These three terms get used loosely, and that costs men money and fit. Here’s what they actually mean and how to choose – from a Tysons Corner clothier who does all three.
Made-to-measure (MTM)
A pre-existing pattern adjusted to your measurements. Fast and accessible. Construction at the base price is often fused. Best for a first custom suit or a value buy.
Custom
A garment built to your measurements with real choices in fabric, construction, and detailing, fitted and adjusted in person. At The Tailored Man this starts at half-canvas, never fused. See the pricing on the suits page.
Bespoke
A pattern developed for you rather than a stock block adjusted to your measurements, cut and constructed by hand at the highest level, then fitted and refined in person. Some houses fit two or three times before a garment is finished. We draft the pattern, build the garment, and refine it on you after it arrives, then carry those corrections into every commission that follows. Our fully handmade and Presidential tiers live here.
How to choose
- First suit or tight budget? MTM or our entry custom.
- Want it to last and fit like it’s yours? Custom, half-canvas or full canvas.
- Milestone garment – wedding, swearing-in, a suit for the next decade? Bespoke-level construction.
The Tailored Man’s range
We meet you anywhere on this spectrum and tell you honestly where your budget and occasion land, from half-canvas up through fully handmade and Presidential (+$500–$750). Not sure where to start? Read why custom beats off-the-rack.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Tailored Man?
A custom menswear house in Tysons Corner / McLean, VA, established 1969, making custom suits, shirts, tuxedos, wedding attire, sport coats, trousers, and alterations.
Who runs it?
Owner and clothier Brett Howard, who handles fittings personally.
What areas do you serve?
Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland – and clients nationwide.
What does a tuxedo cost?
From $1,095.
Book a fitting
Book a fitting at our Tysons Corner showroom.