Formal occasions and the need for the perfect business suit are still a vanishing phenomenon, even in the era of the great recovery from COVID-19 and the return of things like private clubs and over-the-top weddings. Still, there will be moments when a custom-made, perfectly fitted suit is necessary. And when those occasions arise, you don’t need to book a trip to Savile Row. If you live in Gotham, you’ve got plenty of great options close to home. Our ace menswear correspondent has curated the inside guide to the best elite tailors of bespoke, made-to-measure custom suits and shirts for men and women in New York City (NYC) right now for every kind of formal event on your calendar.
Is it really worth it to have a tailor make a bespoke suit or shirt?
We could easily pin this current era of mass casualization on the pandemic. It was the undeniable comfort of sweatpants that won out while we were stuck at home behind Zoom cameras. But in reality, menswear at large had taken off its tie and loosened its collar long before Covid hit. Streetwear’s popularity, the relaxing of office dress codes and a collective cultural shift all contributed to guys wearing suits—or being required to wear suits—less and less over the past 20 years.
Who are the best elite tailors of bespoke, custom, made-to-measure suits and shirts in New York City (NYC)?
However, because society or “hybrid” work situations don’t require buttoned-up suits, those who choose to seek out the best tailored pieces stand for a new kind of style flex. And for the occasions that still do call for formal suiting—weddings, galas, etc.—the opportunity to commission a one-of-a-kind fit feels even more special. Luckily, custom tailoring is still alive and well in New York City, with heritage makers and young designers alike practicing the centuries-old craft.
Where can men and women find the best elite tailors for bespoke suits and custom shirts in New York City (NYC)?
What is made-to-measure tailoring?
Let’s quickly define some terminology as several descriptors get thrown around when talking about personalized tailoring. “Made-to-measure” is considered the entry point, made with the same quality and at the same facilities as ready-to-wear clothing. The pre-set “block” or pattern is slightly altered to account for the client’s measurements or styling choices (buttonholes, collars, pockets, fabric choice). Once the client has made these choices up front, the clothing arrives in near final form from the facility, save for some final fit tweaks like hems or trouser tapering.
Our insider guide to the elite tailors of bespoke, custom, made-to-measure suits and shirts in New York City (NYC).
Bespoke tailoring is fully custom made to the client. A tailor will create an entirely new pattern based on the client’s measurements and preferences rather than altering a factory’s pre-existing templates. The sky’s the limit with the amount of customizations and adjustments when it comes to bespoke. It also offers an even more exact fit with a greater number of fittings and is often cut and sewn on-site.
These are the most broad definitions and the spectrum of “custom tailoring” can fall anywhere in between “made-to-measure” and “bespoke”, depending on the methods of each individual maker, factory setup and new digital technologies. Any way you, um, cut it, here are the tailors that will create custom pieces for you in the New York area.
The best Guide to luxury Custom Made Bespoke Tailors in New York (NYC)
1. Alexander Black
At the top of our list of the best elite tailors of bespoke, made-to-measure custom suits and shirts for men and women in New York City (NYC) is a fantastic shop in Brooklyn. Based in Crown Heights, Alexander Black offers three levels of customization. A.B. Custom uses a digital pattern to make suits overseas. The Semi-Bespoke offering relies on a hand-struck paper pattern and includes more handwork at vital points including the shoulder and sleeves. Full Bespoke is entirely handmade by tailors in New York City.
Address: 865 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213
Phone: +1 347-600-8217
Website: http://alexanderblacknyc.com/
2. Angel Ramos
Incorporating sartorial cues from elegant 1920s dressing, Angel Ramos takes an English-meets-Italian approach to its tailored clothing—fully canvassed jackets, soft constructed shoulder and higher-rise draped trousers. The made-to-measure program creates a custom pattern for each client and once the fabric is cut, the garment is made according to one of the house’s styles.
Address: 13 Christopher Street, New York, NY 10014
Website: https://angelny.com/
3. Alan Flusser
You may already know Alan Flusser from its cinematic turn outfitting Gordon Gekko, Wall Street’s ruthless financier. Made-to-measure and custom suiting emphasizes a “soft-styled” design—natural shoulders, high armholes, slightly fuller chest and a light, full-canvas construction. Custom pieces are largely handmade in New York while made-to-measure is based on a block pattern and hand sewn at specific points in the fitting and finishing processes.
