Should You Buy Custom Men’s Clothing?

These days, almost anything can be custom-made. T-shirts, polos, sweaters, dress shirts, and, of course, suits are all on the table. Not only has the range of custom options expanded, but the process has also become significantly more accessible. What once required in-person measurements and months-long waits has evolved into a streamlined, often fully online experience. Thanks to advances like AI-driven fit algorithms, you can now order custom clothing from the comfort of your home.
Making items “custom”  may sound like the pinnacle of menswear, but it’s not always the holy grail it’s made out to be. Custom clothing can often fail to deliver the perfect fit and quality it promises. Here’s why custom clothing might not live up to the hype — and when it might still be worth considering.

The Myth of “Custom” 

In our experience consulting with men on their wardrobes, part of what we do is critique specific items you own that miss the mark on fit and then show you how to improve it. It could be a shirt that’s too long, jacket sleeves that are too short, or trousers that don’t sit right. When we point this out, a typical response is, “Well, it’s custom,” as if the term itself guarantees perfection.
But the reality is that “custom” isn’t a magic word. Just because a garment was created custom doesn’t mean it fits appropriately or is well-made. In fact, I’ve tested plenty of custom programs where the end result was worse than something I could find off the rack. Let’s break down the common pitfalls of going the custom route. 

Where Custom MEN’s Clothing Can Go Wrong

1. Measurement Issues
   Getting accurate measurements is critical to achieving a great fit. However, if the person taking your measurements is inexperienced or if the brand’s measurement standards are subpar, the entire garment will be off. 
   
   

2. Pattern Cutting
   Once your measurements are sent to the factory, the garment’s pattern must be cut and assembled accurately. Errors at this stage — even millimeter-level mistakes — can lead to noticeable fit problems. Custom programs often rely on mass-production techniques that prioritize speed over precision
   
   

3. Quality of Materials and Construction
   Many custom programs use inexpensive fabrics and labor, focusing their marketing on “perfect fit” rather than quality. These programs can charge high markups because the “custom” label creates the perception of a higher quality item. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always translate into durable, high-quality clothing. Cheap construction can lead to weak seams, poor drape, and fabric that wears out quickly. More on this later. 
   
   
   

4. Expectations vs. Reality
   Custom clothing requires clear communication of your fit preferences. If you’re not explicit about what you want — slim fit vs. classic fit, a higher rise vs. low-rise trousers — the final product might not meet your expectations. You need to understand what looks best on you and then communicate that. If you leave it up to someone else, they’ll simply input their preferences on how the garment should fit

When Custom MEN’S Clothing Shines

Despite its challenges, custom clothing can be a lifesaver for men with unique body proportions. If you’re particularly tall, short, broad, or slim, finding well-fitting off-the-rack clothing can feel impossible (but more often than not, you’re just buying the wrong brands). A good custom program can provide the fit you’re having trouble finding on your own. Additionally, some custom brands offer excellent craftsmanship and materials, delivering garments that both fit well, and last the test of time. 
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A Personal Story: When Custom Went Wrong

I’ll share a quick personal anecdote to illustrate some of these pitfalls. A custom clothing brand once offered to gift me a suit to showcase their process. The initial fitting took over an hour, and the suit itself took nearly two months to arrive. When it finally did, the fit was so off that it couldn’t be tailored and had to be completely remade. Another two months later, the second suit arrived. While marginally better, it still didn’t fit correctly. To make matters worse, the pants ripped in the seat within weeks due to poor construction. Suffice it to say, we do not recommend that brand.
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The Case for Off-the-Rack 

Over the last ten years of working with me, I’ve come to realize off-the-rack clothing works just fine for most men when combined with simple tailoring. Start with high-quality, well-fitting garments from trusted brands, and take them to a local tailor for adjustments. Hemming trousers, slimming shirt sides, or shortening jacket sleeves are easy alterations and can elevate an off-the-rack piece to near-custom perfection without the hassle or cost of a full custom program that might not work out for you anyway.

Some Custom Programs We Like

If you’re going to go for a custom item, buy from a decent custom program. There are many out there, but for an average budget, there are a few that stand out. Remember to first figure out what it is you need custom and why. Then, start with ordering one item to make sure it’s built right. Sometimes, the fit will be off slightly on your first item. However, most custom programs have a guarantee for that, and once it’s fixed, your custom profile will be saved with them forever, which makes re-ordering a breeze. Here are some brands we like to use with clients. 

• Proper Cloth
  Specifically, their shirts - both casual and more formal. They make building something custom really simple. Just input a few things about yourself and their tool will do the rest in creating you a well-fitted garment. 
  
  

• Suit Supply
  A massive selection of great fabrics. If you need a full suit, trousers, or dress shirt, this is a good bet. You can visit a store in any major city to get measured and they’ll save all your measurements, or you can do it at home. Their custom program is slightly more advanced, and you can tweak many options, which, for the menswear enthusiast, is great, but it might be overkill for the absolute beginner. 
  
  
  

• Son of a Tailor
  Custom T-shirts. Yep, you can do that. I particularly like their heavier-weight cotton option. Answer a few questions, and then presto, you’ve got yourself a tee. 

Final Thoughts

Custom clothing can be incredible for the right person in the right situation. But for the average man, it can be overhyped. 
Before going custom, ask yourself: Do I really need this level of customization? If you have unique proportions or want something truly one-of-a-kind, custom might be worth exploring. Otherwise, stick to off-the-rack options and make friends with a skilled tailor.
Personally, I choose to only get custom done for items that I have extreme issues with. For me, it’s trousers. Almost everything else I own is off the rack and altered slightly to fit me perfectly. 
In the end, fit is king — whether it’s custom, off-the-rack, or somewhere in between.
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Hope this helps. 
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Patrick 



P.S. Here are some ways we can help you...

1. We have a load of free resources we put out here for everyone to use to elevate your style right now.

2. The in-person package where you’ll spend a full day with me 1-on-1 to get your wardrobe squared away. Includes tailoring and sorting/editing your existing stuff, and shopping for all new pieces that fit you, your style, and your budget. A minimum of 5K is needed for clothing, and the price is 5K.

3. Our online package where you’ll work with me and our team to get yourself a new wardrobe. We work with you 1-on-1 virtually to show you what looks best on you and why from your hairstyle to your clothing, as well as provide you a full shopping list of new items, and support for 6 weeks as you implement everything. The minimum spend for clothing is 2K, and the price is 2K for the package.

4. If you’re unsure what option works best for you, you can schedule a quick call with me here. It’s complimentary and I can help give you some direction.