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How to Buy a Custom Suit in Japan | Drapper Hope

  • 8月15日
  • 読了時間: 7分


How to Buy Your First Custom Suit in Japan


A Guide to Having a Made-to-Measure Suit at Drapper Hope


Hello, and welcome to Drapper Hope, a made-to-measure suit atelier in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo.

We have been receiving more inquiries from visitors from overseas who are interested in having a suit made while visiting Japan.


“I’d like to have a custom suit made in Japan. How does it work?”

At first, the idea of having a suit made in Japan may seem a little intimidating.

What should you prepare?How long does it take?Can the suit be completed while you are still in Japan?And if you return home before it is finished, how will you receive it?

If it is your first time ordering a made-to-measure suit, it is completely natural to have questions.

And when you are visiting Japan from overseas, there may be even more things you are unsure about.

In this article, we would like to introduce Custom Suit Japan at Drapper Hope, focusing on some of the questions we most often receive from customers visiting Japan from overseas.





Custom Suit Japan|What Should You Prepare for Your First Made-to-Measure Suit?


When people hear “custom suit,” they sometimes imagine that they need to know their measurements, choose a fabric and design in advance, or already have a good understanding of suits.

In reality, you do not need to prepare that much before your appointment.

If this is your first time having a made-to-measure suit, there is no need to worry.

Perhaps you simply want:


“A suit for work.”
“Something to wear to a wedding.”
“A suit made especially for me while I’m visiting Japan.”
“A suit that I can enjoy wearing for many years.”

That is more than enough to get started.

If you have a photograph of a suit or an outfit that you like, you are also welcome to show it to us on your phone.

From there, one of our fitters will talk with you about how you plan to wear the suit and what kind of style you prefer. We will then make suggestions for the fabric, silhouette, and details that best suit your needs.

We can also advise you on styling, not just the suit itself.

For example:


“What should I wear with this suit?”
“What kind of shoes would work?”
“How should I choose a shirt or tie?”

Feel free to ask your fitter about these things as well.

There is also no particular dress code for your appointment.

You can simply come in wearing your usual clothes.





How Do You Choose a Suit Fabric?


Choosing the fabric is one of the most enjoyable parts of ordering a suit, but it can also be one of the more difficult decisions to make.

At Drapper Hope, we offer a wide selection of fabrics from Japan, including the Bishu textile region, as well as fabrics from Italy, the United Kingdom, and other countries.

Even when two fabrics are both made from wool, their appearance and feel can be completely different depending on the origin of the fabric, the way it is woven, and how it is finished.

Some have a subtle sheen.Some have a more textured appearance.Some are light and soft.Others have a firm structure and a beautiful sense of resilience.

Choosing a fabric is not simply about deciding what color you want.

Where will you wear the suit?How would you like it to look and feel?What kind of comfort do you prefer?

We consider these things together when deciding on the overall direction of your suit.

And of course, you do not need to be an expert in fabrics.

We will look at and feel the fabrics together, and your fitter will help you find one that feels right for you.





How Much Does a Made-to-Measure Suit Cost?


The price of a made-to-measure suit varies depending on the fabric and specifications you choose.

For our current pricing, please see:



If you already have a budget in mind, please feel free to let us know at the beginning of your appointment.

Within that budget, we can suggest fabrics and specifications that suit both the occasion and your personal preferences.





How Long Does It Take to Have a Custom Suit Made in Japan?


For customers visiting Japan from overseas, one of the most important questions is often the delivery time.


“Will my suit be finished while I’m still in Japan?”
“What happens if I return home before it is finished?”

These are questions we receive quite often.

At Drapper Hope, the standard lead time is approximately two months.

Depending on the timing and production schedule, we may also be able to complete a suit in around one month.

However, please note that lead times can vary depending on the season, our current order volume, and the specifications of the suit.

If you have a specific date when you need to wear your suit, please let us know when you contact us.

We can look at your visit dates, your stay in Japan, and your required wearing date, and discuss what kind of schedule may be possible.

Ideally, we recommend contacting us around two to three months before the date you plan to wear the suit.

However, even if your schedule is shorter, please do not hesitate to ask.

You can simply send us a message saying:


“I need the suit for this date. Would it be possible?”

We will check the current production schedule and discuss the best possible option with you.

Depending on the timing, we may also be able to ask our craftspeople to prioritize your order.

For this reason, even if your stay in Japan is relatively short, it is always worth contacting us before assuming that it will not be possible.





