STYLE GUIDE
PROFESSIONAL HELP: Tips from local leaders in their industry
Five reasons to buy a made to measure suit By Oscar B. Hult
1. BEST QUALITY
4. BEST EXPERIENCE
If you have ever purchased a “discount suit” or one from one of those big box stores, you can attest to the fact that they don’t wear well. Whether for the office or for nights out with friends, a low-quality suit will start to show age very quickly. Worn-out knees and elbows, drooping hems, and a shiny seat all cheapen a man’s appearance, his confidence and ultimately his success. No matter how you look at it a cheap is expensive. With a custom-made suit, you’ll be able to choose from a wide variety of quality fabrics that wear well, hang well and last longer, than those you get from most mass-produced suits.
Shopping is probably not high on your list of things to do but working with your custom suit consultant at a quality menswear shop should be an enjoyable time. Take a few moments to relax, have a beer or a cup of coffee and talk with your tailoring consultant about what it is you want from your suit, what is missing from your wardrobe and the style that you want to convey. Once that is done and the measurements are taken, the suit will be built, and after your final fitting any adjustments can be made in house assuring that your suit fits you just as you want it to. You will love the look of the suit that was made just for you, and your menswear shop can keep your measurements and style information on file so that once that first suit is completed you can order again with ease, just choose the fabrics, and your next suit will be on its way.
2. BEST FIT There is no substitute for a suit that is made for you. While you can have an off-the-rack suit tailored to better fit you, nothing compares to one that was made just for you, to fit your body the way it should. You will feel better about yourself with a suit that really fits, and the only way to get that perfect fit is with a custom-tailored suit. A tailored suit coat is cut exactly to your measurements and constructed with layers of canvas that are sewn in to control the shape of the lapels and the chest, which means that it won’t just hang from your shoulders, but will instead build up your best features and hide the ones you’d prefer not to point out. The pants will be hemmed to hit your shoe at the length that suits your stature and makes you look and feel confident.
3. BEST STYLE A lot of suits from the box stores look the same. They are made to fit the largest number of people possible and while they may be cut in a way that resembles the current trends, they can never fully communicate your personal style.
5. BEST VALUE
Fashion is fleeting, but style is forever. With a custom suit you can choose a boxy English style suit, a trimmer American cut, or a sleek and flashy Italian suit. Another plus: you can choose from hundreds of fabrics to compliment your coloring and build a better wardrobe overall. You also get to choose the buttons and linings that make the suit much more personal.
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An off-the-rack suit can be found at a bargain prices, but you get what you pay for. And a cheap suit will end up being expensive. Take into account the many trips to the drycleaners, the repair of failing hems, lost buttons and drooping fabric and the eventual need to replace it, your bargain suit ends up costing more than it’s worth. Compare that to the quality, attention to detail, and materials of a custom suit, that is truly an investment. Quality wool suits won’t wear down or get that shine from worn-out fabrics. A custom suit will be a true friend that you will enjoy for years to come. Strong, virtually wrinkle-free, and will rarely require dry-cleaning, as true Merino wool is anti-microbial, and repels stains.
Oscar B. Hult is a co-owner of The Natty Dresser in Downtown Albany. 541-248-3561 Contact him at
www.thenattydresser.com
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Willamette Living Magazine December / January 2020