Why Custom
The Better Investment
Comparable fabric. Made for your body. About half the price of off-the-rack luxury.
A misunderstood reality of menswear: in Washington, a custom suit from The Tailored Man costs less than a comparable luxury suit off the rack. Premium retail pricing buys a garment cut to an average body, not yours. We've been making suits to the body since 1969. Our experienced team takes more than two dozen measurements, considering posture, body shape, and weight, and works with you on every detail (fit, fabric, lapel, lining, button) until the silhouette is yours and yours alone.
For more detail on pricing tiers, lead times, and what to expect through the process, see our frequently asked questions.
The comparison
Side by Side
For Washington professionals shopping in the $1,500 to $3,000 range, the most direct comparison is to Canali at Nordstrom or Saks. For those seeking the finest American handmade tier, the comparison is to Oxxford. Below: side by side, every spec.
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The Comparison
Custom vs. Off the Rack
The most direct comparison for Washington professionals shopping in the $1,500 to $3,000 range.
Retail · Off the Rack
Canali
Italian Luxury · Nordstrom / Saks Fifth Avenue
Retail Price Range
From $2,695
to $2,895, before alterations
| Fit | Standard sizes only |
| Made for you | Off-the-rack pattern |
| Alterations | Often required, billed separately |
| Construction | Half-canvas (varies) |
| Fabric choice | Limited to available stock |
| Service | Department store staff |
| Your name inside | No |
| Style input | Whatever's in stock |
The Tailored Man · Custom
The Tailored Man
Custom Made · McLean, VA · Est. 1969
Custom Suit Starting From
$1,295
In comparable premium fabrics
55% Less Than Canali| Fit | Made for your exact body |
| Made for you | 49 measurements taken |
| Alterations | Included |
| Construction | Full canvas available |
| Fabric choice | Vitale Barberis Canonico, Reda, Drago, Stylbiella, Holland & Sherry and more, priced mill by mill |
| Service | Directly with Brett Howard |
| Your name inside | Hand-stitched |
| Style input | Every detail, your choice |
The Handmade Tier
Handmade vs. Oxxford
For clients who want the finest possible garment: full canvas, hand-padded lapels, ox horn or mother of pearl buttons.
Retail · American Handmade
Oxxford Clothes
Handmade in Chicago · Since 1916
Custom Suit Price Range
$4,500
to $6,500+ · Sold through authorized retailers
| Construction | Full canvas, handmade |
| Fit | Custom measured |
| Lapels | Hand-padded |
| Buttons | Water buffalo horn |
| Fabric choice | Oxxford's mill relationships |
| DC-area access | Authorized retailer, Northern Virginia |
| Turnaround | 6+ weeks minimum |
| Your clothier | Via third-party retailer |
The Tailored Man · Handmade Collection
The Tailored Man
Handmade Collection · McLean, VA
Handmade Suit Starting From
$3,200
Full canvas, handmade construction
$1,300 Less Than Oxxford| Construction | Full canvas, handmade |
| Fit | Bespoke to your body |
| Lapels | Traditional hand-padded |
| Buttons | Ox horn or genuine mother of pearl |
| Fabric choice | Loro Piana, Holland & Sherry, Scabal |
| DC-area access | McLean, VA, by appointment |
| Turnaround | A few weeks · Local fittings |
| Your clothier | Direct with Brett Howard |
A note on the full pricing structure. The Iniziare collection is our floor at $895 with half-canvas construction. The $1,295 figure shown in the Canali comparison is where cloth from the flagship mills and merchants starts, and that is where most of our work sits. Loro Piana sits nearer $1,895 and Ermenegildo Zegna above $2,100, and the suits page lists the price mill by mill. The $3,200 figure shown in the Oxxford comparison reflects our Handmade Collection: full canvas, hand-padded lapels, premium fabrics, traditional construction throughout. Construction upgrades on standard fabric are also available: full canvas +$200, fully handmade +$350, Presidential +$500 to $750. See our FAQ for the complete pricing structure.
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Our reputation is based on our uncompromising dedication to craftsmanship and personal service
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