Ask the Tailor: Do Tailors Outsource?

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Each month we ask our expert tailors to address one of your most frequent questions. This month we’re exploring the idea of outsourcing. How do you know who is really making your garments?

The modern world has given us a whole range of options when it comes to tailoring. Though the traditional Saville Row style tailors are still available in abundance, there are now many more options for a gentleman to choose from.

The high street and design houses both offer an off the peg service for those who want to purchase tailoring straight off the rack. 

However, there are also a whole range of online tailors now available. At first glance these seem to offer excellent value on bespoke or made to measure garments. However, we’d like to draw your attention to the question of just who is making your tailoring.

When you work with a traditional tailor, you’ll know the people who will be involved in making your garments. You’ll be able to ask their advice on specific issues and feel confident that your garments are being put together right in their workroom.

Unfortunately, when you use an online tailoring service you generally won’t get to meet your tailor in person and discuss your requirements. You won’t know where your garment will be made, or by who. These services often outsource work to other companies, and sometimes to overseas. This means that you can’t be sure that the people working on your garments are being treated or paid fairly.

If you want to be confident about exactly who is tailoring your garments, we would always recommend that you work with a traditional tailor in person.

Next month we’ll be asking our tailors to explain another frequently asked tailoring question. Sign up to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss it.