Southlake · Est. 1972
Your firstcustom suit
The most common mistake on a first custom suit is choosing something interesting.
A first custom suit, fitted at The Man’s Shop in Arlington for Southlake customers. Navy or charcoal, a conventional cut, and a mid-weight cloth. Save the interesting choices for the second suit, once you know how you actually wear the first one.
What matters
Worth knowing
- Navy first
- It covers business, weddings, funerals and dinner. Charcoal is the only serious alternative.
- Conventional cut
- Two-button, notch lapel, moderate shoulder. A first custom suit should not date.
- Mid-weight cloth
- Around nine ounces, high twist. Wearable most of the year here and durable enough to learn on.
- Do not over-specify
- Contrast buttonholes and a loud lining are what people regret. The suit outlasts the enthusiasm.
- Expect adjustments
- The second suit off the same pattern is usually better than the first. That is normal and it is why we keep the pattern.
The process
Two visits, not five
- First appointment
- About an hour. Cloth, measurements, and a conversation about how you actually wear the garment.
- Build
- Four to six weeks. Nothing is rushed and nothing is sent overseas without us knowing where it is.
- Collection
- Twenty minutes. Anything needing adjustment goes to Enrique, who works on site.
- Alterations
- Included on what we make. There is no separate bill at collection.
- Afterwards
- Your pattern stays on file, so the next order is a phone call.
Common questions
Custom suits, answered
What should my first custom suit be?
Navy, conventional cut, mid-weight high-twist cloth. It covers nearly every occasion you will face and it will not look dated in five years. The interesting choices belong on the second suit.
Will the first one be perfect?
Usually very good, occasionally not quite right in one place, which we adjust at collection. The second suit off the same pattern is typically better, because we have seen the first one on you and know what to change.
How much should I spend on a first custom suit?
Less than you might expect, and put the difference into a second one later. Learning what you actually want from a suit is worth more than the finest cloth on your first order.
Where are you and what are your hours?
100 S. West Street in downtown Arlington, parking beside the building. Monday to Saturday, ten until five, closed Sundays.
Southlake to Arlington
Book with Patrick or Austin
One hour to measure. Four to six weeks to build.
Book with PatrickBook with Austin
100 S. West Street, Arlington, Texas 76010
Mon–Sat 10am–5pm · Closed Sunday
(817) 265-1116