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For those of you returning to the office after more than a year WFH and realizing that a lot of your workwear doesn't really fit anymore (who can blame anyone for gaining weight during a global crisis?), an excellent solution is made-to-measure clothing. Of course, you don't need a specific reason for buying bespoke clothing — clothes that fit you perfectly always feels great (and look professional).
We've talked in the past about where to find clothes if you're drastically different sizes on the top and bottom, clothing for curvy professionals, and the best dress shirts for women with larger breasts, but it's been a LONG time since we recommended companies that offer made-to-measure clothing. So today we've rounded up seven brands that feature workwear and much more. Please share your own recs in the comments!
Update: Our Latest Favorite Made-to-Measure Workwear
Hunting for the best made-to-measure work clothes? As of 2024, the best options we know of are Brooks Brothers, Sumissura, Etsy sellers Heart My Closet, VigilanteLabs, and CelesteLilou, as well as smaller brands like Loud Bodies, Sharpe Suiting, IGIGI, and Rita Phil (pencil skirts only), plus eShakti.
Some of our favorite stores that offer free alterations for members include Nordstrom, J.Crew, Banana Republic, and Uniqlo (select styles). If you're crafty, you may also want to check out our roundup of sewing patterns for workwear outfits.
Made-to-Measure Clothing for Women: Workwear & Beyond
Sumissura
Sumissura offers lots of choices for custom-made clothing: blazers, coats, dresses, tuxedos, evening dresses, skirt suits, and blouses. The company is based in Zürich and has offices and factories in Barcelona and Shanghai.
Fabrics for suits, pants, and jackets include wool, merino wool, linen, and cotton; shirt fabrics include cotton, fil coupè, linen, flannel, and so on (including easy-care and wrinkle-free options); and if you order a coat, you can choose from cashmere, wool, and cotton. You can personalize features like collar style and color, button thread color, cuff style and color, sleeve type, and monogramming.
Custom items arrive in 18 days, including tailoring and shipping time. If the piece doesn't fit, the company will cover some of the alteration costs (up to 25% of the garment's value) or will make you a new one. (You can also order fabric samples before buying.)
Heartmycloset
Elise vintage-inspired dress, $98+
Heartmycloset has both an Etsy shop and website. The Etsy shop's three categories are “celeb-inspired dress” (e.g., Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton), “modern & vintage styles” (rockabilly, 1950s A-line), and “TV-show inspired” (Agent Carter, Suits, Scandal). Yes, dressing like a 1940s secret agent isn't going to fly at most offices, but several of Heartmycloset's styles are work-appropriate.
You can order a standard size (here's their size chart) or have something made to your measurements; custom pieces take about three weeks. (The shop will send you detailed measurement instructions when you order.) Items usually are unlined, but you can add lining (many fabric choices are available) for $9. Returns are available within 15 days if the item is in its original condition and unworn and unwashed.
Loud Bodies
“Olympe” Dress, $170+
Loud Bodies is an ethical, sustainable, inclusive brand — and not only do they offer sizes XS–10XL (size chart here), they customize their styles free of charge. Here's their Facebook post describing one of the eco-friendly fabrics they use, Cupro. If you're looking for tailored, classic workwear, you should probably look elsewhere, but if you're seeking something more along the lines of floral and/or flowy, Loud Bodies is a good bet.
The company describes their customization options as “sizing up/down what we currently offer and customising in case you are in between sizing, the sizes for chest/waist/hips differ, length for petite/tall and if you have certain special requests for accessibility/mobility.” Also … POCKETS! (Note: None of the clothing has zippers, as part of the company's goal of reducing consumption and waste.)
P.S. The pictured dress is named after playwright, feminist, and activist Olympe de Gouges; other styles are named after women like Michelle Obama and Lilly Ledbetter.
{related: what alterations to ask for to look more polished}
Sharpe Suiting
wedding suits! (image from Lookbook)
Sharpe Suiting‘s website explains that its “Andropometrics” formula “revolutionizes how one measures the body based on an individuals’ gender identity and queer style” and that its clothing flatters all gender identities and body shapes. (Check out their Lookbook.)
It takes eight weeks from initial design to delivery (three months for wedding items), and prices are listed on the company's FAQ page. A dress shirt is $185, and suits start at $1,550. Tons of fabric options are available — 400 for suits and 300 for shirts (!). Also featured in the FAQ is a lot of info on sustainability, social enterprise (e.g., the company donates hundreds of suits to LGBTQ youth centers), and worker conditions.
Sharpe Suiting has locations in L.A., Chicago, Houston, Tampa, and Charlotte, NC, but they currently offer virtual design sessions. You can return items within 14 days in new, unworn, unwashed condition with tags still on.
IGIGI
Dominique dress, $198
Custom-made clothing is a new option for IGIGI as of 2019, when the company was reacquired by its founder, Yuliya Raquel. In fact, as their About page notes, they “believe that off-the-rack clothing is an archaic way to sell fashion, dictated by a single designer's view and one-style-fits-all attitude, while hurting our environment in an unimaginable way.” (The company still sells standard sizes as well — but customized to customers' height.)
