Why do you buy RTW clothing?

For all you bespeakers of clothing. Why, if ever, do you buy ready-to-wear?

$$$

Because I'm not a designer. Because I like to browse things and buy what I like. Because I'm not interested in trying to understand or analyze what I like and why I like what I like so I can have what I like reproduced or made. Because I have perfect proportions

Some things I can find in RTW that fit me great and are way cheaper that it would be to get them MTM or bespoke. Also, I can find a big discount in RTW sometimes, so there's a bang for buck issues here too.

There's a law of diminishing returns here - even bespoke is rarely completely perfect, although offers an appreciably better result. So you pays your money & takes your choice. Sometimes, depending on designer/cut, the sweet spot on the curve is RTW. Sometimes it's MTM & sometimes it's bespoke.

*shrug*

As I'm too skinny for many brands' 36" chest jackets I'm considering bespoke for the first time via the method of getting measured at a UK hotel and then getting the suit tailored in Hong Kong like http://www.raja-fashions.com/.

I asked someone the brand of their ultra-fitted mohair suit a while back and they had it from these people http://www.asuitthatfits.com I was hugely impressed by the quality and the excellent fit. What's more the prices for something simple can be no more than a run-of-the-mill department store brand.

I don't think I could afford trad tailoring but does any have experience of these new fangled methods?

I am fortunate that 44R suit jacket fits great off the rack. At some point I want to get one bespoke suit for the wardrobe.

Originally Posted by Holdfast

Click to expand...

Some things I can find in RTW that fit me great and are way cheaper that it would be to get them MTM or bespoke. Also, I can find a big discount in RTW sometimes, so there's a bang for buck issues here too.

There's a law of diminishing returns here - even bespoke is rarely completely perfect, although offers an appreciably better result. So you pays your money & takes your choice. Sometimes, depending on designer/cut, the sweet spot on the curve is RTW. Sometimes it's MTM & sometimes it's bespoke.

*shrug*

+ 1. What the man said.

Also, some times one can find very interesting fabrics or design quirks in RTW. If it fits, why not? And of course, things like denim, casual jackets like a harrington, and of course underwear and hosiery don't make sense bespoke.

because my pockets aren't as fat as i am

Originally Posted by Holdfast

Click to expand...

Some things I can find in RTW that fit me great and are way cheaper that it would be to get them MTM or bespoke. Also, I can find a big discount in RTW sometimes, so there's a bang for buck issues here too.

There's a law of diminishing returns here - even bespoke is rarely completely perfect, although offers an appreciably better result. So you pays your money & takes your choice. Sometimes, depending on designer/cut, the sweet spot on the curve is RTW. Sometimes it's MTM & sometimes it's bespoke.

*shrug*

Originally Posted by Modernist

Click to expand...

+ 1. What the man said.

Also, some times one can find very interesting fabrics or design quirks in RTW. If it fits, why not? And of course, things like denim, casual jackets like a harrington, and of course underwear and hosiery don't make sense bespoke.

Originally Posted by JordanH.

Click to expand...

because my pockets aren't as fat as i am

+1 for these. The more tailoring involved in a piece the less likely I'll look for it RTW.

Sometimes you can find cool innovations in cuts or finishes on the garment, or fabrics that you just really like. Not to mention the cost advantage.

However, you just can't get this RTW.

I have done some preliminary investigation on commissioning some bespoke suits. I haven't pulled the trigger yet because I still find so many RTW options that fit me very very well. In fact my tailor in Houston (who alters my RTW purchases) has discouraged me from trying one of his bespoke suits on precisely those grounds. My biggest fear about a bespoke suit is that it would drive me insane by not ever being as perfect as I think it should be.

Also, I like to experiment with many different styles and fits. As much as I hate to admit it, I'm a sucker for some of the same Tom Ford type hype that other members here fall victim to (meaning I am tempted to try the exact things I see in adviertisements and media simply because I like the look on the particular person pictured). A bespoke suit would be a large enough commitment where I would want to get it in some classic and very conservative configuration, which just hasn't been on the top of my want list lately.

Shirts are a different story for me. Eight of the last ten dress shirts I purchased are bespoke and I'm basically done with RTW dress shirts until I stumble across a fabric or style of shirt that I feel I absolutely must have. The bespoke shirts just fit and wear so much better than any RTW tailored shirts I've ever owned. With the exception of two or three RTW shirts in my closet which were freakishly near perfect for my body, they have all been replaced by bespoke.

Originally Posted by TC (Houston)

Click to expand...

I have done some preliminary investigation on commissioning some bespoke suits. I haven't pulled the trigger yet because I still find so many RTW options that fit me very very well. In fact my tailor in Houston (who alters my RTW purchases) has discouraged me from trying one of his bespoke suits on precisely those grounds. My biggest fear about a bespoke suit is that it would drive me insane by not ever being as perfect as I think it should be.

You are fortunate in that your RTW looks very, very good on you - the 'what are you wearing' posts demonstrate this well.

Originally Posted by CharlesAlexander

Click to expand...

$$$

$...maybe ¢.

Originally Posted by gdl203

Click to expand...

Because I'm not a designer. Because I like to browse things and buy what I like. Because I'm not interested in trying to understand or analyze what I like and why I like what I like so I can have what I like reproduced or made. Because I have perfect proportions

You are not a bespeaker, so, you do not get to answer.

Originally Posted by yachtie

Click to expand...

+1 for these. The more tailoring involved in a piece the less likely I'll look for it RTW.

Yeah, try looking for levà e dress RTW:

Coatee- dark blue cloth, single-breasted, stand collar. The collar and gauntlet are of scarlet cloth, and the pocket flaps of blue cloth. Nine buttons up the front (which button), two at the waist behind, and two at the bottom of the back skirts. Black silk linings. A white collar may be worn inside the collar of the coat.

Privy Counsellors, 1st cl, 2nd cl, 3rd cl, gold oakleaf embroidery on the collar, cuffs, pocket flaps, and between the buttons at the waist behind, the same as the full dress coat. The 4th and 5th classes have embroidery on the collar, cuffs, back and pocket flaps. The embroidery for both classes is the same on cuffs and pocket flaps, 1" wide, within a saw edge. The back embroidery is also identical in both classes. The collar of the 4th class have saw edge and front embroidery 3" long, and that of the 5th class a saw edge only.

Buttons- gilt, mounted, the Royal Arms (without supporters) surmounted by the imperial crown.

Trousers- dark blue cloth, with stripes of gold oakleaf lace on the side seams. The width of lace as follows:- Privy Counsellor, 1st class, 2nd class 2½" wide. The 3rd class 2" wide. The 4th and 5th classes 1¾" wide.

Boots- plain military, patent leather.

Hat, Sword, Sword knot as full dress.

Sword belt- white web, with blue cloth frog.

Gloves are not worn.

Great coat or cloak- dark blue cloth of any substance.


- B

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

Click to expand...

You are not a bespeaker, so, you do not get to answer.
WRONG!! I had a few shirts made.

your question and your set of answers sound so elitist. why RTW? well, for most part, it is 99.999% of clothing choices out there, we do the best we can.