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7 reasons why you should invest in bespoke tailoring

Blog title next to image of jacket pattern drafted on card

IMGDo you struggle to choose an outfit for work in the morning? Do you dither trying on this and that but never feel perfectly turned out? Have you ever considered investing in bespoke tailoring but were worried about whether it’s worth it? Consider this:

What if you had that one go to piece of clothing that always made you feel great and confident – ready for the challenges of the day ahead?

A piece of clothing that fit you perfectly and comfortably and was completely unique to you. How much time would you save if you didn’t have to trawl through the shops looking for suitable work wear? How much money would you save by avoiding the ‘buy in haste, repent at leisure’ purchases clogging up your wardrobe?

If any of the above resonate with you then investing in a bespoke piece of tailoring – a suit or tailored dress – could be for you. Read on for 7 reasons why you should buy bespoke.

1. Make a positive first impression

Making a great first impression is important – especially in business. It only takes a brief moment for us to make assumptions about a person’s age, culture, intelligence, wealth, status & success. Undoing a wrong first impression is far harder than getting it right first time round.

Research by the University of Hertfordshire’s Psychology School found that a person wearing a bespoke suit versus an off the peg equivalent was judged to be more confident, successful and a higher earner after just 3 seconds.

The subtle difference in appearance was enough to increase the subject’s chances of being viewed more positively. So whether it’s a big presentation you are giving, meeting a prospective client or going in for a promotion you want to make sure that you are using all the tools at your disposal to get the result you are aiming for.

2. Save time

If you are like me and care about your professional appearance you probably agonise over what to wear to the office. You might have a few pieces that you like and feel good in, but often find yourself pulling outfits from your wardrobe only to discard them a few minutes later. In my case it is usually because either the fit is poor, the material is cheap and will make me sweat before I even leave the house (hello polyester) or the design is just a bit boring.

But what if you had that perfect pencil skirt that fit you like a glove, was made from the most beautiful English wool with detailing that you had chosen? Or a tailored dress that not only suited you perfectly, but was also comfortable and stylish?

Choosing what to wear in this way is not just fun, but easy. It saves you time, stress and most importantly frees up energy that you can then channel towards your work.

3. Save money (yes really!)

I recently learnt that the average professional woman in the city spends about £2000/year on clothing. But let’s be honest, how many of those purchases will actually be worn?

The average British woman will only use 59% of her wardrobe on a regular basis and clothing waste is at an all time high.

I often hear women say that they have items in their closet that still have their tags on. With retailers competing in a race to the bottom quality has deteriorated meaning that the lifespan of clothes is shrinking too.

Investing in a bespoke piece of clothing can save you money as by its very nature the purchase is more considered. The result will not only last longer, but will be a timeless piece that is relevant for more than a couple of seasons.

Tally up your shopping mistakes over a year and you might be surprised by how much money you could save.

4. Avoid lookalike situations

When I think of brands that cater to the professional woman there are only a handful that spring to mind such as Reiss, LK Bennett, The Fold, Finery, Karen Millen, etc. They have some great designs to choose from and a distinctive style. Unfortunately at least half the women in the city will be buying from these stores making it highly likely that you’ll come across someone wearing the exact same suit as you.

Like it or not you will then be in a direct comparison of ‘who wears it better’ with those around distracted by what you are wearing rather than what you are saying.

With bespoke this will never happen. Your design will be made to your exact specifications and will flatter your unique shape.

6. Build a unique professional uniform

Having perfectly tailored options in your wardrobe is liberating and takes the guesswork out of getting dressed in the morning. They can form the basis of your work wardrobe to which you can add select pieces from the high street. Crafting your own unique work uniform (it doesn’t have to be boring) will help create a cohesive look that will make you stand out in all the right ways. Your style can be understated or bold, but when you have a consistent look people will start to listen to what you have to say rather than be distracted by what you are wearing. You can read more on my thoughts on this here.

7. Ethical & sustainable

There is a clear correlation between the cost of a garment and the working conditions of those who made it.

Broadly speaking the cheaper the clothes, the higher the human cost of producing them.

Investing in fewer, but better quality items benefits everyone. When you buy from a tailor clothes will usually be made on site (though not always so it is worth asking) and you can be confident about who you are buying from.

What do you struggle with when you dress for work? Please let me know in the comments or send me a message. I’d love to hear from you.

Join the discussion One Comment

  • Fay says:

    Some really interesting points that I hadn’t considered before. I really like the idea of this enabling you to have a consistent look.

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