The benefits of made-to-measure clothing
It is interesting to see that many new ‘trends’ are actually just repeats of processes in the olden days. A sort of understanding or revelation that people knew what they were doing back then, and there was a certain practicality to the way things were done. For me, these are most apparent (currently) in the farming industry and in the clothing industry. Industrialisation took over and made, what at the time looked like first class innovation, for cheaper and easier to access products. However, I think more are realising true craftsmanship and quality may have been left behind.
Made- to -measure clothing is one aspect of this trend, (although there are still aspects that remain, such as wedding dresses and suit tailoring). It is much easier to mass produce clothing with only one size (e.g. one size fits all), it means you only need to make one pattern per item. That is why often sizing in fast fashion has become more and more narrow (e.g. only serving S,M,L). However, in the meantime it has become much less size inclusive. If you think that there is at least a 50cm range of heights between women, and all the body shapes that come in between that - how are sizes S,M,L ever going to work for everyone/ anyone?!
Recent research found that most clothes in the UK are made for women 5ft5 and above, however, more than half of women in the UK are 5ft3 and under - it is very clear to see that the fashion industry is moving far away from customer needs and one of the main reasons why we started EDIS.
It’s therefore easy to see the benefits of made-to-measure clothing, but we wanted to explore it in more detail.
What is exactly made-to-measure?
Made-to-Measure is the process of creating a clothing piece, customised and fitted specifically for a person, respecting their measurements/size and body type. The piece is handmade by professionals and always has your body features at the forefront of their minds, instead of being made in a factory far away from where you are purchasing, with no idea in mind of who will buy it. It suits the slow fashion process of making clothes as they are usually made on demand, either from scratch or customising a template.
Why is made-to-measure a better option?
1. Made-to-measure is much more inclusive
Availability for all - We’ve seen the fashion industry getting more worried about clothing for what’s known as plus, petite and tall sizes, but the choices are still very limited. It’s possible to have a short person that needs plus size clothes or a tall person that needs petite size clothes, and these options are just no available. There are so many different variations of body shapes and it’s clear only 6 sizes is not going to work for everyone. Made-to-measure is not a scaling size but the actual measures of your real body.
Inclusion - Limited availability of sizes coupled with brands tending to show slimmer models in their marketing campaigns, has made many women feel that there is no part for them in the fashion industry. Sizes and photos of course don’t represent the majority of people in the world, but we are made to feel that they are based on whats available. More recently the media is picking up in a positive way with much more size inclusive branding. People are more and more embracing their body features, and made-to-measure clothing is supporting and championing that.
Perfect fit - Fit is related to both measurements and shape of the body. Just because two women that have a 98cm bust, it doesn’t necessarily mean that their body shape is the same. Made-to-measure clothing ensure clothes that will suit and flatter your body, and removes the need for tailoring.
Comfort - If you have something made specifically for you, the piece will fit perfectly on your body and it will not only make you feel comfortable but you will feel sexy, powerful, and amazing too, no matter your size.
2. Respect for individuality
Customisation - Most of the time, you can’t find the exact design you are looking for. So this is an opportunity for you to have exactly what you want, made. With made-to-measure clothing, you can have the option to customise your garments and have the final word in the design.
Uniqueness - Individual differences are a good thing and it’s what makes us unique. Today we need to consider that there are a lot of different bodies with a lot of different features and spread body positivity far and wide! Also when you customise your own clothes, they will reflect your personality and personal style, making you look and feel unique.
Creativity - Made-to-Measure clothes allow you to bring out your creativity. You can play with editing the pieces as their features and design options. No one will know where your clothes are from because they will be as unique as you are.
3. The sustainability challenge
Less waste - In the made-to-measure process, the clothing pieces are usually only made when a customer makes the order (on demand), so it helps reduce surplus collection or fabric stocks that could end up in landfills. Not holding stock is the greatest way to help the fashion industry be more sustainable.
Deadstock fabric - Some brands, like EDIS, have the option of creating garments with amazing deadstock fabrics in order to help, once more, reducing the waste in the industry by giving life to these fabrics that would otherwise end up in the trash or incinerated.
Ethics - There must be a qualified workforce, as designers and tailors, in made-to-measure businesses because, they will never make the same piece twice as they will follow the measurements and body shape of each client. As the production time is longer, like in the slow fashion model, there are no extremely short timelines or massive pressure on workers. As the production happens is a smaller scale it's easier to control and know who is making your clothes and if they have good working conditions.
Note for customers, brands, and governments…
Consumers have a really important role in helping changing behaviors, and fight against exploitation and lack of transparency, in their buying decisions. But in order to end modern slavery and high levels of waste and pollution, in the fashion industry, businesses and governments need to take some actions too, as they have the power and the responsibility to help positives changes to happen. (to know more about it read our blog post about “What will the next generation think about us?”)
EDIS connects you to fashion designers to co-create unique pieces of clothing. It’s ethical because the designers receive 80% of the price paid. It’s sustainable because we try to use deadstock fabrics wherever possible, and it’s personalised - each piece is made exactly for you. Start designing your outfit here today.