Ditch the Tailor Tax: Why a Great Fit Starts Online, Not on the Alterations Rack

You understand the power of a great suit. It’s more than just clothing; it’s a statement of intent, a boost of confidence, and a nod to timeless style. For decades, the path to achieving that impeccable look led straight to a local tailor's shop.

But what if that entire process—buying off-the-rack and then paying more for alterations—is outdated? What if, instead of altering a suit to almost fit, you could have a suit crafted to your exact measurements from the very first stitch?

First, How Do You Get a Suit Tailored the Traditional Way?

Before we explore a better way, it's important to understand the conventional process. When users search for how to get a suit tailored, they are typically looking for these steps:

Find a Reputable Tailor: The journey begins by finding a skilled professional, usually through local online searches, customer reviews, or word-of-mouth recommendations.
The Initial Fitting: You bring your newly purchased, off-the-rack suit to the tailor, along with the specific dress shirt and shoes you intend to wear with it to ensure proper length.
Marking the Alterations: The tailor has you try on the jacket and trousers, then uses pins and chalk to mark all the necessary adjustments—from hemming the pants and adjusting the waist to shortening the sleeves and contouring the jacket's body.
The Final Fitting: After one to two weeks, you return to try on the altered suit. This is your chance to check the work and request any final, minor tweaks to the fit.

The Problem with the Old Way (The "Tailor Tax")

While this traditional method can certainly improve a generic suit, it's a journey of compromises. You're fundamentally limited by the original garment's pattern. Significant changes like adjusting the shoulders are complex and expensive, and there's only so much a tailor can do. You pay for the suit, and then you pay the "tailor tax"—the extra time and money spent trying to fix a product that wasn't made for you in the first place.

We’ve spoken to many men (in the thousands) over the last ten-plus years who are tired of fighting for a nice suit and having to settle for something less. At Oliver Wicks, we believe there’s a more intelligent, modern, and precise way to achieve a great fit. It’s time to rethink the needle and thread.

The Modern Alternative: Made-to-Measure, Redefined

Imagine bypassing the multiple fitting sessions and the uncertainty of alterations. With an online made-to-measure suit, the garment is created for you, and only you, based on a "digital pattern" fine-tuned to your body.

Our process combines your unique measurements with our sophisticated pattern-making software, ensuring a level of precision that alterations on a standard-size suit simply cannot match. Whether you provide your body measurements or the dimensions of your current best-fitting garment, we craft a suit that is uniquely yours.

Here’s why this changes the game:

A Foundation of Quality: A great fit begins with exceptional materials. We source our fabrics from legendary Italian and English mills like Vitale Barberis Canonico, E. Thomas, and Alfred Brown. Every Oliver Wicks suit is crafted from natural fabrics and features a canvassed construction for superior drape and durability—a feature you won't find in most off-the-rack options.
European Craftsmanship: Your suit is constructed in our state-of-the-art facilities in Europe, where tailoring is a time-honoured tradition. This allows us to maintain meticulous quality control and deliver a product that embodies European style and finesse. By cutting out expensive retail middlemen, we pass those savings directly to you.
Unlimited Personalisation: A truly personal suit goes beyond fit. With Oliver Wicks, you can customise every detail at no extra cost. Choose your lapel style (from wide peak to skinny notch), pocket design, buttons, and even the lining. This is your opportunity to design a suit that reflects your personal taste, not a tailor's limitations.
The Fit, Guaranteed: We understand that ordering a suit online requires trust. That's why we stand behind our product with an unmatched Fit Guarantee. If your suit arrives and needs minor adjustments, we'll cover the alteration costs with a local tailor up to $125. And if your first Oliver Wicks suit can't be altered to provide a great fit, we will remake it for you.

Your Journey to a Great Suit, Simplified

Forget the hassle of scheduling appointments. Here’s how simple achieving a great fit can be from the comfort of your home:

Select Your Style: Explore our curated collection of premium Italian and English fabrics.
Customise the Details: Design a suit that’s uniquely you, from the lapels to the lining.
Provide Your Measurements: Follow our easy-to-use video guides to measure yourself. Have questions? Our expert team is always ready to assist via email.
Await Delivery: Your custom-tailored suit will be crafted in Europe and delivered to your door—Custom items are delivered for free worldwide.

Step into a Suit Made for You

Why settle for a suit that was made for everyone and altered for one? A truly exceptional suit is one that is built around your body and your style from the very first cut. It’s a suit that moves with you, flatters your physique, and instills a sense of effortless confidence.

That is the promise of made-to-measure. That is the promise of Oliver Wicks.

Ready to experience the difference? Explore our collection and start designing your ideal suit today.