While I agree that a skilled tailor can do a great deal to improve the fit of an off-the-peg garment, there are some limitations. Darren posted an article which explains inlays and the positioning within a bespoke garment. Bespoke tailors add inlay to anticipate alterations in the future. Quite frequently (and, I'm sure Darren can attest to this) well-made garments pass from father to son, easily as their posture and frame are similar.

RTW, on the other hand, is all about economy of cloth and ease of construction. RTW does not allow for inlays, which limit the amount of alteration. In fact, I have sometimes seen seam allowances of 3/8" (1 cm) with no inlay at all. Of the few RTW garments I own, this narrow a seam allowance becomes distorted during laundering. My father always wore his clothes until they wore out . Being that RTW (at least those in my closet) never seem to survive more than a couple years, the likelhood of inheriting my father's RTW is slim.

I would venture to guess that if you fit a 42R RTW w/ some minor tweaking, your frame is in the standard size 'run'. The adjustments you probably have made are lifting/lowering of hem; and correcting for sway of back or thrust of neck (maybe some collar narrowing). I doubt your alterations are more than a 1/4" in any of those areas. If this is the case, my opinion is that you have infinitely more clothing options available to you than some of us.

Hey Horace.  This moron says hello.  Interesting thread.  This looks to cover your old "why machine made items are superior" ground again.  I always thought that was pretty good.  What's the deal with the Malindum?

Last edited by dartagnan (2006-03-22 07:34:50)