BY MIKE LEONARD
With the new ADesign software acquired by Andrew Davis Clothiers for men, a customer can sit down with a salesperson and a laptop computer and see every aspect of the design and fit of a custom-made sport coat, suit, tuxedo, or topcoat.
Selections of different fabrics and colors instantly appear on a human image, enabling the customer to quickly compare details that would be difficult to discern otherwise. “Sometimes it can be hard to imagine what a swatch of a patterned fabric will look like over an entire suit, for example,” says Retail Sales Associate John C. Porter. The customer can also select from scores of shirts and ties in different colors and patterns to see how they look with a chosen suit.
But beyond the numerous practical benefits of the system, there’s another element of this high-tech tailoring tool that can’t be measured. “The appeal of the technology,” says Porter. “It’s really fun to use, and the client has a buy-in to be involved in the entire design process.”
The software and tailoring come from Trinity Apparel Group, the global textile manufacturer that produces the Andrew Davis Menswear label. Each garment is made from scratch, known as bespoke tailoring, using numerous measurements, rather than made-to-measure, a process that allows adjustments to standardized cuts and sizes.
The Andrew Davis Menswear line allows for complete customization, from the length, color, and fabric of a jacket liner to the buttons and even thread color around buttonholes.
Custom tailored apparel typically takes four to six weeks for delivery and is more affordable than many people think, Porter says, with suits starting around $1,000.
“If you think about it, a bride might spend $1,000 to $2,000 for a wedding dress she’s only going to wear once,” Porter says. “For a young man, it might be worth the investment to buy a suit or tuxedo that he’ll be able to wear for years to come.”
