Custom Tailor - steps I need to make the call

[SuitingStyle]

Hello -

I've recently found a tailor for some of my alterations. Alterations aside, he also makes custom suits. He did a good job overall for my jacket and pants alterations.
Then I got intrigued by his custom suits. He had couple of unfinished jacket hanging around, looks it has all the bells and wisles, the basted sleeves, the canvass hand sewed on the chest and waist, hand sewed collar. Just want to ask those of you who have made the dive into bespoke clothing to share your experince, what were the steps you took before you had enough confidence to commison a custom suit with the tailor.

Also, the price is pretty attractive, quoted me $850 for a 2 piece suit with my material. His shop is really small, and looks traditional. I guess something abot being an old Italian (I think he is in his 80s) who bearly speaks English makes you want to trust him.

thanks

 

[Will]

There's no simple answer. At $850 plus fabric, the guy you are thinking about probably uses a lot of machine stitching but you could get a competent result. Look at his finished work, and be certain that you like the look. Some of the older Italians produce pretty rustic garments.

 

[Concordia]

Make sure you like his sense of style, especially given your language and culture barrier. Being able to point to a successful garment and say "like that" is so much easier than discussing lapel width, gorge height, shoulder padding, etc. Even if you technically speak the same language.

That was how I basically chose my first long-term tailor in London. I walked down Savile Row, found a shop whose display jackets looked like I wanted to look at the time, and walked in to discuss business.