Anatoly’s will make you look like a million bucks.
So, how do we get the right fit?
Suit Types
There are three different types of suits: Ready-to-wear, Made-to-measure, and Bespoke. We’ll discuss all three below:
Ready-to-Wear:
A ready-to-wear suit is your standard off-the-rack suit, which comes mass-produced in sizes that don’t conform proportionately to the wide variety of physiques out there.
It’s for the “average man” who doesn’t exist in actuality, but it’s good enough for those who need a suit on short notice.
These suits are machine-made and more than likely constructed with glued/fused interlinings, giving them an inflexible and less comfortable feel, as well as a reduction in quality.
Oftentimes, you will find that alterations have to be made, but it will still never fit you perfectly because there are limitations on what can be done to a suit that’s already a finished product.
However, there are shops that make outstanding ready-to-wear suits. At Anatoly & Sons, all of our off-the-rack suit jackets are half-canvas. That means the chest and the lapel are lined with horsehair, giving you a nice, natural drape that you can't get with fused garments. Additionally, all of our suits are made from the highest quality wool sourced from top European mills like Loro Piana and Scabal. Every suit is then constructed with care by our vendors in Europe, which is a labor-intensive process that requires an eye for detail. You'll be hard-pressed to find this level of craftsmanship at your local retail store—which is why we're proud to be in business.
However, there are shops that make outstanding ready-to-wear suits. At Anatoly & Sons, all of our off-the-rack suit jackets are half-canvas. That means the chest and the lapel are lined with horsehair, giving you a nice, natural drape that you can't get with fused garments. Additionally, all of our suits are made from the highest quality wool sourced from top European mills like Loro Piana and Scabal. Every suit is then constructed with care by our vendors in Europe, which is a labor-intensive process that requires an eye for detail. You'll be hard-pressed to find this level of craftsmanship at your local retail store—which is why we're proud to be in business.
Shop Anatoly's Ready-to-Wear Suits
Made-to-Measure:
Made-to-measure suits are a popular “middle-of-the-road” option, allowing for a wide range of customization, including picking the fabric, lining, pockets, buttons, vents, lapels, and canvas type. Made-to-measure suits are made from a pre-set pattern that’s adjusted to fit your individual contours and body posture. After taking your measurements, we let you choose from our in-house patterns, and cut it to your exact specifications. The suit is ready to wear in 6–8 weeks.
Bespoke:
Bespoke suits are the cream of the crop where customization and fit are concerned. These suits are not made from pre-existing patterns. Instead, they’re drafted from scratch according to your unique body measurements and tastes, giving you full control over the finished product. In other words, your suit is constructed from the ground up without any template. It is literally spoken for; it’s made just for you. A bespoke suit from Anatoly’s takes about 3–4 months to make, but when it’s ready to be worn, you will be asking yourself where this suit has been all your life.
Book a Bespoke Appointment
Measurements
A well-fitted suit is the cornerstone of any man’s wardrobe, but without proper measurements, you’re left with a suit that’s ill-fitting and uncomfortable. An asymmetrical body is not as attractive as one that’s more symmetrical, and symmetry is what separates a suit that fits well from one that does not. In their pursuit of symmetry, men use clothing to display secondary sexual characteristics like broad shoulders and a pronounced chest. A tailor-made suit is designed to accentuate these prized male features, while at the same time, concealing imperfections. This is why a good suit will always impress both men and women alike.
To get the right measurements, we recommend visiting a tailor, rather than doing it yourself. Oftentimes, people who use online services take their own measurements and send them to the company. Upon receiving the suit in the mail, they notice that the fit is just not right. This is why it’s important to schedule an appointment with an expert who will measure your body from the correct starting and end points, ensuring a proper fit.
The body parts that can be measured include, but are not limited to:
Neck, chest, shoulders, sleeve length, waist, hips, biceps, jacket length, back width, and trouser length.
Depending on your budget and patience, any additional measurements are entirely up to you. When you are looking at a fit that is good enough for most, however, there are a few parts of the suit that are important for look and comfort. If your tailor finds wrinkles or excess slack in a sample suit you have on, he will make a note of it before altering these problem areas for you.
Depending on your budget and patience, any additional measurements are entirely up to you. When you are looking at a fit that is good enough for most, however, there are a few parts of the suit that are important for look and comfort. If your tailor finds wrinkles or excess slack in a sample suit you have on, he will make a note of it before altering these problem areas for you.
Parting Thoughts
The bottom line is: Suits should never be a pain in the butt to wear. In fact, it should be an enjoyable and comfortable experience. With more and more people buying off-the-rack menswear, it’s imperative for tailors like us to educate people on how this mistake will cost them. Finding a good tailor you can visit regularly, who knows his craft well, is worth all its weight in gold. We’re not just in the business of leaving you looking good; we’re in the business of leaving you feeling good when you walk out that door.
