Custom Suits Available Online for Cheap! Click here!

[BvBPL]

By exploiting both the power of the internet and the low wages of Asian tailors, an increasing number of websites offer inexpensive custom suits. World of Alfa offers custom suits for less than $300, Indochino is also getting in on the act, and I am sure there are other places offering similar services.

Has anyone used these online custom suit websites? Three hundred clams for a custom linen suit sounds damn good. Almost too good to be true.

 

[shadowplay]

Almost too good to be true.

This is the correct reaction. I've been told to avoid them by someone with experience.

Get a nice t-shirt with a tie printed on the front and you'll be fine.

 

[warpus]

I got a custom cashmere suit in Thailand, while I was there on vacation. I got myself measured on my 2nd day in the country, went through a couple alterations, and picked up the suit 12 hours or so before my flight home.

It fits well and I've worn it to 2 weddings so far, as well as a family function. Love the fit and how it looks, although the pants do seem to not be quite perfect. Still a lot better than my old suit, which didn't fit nearly as well.

Anyway, there are many suit scams in Thailand, you've got to be careful.. You can easily get ripped off. I'm not 100% convinced that I wasn't, I probably overpaid.. but the fabrics seem to check out, the assembly seems to have been done professionally, and I would have had to pay a lot more to get a suit like that here in Canada.

Initially they quoted me $700, but I talked them down to just over $400, with 2 stylish shirts and 4 silk ties thrown in. (This is how negotiation started.. "I can offer you this for $700 sir".. "I was hoping to spend something a bit closer to.. $100" - the art of the haggle is a very fine one).. I drive a hard bargain, but the guy who I was negotiating with was pretty good too. I am pretty sure I overpaid, but I think it was a win/win for both of us, so in the end, I don't mind contributing a bit more to the local economy, assuming that the product checks out and I'm still getting a good deal, from my end of things.

Anyway, I would be hesitant about these online places, unless they get good reviews. But watch out for those too.. Basically - do a lot of research before you buy.

 

[Formaldehyde]

Who measures you and performs the alterations when something isn't right?

World of Alfa provides a video of how to do the measurements yourself. Yeah, anybody can be just as good as a professional tailor/fitter in the comfort of your own home.

If you buy an off-the-rack suit from most merchants, they provide free professional fitting and alternations. You don't pay a dime until you are ready to walk out the door with a suit you know fits you reasonably well.

 

[Zelig]

I use Black Lapel, I like them.

Who measures you

You can go to your local tailor and get measurements.

Who measures you and performs the alterations when something isn't right?

Black Lapel provides $75 in alteration credits per suit at your local tailor.

 

[Formaldehyde]

That sounds quite reasonable. How much did your tailor charge you to measure you?

I also like that you can walk into their New York office and get measured.

Their pricing also seems quite fair. I don't think I would trust a $300 custom suit. I doubt it is going to hold up very well. But a $450-650 one is a different story.

 

[Zelig]

That sounds quite reasonable. How much did your tailor charge you to measure you?

I never bothered, but if you're not comfortable with having a friend measure you, typically $20-$50 to pay a tailor.

 

[illram]

Cheap Thai suits are legit, although I'd be wary ordering one online. My brother got a whole bunch when he lived there. In the past I gave my measurements to a friend of mine who is an ex pat and they're the real deal, and real cheap.

But online? Not sure if I'd ever get a suit online, let alone a Thai one, unless you can verify they're for real.

 

[downtown]

I haven't, but my wife bought her wedding dress online from China. She was pretty pleased with the results, and she got an awesome dress for about $600 bucks.

 

[warpus]

Cheap Thai suits are legit, although I'd be wary ordering one online. My brother got a whole bunch when he lived there. In the past I gave my measurements to a friend of mine who is an ex pat and they're the real deal, and real cheap.

But online? Not sure if I'd ever get a suit online, let alone a Thai one, unless you can verify they're for real.

The place in Thailand I got my suit at said they will hold on to my measurements and that I would be able to order more suits, shirts, ties, jackets, etc. from them whenever I want.

I haven't taken them up on that offer, but.. I'm not sure how exactly that will work, without the alterations and all. I don't think tailors keep track of alterations as they happen, but only hold on to the initial measurements. That's what I assume anyway - so ordering a custom suit or jacket or whatever - seems risky with that in mind, if you order online. Unless you don't mind going to another tailor after the fact and getting things fixed up after the fact, I guess.

 

[illram]

Yeah, having the tailor there to look at you when you put it on, even after he/she has measured you and cut it according to the measurements, is nice. There are sometimes additional things that just don't fit or look right.

However if the suit is cheap enough (i.e. good quality but still inexpensive because ASIA), and you know the place is legit, you could just get it sent to you and have a tailor here make the adjustments and you probably still wind up ahead.