How to Buy a (Good) Custom Suit Online

Virtual Appointments work and the WSJ agrees and interview us!

We've been successfully helping new and repeat clients style and design their custom clothing virtually and were asked to contribute to the WSJ's article, How to Buy a (Good) Custom Suit Online. Or, read a free version of the pdf here.

With a virtual appointment you can style and design your items just like an in-person appointment but from the convenience of home or office. Repeat clients can use existing measurements and have a virtual try-on session for adjustments, new clients need just a 15 minute follow up appointment for gloved and masked measurements.

“Video calls are definitely becoming some tailors’ trustiest tool.” ~ WSJ

Our Covid-19 Response

We’re excited to welcome you back! Safety is our priority and we’ve made the many changes below to keep everyone safe, including offering both new and repeat clients Virtual Fittings & Appointments, curbside pickup, and implementing the highest frequent cleaning standards in our showroom.

Covid-19 Safety:

What we will do:

• Our team will wear masks, use sanitizer regularly, and wear gloves when needed

• We will require anyone entering the showroom to wear a mask (and offer disposable masks)

• We’ve designated a team member to clean doors, handles, desks, and surfaces throughout the day and between appointments and fittings

• Our fitting rooms and tape measures are completely cleaned after every use

• Plexiglass partitions will be available for desk appointments

• Espresso and scotch are now served in disposable cups, water has always been bottled and will continue to be

• Curbside pickup will be available, just call us upon arrival

• We will limit number total people allowed in our showroom (team members and/or clients)

What we need you to do:

• Please wear a mask when entering our showroom (we will have disposables available)

• Please limit guests to 2 max for each appointment, or contact us if an exception is absolutely required

• Please be right on time to help us limit the number of people in the store, give a call if we need to make other accomodations, will will always try

We will continue watching, listening and learning, day by day, and will keep you posted as our situation evolves.

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Virtual Fittings & Appointments:

1. Repeat Clients, OPEN Orders:If you have custom clothing ready for delivery, we will continue to offer shipping, virtual fittings, and curbside pickup upon request.

2. Repeat Clients, NEW Orders: First, THANK YOU for your support!
   Book Online and request a video call. We can style your garments just like a regular appointment, including reviewing the fit of your latest items

3. New Clients: First, THANK YOU for your support!
   Book Online and request a video call. We can style your garments just like a regular appointment, and arrange a time for masked and gloved measurements to be taken.

4. Gift certificates are always available to buy online

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Common Questions:

Q: Will my order be delayed?
A: Currently, orders are coming in faster than usual but your Designer will always be able to give an estimated delivery timeline.

Q: Is the showroom open? Are there any changes to your hours?
A: Chicago’s Phase 3 begins on June 3, 2020. Hours will stay the same and we will operate in full cooperation of Chicago’s Phase 3 regulations, including frequent cleaning, wearing of masks and gloves, and limiting the number of total people in the showroom at any time.

Q: What is being done to keep our employees safe?
A: Any employee is required to stay home and contact a doctor if they are not feeling well or feverish. All employees are also required to wear masks in the store at all times.

Q: What are you doing to give back during this time?
A: We have launched BeExxtra.com to sell and donate masks to in-need hospital and facilities. In April, we donated over 15,000 FDA and CDC registered masks to in-need facilities in Chicago. Buy and donate masks at www.beExxtra.com

Now Offering Virtual Appointments for Custom Clothing

With Virtual Appointments, we can style your garments just like a regular appointment!

For New Clients, Request Appointment

For existing clients who wish to place new orders, we appreciate your small business support!

• Book Video Appointment Online, we can style your garments just like a regular appointment, many guys are choosing this option

• Call us, 312-895-1577, or email info@customsuitsyou.com

• Purchase gift certificates for later use, or call

For clients with deadlines for orders already placed, we can ship, perform a virtual fitting, and arrange for in-showroom fittings at a later date. If you absolutely must come in for a fitting, please contact us to arrange as our showroom hours are being limited to practice social distancing. Appointments on the books will be contacted individually.
  VIEW ALL SHIRT FABRICS VIEW SPRING SPORT COAT FABRICS 1 VIEW SPRING SPORT COAT FABRICS 2

KPMG Employee Discount

As a previous Big 4 alum alum, founder Nicholas Hansen would like to offer KPMG employees a free custom shirt with custom suit purchase, or 15% off custom clothing packages.

Simply mention 'KPMG' in your appointment request and bring proof of KPMG employment to your appointment. Valid for new orders only.

*Effective 3/8/19. Cannot be combined with other offers, promotions, or discounts. New orders only with proper KPMG employment identification.

