Saturday Style: May 28th

So you’ve always wanted a suit? The crispness of the fabric, the weight of it on your shoulders, the way it makes you feel important/official. The way it fits – you.

Well, we’ve done the research and connected with Duchess, a custom tailor based in Portland, to get you the information you need to look amazing in your first suit.

The key to any good suit is fit. For most of us, it’s a waste of time to scour the men’s department looking for an entire suit that fits our bodies.  Off the rack suits are not created with “US” in mind. 

Duchess tailors suits to fit each person. They have been inclusive since day one, believing all people have the right to feel beautiful, confident, and respected. Check out their website or marketing, and you will see our community included.

My experience with Duchess was amazing. Being the lover of clothing that I am, I was in my element going through all the fabrics, looking at different cuts, and choosing details that fit my style. The tailor I consulted with made me feel like any other customer. And the suit was perfect. It was me.

If you can get a suit custom tailored, do it. It’s the best way to ensure a good fit, especially for cis-female bodied people wanting a men’s suit. 

And let’s not lie; a custom suit is not inexpensive.  If you’re able to do it then be sure to get your use out of it.

Suits are versatile.  There are many ways to wear them, pair the pieces with other clothing, and have both casual and dressed up looks.  Wear the jacket with a pair of jeans. Try the trousers with sneakers. Break out the vest and trousers for cocktail parties.  The more variations you try with your suit, the more ways you will find to wear it.

Another way to get your use out of a suit is to consider alterations. Our styles and our bodies change, so think about taking that suit back to your tailor to see about changes that you may want/need. A friend of mine mentioned that Duchess offered to do alterations on their suit after top surgery. I asked Duchess about the details, and they said they are all over it. The specifics of the alteration need to be worked out based on measurements before and after as well as style/construction of the suit, but often a few simple tweaks are all that is needed.

So dream big. If a suit is something you’ve been wanting, or you know you need one (and who doesn’t at some point in life?), then plan out ways to make it happen.

Duchess offered the following tips for those having a suit custom tailored.

·      The major things to consider are your style, needs, timeline, and budget.

·      Look around and gather inspiration, not just for styles that you love but also those you hate. And get those images to your tailor. Visual references are helpful, especially if you want something specific.

·      Classic takes less time than avant garde.  Not that you can’t do avant garde for your suit. But it may be something important to keep in mind if your duds are for a specific occasion.

·      Communicate with your tailor. They’re going to be your bestie through this process. So tell them as much as you can about yourself, your style, your needs, and your insecurities. The more they know, the better the experience (and suit) will be. Keep in mind you’ll want to tell your tailor about timeline, any specific needs, and if you’re planning a body change (weight loss, surgery, etc).