“Is my custom jacket worth my money?” Probably most of us have this question in mind when we spend a chunk of money on getting a tailored jacket.
In addition to the two main factors including material and design, we have some more tips to help you find out the answer, and you can make use of these tips to find high quality clothes as well.
Read more: Suit fabric guide
Read the care label
Firstly, when you receive your newly made jacket, it is advisable to examine the care label or any written guide carefully. It should be transparent about materials included as well as care instructions so you know how to take care of your jacket properly. Don’t hesitate to ask the tailor if there is anything you are not sure about.
Here at Tailor Bros, we believe that communication is a key element in every tailoring appointment, and that a good understanding of your garment benefits both the customer and the tailor.
Put your jacket on
Stand in front of a full length mirror, put on your jacket and see how well it performs. Is it in the right shape and comfortable for you when having it on? Does it drape nicely on your body? Are two sides (left side and right side) the same length? Then you should button your jacket up properly and repeat the process.
Check the patterns
If you choose a patterned textile, especially a striped or checked one, you have to check if the patterns align at the seams or not. A jacket having matching checks is a good indicator that the tailor has planned your garment thoroughly and wanted it to be made in the best possible way.
Take the lining into account
Now it’s time to take a closer look inside your garment to check the lining and the construction inside your jacket. Lining is an extra layer of material sewn to the inside of a garment to increase its wearability and durability. The lining needs to be tightly stitched in and made of a breathable material.
One important thing with lining is that it should normally be a little bit larger than the jacket fabric, with the excess gathered into a center back pleat. This prevents the lining from tearing at stress spots and allows easy arm movements.
Additionally, make sure that the lining is neatly finished and you cannot see it from the outside. An impeccable lining layer is a good indicator of how much effort, time, and quality materials were used to tailor your jacket so that it is both comfortable and elegant.
Look at the stitching
Examining the stitching on your jacket is another simple way to judge its quality, as uneven or loose stitching is a sign of low quality. Tight stitching is essential to a well-made garment’s durability. Feel free to gently stretch your jacket to check for any loose threads or gaps along the seams or hems.
Study the buttons and buttonholes
Another important factor to evaluate is the button’s quality. High quality buttons must be sturdy, user-friendly, and neatly and securely sewed. Since your suit fabric can be very thick, you should also see if the tailor reinforces the buttons with extra thread underneath them to allow for that extra material when you do up your jacket.
The edges of the button holes should be neat and tidy. Even after years of use, everything should remain intact because the edges should be securely stitched around. If you have extra buttons attached on your jacket, it’s likely meant to be a long-lasting and functional piece of clothing.
To conclude
High quality jackets, especially custom pieces, should fit you perfectly and have a neat lining, strong stitching as well as durable buttons. Please keep in mind that these are not trivial attributes, instead, attention to detail indicates that your garment was well constructed and made with great care.
