Made to Measure Suit from Beg Your Pardon: Final Result

Last week, I was able to take delivery of my MTM suit.

If you’d like a primer on the order, read this article to catch up on the details of what I commissioned.

Despite COVID-19 causing quite a bit of issue for getting out and about, I’ve been able to go in to Beg Your Pardon for one initial fitting, in which some minor adjustments were made, and then I got to take it home last week.

It’s a bright, light hearted summer suit which is designed and coloured with intention to make it versatile in being worn both as a suit and as separates. The fabric is a blend composed of wool, silk and linen.

Initial Fitting Adjustments

The first fitting nailed most of the major components of the fit and proportion, with the trousers being a suitably high rise, the jacket’s button stance being placed ideally low, and a clean sleeve pitch.
I was happy to see that the jacket is a decent length for my body, something which I’ve found the majority of tailored clothing available in Adelaide doesn’t do.

The adjustments made in the first fitting were firstly to lower the armhole for easier movement, as I found it a tad uncomfortable originally, and secondly to let out the thigh of the trousers. The thigh wasn’t super tight originally, but I did feel like it could be let out a bit to make for higher comfort when sitting down.

The Finished Product

I think it’s come together quite nicely.
You can’t see my whole face in the photos, but I have blue eyes, and this fabric makes them pop. I knew the choice of buttons would do nicely with it, too.
I decided to specify 4 inch lapel width, and I love wearing it. Somehow I feel even more proportional than usual with this size. It works for me and my oversized chest.
Triple patch pockets were chosen to give the jacket more of a casual spin. One would think that I should have chosen notch lapels rather than peaks, as notches are usually less formal, but I like a bit of juxtaposition. It makes it a statement.

The shoulder is a touch extended, which is how I prefer to wear my shoulders. It’s a soft construction with a natural shoulder, utilising just enough padding to make for a smooth line. The brown buttons really pop from the sleeve, which is equipped with surgeon cuffs.

For the trousers, we went with a single reverse pleat. While I really like forward pleats from an aesthetic standpoint, I’ve found recently that they tend to accentuate my midsection in a way that I don’t like, making my excess skin from weight loss more prominent. So, to be safe, reverse pleats were used and I’m glad they were.

Button stance and trouser waist, meeting where they should.

The trousers do have a taper to them, which isn’t what I tend to go for, but the taper is subtle enough to mask my knock knees. I’m quite okay with that, as it’s enough of a taper to cater to a balance of older and modern tastes, and is not extreme at all.
I specified side adjusters for fastening, but you see belt loops for a good reason. Michael had the trousers made with belt loops under the reasoning that it’s easier to get them and remove them, than to get them without and try to track down fabric to make belt loops if a change of mind happens down the track and I decide I want belt loops.

So I’ll probably remove the belt loops and just use the side adjusters, but I appreciate the logic in having the order made up with them. It’ll be good to have them handy, should I decide I want to wear it belted.
It gives me the chance to try styling a belt with the suit and trousers too, so I can experiment with it before taking the loops off.

There’s a cuff on the trousers as well, which I haven’t been able to photograph in my little studio yet.

The inside is quarter lined, with sleeve lining too. It’s important to get sleeves lined in summer jackets for ease of putting it on and taking it off.
The workmanship inside the jacket is good throughout, and there are plenty of pockets throughout.

You’ll notice a lack of pick stitching on this suit. While pick stitching is often a sign of luxury and quality, I find personally that on the pick stitched garments I do have, that I tend to damage this stitching quickly through wear.
On a summer suit like this – which I want to be durable – I decided to forego pick stitching. It’s something I’ll reserve for more business oriented suiting.

Concluding Thoughts

I’m happy with this suit. The proportions are good, and the workmanship is solid. The first commission with any MTM or bespoke maker is always a bit of a gamble, but I think this one has turned out quite well.