Address: 3 East 48th Street, Floor 3, New York, NY 10017
Phone: +1 212-888-4500
Website: https://alanflusser.com
4. The Armoury
While the Armoury operates its two New York locations as retail haberdasheries, their close relationships with artisan suit makers allows them to offer varying levels of custom suiting as well. Depending on the maker including Liverano & Liverano, Tailor Caid and Pommella Napoli, clients can choose from made-to-order to bespoke as The Armoury hosts regular trunk shoes. Additionally, the Armoury’s “100 Series” of suits and jackets are designed in-house and manufactured by Japan’s Ring Jacket.
Address: 168 Duane Street, New York, NY 10013; 13 East 69th St, New York, NY 10021
Phone: +1 646-613-7613
Website: https://thearmoury.com
5. Cad & The Dandy
Sitting atop a midtown building full of tailors, Cad & Dandy’s tony penthouse typefies the kind of service you’d expect from a Savile Row import. However, you’ll find a softer shoulder and more structured body than across the pond and suits can be completed in a much shorter time frame. A toile fitting typically arrives three weeks after an order is placed, and garments can be finished in five.
Address: 130 W 57th Street, 11B, New York, NY 10019
Phone: +1 917-400-4804
Website: https://www.cadandthedandy.com
6. F.E. Castleberry
Many bespoke or custom tailors eschew much of a brand identity for discreet, upper crust service. F.E. Castleberry does not. Propelled by a distinct, irreverent style, F.E. Castleberry inhabits a downtown, Wes-Anderson-like world (see: the pink-walled atelier). Its house style made-to-measure suit and jacket is cut on the softer side, and is fully canvassed with a natural shoulder. You’ll find made-to-order, ready-to-wear and footwear and accessories here, too.
Address: 14 Christopher Street, No.1, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10014
Website: https://fecastleberry.com
7. Genuardi Tailor
Joseph Genuardi and his team create bespoke garments entirely in-house, on-site at their workshop in Hoboken, NJ. A master bespoke tailor, Genuardi specializes in classic American styles and takes a “smart conservative” approach for a fitted and comfortable cut with soft construction.
Address: 300 Observer Highway 4th Floor Hoboken, NJ 07030
Phone: +1 201-419-5975
Website: http://www.genuarditailor.com/
8. Huntsman
In 2016, Huntsman was the first Savile Row bespoke tailor to establish a permanent outpost in New York City. Once an order is placed, the garments are made in London according to Huntsman’s house style marked by strong shoulders, a defined waist, and a single button stance. Two levels of bespoke are offered: the premium “Bespoke 1849”, which includes access to more exclusive fabrics from the Huntsman archives, and the standard bespoke that can be completed in a shorter timeline.
Address: 130 W 57th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10019
Phone: +1 646-590-2595
Website: https://www.huntsmansavilerow.com
9. Mueser
Based out of a West Village showroom (across the street from its ready-to-wear haberdashery), J. Mueser offers three makes of custom clothing: The Campania, made to order from an existing block, The Waverly hand made in Naples, Italy with full canvassing and a custom paper pattern and the Mayfair which is locally made and reflects Savile Row traditions.
Address: 19 Christopher Street Store B, New York, NY 10014
Phone: +1 347-982-4382
Website: https://jmueser.com
10. Leonard Logsdail
London-born Leonard Logsdail brings traditional Savile Row training to his atelier and you may be familiar with his work outfitting the characters in Wolf of Wall Street and American Gangster. He runs a lean bespoke operation, personally taking each client’s measurements, drafting the paper pattern and cutting the fabric himself. Local jacket makers, trouser makers and finishers complete the garments, meaning each is touched by just four people. He also offers a made-to-measure program, produced in Canada.
Address: 9 East 53rd Street, Floor 4, New York, NY 10022
Phone: +1 212-752-5030
Website: https://www.leonardlogsdail.com
11. Manolo Costa
Manolo Costa signals worldly elegance from his Upper East Side atelier filled with art and antiques (Yes, they’re also for sale.) His bespoke clothing features soft, natural shoulders and structured bodies, made domestically.
