As Sir Hardy Amies said, "A man should look as if he has bought his clothes with intelligence, put them on with care and then forgotten all about them."
We couldn't agree more. And now that wedding season is upon us, whether you're the groom, a groomsman, or just that guy tearing it up on the dance floor, now's the perfect time to get yourself a suit worthy of a grown-ass man. Take our advice and get two pairs of pants (since they have to be dry cleaned more often), and be sure to select a fabric that moves with your body. Make sure you love it, and that the fit is impeccable. Here where to find the best custom suits in San Francisco.
(Courtesy of Indochino)
Indochino rolls out new designs on the regular, so you're bound to stay on trend in one their Australian Merino wool suits (starting at $449). Just pick one you like, and then choose from a variety of customizations—monogramming, collar felts, and linings—at no additional charge. Measuring is swift and easy, and can even be done online (though we recommend shopping in person). Made in Dalian, China, custom orders take around three to four weeks to complete. // 61 Post St. (FiDi), indochino.com.
(Courtesy of Tailor's Keep)
From American to Italian to Saville Row styles, the options are truly limitless at Tailor's Keep, where you'll select every last detail including the lining, pockets, lapels, buttons, cuffs and even thread color and stitching styles. In addition to two-piece (starting at $1,150) and three-piece (starting at $1,350) suits, custom separates and outerwear are also available. Made in San Francisco, orders take four to six weeks. // 618 Washington St. (FiDi), tailorskeep.com.
(Courtesy of Kipper Clothiers)
Not just for men, ladies can also get fitted for a dapper suit (starting at $1150) at Kipper Clothiers, where expert stylists take a total of 36 body measurements to achieve the perfect fit. Choose from a vast selection of fabrics—in an array of patterns, colors and textures—linings, and buttons. Made in the U.S., custom orders take around six to seven weeks. // 505 Sansome St. (FiDi), kipperclothiers.biz
(Courtesy of Wingtip)
Inside the posh private club of the same name, Wingtip Bespoke offers clothing, shoes and accessories—letterpress stationery, cufflinks, cashmere robes, and smoking jackets—in addition to handmade suits (starting at $2,200). Wingtip also stocks ready-to-wear brands including Dormeuil, Holland & Sherry, and Loro Piana, and Eton. Made in upstate New York, Sweden and China, custom orders takes around four to six weeks. // 550 Montgomery St. (FiDi), store.wingtip.com.
(Courtesy of Hall Madden)
Hall Madden sources fabrics from Italy's top mills to provide the best wool, cotton and linen available for each season. Offering both made-to-measure and bespoke options, you'll be able to select from two sets of template garments—slim and classic cuts—from which they modify about 50 different measurements to customize a personal pattern. Custom shirts start at $250, suits at $950. Made in China, custom orders take around six to eight weeks. // 686 Sacramento St. (FiDi), hallmadden.com
(Courtesy of Knot Standard)
Here suits (starting at $845) are handcrafted from fabrics milled in Italy and England, and each jacket comes standard with horsehair canvas, custom embroidery, and Knot Standard's signature Milanese boutonnière. Not entirely happy? They'll make alternations free of charge and adjust your pattern for future orders. Made in China, custom orders take around four to six weeks. // 251 Post St. Ste 310 (Union Square), knotstandard.com.
(Courtesy of Beckett & Robb)
Beckett & Robb's made-to-order service culls from a library of clothes from mills around the world—whatever color, pattern, or cloth weight you fancy, they've got it. Peruse their stock collection online, have swatches sent to your home, or go for the in-person consultation to discuss pattern, complexities (such as balance, posture, sleeve pitch, shoulder height, and collar roll), and construction. A combination of machine and hand work, Becket & Robb considers every little detail to create the suit of your dreams. Suits (starting at at $695) are made in Portugal and Spain; custom orders take around four weeks. // One Embarcadero Center (FiDi), beckettrobb.com.
(Courtesy of Peter Panos)
In 1976, Peter Panos fled his native Beirut and landed in San Francisco where he started out knocking on doors, with a few dollars in his pocket, and eventually came to open his Union Square store in 1979. Since then, his shop has drawn sophisticated gents (think Pixar's John Lasseter and SF Symphony conductor Michael Tilson Thomas) for custom and bespoke suits (starting at $2,200) made with fabrics from high-quality European mills including Vitale Barberis Canonico, Holland & Sherry, and Scabal. Made in San Francisco, custom orders take around six to eight weeks to complete. // 109 Geary St., 2nd Floor (Union Square), peterpanos.com.
*
This story has been updated since it was originally published on Mar 21, 2014.