What is the Difference Between a Custom Suit and a Bespoke Suit?

A custom tailor will often loosely use the term bespoke when referring to a custom garment. Although the two ways to create a garment are siimlar, there are some key differences you should note. It’s best to do your research and know what truly is the difference between custom and bespoke tailoring.

What exactly is a Custom Suit vs. a Bespoke Suit?

The custom suit process begins by having measurements taken of your body and deciding how you want your garments to fit. Each garment is created specifically to these body measurements taken by an expert tailor. The custom suit or custom garment arrives finished and any fit changes needed will be altered by a tailor.

So what is a Bespoke Suit?

Originating on Savile Row in London, Bespoke means “to be spoken for” and brings a whole new meaning to the Power Suit.

A truly made Bespoke suit is the best fitting garment you can get.   Multiple basted fittings are done with an unfinished garment to ensure that the it fits perfectly in every way.  A basted fitting is a fitting with a garment that is loosely stitched together with white basting thread. It is called the basted fitting because, at this point, the suit is temporarily stitched together with white basting thread.

Although measurements had previously been taken, the basted fitting will be the first time you actually get to try on your custom suit, fitting notes can be made, and the basting thread can be easily removed for adjustments prior to finishing the garment's seams for final delivery.

We Offer Both Custom Suits and Bespoke Suits Made in Chicago

Esquire magazine has recommended us exclusively in Chicago for Bespoke Suits in their Big Black Book of Style.  Once your fabric arrives from the mill in Italy, or other origin, the suit never leaves Chicago.  Our Chicago Master Tailor will create an exceptional and unique bespoke suit just for you that is hand cut, fitted, and sewn, right here in Chicago.  We actually have clients that fly in just for our bespoke service.

Besides making the bespoke suit in Chicago, the primary difference is that the fabric is cut by hand according to your body and measurements, and the garment arrives basted, or loosely sewn, together. At the fitting we assess and see if any adjustments need to be made and the tailor does this as he finishes the garment.  Certain body types may require more fittings than others, but it’s truly the best possible fit if you have a difficult body type.

Our custom suit tailors works exclusively for us since we started in 2005. His team of cutters and apprentices make the majority of our custom suits, in addition to all our true custom shirts. When the garment arrives for a fitting, it is fully made, but can be adjusted easily. If we need to make any adjustment to enhance the fit of the garment, our Master Tailor does that here in house and then a paper pattern is kept on file for easy re-order.

How much does a bespoke suit cost?

Our bespoke suits made in Chicago are our premier line and start at $2795.

Top 3 Benefits of Choosing our Bespoke Suits

1. Superior Fit:

Fittings are performed with unfinished basted garments, allowing our team to perfect your fit during the process.

2. Handmade to Your Body and Preferences:

Approximately 50 man hours go into each bespoke suit from our Chicago Master Tailor and his team of cutters, sewers, and buttonhole makers.  The team pays special attention to each of your measurements as well as your personal style appointments.

3. Increased Confidence:

When you look good, you feel good. Bespoke tailoring brings a man to his full potential and allows him to focus on the task at hand, knowing he is presenting his best self to his audience. 

Fall & Winter Men's Wardrobe Checklist

Do you have all your Fall & Winter menswear wardrobe essentials?   Here is a basic checklist to ensure you're ready to Live Dapper during the colder months.  Add or subtract items for a custom fit wardrobe for your lifestyle.

• 1 Overcoat in grey or navy, add a second custom camel overcoat for variety
• 2 Suits: 1 flannel & 1 bright slate (the new “it” color), try a custom three piece suit in thick chalk stripe and wear the vest with jeans for a warmer, dressed up look
• 2 Sport Coats: 1 textured solid in a blue, grey, or charcoal & 1 subtle pattern like a glenplaid or herringbone
• 5 Dress shirts, 10 if needed the full work week:  white, blue, lavender and 2 fun patterns (try a dot, paisley, or chambray this season), try all custom shirts to ensure a consistent fit
• 3 Trousers: blue, grey, and tan plus 2 flannel pairs in any color
• 1 Long sleeve polo, perfect for casual Fridays or weekends, and can easily be worn with a sport coat
• A cardigan, v-neck, or shawl lapel sweater, try the latter for a more updated look
• 2 belts, one black, one brown; Try a custom belt for fun in suede or a with a contrast stitch
• 5 patterned socks in subtle colors, too bold is too last year
• 5 ties in smaller patterns to make matching easy: 1 of each base color- 2 blue, purple, green,  and red, try wool for an updated look
• Pocket squares: 2 white, 1 blue, and 2 fun prints, be sure they match your suits and sport coats