In short, the price of your new bespoke tailor-made suit (and other types of garment for that matter) depends on three factors – fabrics it is made of, the craftsmanship that goes into creating it and finally service. Let’s first look at each in a bit more detail.
Fabrics
Fabrics are one of the easiest price components to understand because they are very straightforward. They come in many different qualities, brands, colours, thread counts and so on.
On the low end, you will find non-branded microfibre or wool-microfibre blends largely coming from Asian mills, whereas the middle-ground is dominated by premium wool/cashmere blends and pure-wool fabrics. Wool is considered a gold standard when it comes to a suit fabric and 100% wool super 120s is the sweet spot for most men.
The higher you move up from the standard wool, the finer and also the more expensive it gets. Examples of such luxury fabrics are Loro Piana, Lanificio Cerruti, Dormeuil and Zegna. These are created in prestigious European mills with longstanding heritage and can easily triple or quadruple the price of the whole suit. Sometimes, they come with a special blend to improve the properties of the suit, such as durability and resistance to creases or even water.
Craftsmanship
Another main determining factor in the price of your suit is the suits jacket’s construction and whether it’s off-the-rack, made-to-measure or tailored/bespoke. The jacket construction ranges from fused through half-canvassed to fully-canvassed options, with the latter option being the most expensive, best fitting and also the most labour intensive. While a fused suit can be comfortably crafted within a week, a fully-canvassed suit may take up to six weeks to craft.
Service
Lastly, it is also about the service and experience you get. A difference in price can mean being fitted on the side of the street or a tightly-packed shopping mall or in a premium-feeling showroom, being attended by a pushy salesman versus courteous stylists. You get the point.
Okay, now when you know what goes into the price of a suit, let’s take a look at actual examples and see what various price points can get you in Thailand.
The basic suit: $200–$500
If you are on a tight budget, you can get away with an off-the-rack (available in most department stores) or an entry-level made-to-measure suit. They will most likely be made of non-branded microfibre or microfibre-wool blends from Asia. A fused jacket construction will do the job, you just cannot expect miracles in terms of conformity and drape.
The standard suit: $501–$1,000
Most men will be comfortable in this price category as the value for money seems to offer a good balance. At the bottom of the range you will find premium wool blends or Asian pure wool, whereas towards the top, you are getting 100% wool (anywhere from super 110s to 130s) in fabrics such as Vitale Barberis Canonico, Guabello, Drago or Reda (these Italian fabrics typically start at around $700). You can now expect a proper bespoke experience with several fittings to assure the perfect fit. In terms of craftsmanship, we are looking at fused or half-canvassed jacket construction.
The premium suit: $1,001 and above
We are approaching the territory of the true fashionistas and suit aficionados. In a suit over $1,000, you can expect luxury fabrics, such as Holland & Sherry, handwoven Harris Tweed, Loro Piana, Lanificio Cerruti or Zegna. These often come in impressively high thread counts that sometimes exceed the 200s. A great deal of the suit construction and finishing is handmade, including the full-canvassing option, and so all the customisable details will be carefully perfected to your liking. Premium suits are the pinnacle of bespoke tailoring and are usually reserved for those who don’t just want to impress with their looks, but also look for the best bespoke tailoring experience.
Final thoughts
As you can see, there’s truly a suit for everyone. Depending on what budget you have and what impression you want to make, you will be able to get your desired suit by making smart choices and/or compromises in one of the mentioned areas – fabrics, construction and service. Now knowing what goes into the suit, you will also be well-prepared to stay away from those everywhere-present too-good-to-be-true deals.
FAQs
How much should a good quality custom tailored suit cost you? Well, funnily enough, it's about the same as a regular priced off-the-rack suit: $500 to $800 range: Good quality. $800 to $1,200 range: Very good quality.
How much should I expect to pay for a suit? ›
The standard suit: $501–$1,000
Most men will be comfortable in this price category as the value for money seems to offer a good balance.
What to expect when getting a suit tailored? ›
A tailor will measure with a tape measure, the usual measurements are taken, such as chest, waist, shoulders, sleeve etc. A tailor will also take measurements and examine the way a customer stands and moves whilst wearing a jacket, trousers and waistcoat.
