Most Americans are content to buy their clothes "off the rack," believing that the limited options and imprecise fit are outweighed by the savings in cost. But for those with a little more money to spend, custom-tailored clothing, from suits, dresses and shirts to boxer shorts, can open up a whole new world of style and comfort.
Dara Lamb is the owner of New York City's Dara Lamb Collection, a stunning Park Avenue store where customers can browse through her exotic fabric samples and get fitted for one-of-a-kind clothing creations. Lamb has been designing fine custom clothing for New York's elite women for over 20 years. Here she explains the basics of buying clothes made especially for you:
- Get a better selection and fit.
The main benefits of custom-made clothes are selection and fit. You can have an item made from any fabric you choose and in any style you want. The fit is tailored exactly to your measurements.
- Choose from many styles.
Some tailors will show you a book of different styles, while others may actually sketch a style for you. You're not limited to what's already sewn together and hanging on the rack.
- Garments look better over time.
According to Lamb, a custom made suit of clothes can actually mold to your body over time, so that it will actually get better looking as you wear it.
- Cost varies.
The cost of a custom garment can vary depending upon the tailor and the fabric used. Suits can cost anywhere from $800 dollars to $10,000 dollars. While this is certainly more expensive than the average off-the-rack suit, a hand made garment will generally last far longer and look far better over time than a mass-produced garment will.
For more information about custom made clothes and tailoring, check out the following organizations or websites:
Custom Tailors & Designers Association
www.ctda.com/index.html
Ravis Tailor: The Meaning of Custom Tailoring
www.ravistailor.com/news
My Custom Tailor
www.mycustomtailor.com
The History of Tailoring
www.lone-star.net/mall/literature
Yahoo Shopping: Custom-Made Apparel
dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy
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