Can You Ship the Finished Suit Overseas?


Yes.

If your suit is not completed while you are in Japan, there is no need to worry.

Drapper Hope can arrange international shipping for your finished suit.

We have previously shipped suits to customers in countries including Australia, the United States, and France.

For example, the process can look like this:


Visit Drapper Hope during your stay in Japan

Measurements, fabric selection and ordering

Return home

Your finished suit is shipped to your preferred address overseas


This means you do not necessarily need to stay in Japan until your suit is completed.

Perhaps you are only visiting Japan for a few days.

Perhaps you would simply prefer to receive the suit after returning home.

Or perhaps you would like to have a suit made in Japan even though it will not be ready before your trip ends.

In any of these cases, please feel free to contact us.

We will consider your travel schedule, wearing date, delivery address, and other details and do our best to find a suitable arrangement.



Customers Visiting Us from Australia and France
Customers Visiting Us from Australia and France




What Do You Actually Decide When Ordering a Made-to-Measure Suit?


When you visit us, we begin by talking with you about how you would like to wear your suit.

Where will you wear it?

What kind of clothes do you normally wear?

What kind of suits do you like?

And, just as importantly, what kind of suits do you not like?

We take these conversations into consideration when taking your measurements and deciding on the fabric, silhouette, and details of your suit.

Of course, many customers come to us saying:


“I don’t know what would suit me.”
“I don’t know much about suits.”

That is perfectly fine.

Our job as fitters is not simply to take your measurements.

It is to listen to you and think about what kind of suit would work best for you.

We also believe that helping you think about how you will actually wear the finished suit is an important part of our work.

This can include styling advice for shirts, ties, shoes, and other pieces you may want to wear with your suit.

If you are thinking,


“If I’m going to have a suit made, I’d like some advice on what to wear with it, too.”

please feel free to ask.





A Made-to-Measure Suit Made Entirely in Japan


All Drapper Hope suits are produced entirely in Japan, with the sewing and production carried out by skilled Japanese craftspeople.

From fabrics sourced from Japan, including the Bishu textile region, as well as Italy, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere, we select the fabric that best suits your needs and have your suit made in Japan.

For customers visiting Japan from overseas, we believe this is one of the special aspects of having a suit made here.

Of course, you do not need to live in Japan to have a made-to-measure suit.

But perhaps there is something special about coming to Japan and having one suit made here while you are visiting.

Not simply buying a suit, but experiencing a small part of Japanese craftsmanship along the way.





A Custom Suit from Japan, Made Easy


Ordering your first made-to-measure suit can feel like a big step.

And visiting a tailor for the first time while traveling in another country can make it feel even more unfamiliar.

But you do not need to know everything about suits before you visit us.

Bring a photograph of an outfit you like.

Tell us, “I’d like something with this kind of feeling.”

That is more than enough to start a conversation.

There is also no special dress code for your appointment. Simply come in wearing your usual clothes.

You can ask us questions such as:





“I need the suit for this date. Will it be ready in time?”
“I’m only staying in Japan for a few days. Can I still order a suit?”
“Can you ship the finished suit to my home after I return?”

We are happy to discuss these questions with you.

We have previously arranged international delivery to customers in Australia, the United States, France, and other countries.

Whether this is your first made-to-measure suit or you are visiting Japan from overseas, we hope you will feel comfortable reaching out to us.





Contact Drapper Hope


For questions and appointments, you can contact us through LINE, Instagram, or our Contact form.

You do not need to have everything decided before getting in touch.

Even if all you have is:


“I’m thinking about having a suit made, but I’m not sure where to start…”

that is perfectly fine.

One of our fitters will be happy to talk through your options with you.





You can also find information about our current suit prices and available fabrics on our website.

Perhaps you can start simply by looking around and imagining what kind of suit you would like to make.

If you are thinking about having a suit made in Japan, we would be very happy to hear from you.

At Drapper Hope, we hope that the experience will be about more than simply making a suit.

We want to help you think about how you will wear it, how it will fit into your life, and how you will enjoy wearing it for years to come.

We look forward to welcoming you to Drapper Hope in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo.








Author Profile Photo
Koki Wakiyama was born in Tokyo in 1998. After graduating from the Fashion Department at Vantan Design Institute, he spent seven years working in the made-to-measure division of a leading Japanese menswear company. He now works as a fitter at Drapper Hope in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo.



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〒107-0062 

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