Written by Craig Landale in Reviews on the 5th July 2019

It was just 3 weeks ago when we visited SuitSupply on London’s Vigo Street to experience first-hand their Custom Made service. On arrival I was greeted by Alex again who was excited to tell me that I had made a good choice in fabric as it was now sold out, nut due to be restocked shortly. The 2nd fitting is where you get the chance to try on your finished suit to see if any final amendments are required. None were needed in my case and the suit looked amazing and felt light and effortless to wear. I couldn’t wait to show it off in a real event setting. It’s also worth noting that as a SuitSupply customer your fitting measurements are kept on file, so if you require the same suit again in the future or would like one made in other fabrics or colours, this can be done by a quick email or phone call.

If you missed our 1st visit blog post go back and read it now, but to recap you on this service: Starting at £399 Suitsuppy’s Custom Made offering enables men to choose the fabric and cut they desire. There are 5 jacket fits which all have benefits depending on your body shape or occasion. There’s the Napoli cut (V-shape body), the Lazio cut (slim fit), the Washington (super slim with peak lapel and a ticket pocket), the Havana single breasted with patch pockets and Havana double breasted with double jet pockets and peak lapel.

I chose the Havana single breasted for its relaxed laidback appeal. It has notch lapels and a natural unstructured shoulder with added sport patch pockets to finish. Next up is choosing the lining which is where the more colourful and flamboyant guys can really shine. There are lots to choose from such as pink and red which lend themselves to wedding colour themes, and black and navy for the more discreet understated guys. When it comes to trousers there are 2 different fits which again will each flatter certain body types. You can choose to have belt loops or a side adjustment on the waist, with my preference going towards not wearing a belt for a cleaner look. I also added a turn up (5cm) to add a little extra style. You’re then presented with a booklet of buttons which all look rather beautiful, making choosing a little difficult. However, Suitsupply has a default choice according to your chosen fabric and this is the one I went with because I loved the tortoiseshell pattern. Then you have the option of adding a waistcoat and an extra pair of trousers if desired, but as my suit was to be worn smart/casual, I opted to skip both.

This service offers more variety than in-store tailoring, and you’ll have the option of purchasing jackets and trousers separately, as well as adding a matching waistcoat. The suit is tailored from scratch from your choice of fabric (70+ fabrics) and fit template (5 different fits). The Custom Made service by Suitsupply can be completed online or in store but after seeing the fabrics, linings and buttons in person compared to online pictures, I would recommend an in store visit because nothing compares to holding the fabric in your hand to truly know how it looks and feels. This coupled with the styling advice from the expert store team you’ll be certain to make the best choice and get the most out of your money. If you design your piece in store, it’s possible to include size adjustments, such as sleeve length or tapered trousers, ensuring a perfect fit when your new suit arrives within 2-3 weeks.

The colour of my finished suit is a striking blue palette which is a perfect summer hue. It is made from a wool, silk and linen blend by the Italian fabric mill E. Thomas, first established in Brusimpiano in 1922 by Ernesto Thomas. This fabric allows the body to breath in the hot sun and is very light to wear. I don't usually wear suits unless the occasion requires so the fact that it doesn’t actually feel like I’m wearing a suit at all is a refreshing change from those uncomfortable ones that tense up both my shoulders and neck after a day of wear. Here I teamed the suit with white trainers and a plain t-shirt to show how versatile and laidback tailoring can be.

Made in a fabric by E. Thomas Mill, this Linen Suit by SuitSupply as part of their Custom Made offering is put to the test by Menswear Style.