There are three main categories of clothing: off-the-rack, made-to-measure, and bespoke
Off-the-rack clothing is standard produced clothing that is sold in the store. These clothes are made according to the standard measurements and designs and are readily available for purchase. Off-the-rack clothing is generally the least expensive option and offers limited options for fit and design.
Made-to-measure clothing is a hybrid between off-the-rack and bespoke clothing. These clothes are based on an existing pattern, but are adapted to the specific measurements and preferences of the customer. Made-to-measure clothing is generally more expensive than off-the-rack clothing, but offers more options for fit and design than off-the-rack clothing.
Overview differences between confection, made-to-measure and bespoke:
| Bespoke Tailoring | If you go bespoke, this will happen | Confection (Ready To Wear) |
Made-To-Measure | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Make | Garments crafted by hand based on the individual wishes of a client and his/her purpose with the garment. | All that creates a garment and has an effect on the look and feel are based on a personal garment consult. The consult forms the base to choose:
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Garments are made in series in a factory. Most important is the Brand – not the quality of the garment. | Garments are ready made in series just like confection. Additionally, you can have some choices in variations of size and model. The possibility of choice depends on what is offered. |
| Make: Pattern | A unique personal pattern based on your body size, wishes and demands. | This blueprint is the base to shape and craft the garment purely for you and your matters. It also provides the possibility to alter the garment in the future without loss of style and fit, when your body or style changes. | Standard - The pattern and model are copied numerous times to create a series of garments. All the same without any variation. | Standard – Exactly the same as confection, slight difference is that you have some slight possibilities to adapt the size a little. |
| Make: Alterations | Full alterations from pattern to finishing are possible. Done in-house. A bespoke suit can be altered many times over the years to match with new physique and style wishes. Some pieces run for generations in families. | The suit can be exactly made as you want it following your developments in sizing and style. Since we do everything in house step by step we build our relationship and know what you find important. It is a sort of marriage. | Not or not in-house. Depending on the brand/service it is offered often limited to shortening lengths. | Not or not in-house. Depending on the brand/service it is offered often limited to shortening lengths. |
| Materials | Unlimited choices in materials (sort), weaves, colours and combinations. This because all clients have their garments crafted for the way they use it with consideration of the circumstances they will face while wearing these. | You can get the maximum out of your investment/garment. Materials decide how a garment looks and feels and when this is based on your specific personal wishes and use, it will increase the value in practical use and appearance. | Take it or leave it. Confection has a focus on selling as much as possible to the average ‘person’. The material is generally for 1 season. | Somewhat choices in fabrics or weaves. It is still choosing from the already pre-selected pallet. |
| Measurement | Individual for all clients and orders. Based on your personal measures, physique, type of use, wished performance and modus operandi. Measures are not centimeters. It is the translated understanding of your wishes regarding look and feel onto a pattern. That will create an avatar for you. | Your clothing fits and is in balance regarding your build. Additional certain physical parts can be accentuated and camouflaged. You look and feel good in your clothing. | None. | Limited or not necessary. MTM clothing is not made on your measures, but based on readymade patterns that more or less can be adapted with + - cm. The issue is that the balance between all sizes gets lost. |
| Model | Unlimited choices. You can bring your own designs, older pieces to remake or we design from scratch from a white canvas. We go from classic, well-made blue suits to high tech personal designs. | You have the model that fits best with your physique, style and wishes. An avatar is created that conveys your personal story that makes you look and feel great. | What is offered. Often the very basics. | What is offered. Often the very basic where you can select/switch basic option like front buttons or lining. It is putting a suit together from pre-existing options. |
| Employees | Personal tailor & garment consultant. Well experienced in these fields:
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The tailor /garment consultant will help you to navigate through all the possibilities, so a package is created that reflects your personality and identity. This person is familiar through theory and daily practice with garments and the value you can create through this for your personal and professional presentation. They know the tricks of the trade. Personal attention is the key word so the consultant is always your first contact for feedback. | Shop or sales employee. | Shop or sales employee. Often provided in a course of a few hours about how to sell MTM. Technical knowledge is limited or lacking totally. |
| Compares with | Custom designed and built car purely made for the track you drive on during your personal and professional life. | You are not wearing a garment anymore. No, you are conveying your identity in the way you want to be perceived. | A standard car with 4 wheels. | A standard car that you can upgrade by picking options. |
| Production time | Painstaking handcraft. Tailoring a 2-piece suit will take from 30 hours up to 120 hours of work depending on what is being made. | Enough said. It takes time to create real quality and beauty. When you appreciate and understand this Bespoke is your method; if not, then we cannot help you. | < 30 minutes | Between 30 min. up to 5 hours depending on the options. |
Bespoke clothing is the most customized option. The garment is designed from scratch and produced to the customer's exact specifications. This includes choosing the fabric, designing the garment and adjusting the fit. Bespoke clothing is the most expensive option, but offers the most flexibility and options for a perfect fit and unique design.
The main difference between these three options is the degree of customization. Off-the-rack clothing is standard and has limited fit and design options, made-to-measure clothing is customized to the customer's specific measurements, and bespoke clothing is completely custom made and designed to meet the specific needs of the customer.
