EPISODE 10

Off-the-Rack, Made-to-Measure, or Bespoke? Decoding Suit Terminology for the Modern Gentleman

Today Brian Lipstein unpacks one of the most misunderstood aspects of menswear: the true difference between off-the-rack, made-to-measure, and custom or “bespoke” suits.

With the fall wardrobe season in full swing, he begins by recapping Henry A. Davidsen's recent trunk show—now reimagined as the Fall Wardrobe Event—and shares why that evolution in language matters just as much as the garments themselves.

From the historical roots of the term “trunk show” to the visual metaphor that separates made-to-measure from bespoke, Brian offers an education in elegance. This episode serves not only as a guide to terminology but as a deeper exploration into why craftsmanship, intention, and precision distinguish the gentleman’s wardrobe from ordinary dress.

Whether you're considering your first custom suit or refining an already sophisticated wardrobe, this episode provides the language—and the lens—to make more informed, cultivated decisions.

0:00 Intro

1:30 Fall Wardrobe Event recap and EO learning with Juan Bendana

4:21 What’s exciting Brian this season

7:14 The origin and evolution of trunk shows

9:08 Defining off-the-rack vs made-to-measure

13:22 What made-to-measure really means

16:15 The “computer image” analogy for fit adjustments

18:10 Entering the world of custom and bespoke

20:34 Handwork and the art of moldability

22:53 Time and technique: why bench-made matters

25:19 The origin of “bespoke” explained

27:43 Savile Row and the true art of tailoring

30:06 Elevating your wardrobe with knowledge and intention

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