FAQ’s

35th Anniversary - M26640 - Art Lewin Bespoke Suits (1906 x 398 px) (800 x 1300 px)

I would like further information before I order.

This is absolutely fine, please do not hesitate to email us  or call 800.994.SUIT. Our team will be delighted to guide you through any of our products and services.


Are your suits bespoke?

Yes, we produce bespoke garments for our clients. Each and every tailored garment from the Art Lewin Collection is cut and made specifically to your exact measurements and preferences in our own work-shop.


How many fittings will I require?

As standard we will only require one fitting, maybe two and one follow-up adjustment.


How can I prolong the life of my bespoke suit?

All of our bespoke suits are made from the finest British and European fabrics and so you will find that they last considerably longer than any other suit. We also put our fabrics through wear and tear testing, and Art Lewin will also take into consideration what the suit’s everyday environment will be. For example, if you have a job that requires you getting in and out of a car throughout the day this will wear the fabric, so Art will advise you to choose a more hard-wearing fabric that will last longer than a softer fabric.

The following suggestions will help you to get the most out of your bespoke suit:

  • The simple solution to increasing the life of your suit is to rotate a number of suits, essentially owning more so that you can wear each one less.
  • You will find that your trousers are subject to far more every day wear and tear than your jacket, so purchasing an extra pair of trousers could potentially double the life of your bespoke suit. There is no reason that the two pairs of trousers should be exactly the same style either, enabling you to vary the style of your full suit.
  • Make sure you take your suit to a specialist dry cleaner.
  • Look after your suits when you are wearing them; try not to carry bulky items in your pockets.
  • Try to avoid wearing your jacket when travelling and always hang your suit up wherever possible.

How long does the custom tailoring process to make a suit take?

Depending on the client’s availability for an appointment and whether the garment is off the peg or bespoke, the whole process from your first visit to the final fitting should take 3 to 5 weeks.


Will I have to pay a deposit?

We ask for a deposit of  50% at the point of order, with the balance payable at the fitting.


Can I pay by card?

We accept all major credit and debit cards.


How is Art Lewin Bespoke different to other tailors?

Here at Art Lewin Bespoke we get to know you as a person, therefore being able to create a suit that is completely individual and full of your personality. From the lining, to contrasting collars and iPod pockets inside the jacket, we help you create a suit that is both practical yet creative. A suit that makes you feel ‘you’.


Where do the fabrics come from?

We import all of the cloths mostly from Italy and England, France & Scotland.


Can I visit you?

Yes, you are very welcome to visit any of our Locations for a fitting. We work by appointment.


What can I expect from my appointments and final product?

You can expect a professional yet very personal service, and the final product will make you feel taller, more powerful, and more becoming and unique to you than any other suit you have ever worn before.


Do you make jackets and suits for Ladies as well as men?

Yes, we do.


Do you offer alterations?

Yes. And, now we offer alterations to the public.


I am a thin man – what is the right style suit for me?
Wear clothing that adds substance to your appearance. Looser fit @ the waist – medium shoulder pads – 3 button coat – 1 pleat trousers – consider a vest. Fabric with texture & depth: plaids, windowpanes, flannels, birds-eyes & tic weaves.


I am a short man – what is the right suit style for me?
Wear clothing to elongate your body line. 1 button coat – Shaped waist on the coats – Fabrics should have smooth texture: worsted wool’s, gabardines, pinstripes, herringbone’s.


I am a heavy man – what is the right suit style for me?
Wear clothing to accentuate the vertical lines of the body.  Proper fit on the coat – not too trim. 1 or 2 button coat recommended – try to stay away from 3 button styles. Fabrics with a smooth finish & vertical patterns here also: narrow spaced pinstripes, herringbone’s, solids – stay away from plaids.


I am a tall man – what is right suit style for me?
Wear clothing to accentuate the horizontal lines to add substance to your appearance. Most models are OK. 3 button coat, fuller cut trousers. Plaids, windowpanes, larger checks & wider stripes.


What type of coat lapels should I wear?
Notch – standard business lapel. Peak – considered dressier than notch. Gives the illusion of more height.


What type of coat pockets should I wear?

