How Long Does It Take to Get a Suit Tailored? 7 Important Considerations

If you’re planning on wearing a suit for your wedding, at some point you will likely have to decide if you’d like to have a custom-made number or one that is tailored to your specific dimensions. But what type of suit should you wear to a wedding and how much does having a suit tailored cost?

In this article, we will answer everything you need to know about securing a suit for your big day. 

What Type of Suit to Wear to a Wedding?

When it comes to what type of suit to wear for a special occasion such as a wedding, you want to make sure you are looking your best. A three-piece suit is always a great option, as the vest can help give the classic double-breasted look more of an edge.

If you’re looking for something even more timeless, consider a pinstripe suit that is either navy blue or charcoal gray — this can provide a modern twist on the classic two-piece. You may also want to go with something like a classic tuxedo or a modern three-piece version of the same look. So, if you wish to make your mark in style and sophistication at your wedding, opt for one of these classic looks over the non-traditional white suit.

Tips for Picking a Suit for a Wedding

When it comes to picking the right suit to wear to your wedding, it is generally a better idea to go with a darker suit than a light one and a more classic look than trendy. Here are some more basic wedding suit do’s and don’ts to live by:

• Don’t wear shoes that are not formal enough for the occasion
• Don’t forget to be intentional when picking out a tie or bowtie
• Try out mixing and matching vests with jackets for some variety in your look
• Wear a formal dress shirt underneath your jacket to make the best impression
• Don’t go overboard when it comes to personalized touches on your lapel or suit — sometimes, less is more

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Suit Tailored?

Having a suit tailored to your body can make all the difference in how it looks and feels, but of course, this comes at a cost. The hourly wage of an average tailor can range anywhere from $25-$50 per hour, with most projects taking 5-7 hours total to complete the job. Depending on geographical region, materials selection and other factors, five weeks is usually the maximum amount of time you will have to wait before your newly tailored suit is ready.

The final cost may also be influenced by how much hand stitching or alteration is required — so when in doubt, check with your tailor beforehand! In fact, prices can vary from $40-$400, depending on the size of the job and the tailor’s going rates and schedule.

What Measurements Do I Need for a Tailored Suit?

When it comes to ordering a tailored suit, getting the perfect fit means providing your tailor with the correct measurements. It is important to measure the inseam in particular, as this helps ensure that your trousers will hit the desired length in both the leg and waist areas. The chest measurement is also very important in making sure that your jacket will fit in terms of button tension, lapel spread and overall shoulder size.

Additionally, you’ll need to get your shoulder breadth and provide a fingertip-to-fingertip measure, which can help the tension in the lapel closure and neck points around your shirt collar. Ultimately, when measuring for a tailored suit, precision is key in achieving that perfect fit.

Here are the primary measurements needed when it comes to perfectly sizing a suit:

1. Weight and height
2. Neck size: This measures the circumference of your neck at the thickest part.
3. Shirt sleeve length: This runs from the nape of your neck to just under your wrist bone. 
4. Waist: Measure the waist at the widest part for the most accurate measurement.
5. Chest: With arms out at a “T,” measure the widest part of their chest. 
6. Outseam: This measurement can be made on the outermost side of the pant leg, running down the seam from the waist down to the heel. 

How Long Does It Take to Get a Suit Tailored?

Getting a suit tailored is an important decision when creating a personalized look. It can be time-consuming, depending on what the customer is expecting. Generally, getting a new tailored suit to fit your body type and style typically takes between 4-7 hours, with the more complex suits taking longer.

The turnaround time for custom building a suit could reach up to 40 hours based on design features and fabric selection. For customers who are in need of quick turnaround for special occasions, many professional alteration services offer same-day tailoring with an express fee included in the cost of service.

Here are a couple of factors that determine how long it takes to get a suit tailored.

1. Presence of Materials

When you want to get your suit tailored, you need to check if the required materials are available. This is because there are cases where the tailor you visit may not have the tools and fabrics at hand, so they need to place an order or purchase them first. As a result, the time you’ll get your suit will be affected.

2. The Time You Will Get it Tailored

There are seasons for everything. There are months wherein many people go to tailors to get clothes altered. For example, many weddings take place from May to October. Tailors also remake clothes during these same months. Not only will this delay how long it takes to tailor your suit, but it will also affect the price you have to pay.

3. Who Will Tailor the Suit

Another factor is who is tailoring your suit. If it’s a tailor working for a big store or company, bear in mind that you wait longer for your suit to be ready.

However, if you visit a tailor in a small sewing shop or a family business, you can expect a shorter turnaround. You will be looking at two weeks at most. Additionally, in most cases, their prices are even lower as well.

4. The Type of Alterations You Want

Some kinds of alterations take more time to complete than others. As a result, the more alterations you request, the longer it takes for your suit to be tailored.

How Much Does a Three-Piece Suit Cost?

A three-piece suit is a timelessly classic look that instantly adds sophistication to your wardrobe. Tailoring a suit can make all the difference, but with average prices starting around $700, it may be worth considering buying one that fits off-the-rack instead to save money.

Off-the-rack three-piece suits are generally available in a range of price points and the overall cost of owning your own tailored three-piece depends heavily on the fabric and quality you choose. Make sure you buy something of good quality, as with suits, there is often an inverse correlation between initial cost and lifetime value. 

In short, a good three-piece suit can cost anywhere from $800 to $1,500—but keep in mind the vests can be swapped with others to create more than one or two looks. This can seem expensive up front, but it may actually save money in the long run, particularly if you work a professional job or have to wear suits frequently.

Should I Order a White Suit?

