A question from a reader was “Is it much cheaper to buy ready-to-wear and have it altered or have something custom made?”
What are your thoughts? Is it cheaper to just buy RTW and have some minor alterations or have something custom made?
To answer your question, there are various considerations or factors that must be made. Are we talking about simple pieces like sweaters, t-shirts and pants or something more complicated like 3-piece suiting?
If we’re talking about sweaters or t-shirts, I wouldn’t think that custom made would make that much of a difference. In mass merchandising there are so many fashion companies that are creating different cut and sew pieces that should fit most bodies. In this case, I wouldn’t recommend custom making it. (image from chicagofashionmag)
Now that the silhouettes for both men and women are more fitted to the contours of the body, fitted pieces are more easy to find in the market.
When it comes to something more complicated whereas it be a 3-piece suit or even just a blazer, please take these things into consideration…
You found a RTW piece of garment that you really like and is at a reasonable price considering it isn’t a custom made piece so…
+How much alteration is needed?
+How is the fabric of the garment? Will it skew the garment as a whole too much that alternations would damage the cut of the entire piece?
+If you’re altering, make sure to get a size bigger than you are because it’s easier to take in fabric more so than adding.
+Do you feel like you will get a lot of wear out of the garment? If so, then will the RTW plus the alterations be lasting?
+Can you maintain that body mass for X amount of time?
+Does all this energy you’re putting into calculating whether you should just get RTW plus alterations verses just getting something custom made give you a hassle?
After thinking through some of these points, is it worth all the hassle of alterations for a garment to fit you like a glove on a RTW piece?
If you think it might and you are very particular with your clothing, then custom made may be the way to go. I can’t tell you if it’s less costly to get custom made, but it comes down to this…
Does the effort on decision making on RTW alterations cost more with time and energy to you or would you just get custom tailoring?
The reason why most people go with RTW is because it is more affordable and depending on how “off” the garment is, the more costly it is for you take it in according to personal preference.
To make my point clear, in my opinion if you are a 3-piece suit person that requires that kind of wardrobing, at least one good custom made piece may be a wise investment.
On the other hand, RTW does a relatively good job to fit well and if you need to do minor alterations, then you can take in what you need. Alterations isn’t cheap. Everything you do to alter the garment you will need to add to the final cost of the piece. Take that and compare it to custom made. That should help you determine whether you should shoot for RTW alterations or custom made.
Like I’ve stated previously, it all comes down to how particular you are about how clothes fit you. Minor alterations are more cost saving (I think) in comparison, but if you need major alterations just save yourself from the hassle and get a custom made garment.
for jeans I just buy what fits well around the waist and legs.. and then I just get the bottom altered with original hem.. seems to work out for me.. except when I get them sized wrong and then I’m fucked.
HAHAA!! Would you get a blazer custom or Rtw altered?
getting them altered is wayyy better & cheaper or even free!
For jeans? yes.
I may look like a million dollars, but I yet don’t possess a million dollars. So altered RTW fashion for me.
good answerr