Straight w/flap – standard business style
Slanted w/flap – less conservative – gives the illusion of height
Straight or slant w/no flap – clean, smooth look
Patch pockets –gives appearance of more bulk – sportier look.


What type of vents should I wear on a coat?
Center – standard business style
Side –  conservative. Good for a any man in business.


What is Super 100’s? 120’s? 130’s? etc.

The #’s refer to a way of grading the quality of the wool fabric. The higher the # – 100’s, 120’s, 130’s, etc. – the finer & tighter the weave of the fabric. There will also be a smoother & silkier feel to the fabric – the higher the #. Of course, there is generally a correlation to the cost of the fabric increase, as well, because the higher designation of the wool tends to be more expensive to produce.


 What is the difference between a side seam, quarter & besom pocket on trousers?

Trouser pockets are simply a matter of preference. Side seam pockets are cut right on the side seam of the trousers and are generally more challenging to place your hands inside the pockets. A quarter pocket is a more traditional look, and is easy to place your hands inside your pockets, as these pockets are cut on an angle. An offset pocket is a more contemporary look. A besom or cord pocket is basically two slits of fabric finished to a sleek opening.


How do I care for my wool clothing?

Wool should only be dry cleaned, maximum once per quarter. Wool cannot be laundered, or it can shrink several sizes if placed in the washer & dryer. You are welcome to bring in your garments to be pressed by us.


How do I choose the right fabric?

The fabric of choice for a fine suit is still good quality wool. Wool is a natural fiber that is robust, drapes well, bounces back into shape after repeated use, breathes well and looks good. Natural fabrics allow the body to “breathe”. This means that perspiration is not retained within your clothing leaving an odor.  Fine woolens are manufactured in various finishes and weights. Other fabrics that are commonly used for suits are microfiber, silk and silk blends and linen. Microfiber fabrics are generally a great choice for a more casual men’s suit and wear nicely but generally do not breathe as well as wool. Microfiber is a synthetic (man-made) material that can trap body heat and perspiration. Silk and wool blends are usually lighter weight fabrics and generally fit into the specialty suit category, however, it is a great fabric for sport coats. Linen suits are intended for a casual look, are cool in the heat and wrinkle when you look at them.


How do I know if my clothes will fit me?

Art Lewin Bespoke is a second-generation clothiers. We take great pride in our clothing & many eyes see your pattern before it’s cut. Therefore, we guarantee a perfect fit every time. If for what ever reason we didn’t get it to fit properly, we will re-make until we do.


What form of payment do you accept?

Credit cards accepted: American Express, Visa and Master Card, Discover & checks.


Do I have to get re-measured every time I place an order?

No, we keep all measurements on file! However, if it has been more than 6 months since you last order & your weight has changed, we would recommend reviewing 6 basic measurements.


How long does it take to receive a bespoke suit?
Since all of our cloth are imported, our bespoke shirts & suits typically take 4-6 weeks.


How long does it take to receive our private label garment?
Most private label garments are finished & fitted within 10 days or so, if in stock. We will notify you if your item is out of stock.


Is there a minimum order requirement?
Only on our bespoke shirts(4 shirt minimum). All other garments you can order as little or much as you want!


Do you offer gift certificates or gift cards?
Yes, just let us know the amount you prefer and the recipient can use the gift certificate for all of our company’s products offered. We will mail the gift certificate or email a E-Gift Card to you or the recipient the same day ordered.


How do I care for my custom shirts?
Always have your shirts laundered at a quality commercial dry cleaner. No Starch is recommended. Heavy starches are not good for the long term care of your shirts. Remember to remove the collar stays from your dress shirts before sending them to the laundry, or they will get lost or leave a mark on the collars.


What is cashmere?
The name cashmere comes from Kashmir, the mountainous area of India and Pakistan. Cashmere is the wool from the soft undercoat of the Kashmir goat. Cashmere is one of the softest fabrics available and is unique because it provides warmth without weight.


What are working / functional buttons?
This refers to the buttons on the sleeves of a jacket constructed so that the sleeve buttons & cuffs open. Functional buttonholes on a sleeve are considered the mark of a finely tailored custom garment. Trivia: Functional buttonholes were 1st introduced by the medical profession during the Crimean War & were known as surgeon cuffs. The cuffs & sleeves of a suit coat were folded up to prevent the suit coats of the surgeons from getting ruined by surgeries performed on the battlefield.