If you’re considering a white suit for a wedding, it is an unusual and perhaps memorable choice that would definitely help you stand out in the crowd. However, it’s important to keep in mind that white suits are not always very trendy or fashionable. If you’re aiming to make a good impression, then they may not be your best option. Here are the top three reasons why you should not wear a white suit to a wedding:

1. Clashing with the bride: 

While it can be tempting to think we will “shake up tradition” with a tailored suit that is different from the expected black, blue or grey, this can sometimes backfire. For example, if the bride and their partner both choose white as their foundational color, they may end up slightly mismatched at the altar, with one appearing cream and another off-white. Besides, you wouldn’t want to upstage your partner — and contrast in wedding photos is generally accepted as a good thing!

2. Hard to keep clean: 

It’s no secret that in wearing white clothing, you are taking a gamble with your daily tasks — in everything from transportation to eating and avoiding spills or similar messes. And let’s remember one of the best parts of the wedding — the food — and plan on enjoying it rather than fussing over white fabric! If you’re trying to eat a meal with any kind of tomato-based sauce, like Italian, you’ll want to bring the bib and an emergency stain removal pen!

3. Outdated style: 

While the white suit can certainly make for a bold statement on the part of the celebrant, white suits (and light suits, such as baby pink suits) haven’t been in style since the 1920s and may never come back around again.

One positive with this is that your tailored suit is likely to be 100% unique to your celebration and you are sure to make an impression on your guests. For a romance that is once in a lifetime, a white suit could be an epic nod to what you and your hunny share.

How to Choose a Suit Tailor for Your Wedding

When it comes to planning for a wedding, choosing the perfect suit retailer or private tailor is one of the most important decisions you will make. It’s essential that you find a tailor who can provide clear communication and demonstrations of the tailoring process, as well as meet your expectations in terms of timeliness and affordability.

Ensure you select a reputable, professional service with experience and knowledge in the proper measurements needed for suits to ensure that your wedding suit fits perfectly. 

Three-piece suits are excellent for formal occasions such as weddings. However, when selecting your fabric colors, be sure to steer clear from white — this could tend to clash with the bride’s dress. Make sure to choose a suitable color option that goes well with her desired style. Here are some other things to consider when choosing a suit:

1. Color scheme: 

When picking a suit for your wedding, it’s important to pick a suit fabric that will not clash with your groomsmen, bridesmaids or the bride. Ask your wedding planner what the color schema is so you know you’re on track to make for a pleasant contrast with your wedding party in the photos. If you do it just right, your wedding photos could last a lifetime with a classic appeal. 

2. Mobility: 

If you’re planning to get down and dance during the festivities, you’ll want to find a suit that offers a good amount of mobility for a full range of motion. This not only protects the significant investment of your suit but also allows you to celebrate your marriage union without inhibition. This ensures you will be able to wear your suit for another festive gathering in the future, recycling a practical suit rather than buying a brand new one with each party.

3. Breathability: 

It’s likely going to be warm inside a venue, especially if you are getting married in the summer. The right breathability not only increases your enjoyment and your ability to shake loose at your celebration but it also can be seen as a point of safety. Keeping your suit breathable and drinking ample water during your party is one way you can safely party without putting yourself at risk of heat stroke.

4. Wedding theme: 

Consider how the theme will impact not only the festivities but also the type of look your wedding planner is going for. This undoubtedly will help you select which style, color and type of fabric to request from your tailor. 

5. Cost: 

While cost isn’t everything, budgeting for your wedding is important to keep in mind during all decisions, so you don’t go over budget. Especially with expenses like clothing, sticking to a predetermined guideline of how much you hope to spend is essential for overall celebratory success. Plus, it’s always a good idea to add some extra padding to the budget for emergencies or a “whoopsies” fund. 

Pros and Cons of Getting Tailored Suits

You may be concerned about getting a suit tailored based on your wedding budget. As discussed above, suit-tailoring expenses vary from $40-$400. To assist you in making a choice, below are a few of the pros and cons of getting a tailored suit:

The Pros:

• Tailored suits last longer. The materials your tailor uses can strengthen the durability of your suit.
• Getting a tailored suit will fit you perfectly.  For example, the silhouette highlights your body and hides any flaws you may have. Also, You don’t need to worry about wardrobe malfunctions. Not only will you look your best on your wedding day, but you will also be more confident with your well-fitting tailored suit.
• Aside from your wedding, you can wear your tailored suit to other occasions. For example, events and life opportunities may require business or formal attire. This includes job interviews, banquets, among others.

The Cons:

• Time is of the essence. You may not have the time to wait for the suit to be ready. As stressed above, some factors determine the turnaround time for a tailored suit. If you’re lucky, You can get it in two weeks. But if you’re not, you may have to wait up to 6 weeks. Another option you can go for is 50% of the alterations cost for a rush fee.
• Tailored suits are expensive. But it depends on what kind of alterations you need.

Check out these other posts:

• Can Bride See Groom Suit Before the Wedding?
• How to Rock an All-Black Suit at Your Wedding
• 13 Superb Groom Suits That Will Make You Look Like a Million Bucks

Conclusion

Now that you know all there is to know about suits for weddings, it’s time to get started on your own journey. Choose a style and start collecting the necessary measurements. Work with a professional tailor to ensure everything comes together perfectly. With the knowledge in your pocket of how to choose the right wedding suit for any occasion, along with the best way to go about selecting a suit tailor, you will be well-equipped to forge ahead and plan your wedding outfit with confidence and style.

When it comes to picking a wedding suit, ask yourself, “Is this a suit I plan to wear once in my life and never again? Or will I want to wear it to other outings frequently?” Most importantly, enjoy the process and don’t forget to have fun!