IGIGI offers several types of dresses in sizes 12 and up, including wedding gowns, dresses for semi-formal events, LBDs, and dresses for daytime. Some are work-appropriate. Each dress can be customized in many ways, including sleeve length and hemline, and you'll receive made-to-measure styles in 4–6 weeks.
The clothing is designed in the U.S. and sewn by hand in Ukraine in fair working conditions, and the fabrics are printed on demand to reduce waste.
IGIGI accepts returns within 30 days for clothing that is unworn, unwashed, unsoiled, unaltered, and fragrance-free with tags and labels attached.
eShakti
Floral print crepe pleated empire dress, $49.95
eShakti is probably one of the first brands you think of when you think of made-to-measure clothes. Dresses are its main focus, and there are hundreds of styles available, including sheaths, shirtdresses, LBDs, and wrap dresses, as well as bridesmaid, wedding guest, and MOB styles. Other options include tops, pants, skirts, jackets, and cardigans.
When you order, you can choose from standard sizes 0–36W or provide your measurements for a custom fit; made-to-measure items take 13–17 days to arrive. Change the neckline (six options), hemline (six options), and sleeve length (three options) if you like.
Note that eShakti offers a Fit Guarantee. For your first three orders, the company will remake your item if you aren't happy with the fit — you'll need to send photos showing the fit issues, then you'll receive the new garment in two weeks — or you can request a free refund.
{related: A Guide to Suiting Alterations}
Rita Phil
Lillian pencil skirt, $145
Rita Phil exclusively makes skirts — pencil and A-line — and most are office-appropriate, especially because you can request a different length than what's pictured online. The company has many choices for main fabrics and lining fabrics that you can mix and match, and you have four options for fit: sheath, relaxed, contoured, and slim.
You can take measurements by yourself or a representative can join you on a video call to guide you — and you'll receive your custom skirt in 5–8 days (pretty quick for a custom item!).
If you're not happy with your custom item, you can (1) have the item remade, (2) receive a full refund (they'll pay return shipping), or (3) receive a $30 credit for local alterations at a local tailor.
Workwear Stores That Offer Free Alterations for Women
Hunting for workwear stores that offer free alterations? Here's our list…
As of 2023, these are the stores we know of that offer free alterations…
Nordstrom: free basic alterations for members of the Nordy Club, which is free to join (Nordstrom also offers alterations for clothing that customers have bought elsewhere.)
Banana Republic: free basic alterations for customers who use the Banana Republic Luxe credit card
Brooks Brothers: free alterations for pants bought online (4–6 weeks extra for delivery; no returns/exchanges) (Note: With a quick look around the site, I could only find the option available for men's pants, not women's, which, OK. Jacket alterations are only available in-store.)
Dillard's: You can get free alterations in store on full-price tailored items and unfinished pant bottoms. There is a fee for sale tailored items and ready-to-wear items (for coats, sleeves, pant bottoms, skirts/dresses); contact your local store.
J.Crew: free standard alterations on on full-price clothing (pants, jackets, and skirts) purchased with a J.Crew Credit Card (no leather, suede, or beaded fabrics)
Lands' End: Hemming (and cuffing) is free of charge (not just for men's clothes, as the site makes it seem). Each product page will note if the service is available on that item.
Uniqlo: Some items on Uniqlo's website can be altered (and some alterations are free); if so, you'll see an “alterations” option underneath the size selection. (Add two business days to delivery times.) If the option is unavailable online, you can bring (select) pants to your local store to be altered, but it's best to call first.
Lululemon: free hemming on tops and pants at all stores
Ralph Lauren: Free alterations are available at full-price stores, i.e., not outlets or factory stores.
{related: workwear stores that offer free alterations}
Note: As of 2023, stores that no longer offer free alterations include Athleta, Club Monaco, Madewell, and Saks.
In general, bear in mind that with some clothing items, such as jeans, it may be best to pass up the free alterations and wash/dry them before taking them to your own tailor, in case they shrink a bit.
Readers, what are your favorite sources for made-to-measure clothing and workwear? Have you tried any of the brands above?
NY CPA
I’ve said it before and I’ll say again. Had a very bad experience with eShakti. Ordered 3 dresses with the same custom measurements. They arrived like they were for 3 different people. To return, you have to mail to India, and it takes months to get a refund.
Sadie
I’ve had good experiences with eShakti – BUT I learned to focus on ordering knit/stretch items, or items that are meant to be loose and flowy. I’m petite and busty so when their custom-sized dresses work for me, they REALLY work. Their cotton knit is extremely good quality, great for transitional season wear. Their chambray is smashing, too. Definitely get a friend who sews to measure you, and add an extra inch to areas where you’re in doubt!
Kari
My experience with eshakti has been hit or miss in terms of sizing, but overall I wasn’t in love with the quality, so I don’t order from there anymore. Recently, I’ve ordered a few times from RedThread. They have an app that measures you and they will do lifetime free alterations on the item. I have ordered the ankle pants and the snap jacket. I love them both. They are a bit pricy, but overall I’m happy with their customer service and the after an extra alteration, my items fit perfectly.
Anonymous
I feel like I’m stating the obvious here: all clothing becomes made-to-measure when they are taken to a tailor for alterations.