Made-To-Measure vs Off-The-Peg and Alterations…which is right for you?
When it comes to finding the perfect suit for your big day, it can be tough to know where to start. If you visit your local suit shop, you will find a huge array of styles and choices to choose from, and that’s before you even begin to think about customisable, made-to-measure options. With so much to choose from, finding the right style for your wedding can be a little overwhelming.
Before you start thinking about the style or colours of your suit, one of the first things that you will need to consider is whether you want an off-the-peg option or a made-to-measure solution. In this latest blog, we thought we would take a closer look at both options to help you decide…
Pros and cons of made to measure suits
When it comes to your wedding suit, it is only natural that you want a suit that fits you perfectly and is tailored to your style. Made-to-measure suits offer grooms the chance to take complete control of their suits. From the colours to the cut, you can tailor your suit to meet your exact specifications.
While this does give you complete freedom, it also comes with a hefty price tag, with the average cost starting at around £800. This makes it incredibly expensive compared to off-the-shelf solutions, and many grooms also find they feel uncomfortable wearing it again after their big day as they are too scared to damage or stain it due to its expense, instead leaving it sitting in a bag in the wardrobe!
Its worth noting that you will select your suit from a small piece of cloth swatch that’s around 7 x 5 inches. You must be able to envisage your suit, as you will commit to your suit before having even tried it on.
Pros and cons of off-the-shelf suits
If spending £800 is outside of your budget, or you want a suit that you feel comfortable wearing no matter the occasion, then off-the-shelf solutions are a very popular choice. While it might have once been the case that these ready-to-wear suits were once limited in style or colour, that is no longer the case, as grooms can now choose from an extensive collection.
Of course, the biggest downside to wearing an off-the-shelf suit is that they are made to standard size and shape. That means that unless you match the stock sizes perfectly, it might not fit as well or look as good as a made-to-measure alternative. However, this can be easily rectified through minor alterations, leaving your suit looking like it was made to measure at a fraction of the cost!
So which is right for you?
If money is no option and you want a truly bespoke suit, then a made-to-measure option can be a wonderful choice. However, with so much variety to choose from, an off-the-shelf solution that has been altered to fit your body will give you all of the styles at a far more affordable price.
Here at Astares, we know how important it is to have a suit that fits. While we used to offer a made-to-measure service, we found that many of our customers preferred to have a ready-to-wear solution altered to meet their needs. Not only was this cheaper, but it was also a far quicker process. Made-to-measure can take up to 12 weeks to complete, whereas alterations can be done far quicker.
Want to learn more about our suits and how we can help you? Check out our range online or come and visit us in-store!