Bespoke Argyle made in Canada

**Carolina Kiltman** · 29th September 08, 03:07 PM

Question on the above. What is the difference between "bespoke" and "made to measure"? I thought they were pretty much the same.

**Bugbear** · 29th September 08, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by Carolina Kiltman

Question on the above. What is the difference between "bespoke" and "made to measure"? I thought they were pretty much the same.

You know, now a days, who knows.

However, to me the real difference would be that "made to measure" is when a tailor adjusts the features of a pre-made pattern to fit a person.

Bespoke, on the other hand, is when a tailor works out how a garment will look and fit with the person, but also that the tailor can tweek the interfacings and all kinds of things like that. It would be almost like sculpting the garment to the person who will wear it. It would start with the pattern, but go far beyond just adjusting the measurements.

I probably don't know what I'm talking about...

**JerseyLawyer** · 29th September 08, 07:03 PM

No, you're right. A made to measure garment is an off-the-peg pattern made to your measurements. In a bespoke, or custom, garment, every detail is "spoken for" by the customer.

**Bugbear** · 29th September 08, 07:15 PM

Not too sure how that would be done without the tailor and the person who will be wearing the garment having at least a face to face meeting or two, and a few final fittings involving pins...

**JerseyLawyer** · 29th September 08, 07:45 PM

Bespoke usually requires at least an initial measurement, a fitting with a muslin pattern, and then a final fitting. It's the height of the tailor's art.

So, yeah, not something you do over the phone.

**Bugbear** · 29th September 08, 08:24 PM

And don't forget those torso duhickies that the tailor uses to build a model of the person's figure..

My grandmother had one of those, and they can be quite scarry when you wake up and look over at the headless, grid-like torso floating in the room.

* That was when I was a little kid. *

**Carolina Kiltman** · 30th September 08, 06:57 AM

Thanks to all. Actually I have had both types done, it was the terminology that had me a bit confused there. We are fortunate to have an excellent, Saville Row trained tailor in town here. I did have some outfits made some 20+ years ago, but the last one was a disaster, as he unfortunately was drunk or had a hangover most of the time.

He seems to have his act together now, and has opened a shop about three blocks or so from where I live. I'll have to drop in and talk to him next time I walk by.

Originally Posted by Ted Crocker

And don't forget those torso duhickies that the tailor uses to build a model of the person's figure..

My grandmother had one of those, and they can be quite scarry when you wake up and look over at the headless, grid-like torso floating in the room.

* That was when I was a little kid. *

Re. the tailor/dressmaker dummies, the best are actually made to be a perfect replica of the person for whom the clothing is being made. I can certainly see where they could be scary to a kid.