Why You Should Invest in Custom Clothing
People are often hesitant to purchase custom clothing when it is first suggested as an option. This is particularly true with women. But for good reason. Typically, it is because most have not considered custom before, do not know where to purchase such items, did not know it was an option, had a bad experience in the past, believe it is cost prohibitive, or something else entirely. Despite these, custom can be approachable and is the way to go if you are looking to dramatically elevate and expand your wardrobe. It’s finding the right custom for you that is the key.
But first, what is custom clothing?
Custom clothing is clothing that is made specifically for you. It gives you the ability to choose specific details based on your lifestyle and work needs, your unique preferences of material and fabric, your preferred silhouette, and most importantly, your measurements. A custom garment is a one-of-a-kind piece and even a few key wardrobe pieces can be a great way to elevate your style.
Here are 5 reasons why you should consider investing in custom clothing:
Perfect Fit
Perhaps the number one reason to purchase custom clothing is that it fits YOU and only you. If your goal is to look put together, elevated, wealthy, trustworthy, and professional, then fit is crucial. Clothing should fit us well, especially business attire, but a lot of off-the-rack garments are made with a “one size fits all” mentality, meaning you’ll have to alter it to fit you appropriately. Even then, there are plenty of individuals whose body shapes don’t adhere to the standard of fit models that manufacturers use when creating their ready-to-wear pieces. Going custom affords you the opportunity to have pieces that are tailored exactly to your body shape; not an average size that was generated by a computer or the fashion industry at-large. Whether you’re 6’8” and 145 pounds, 5’2” and 250 pounds, or anywhere in between, custom garments are designed to fit YOU.
Quality for any Price Point
When it comes to clothing, you generally get what you pay for (if you purchase it from the right place). Custom clothes are not meant to live in a closet for a mere season, only to be tossed out when something better comes along. They are meant to be invested in, cared for, and eventually become a statement piece in a wardrobe because they last. In a culture that subsists on fast fashion, quality is noticed and appreciated by the right people. This isn’t to say that you NEED to spend $5,000 on a custom suit with a silk-blended Loro Piana fabric, you can easily find true custom at a price point even cheaper than many retailers will offer for their non-custom suits. For example, a Dolce & Gabbana suit (made with a wool/SPANDEX blend…) from Neiman Marcus would run you about $2,600 before alterations. A custom suit from Capitol Hill Clothiers at that price earns you some of the finest Italian wool options and a completely custom fit for you. Not to mention that there are a multitude of fabrics that can bring the price down to as low as $1,200! You don’t need to spend name brand money to get a suit that still doesn’t fit well.
Few Suiting Alternatives on the Market for some
Barring a few places known for their accessibility to fashion (New York City, Los Angeles, etc.), there is a massive gap in the market for business attire, particularly for women. The options are limited and with as many different silhouettes, fits, and sizes as women’s fashion traditionally offers, the suiting world is left in the hands of fast fashion retailers like Zara, White House Black Market, and Express. For a true business wardrobe, buying custom gives you the option to level up your style and be a force to be reckoned with, again, without having to spend brand name money or wear a polyester jacket from a store at the mall.
Personalization
It’s called custom for a reason! Personalization is a huge part of the custom process. Whether you want to stand out from the crowd or just have those little details that make a garment yours, custom clothing offers customization of literally every stitch. It’s your job to invest in pieces that reflect your personality and preferences, and custom checks every one of those boxes. Whether you want your name on the inside with a collage of photos from your team’s Super Bowl win or a contrasting stitch on the sleeve buttons just so people know your garment is custom, every bit of that can be achieved.
Diversify Your Wardrobe
Custom clothing does not have to be just for business. Men and women frequently wear button-down shirts and oxfords – why not play with different patterns that match other pieces in your wardrobe for weekend wear? Jackets and blazers offer a wide array of outfit options including pairing them with jeans, skirts, and dresses. What about custom jeans or a skirt you can wear on date night? Don’t let lifestyle differences stop you from intentionally building your wardrobe.
Curating a wardrobe takes time. Our style is ever-evolving. For as much money as we spend on other items in our closet, or on our Apple watches, or our hairstyles, it is high time custom has a place in our closet and life. The world is beckoning – it’s time to suit up for the occasion.
Stylishly yours,
Anthony Bolognese and Leah Nalepa
