the bespoke tailoring process
Commissioning a bespoke suit is more than acquiring clothing; it is an experience that unites heritage craftsmanship with modern elegance. At Allan David Bespoke Tailoring, each stage of the process is designed to honour tradition while reflecting your individuality. From the first conversation to the final stitch, we guide you through a journey of discovery where your preferences, personality, and purpose shape the creation of a custom suit that belongs to you alone.
The result is not only an impeccably tailored garment but a reflection of who you are, expressed in cloth with lasting refinement.
private Consultation with your bespoke tailor
Every journey in bespoke tailoring begins with a private appointment. During this consultation, we discuss the purpose of your garment, whether it is business attire, formalwear, or a wedding suit, and we explore your styling preferences. Together, we select linings and cloth from the world's most prestigious mills. As your bespoke tailor, I take a complete set of measurements while noting posture, stance, and shoulder line. Just as importantly, I take the time to understand your personality and the image you want to project, ensuring the bespoke suit is not only a perfect fit, but also an authentic reflection of who you are.
drafting & cutting your bespoke Suit
Unlike made-to-measure suits, which are adjusted from a standard block, genuine bespoke tailoring begins with a pattern built from the ground up specifically for your body. This pattern captures not just your measurements, but your posture, stance, and shoulder angle; it is the architecture of your physique.
Once drafted, the pattern is transferred onto your chosen cloth. Every mark and cut is deliberate, from the alignment of checks and stripes to the placement of the canvas that will shape the chest. With shears in hand, the cloth is cut with precision, preparing the components—body canvas, linings, and trimmings—that will form the structure of your suit. It is here that the foundation of your bespoke suit is laid.
the first fitting
The first fitting is where your bespoke suit truly begins to take shape. At this stage, the garment is loosely assembled with temporary stitching, allowing us to refine its structure before any permanent work is done. We focus on the fundamentals — the balance of the jacket, the position of the collar, the angle of the shoulders, and the overall proportion of the garment.
Adjustments are marked directly on the piece, shaping it to your body with precision. This stage is essential: it ensures your bespoke suit not only hangs correctly in form but also wears effortlessly on you, laying the groundwork for a garment of lasting comfort and elegance.
refinement & the second fitting
After the first fitting, the suit is carefully deconstructed and re-cut, with every adjustment from the fitting meticulously applied. This is the stage where true craftsmanship begins, as the garment is rebuilt in earnest, taking shape and moving closer to its final form.
By the time of your second fitting, the bespoke suit is approximately 75% complete. Here we confirm all previous refinements while fine-tuning additional details to ensure the garment moves and feels exactly as it should. At this stage, the silhouette takes shape, with the lapel roll and front edge clearly established, giving the suit a much more finished presence.
Finishing elements such as buttonholes, the felling of the lining, and the finishing of the edges are only introduced after the second fitting. This ensures that every aspect of your bespoke suit has been perfected before it is brought to completion.
the final bespoke suit
The process culminates with the delivery of your finished garment. At this stage, every detail has been completed with precision, from the hand-sewn buttonholes to the finishing of the lining and edges. The bespoke suit is pressed, shaped, and presented at its best, ready for its debut.
During your final appointment, you are invited to try on the completed suit in its entirety. This is not simply a handover, but a moment to appreciate the culmination of craftsmanship and collaboration. We confirm that every element, comfort, proportion, and style, works in harmony. No suit leaves the workshop until it meets the highest standard of fit and refinement.
What you receive is more than clothing; it is a personal signature in cloth, tailored to your life and your identity. Over time, your bespoke suit becomes not just a garment but a trusted companion for the moments that matter most, refined, enduring, and unmistakably yours.
