BY STEVEN MAY 28, 2023
BY STEVEN MAY 28, 2023
BY STEVEN MAY 28, 2023
BY STEVEN MAY 28, 2023
BY STEVEN MAY 28, 2023
My Proper Cloth Suit Experience: A Real Customer’s Review of Custom Suits and Jackets
You’re not alone if you’ve ever struggled to find a suit that fits well off the rack. I’ve been there. After years of trying to tailor department store suits that never quite worked, I turned to Proper Cloth—a company that offers custom suits and shirts with a tech-driven, customer-first approach. Fast forward to today, and I now own 8 Proper Cloth suits and 5 sport coats. Here’s what I’ve learned about the whole process, what you can expect from your first order, and why I keep returning.
Also try my Proper Cloth Custom Dress Shirt Review.
Proper Cloth was founded in 2008 by Seam Bowne, with a mission to make high-quality custom clothing accessible to everyone. Based in New York, they’ve built a name for themselves by blending traditional tailoring with modern technology. Their signature feature? The Smart Size AI—an easy-to-use online tool that helps determine your best fit with just a few questions.
From custom dress shirts to full suits, Proper Cloth aims to make it simple for real people to design clothing that reflects their personal preferences.
When you begin your Proper Cloth journey, the Smart Size tool will guide you through the initial steps. It asks questions about your height, weight, age, and how you like your clothes to fit. Based on this, it recommends an initial fit profile.
For my first order, I used Smart Size and then tweaked a few things manually based on how I like my jacket sleeve length and natural shoulder fit. You can also input your exact measurements, which I now do for more precision. Proper Cloth makes it easy with step-by-step videos showing you how to measure a suit or sport coat that fits well.
VBC Laurel Green Suit – Out Of The Box
Once your profile is set, ordering is a breeze. Pick your fabric, choose the design options like lapel style or horn buttons, and you’re ready.
After placing the order, it usually takes 3–4 weeks for your custom suit or sport coat to be made and shipped. I’ve found this turnaround time incredibly fast for made-to-measure clothing.
What really impressed me was the customer service team. When I received my first suit, I sent in photos wearing it. Their team replied with detailed fit suggestions and offered a complimentary remake of the jacket for a better fit. That remake process was smooth and free, and I was confident I had a perfect fit.
One of the best things about Proper Cloth is its perfect fit guarantee. If the fit is significantly off, they will remake the item. If the issue is minor—like a small adjustment to the pant waist or jacket sleeve length—they’ll give you an alteration credit. You can take it to your local tailor, who’ll reimburse you. It’s a smart way to ensure customers get a great fit without frustration.
The selection of fabrics is another highlight. You can choose from solid colors, plaids, checks, and seasonal patterns. The options are top-tier, whether you’re looking for a casual sport coat or a formal custom suit.
Some of my favorite fabrics include:
All materials are well-sourced and stitched with care. You’ll find great fabrics that offer great value even at lower prices.
You’re not limited to just size when ordering from Proper Cloth. You can also customize nearly every element:
You truly get to build a proper suit that reflects your style.
Prices for Proper Cloth suits range from $695 to $2,245, depending on the fabric. The $2,245 suits are Super 170 weave “Mercer” Wool and Silk suits with a buttery feel and year-round wearability. But as low as $645? That’s incredibly competitive for what you get: a fully custom suit made with fantastic fabric, with options for complimentary remakes, alteration reimbursements, and a fit locked in for future orders.
Considering I used to pay $800+ for off-the-rack suits that didn’t fit well, this is a great value.
The customer service team is made up of real people who care. I’ve emailed, called, and even done virtual appointments. Every time, the team was professional, helpful, and committed to ensuring my suit turned out right.
They also offer a full refund on your first shirt if you’re unhappy, so there’s no risk in trying it out.
Once you dial in your perfect fit, it’s saved to your profile. That means every future custom suit or dress shirt is made to your exact measurements. There is no guesswork, no extra tailoring, and just a few clicks, and your next Proper Cloth order is ready to go.
Now that my sizes are locked in, ordering takes less than 10 minutes. I can browse new fabrics, try different colors and textures, and feel confident that the item will arrive with a great fit.
My experience with Proper Cloth has been outstanding. From the easy steps in the beginning, to the complimentary remakes, to the wide selection of fabrics, I’ve had a consistently great experience. I especially love my Loro Piana slate suit, which has become my go-to for meetings and events.
If you want a custom suit but are nervous about ordering online, I can say from experience that the whole process is smooth and supported by a company that delivers.
With reasonable prices, excellent service, and the ability to create something that truly fits your body and style, Proper Cloth is one of the best options for modern professionals who care about looking sharp.
Stay tuned for photos of my favorite suits and jackets from Proper Cloth, and if you have questions about the order process, feel free to drop a comment!
