Made-to-Measure: The Process

In a nutshell, Made-to-Measure is a newly launched service from Thomas Pink that allows customers to create their own tailor-made shirt from scratch. A hands-on experience available exclusively in-store at 106 Jermyn Street, Made-to-Measure is perfect for those looking for the personal touch.

– Made-to-Measure is available at Thomas Pink’s London flagship, 106 Jermyn Street. Pre-booked appointments are not necessary and can instead be off the cuff (pun intended). There is an area at the back of the store dedicated to Made-to-Measure, where a member of staff will guide you through the process.

– The average Jermyn Street customer may know their shirt size inside out. But Made-to-Measure starts with taking precise measurements to establish the basics. At this point, you will select the shirt body style and length: Classic, Tailored or Slim. ‘Some know exactly what they want, others are looking for guidance from our staff,’ says Martin Holmes, product director at Thomas Pink. ‘But what’s nice about Made-to- Measure is that the customer is invited to design his own shirt. We are here to recommend what we think but, ultimately, it’s their choice.’

– There are several decisions to be made during the Made-to-Measure process. The next important choice is the fabric. Thomas Pink has a selection of 20 superb fabrics to choose from, which keeps the selection refined and not overwhelming. These range from Superior 100/2-ply fabrics, including exclusive stripe patterns to a bestselling opaque Oxford and a 120/2-ply denim. Examples of the shirts are hung in the store for customers to touch and see, as well displayed in a booklet of material swatches.

– Now it’s time to get personal. Once the base of the shirt has been established, customers can tailor it to their taste and specifications. This includes four styles of collar (ready-to-wear just has the standard cutaway option), which are laid out on display for ease of use. Other choices include the placket (the layer of fabric that holds the buttons on the shirt fastening, which can be flat or lifted), the cuff style (single or double barrel, or double square), buttons (mother of pearl in white, natural and smoke) and pockets; where to add them, what style they should be or whether to eschew them altogether. A member of the Thomas Pink team can offer their recommendations, but the choice is down to the customer.

– The finishing touch is the optional monogramming service. Again laid out on display to streamline the process, Made-to-Measure customers can choose from different fonts, colours and positions. Explains Holmes: ‘There’s the waist position, which is quite a traditional formalwear detail. Cuffs are probably the most popular choice, and another is more hidden, which is good for identifying a shirt at the dry cleaners.’

– With measurements taken and the fine details refined, it’s now time for your tailor-made shirt to be made. This takes around five to six weeks, and the final product will either be sent to the customer’s home address or delivered to the store, where the client can pick it up and try it on to make sure that everything is up to scratch.

Prices start from just £195. For more information on Made-to-Measure by Thomas Pink, visit in-store at 106 Jermyn Street, London