FAQ

How much material do I need for a tailor-made suit?

9. Interview: Gill Long of Cock of the Walk Tailors
How much material do I need for a tailor-made suit?
Note that I independently write and research everything in this article. But it may contain affiliate links.

How much material do I need for a tailor-made suit? There is a very short answer to that question. An obvious one in fact.

If you are looking at getting a suit made with a tailor, you need a ‘suit length’. I know, that’s pretty much telling you nothing. But it actually tells you a lot.

20. 1960s-style double-breasted suits at Adam of London
1960s-style double-breasted suit

 

A tailor has material/cloth books for you to browse and if you want something, they will order you a suit length of it. Slight more if you want a three-piece suit rather than a two-piece suit. So if you are getting cloth from your tailor, you don’t need to worry about the technicalities of it.

Granted you do pay a small markup if you are getting cloth from a tailor, but it does make life a lot easier.

However, if you want to source your own material that’s not really much help. Let me talk specifics instead.

Around 3.5 metres of cloth should be good for a standard two-piece suit Or alternatively, 4 metres if you want the waistcoat too.

1960s-style double-breasted suits at Adam of London
1960s-style double-breasted suit

 

If you just want a pair of trousers, you should look to get around 1.5 metres, with 2 metres being good for just having a jacket made.

Most rolls of cloth are a standard width (150cm), so you shouldn’t have to worry about that. But you can always check, just in case it is vintage cloth with a smaller width (and thus, would mean you need a little more).

Hopefully, that clears that up. But if in doubt, chat to your tailor of choice. From experience, they will always be happy to help.

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