Is it cheaper to tailor a suit or buy a new one? ›
It is actually cost-effective
Though a tailored suit will come at a higher price than off the rack, money will undoubtedly be saved in the long run. This is because a good tailor will invest time to make sure that every inch of your suit is made to an exceptionally high standard.
How long does it usually take to tailor a suit? ›
Firstly, being that you're a new client to your tailor, a tailored suit will typically take a bit longer than usual. Hence, you may anticipate at least 2 to 4 weeks in total since your placement of order. Besides, unless you opt for a high-end tailor, you can easily get your suit jacket in a matter of 2-3 days at max.
Is a $200 suit worth it? ›
It really depends on your budget, and how often/hard you're going to wear your suit. If you're looking for a workhorse suit that you can rely on 2-3 times/week, a $200 RTW number will not last. You'll end up buying a new one every six months.
Can people tell if your suit is expensive? ›
Typically it's given away by things like the patterning, the fit, the stitches, the buttons, some peculiarities about the collar and lapels. The pockets. It is very easy if you know anything about suits. Then again, there are people who wear them every day and pay half a months salary and still look cheap.
How do you tell if a suit is well made? ›
Here are a few things to look for to determine if a suit is well-made or not.
- Hand-Made Button Holes. Also called “Milanese buttonholes”, these are very sharp and sleek. ...
- Smooth Lapel Roll. ...
- Self Lining. ...
- hand-Set Collar. ...
- Genuine Horn Buttons. ...
- Surgeon's Cuffs. ...
- Seam Allowance. ...
- Pic Stitching.
Firstly, the materials used to make them are of a higher quality than most other suits. Secondly, they take longer to make, as they are all hand-tailored. Finally, they are an investment - and can last many years with proper care.
Why are suit alterations so expensive? ›
New clothes start with freshly measured and cut pieces, and are assembled in a pre-defined, efficient order. Altering clothes takes time to review the construction, take apart a section of the garment (or sometimes the entire garment), make the alteration, then reassemble it correctly for the right fit.
The average lifespan of a good bespoke suit should last for 5 – 10 years. This also depends on the frequency of wear.
Will men's Wearhouse measure you for free? ›
If you live near one of Men's Wearhouse's hundreds of locations, it's easy to get your measurements for free, in-store, that can be used for online purchases. But if you'd rather figure out your fit at home, the company has a handy Online Fit Evaluator that uses a computer algorithm to help work out your correct size.
Is it worth going to a tailor? ›
Yes tailored clothes do fit better! Because they are specifically adjusted to your unique measurements and body shape. But they obviously come at a cost. Unlike off-the-rack items, which are made to standard sizes, tailored pieces account for unique proportions and nuances in your physique.
How fast can I get a suit at Men's Wearhouse? ›
After placing your order online, your rental will arrive about 4-7 days before your event. Once you receive it, try it on right away.
Do you wear your suit to the tailor? ›
Some tailoring clients like to wear a suit they already have and love the fit of, as this can give us a very clear idea of the style and shape you have in mind. Ultimately, our tailors all want you to be comfortable throughout our consultation.
Do you try on suit after tailor? ›
Try On at Pick Up
And finally, remember to try on your clothing before you leave your local alteration shop to make sure that you're satisfied with the work. Most of the time, tailors can make adjustments immediately and free of charge at pick-up if necessary.
Why do suits cost so much? ›
An expensive suit will be handmade, and the difference between handmade stitching and machine-made stitching is obvious straight away. The next thing to look for is to see if the fabric is all the same across the entire suit, or if the suit has colored threads throughout.
How many suits should a man own? ›
For everyday, opt for a suit crafted in mid-weight wool with a touch of stretch. Depending on your profession, we recommend you should own a minimum of three business suits, but if you buy only one color, we recommend classic navy.
How to look expensive in a suit? ›
How to make a cheaper suit look expensive
- Replace the buttons: Instead of the existing plastic buttons, replace the buttons with something just a little bit fancier and more your style. ...
- Avoid shiny fabrics & always check the sale section. ...
- Take in the sleeves: If you're going to tailor anything, let it be the sleeves.