Address: 130 ¼ East 65th Street, New York, NY 10065
Phone: +1 212-889-2625
Website: https://manolocosta.com
12. Greenfield Clothiers
Outfitting celebrities and presidents (ahem, Barack Obama), Greenfield has cemented itself as one of New York’s most storied tailors. Personifying the American dream, its namesake founder, Martin Greenfield, was a Holocaust survivor who emigrated to the United States and ultimately bought the factory where he worked as a floor boy. Greenfield does everything from fittings to cutting to sewing its bespoke clothing on-site in Brooklyn.
Address: 239 Varet Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Phone: +1 718-497-5480
Website: https://greenfieldclothiers.com
12. New & Lingwood
Some of the best elite tailors of bespoke, made-to-measure custom suits and shirts for men and women in New York City (NYC) are not originally from Gotham. Another London import, New & Lingwood offers made-to-measure on the second floor of its Upper East Side store. Clients can choose from suiting, shirts, jackets and even custom made dressing gowns.
Address: 970 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10021
Phone: +1 212-585-1865
Website: https://www.newandlingwood.com
13. Paolo Martorano
Menswear aficionados are turning their eyes in the direction of this young wunderkind tailor. Offering made-to-measure and bespoke services, the house silhouette features classic proportions with a natural, lightly padded shoulder and gentle roping at the sleevehead. Not in the market for a suit? Paolo Martorano also offers bespoke pajamas, gilets and safari jackets.
Address: 130 West 57th Street, 2A, New York, NY 10019
Phone: +1 212 363 0135
Website: https://www.paolostyle.com
14. Johnson
Perhaps the only custom tailor to come out of Australia and expand in the U.S., P. Johnson offers a contemporary laid-back, but no less discerning custom experience. Suits are distinguished by soft shoulders and an easy drape at two levels. The highest level offerings are produced by P. Johnson’s Tuscan factory Sartoria Carrara and made predominantly by hand. The brand also partners with a Shanghai factory that produces its “Pronto” line made at a lower price point and with a shorter turnaround time, as well as its P. Johnson Femme line of made-to-measure garments for women.
Address: 400 West Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10012
Phone: +1 917-533-5879
Website: https://pjt.com
15. Sartoria Gallo
One of the newest elite tailors of bespoke custom suits and shirts for men and women on the New York scene, Eric Jensen opened an outpost of the Roman family’s bespoke business in 2021. The Gallo style is evident in the unpadded shoulders and light horsehair canvas, produced in either New York or Rome.
Address: 1298 Madison Ave New York, NY 10128
Phone: +1 619-988-6242
Website: https://www.sartoriagallo.com/en/home-en/
16. Thom Sweeney
Stop by Thom Sweeney’s SoHo store and you’ll encounter its full stock of ready-to-wear clothing as well as made-to-measure services. Four times a year, the brand’s bespoke cutters will pop in from London to take orders for suits with an updated English silhouette.
Address: 362 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013
Phone: +1 646-851-0586
Website: https://thomsweeney.com
17. Tiefenbrun
An ordained rabbi and a classically trained tailor, Yosef Tifenbrun cuts English-style bespoke suits in his East Williamsburg showroom. You can see his process and offerings @rabbitailor on Instagram.
Address: 188 Scott Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11237
Phone: +1 718-650-6120
Website: https://www.tiefenbrunnyc.com/
18. Turnbull & Asser
We close our list of the best elite tailors of bespoke, made-to-measure custom suits and shirts for men and women in New York City (NYC) with an expatriate from across the pond.
Boasting a royal warrant, Turnbull & Asser is the shirtmaker to England’s most notable figures. At its New York townhouse, clients can select from over 1,000 fabrics, 25 options for collars and cuffs and 20 varieties of monogram for their bespoke shirts cut from a custom pattern.
Address: 50 East 57th Street, New York, NY 10022
Phone: +1 212-752-5700
Website: https://turnbullandasser.com
Best Elite Tailors of Bespoke Suits and Shirts in New York City (NYC)
That’s our inside guide and recommendations on the best elite tailors of bespoke, made-to-measure custom suits and shirts for men and women in New York City (NYC) for every kind of formal event that may land on your calendar. Now go forth and crush it, dear reader.
