Most people who commission a suit do so in person. The consultation, the fabric selection, the measurement process — these are naturally physical activities. But a significant number of Vestium NY clients commission pieces remotely, and the process works well when it is approached correctly.
Here is exactly what the remote commission process looks like, where the friction points are, and how to get a result that is indistinguishable from an in-person commission.
Why Remote Commissions Work
Custom clothing is about precise information, not physical presence. When a tailor takes your measurements, assesses your posture, and selects fabric with you in the room, they are gathering information. That same information can be gathered remotely — less conveniently, but reliably.
What does not translate remotely is the tactile experience of fabric selection. You cannot feel the hand of a Holland & Sherry Super 120s against your skin or see a CARNET fabric drape in person. Vestium NY addresses this by sending fabric swatches for review before the commission is placed — a step that adds time to the process but preserves the quality of the fabric decision.
The Remote Commission Process at Vestium NY
Step 1: Initial Consultation by Video
The process begins with a video consultation. This conversation covers:
- What you're making and why — the occasion, the context, how often it will be worn
- What you already own that it needs to work with
- Your aesthetic preferences and any references (photographs, garments you admire)
- Initial measurement discussion — whether you have existing measurements from a tailor, a good-fitting RTW suit to use as a reference, or no starting point at all
A brief is established from this conversation, the same way it would be in a studio visit.
Step 2: Fabric Selection
Following the initial consultation, Vestium NY sends a curated selection of fabric swatches based on the brief — typically 4–8 options at the appropriate weight, fiber, and character for the garment.
You receive physical swatches and review them. The instructions for swatch review: examine in natural light, assess drape by holding the swatch between fingers and letting it fall, and perform the resilience test (pinch and release). We are available by phone or message to discuss specific options.
The final fabric selection is confirmed in writing.
Step 3: Measurements
This is the step where remote commissions require the most care.
Option A: Existing measurements. If you have been measured by a quality tailor recently, those measurements are a useful starting point. We review them and may request verification measurements or photographs before proceeding.
Option B: Self-measurement. We send a measurement protocol with instructions and photographs showing how to take each measurement correctly. You take measurements with a helper and submit them. We review for consistency and flag any that require verification.
Option C: First-time New York visit. For a first commission, we strongly recommend arranging a New York consultation for measurements. The pattern established at an in-person visit becomes the block for all future remote commissions — you only need to be in New York once.
For established remote clients, the existing pattern block is used. Adjustments are made only if body changes are noted.
Step 4: Pattern Drafting and Production
Once the fabric, measurements, and style decisions are confirmed in writing, production begins. The timeline is the same as an in-person commission: 4–6 weeks from fabric arrival at the studio.
For first-time remote commissions, we build additional seam allowance into the initial garment to allow for adjustments. The finished piece ships with a detailed note on any adjustments that may be needed and how to have them made locally.
Step 5: Delivery and Adjustment
The finished piece ships worldwide in a protective garment bag. Duties and shipping costs are communicated in advance.
When the piece arrives, wear it for a day or two before assessing fit. Canvas settles and wool relaxes with initial wear. If adjustments are needed, we provide:
- A clear note on what should be adjusted and the exact dimensions
- A recommendation for a trusted local tailor in your city who can make the adjustments
- The option to bring the piece to New York for adjustment on a future visit
For the vast majority of remote clients with established patterns, the piece arrives requiring no adjustment.
What Remote Works Well For
Returning clients. The pattern is established. The relationship is established. The process is efficient and reliable.
Clients who have already been measured in person. The pattern block exists; subsequent commissions are pattern variations, not new patterns.
Clients in cities with strong local tailors. Even if adjustments are needed, a good local tailor can make them cleanly from our written instructions.
What Remote Works Less Well For
First-time commissions on very complex or formal garments. A wedding suit for which fit is critical, or a double-breasted formal commission, benefits from an in-person consultation. If a New York visit is possible before a significant event, we recommend arranging it.
Clients who have never been fitted for custom clothing. Remote commissions work on trust and information. Clients who have a reference point — existing measurements, a well-fitting RTW suit, experience being measured — navigate the process more easily than those starting from nothing.
Starting the Process
The remote process begins the same way as an in-person commission: with a conversation about what you're making and why. From there, we advise on whether a New York visit makes sense or whether we can proceed remotely with confidence.
Explore Vestium NY's start your online commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I commission a suit for the first time without visiting New York?
Yes, but we recommend an in-person visit for first-time clients when possible. The established pattern is the most valuable asset a client leaves with — it enables every future remote commission to be straightforward.
How do fabric swatches get to me?
We mail physical swatches from the current selection that matches your brief. They arrive with notes on each fabric's character and an instruction sheet for assessment.
What if my measurements from a previous tailor are in a different format?
Send them and we'll review. Measurement formats and terminologies vary; we will request any missing measurements or clarifications.
What happens if the finished piece doesn't fit?
For first-time remote clients, we build in adjustment allowance and provide written instructions for any local tailor. The situation is unusual but not rare; it is manageable and we support the client through it.
Is there a price difference between remote and in-person commissions?
The price of the garment is the same. Shipping and swatch postage are additional costs for remote clients.
Work with Vestium NY. Vestium NY works with clients worldwide. The process starts with a conversation.