The Emotional Journey of Getting a Bespoke Suit

Initial consultation: Styles, Fabrics, Linings

What Happens...

Your tailoring journey begins with a consultation where we take the time to understand what is important to you.  We will discuss your style, preferences, and how you want your suit to look and feel. You'll explore fabric options, design details, and different cuts to create a suit you’re proud to wear.

How You Might Feel...

Walking into your initial consultation, there’s often a spark of excitement — the sense that you’re about to create something deeply personal and completely yours. Of course, with anything new, there can be a few butterflies. You may feel unsure of what to expect during the consultation, or nervous about making the 'right' choices. This is perfectly natural, especially if it’s your first time having something tailored just for you. Rest assured, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. There’s no rush, no pressure, and no such thing as a silly question.

How We Support You...

To help you feel prepared, we offer pre-consultation calls. A few days before your appointment, we can talk you through what will happen during the tailoring process and answer any questions you may have. If you’d like a call sooner than this, we will happily arrange one with your King & Allen consultant. If fabrics are a point of uncertainty, you can order up to 5 fabric samples from our website, which will arrive within 5 days.

Upon arriving for your appointment, we will have fabrics on show that are tailored to your request. Our fabrics are available in-store as it can be especially helpful for people more sensitive to touch/feel.

During your consultation, feel free to ask as many questions as you like O and let our experienced tailors lead the way. There’s no pressure to decide on the day, and you’re welcome to book a follow-up consultation free of charge.

K&A client Ben expressed his nervousness about translating the suit in his head into a finished garment, and how the initial consultation brought his vision to life...

“At no point did the experience feel pushy or judgmental, as I have felt in some other establishments. Lauryn came across as humble, knowledgeable and experienced, with a very conscientious attitude to the suit I had in my head, but was able to temper my inexperience with her years of professional experience in order to curate the perfect suit. During my initial consultation, we discussed ideas and styles. Lauryn was also able to suggest materials that would suit the hot and humid location. Definitely a suit for life.”

Initial Consultation: Measurements and Fit

What Happens...

After we have finalised you choices and designed your suit, we would then take detailed measurements to craft the initial structure of the garment. This takes around 20 minutes, and we measure things like: 

Height
Neck
Shoulders
Back length
Arm length and biceps
Chest/bust
Waist
Outside leg
Inside leg and rise
Ankle width

We’ll also discuss key elements like structure, proportions and comfort.

How You Might Feel...

When the measuring begins, there’s a wonderful sense of anticipation, knowing that the journey to your tailored suit is truly starting. The feeling of being understood, with every detail attended to, can be incredibly empowering. We appreciate that standing in front of a mirror while measurements are taken can feel unfamiliar. For some, it can feel a bit strange to have someone so focused on the specifics of your body. However, for others, it offers an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of their unique body type. For example,  some clients are fascinated by the differences in posture and how body shapes can vary — after all, there’s no one-size-fits-all.

How We Support You...

We take a relaxed, professional approach to ensure you're comfortable during the measuring process. Our team is experienced in working with all body types and focuses on tailoring a suit that complements your shape. We guide you through every step before we begin measuring, clearly explaining what parts of your body we will need to move and measure, so there are no surprises. Throughout the process, we check in to make sure you're comfortable. An example of a little thing we do to take extra care and be attentive to your needs is to stand to the side when taking chest measurements, avoiding any awkward eye contact and giving you space to feel at ease.

If you have specific preferences or concerns, just let us know - we’re here to listen. For example, taking measurements may be scary to someone who wears a binder or is undergoing a change to their body. We have specific experience with tailoring for chest binders, and you can find more information in our blog Find Your Fit: Tailoring for Chest Binders.

If it makes you nervous being measured in a space where there may be other clients, you can request a private space for this stage of the process, or bring someone along for support.

King & Allen client Lorelei explains her experience with getting a bespoke three-piece suit for her wedding and dealing with self-conscious feelings throughout the process. 

“Cat was so lovely from start to finish. She had a great knack for balancing what I wanted with what would look best on me, and I never doubted her. Cat was understanding throughout the experience, even when I was really self-conscious and felt uncomfortable, with all the focus on your shape/size. She took the time to email me personally and really reassured me that King & Allen would create a great suit for me, and they did! As a plus size and LGBTQ+ person, I felt totally ‘normal’ the whole time and am already wishing I could have another custom suit!!”

The Baste Fitting: Seeing the Suit Take Shape

(Fully Bespoke suits only)

What Happens...

A baste fitting involves trying on the skeleton of your suit. The baste fitting is an integral part of our fully bespoke service and is what sets the fittings apart from Made to Measure. The baste is an unfinished piece, as it doesn’t include all of the suit features, such as the lapel, buttons, pockets and buttonholes. We evaluate each piece separately - jacket, waistcoat, trousers, and shirt - and then as a whole, pinning and chalking the suit so it drapes perfectly for your posture. It is also an opportunity to confirm your desired fit in preparation for the final construction.

How You Might Feel...

Seeing your suit take shape, even in its early stages, can be hugely exciting. The baste fitting offers a fascinating glimpse into the tailoring process and a deeper appreciation for the precision behind bespoke tailoring. However, this is only the skeleton of the suit and won’t look polished, which may cause some nervousness and leave questions about how the details will come together.

