Made-to-measure tailoring basics

• IN THIS GUIDE

• Finding your inspiration
• Reviewing the Oscar Hunt offering
• Reviewing your existing collection
• On the day
• Understanding the Oscar Hunt process

Preparing for a suit fitting can feel overwhelming. If you’ve ever been to a tailor before, you’ll know that there are decisions to be made and pins to dodge. At Oscar Hunt though, we strive to take the fuss out of the tailoring process.  

After all, the made-to-measure suiting experience should be an enjoyable one that culminates with a suit that is 100% you. 

To achieve this, we’ve pulled together the following no-nonsense guide on preparing for your fitting, complete with all the tips and tricks to ensure your Oscar Hunt experience is second to none. 

 

1) Finding your inspiration 

Choosing exactly what kind of suit you want can feel a bit like throwing a dart blind folded. You’ve got a lot of choice but that’s also part of the beauty of shopping with Oscar Hunt. 

As a first step, we recommend having a quick search for images of suits that appeal to you online. Start with terms like ‘classic men’s suiting’, or for those more daring ‘Pitti Uomo’. Simply sift through some of the images and save your favourites - this will help when culling down style and fabric options. 

Instagram is also a fantastic tool for hunting down inspiration. Sartorial icons like Andreas Weinas, Alexander Kraft and  XXX. Trawling through their feeds will give you an idea of different styles (alongside a heavy dose of lifestyle envy). 

When you ultimately come in for your fitting, don’t hold back from showing your Oscar Hunt fitter these images. It will help them steer you towards the right style for you and ensure you’re not lost in mountains of fabric swatches. 

2) Reviewing the Oscar Hunt offering 

In addition to this, visiting the Oscar Hunt website itself is a must. This will give you a good sense of our house style as well as potentially providing some additional inspiration. 

If you’re intending for your suit to be worn at a specific occasion - think an end of year gala or a wedding - we having specific lookbooks you can consult. Even if you’re being fitted for a day-to-day business suit, we’ve got an extensive selection of styles that can be previewed on the site. 

Beyond the looks themselves, our guidance section has a selection of guides on the best way to wear certain items - whether it be a navy suit or a tuxedo. The site also houses information on suiting specifics - from articles on buttons to lapel widths - and can assist in refining your criteria ahead of your fitting.

3) Reviewing your existing collection 

The final step prior to your fitting is doing a thorough audit of your existing wardrobe. It’s sometimes alarming how many garments are there that you’ve simply forgotten about. This being the case, a good once over will ensure that you’re getting a piece that really builds on your existing collection and isn’t too similar to anything you already have. 

At Oscar Hunt, we are firm believers that our garments are building blocks to one another and are easily refreshed when paired with a new jacket or pair of trousers. Keep this in mind ahead of your fitting as it will extend the life and versatility of your new piece. 

4) On the day 

When you’re coming in for your fitting, another thing that will assist you and your fitter (in addition to image references) is bringing along a good shirt. While it may seem like a small detail, this assists in visualising the overall look and will ensure that any measurements captured reflect your intended fit. 

As a final point, feel welcome to bring along your partner or friend for consultation. One thing to keep in mind here is that it pays to share any inspiration prior to the fitting so as to ensure that you’re aligned and both coming in with the same look in mind. We also offer a selection of complimentary beverages for you and your party to enjoy on the day. 

5) Understanding the Oscar Hunt process 

Made-to-measure suiting is different from its off-the-rack counter parts in that it takes time to ensure the best possible fit for you. Prior to your first fitting, it pays to understand this process. Below we’ve outlined the key steps but further detail on the Oscar Hunt approach can be found here. 

Following your first fitting, the made-to-measure process takes approximately six weeks and involves two further fittings where our expert fitters will continue to guide you through the construction of your suit. 

The second fitting, roughly five weeks later, gives you a line of sight on how the suit is sitting on your body. This is followed up a week later by a fitting where you try on the finished product. From there, it’s simply a matter of some personal styling from our extensive range of accessories before you’ve got a complete ensemble.