Can I order shirts with white collars and white cuffs? 
Yes, because we’ re custom tailors – the possibilities are almost limitless. Contrast collars & cuffs are done at NO extra charge and is part of the design process in ordering custom shirts. All fabrics can be used with a white collar and cuff.


What are collar stays on shirts?

Collar stays help to make the shirt collar lay flat when worn. Collar stays can be permanent – which are sewn into a slot underneath the collar. Collar stays can be removable – which is preferred, because you want to remove the stays prior to laundering the shirt, as the stays may bend break or melt during the laundry process.


What are the different type of collars available on shirts?

Point Collar – this is the typical collar often worn with a tie, although it can also be worn as an open collar look with a suit, as well. The point collar is a straight collar.

Tab Collar – a tab is always worn with a tie. A tab collar is a point collar that has an extra piece of fabric close to the middle of the collar that fastens be a snap or a button. The purpose is to project the tie away from the collar of the shirt & is generally considered a more dramatic look worn with a crisp necktie.

Spread Collar – the collar is generally finished at an angle, either straight or curves slightly. The spread collar can be worn with a tie or as an open collar.

Button Down Collar – the button down is a point collar that has a button & buttonhole that fastens at the end of the point to keep the collar down. The buttondown is a more casual look – it can be worn with a tie, but should not be worn with a suit. The buttondown is often worn as an open collar.

Hidden Buttondown Collar – The hidden buttondown is more contemporary, as it is a buttondown collar without having the buttons visible. The collar buttons underneath the collar. Again, generally worn as an open collar.


What are the different types of cuffs style available on dress shirts?

Barrel cuffs – these cuffs are slightly rounded and will have 1 or 2 buttons that close the cuff.

Mitered Cuff – This is a barrel cuff that has a beveled edge at the top corner of the cuff & is more distinctive looking than a simple rounded barrel cuff.

French Cuff – This is a double fold cuff that is fastened with cufflinks to close. French cuffs are considered a more formal & dressier look.


What is your opinion on a polyester/cotton dress shirt?

A blended shirt often appears less crisp and dressy & can often be perceived as a less expensive shirt. A crisp cotton dress shirt looks more special, especially when worn with a finely tailored suit. Again, this comes down to a personal preference – some gentlemen prefer a blended shirt, because they will wrinkle less than an all cotton dress shirt. We recommend 100% cotton.


What is pic stitching?
Pic stitching is a stitch outlining certain areas on a suit or slacks, such as lapels and coat pockets. It may also be used on the inside where the lining meets the edge of the suit cloth. A pic stitch offers a hand finished tailored look.


How often should I dry clean my suit?
First, it is important to know that you should always use a reputable drycleaner.  Less quality drycleaners use less quality chemicals that could damage the fabric. It is acceptable to clean a suit only once a quarter, provided you do not spill something on your suit or perspire in it. Consider having it pressed, once it loses its crispness. You should hang it up properly in the closet to let the wrinkles fall out.  A soft brush can be used to remove particles. When you do dry clean it, take both the jacket and the slacks to prevent the suit’s color becoming mismatched.


What do I do if I want to change an order that has already been placed?
Orders for custom clothing are processed & cut immediately. However, if you contact us within 24 hours of placing an order we will attempt to make any change requested, but we cannot guarantee that the change can be done.


What is the difference between a shawl, notch & a peak lapel?
The Shawl is smooth & rounded & is most often found only on tuxedo jackets.
The Notch has an indentation cut where the lapel meets the collar. The notch lapel is found on a standard business suit or tuxedo.
The Peak is a broad V-shape that points up and out below the collar. The peak lapel was popular in the 1920’s, but has made a renaissance


When is a white dinner jacket appropriate?
A white dinner jacket is best worn during the warm weather months: Memorial Day to Labor Day. However, if you are visiting a tropical climate or live in one it is appropriate for a warm weather formal occasion.


Is a vest or cummerbund appropriate for a tuxedo?
The answer is more of a personal preference option. Vests have become more popular & are considered a more contemporary option. Vests have a slimming effect & are more comfortable when seated.