How We Support You...

The Baste Fitting is a crucial part of the tailoring process for a fully bespoke suit, and we guide you through every detail, explaining what amendments will be made. Please say if there's anything you are unsure about or think needs to be adjusted - our consultants welcome feedback. It’s also worth noting that this isn’t the last time you’re going to be able to make adjustments to the fit - the ‘alterations’ phase allows for small tweaks to be made. To maximise the accuracy of the fit during the tailoring process, we advise clients to wear their preferred undergarments (e.g. bra, Spanx, binder etc), as it plays a crucial role in the fit.

Diversity and LGBTQ+ activist Char Bailey shared with us her experience on making the important decisions for the final touches of her suit...

“I wanted to find the balance between my masc and femme energy. I wanted it to be playful but also sharp enough for when I’m in corporate settings. We chatted about intersectionality, the freedom to express ourselves as ourselves and how entering traditionally male-dominated settings (like a tailoring shop) can be intimidating. I had the lining in rainbow sculls, with “kill your ego” in orange. I have had so many ego deaths trying to discover who I am. I no longer have to perform or shrink to fit anyone else’s expectations of me or blackness or queerness or womanhood. Thank you so much. I’ve never worn anything that felt more ME.”

The Alteration Stage: Perfecting the Fit

What Happens...

This is the first time you will see your suit fully constructed. During the alterations appointments, we combine your feedback with our observations to make key adjustments. This may involve refining the shoulder structure, adjusting the sleeve length, tapering the waist, or ensuring the trousers fall just right. The changes we make here bring the suit closer to its final form.

How You Might Feel...

A real sense of fulfilment arrives as your suit begins to take its final shape. The silhouette becomes more defined, the fabric starts to move with you, and the vision you had in mind begins to feel within reach. However, some clients may need to return for a second fitting to fine-tune the final details, perhaps shortening the sleeves by a centimetre or taking in the shoulders slightly. This stage may bring apprehension as to whether the changes will make a difference, or concern that we’ve done something wrong.

How We Support You...

Alterations is a typical stage of every bespoke journey. We carefully execute the alterations with precision, ensuring that every detail aligns with your posture, movement and personal style. Our goal is to create a suit that feels as good as it looks. If needed, we can accommodate more than one fitting appointment, to ensure that your suit fits perfectly - so don’t worry about feeling like it has to be perfect in one go.

Client Roscoe on his couples suit and the perfecting of the fit through thoughtful, personalised alterations…

“We were given lots of time to talk through what we both wanted from our suits and then to make decisions on style and fit. We had about three visits in total to ensure that we got the fittings absolutely perfect! King & Allen is a strong #LGBTQ+ supporting business ensuring that regardless of your gender, sexuality, or size, you can get the fit that is right for you! Definitely will be going back here!”

The Final Fitting: Bringing It All Together

What Happens...

Your suit is now fully constructed, and this fitting ensures that everything is perfect. Any final refinements can be made at this stage if necessary, and… You get to take your suit home with you!

How You Might Feel...

The first time you slip into your finished suit is a powerful moment. There's a real sense of accomplishment, pride and excitement in seeing something that has been made just for you. And for many, this joy is amplified by sharing it with loved ones – the unveiling becomes a cherished experience that lasts a lifetime, and can inspire others to find clothes they’re also proud to wear.

The next question for many clients is how to style it. With the finished suit in front of you, you might feel tentative on how to bring it to life with your wardrobe. For those new to bespoke tailoring, it's also common to wonder how to care for it properly. These thoughts are all part of stepping into something new.

How We Support You...

We take the time to ensure you're happy with every detail of the suit, and we create a space where you and your loved ones can feel comfortable and confident. We can offer styling advice for different usage occasions, give inspiration on how to wear the suit as separate pieces, and show you how to wear your suit with confidence.

We provide care tips to keep your suit in top condition, and give you an after-care document to ensure you have everything you need to ensure its longevity. 

Fundamentally, you’ve crafted a suit that’s all YOU — now own it, wear it with pride, and go be your best self!

If you ever need advice, feel free to contact us or your consultant after the process is finished. We are always happy to chat!

Client Maisy on her experience throughout the entire process and that very special feeling of trying on your finished suit...

"I am a larger lady who didn't want to be the frump in the family pictures and decided to look for a tailor that could make me feel special on the day. From the measurement session to picking materials and colours, the process was enjoyable and confidence-building. On the day of the collection, Lauryn made me feel very special, and when I tried on the suit, I felt fabulous! The care and attention from start to finish was brilliant, thank you."

Getting a bespoke suit isn’t just about the fabric and fit - it’s an emotional journey of self-expression, discovery, and empowerment. From the first consultation to the final fitting, we’re here to guide, support, and celebrate you every step of the way.

Whether you’re feeling nervous, excited, self-conscious, or proud, every feeling is valid - and every detail is crafted with care. This is more than tailoring; it’s about creating something that reflects who you are. So when you step into your finished suit, know this: it was made for you - and only you. Now go own it!

If you have questions regarding the tailoring process, please contact us here, or call us on 020 8390 6134.