Fashion Terms — the Apparel Search fashion terminology directory
Made-to-measure is halfway between ready-to-wear and bespoke. The garment starts from general size standards — it is sewn from a standard-sized base pattern — and finishing touches such as tailoring are then done to make it fit a specific individual better. A tailored suit is a common example. The fit is expected to be superior to ready-to-wear, which is built to a manufacturer's idea of an average customer, but made-to-measure involves less workmanship than bespoke, which is made entirely from scratch to a customer's specifications. Prices sit between the two as well, and made-to-measure needs fewer fittings than bespoke, so the wait between measurement and delivery is shorter. It is sometimes also called personal tailoring.
What is made-to-measure clothing? Is this the same as haute couture or pret a-porter? Is made-to-measure the same as bespoke? Wow, you sure ask alot of questions.
In summary, made to measure is half way between ready-to-wear and bespoke. This means that the garment is originally made based on general size standards but finishing touches such as tailoring are done to make it fit better for a specific individual.
Made to measure typically refers to clothing that is sewn from a standard-sized base pattern. A tailored suit is a common example of a made-to-measure garment. The fit of a made-to-measure garment is expected to be superior to that of a ready-to-wear garment, because ready-to-wear garments are constructed to fit the manufacturer's definition of an average customer, while made-to-measure garments are constructed to fit each customer individually. However, made-to-measure items are seen by many to involve less workmanship than bespoke or "custom made" garments, as made-to-measure garments always involve some form of standardization in the patterning and manufacturing processes, whereas a bespoke garment is made entirely from scratch based on a customer's specifications. Typically, a made-to-measure garment will be more expensive than ready-to-wear garment but cheaper than a bespoke one.
Unlike bespoke garments, which traditionally involves hand sewing, made-to-measure manufacturers use both machine- and hand-sewing. Made-to-measure also requires fewer fittings than bespoke, resulting in a shorter wait between customer measurement and garment delivery. Made-to-measure is sometimes also referred to as personal tailoring.
A tailor or seamstress would be of assistance if you wish to have better fitting garments.
Learn the difference between Haute Couture, Ready-To-wear, and Prêt-à-Porter.
We hope that this helps answer some of your questions about
made-to-measure clothing.
What's the difference between made to measure and bespoke?
Most fit problems are not exotic. Shoulders, waist, sleeve and trouser length vary around standard sizes in predictable ways, so adjusting a proven base pattern captures most of the benefit of a fully custom garment at a fraction of the work. That is the economic logic of made-to-measure: the manufacturer keeps the efficiency of standardized patterning and production, and the customer gets a garment shaped to their own measurements in the places where off-the-rack fit usually fails. A tailor or seamstress is the person who bridges the two, taking the measurements and making the adjustments.
The choice is a trade among fit, time and price. Ready-to-wear is immediate and cheapest, and fits well enough when a body is close to the size standard. Made-to-measure adds individual fit and some fabric and detail choice, with a wait measured in weeks and a mid-range price. Bespoke removes every compromise — pattern, construction and details all start from the customer — at the highest price and the longest wait, with multiple fittings. The Fashion Blog comparison of made-to-measure and bespoke linked on this page works through the decision in more detail.
Clothing sewn from a standard-sized base pattern and then adjusted to fit the individual customer. It starts from general size standards, unlike bespoke, which is created entirely from scratch from the customer's own specifications.
Made-to-measure standardizes the patterning and manufacturing and uses both machine- and hand-sewing, with fewer fittings and a shorter wait. Bespoke traditionally involves hand sewing and a garment built completely around one customer's measurements and choices, so it costs more.
Ready-to-wear is made to fit an average customer with no individual adjustment, and costs less. Haute couture and pret-a-porter are separate categories again — the ready-to-wear and bespoke term pages linked on this page explain each neighbor in full.