For me, both #1 and #3 apply, though #3 probably applies more. I find it hard to believe that #2 applies to many: it's not like bespoke is necessarily faster.

I would add #4 that he secretly likes knowing he is wearing bespoke and no one around him is. I think about what John LeCarre has said about spies, they have a personality type that likes to keep secrets and takes satisfaction in knowing they know things that the people around them don't know and don't know that the spy knows them.

Factor 1 just alerted me to something.  The reason I am unlikely ever to be really into custom clothing is because, for the moment, OTR seems to fit me VERY well.  I never thought of it that way before.

I think that a number of bespoke customers are those who consider themselves designers or believe that they know better than they actually do.  Looking at some of the bespoke clothing posted on all of the forums, I often find myself laughing, and hearing stories from some tailors makes me laugh even harder.  Sometimes, a bespoke customer who wants something great should get out of the way, but the self-important, controlling personality cannot.

OK, so we need to expand the list:


1. He wants to because off the rack clothes fit him poorly.

2. He hasn’t got any time (or sometimes talent) to shop.

3. He Loves to get dressed and wants special things.

4. Like to know he has special things that others do not have

5. Has a strong personality and wants his clothes to reflect that.

An extension of #3, we are comforted by having a tangible connection with the good old days, when quality products, made from quality materials, were the rule and cheapo, mass-produced products, made of crap materials, were the exception.

Hey, hold on... I meant that people who like custom clothes tend to have strong personalities, not that they necessarily use clothes to project this characteristic.

Edit to #5: Has a strong personality and wants his clothes the way he wants them to be.