A bespoke suit and your bank balance may be like two parallel lines that never meet. One is higher than the other so getting well-tailored suit perfectly made for you may never an option. However, you can still get affordable tailoring suits of good quality and range. With your budget, looking good, clean and dapper is now achievable.
Take note of the following if you want to get the best out of a budget-friendly suit:
1.Fabric
A suit’s price tag determined by its parts not labour. The more the raw materials cost, the less goes on putting it together. You should consider a high quality fabric when choosing your suit. Wool is most cost-effective, does not wear-out and not prone to the shine. But don’t trust feel, double-check the label of the suit to see if it has been cut with man-made fabrics to slash costs.
2. Colour
Please don’t experiment with a budget-friendly suit. Avoid loud colours and patterns that draw the eye since you invested less to avoid scrutiny. Classic hues are more conspicuous, so go for charcoal or navy. Darker shades make it harder to spot a budget fabric’s flaws. The same goes for shape.
3. Canvas
The canvas in your jacket fabric is what gives it shape. In a bespoke suit it is hand-stitched so maybe pricey. For budget suits, they are glued instead. These jackets don’t gum to your body. They may become unstuck if they get wet, or you store them on the floor. So you get more value with your money with a half-canvassed jacket. It has a stitched chest but glue lower down, so you get better shape where it is most visible.
4. Care
Your budget suit needs more care. Be careful while ironing – heat quickly turns your matte suit fabric into something so shiny. A steamer is a good substitute to smoothen out stubborn lines, especially at the elbows and knees. If your wardrobe tinkles with wire hangers then swap them for wide-shouldered wood, or your jacket will mould.
5. Dress the part
When your budget’s tight, divert funds to invest in offers with better returns. You can buy a more expensive tie that elevates your entire outfit, or a fitted, designers shirt that distracts from your cheap suit. Add a cashmere pocket square tucked into your jacket to accentuate its shimmer.
6. Stay fit
Hit the gym. Do exercises. Get your tailor to accentuate your physique with something slim-fitting and nipped in at your well-earned and toned waist. What your suit sits on is more important than how it is made.