“How long does it take to make a tailor-made suit?” is one of the first questions asked at the workshop. The answer can be summed up in two simple numbers—two months, three appointments—but behind them lies a precise timeline, made up of steps that can’t be rushed and a moment that changes everything: the archiving of the pattern. Here’s the actual process for an order at RIVES.
Two months, three appointments: the timeline for your first suit
A first RIVES tailor-made suit takes an average of two months from the initial appointment to delivery, spread over three appointments: the initial measurement session, the first fitting, and then the second fitting, followed by delivery. This timeframe reflects the time required for artisanal craftsmanship, not an organizational constraint.
Two months may seem like a long time to someone who is used to buying a suit in a store, where trying it on and making the purchase can be done in the same afternoon. The comparison, however, is not valid. A ready-to-wear suit exists before the customer; A tailor-made suit is crafted around the customer. Between the initial measurements and the delivery of the garment, the workshop draws a pattern, cuts the fabric, assembles the structure, and makes adjustments—all manual processes that require time that cannot be shortened without compromising quality.
The standard process consists of three appointments. The first involves taking measurements, assessing posture, and selecting the fabric. The second, five to six weeks later, is dedicated to the first fitting of the assembled suit. The third appointment finalizes any adjustments and concludes with the delivery of the suit. Between these three appointments, the customer doesn’t have to do anything—the work takes place in the workshop. The total time, from the initial handshake to slipping on the jacket, takes eight to nine weeks.
Frequently Asked Question: How long does it take to have your first tailor-made suit made?
On average, the process at RIVES takes two months—or eight to nine weeks—and involves three appointments. This timeframe increases by three to four weeks if a preliminary prototype is created, and is significantly shorter for subsequent orders once the pattern has been saved.
The First Appointment: Measurements, Posture, and Fabric Selection
The first appointment involves three steps: taking measurements, assessing your posture, and selecting the fabric and finishes. This is the starting point for the pattern and the most crucial part of the entire order.
It all begins with this appointment. The tailor takes the client’s measurements, but the work doesn’t stop at the numbers: observing the client’s posture, the natural position of the shoulders, and the way the back is held informs the design of the tailor-made pattern just as much as the tailor’s tape measure. The choice of fabric, lining, and construction details—lapels, pockets, and buttoning—is made right away, guided by the suit’s intended use and the client’s preferences.
This initial consultation rarely lasts less than an hour. It is by no means a mere formality: the quality of the final suit depends directly on the precision and attention to detail during this session. A client who arrives with a clear idea of how the garment will be used—everyday office wear, formal occasions, or a travel wardrobe—and a few visual references helps the tailor make informed choices. However, there’s no need to decide everything on your own: the tailor’s role is precisely to guide you through these decisions.
Tailor’s Tip: To get the most out of your first appointment, bring two or three photos of suits you like, and, if possible, a jacket you already enjoy wearing. These concrete examples convey to the tailor—better than lengthy descriptions—the look and comfort you’re seeking. Specifying the suit’s primary use also helps guide the choice of fabric and construction.
Production Weeks: What Happens in the Workshop
Five to six weeks pass between the first appointment and the first fitting. During this time, the workshop traces the pattern, cuts the fabric, constructs the internal structure, and assembles the garment. These weeks, which are invisible to the customer, are at the heart of the tailor-made process.
Once the first appointment is over, the customer has nothing else to do for five to six weeks—but the work doesn’t stop. The pattern is first drawn on heavy paper, based on the measurements and observations. The fabric is then cut according to this pattern, piece by piece. Next comes the assembly of the internal structure— the interfacing, the collar canvas, and the reinforcements—followed by the assembly of the garment in the tailoring workshop.
This five- to six-week lead time applies to all items: a full suit, a jacket on its own, trousers, a shirt, or a tuxedo all require a comparable amount of production time. This is not an administrative waiting period but actual production time, shared among several artisans. Shortening this timeframe would mean reducing the care taken at each stage—a compromise that tailor-made tailoring, by definition, does not make.
Frequently Asked Question: Is it possible to speed up the production of a tailor-made suit?
Final adjustments can be expedited in urgent cases—from 24 hours to 10 days, depending on the request. The initial production time, however, remains five to six weeks: this involves manual cutting, fitting, and assembly, which cannot be expedited without compromising quality. Outside of peak periods, urgent orders may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Tailor’s tip: Once the fabric has been cut, it is no longer possible to change the fabric selection or the overall cut without starting from scratch. Style decisions are made at the first appointment; the weeks of production allow only for measurements adjustments, not for changes to the plan.
The Fitting: Preliminary Fitting or Final Fitting
RIVES offers two fitting options. By default, fittings are conducted directly on the assembled suit. For clients with unique body types or those who prefer it, a preliminary mock-up—a prototype made from test fabric—is created, adding one appointment and three to four weeks to the schedule.
A toile is a prototype of the suit, constructed from inexpensive test fabric, which allows the pattern to be verified before cutting the final fabric. It serves two purposes: to ensure the suit drapes properly on complex body types, and to provide the customer with an intermediate visualization step. The cost involves additional time—three to four weeks and one extra appointment. By default, RIVES proceeds without a muslin, fitting the customer directly in the assembled suit; a muslin is added at the customer’s request or upon the tailor’s recommendation.
This decision has implications that extend beyond the first order. A mock-up made for the first suit permanently validates the pattern: subsequent orders are significantly expedited as a result. Without an initial mock-up, the pattern remains reliable, but a subsequent order follows a timeline similar to that of the first suit. The mock-up is therefore less a wasted delay than an investment of time—paid for once, but recouped across all future orders.
Frequently Asked Question: Should I request a preliminary sketch?
Not always. For a standard body type and a first suit that isn’t needed urgently, a fitting directly on the assembled suit is sufficient. A mock-up is recommended for asymmetrical body types or those that are difficult to pattern, and for customers who plan to order multiple suits: it adds three to four weeks to the first order but streamlines all subsequent orders.
Tailor’s tip: For anyone planning to build a tailor-made wardrobe over several years, requesting a fitting garment for your very first tailor-made suit is a smart move. The three to four weeks invested that one time will result in subsequent orders being completed in five or six weeks, compared to two months without an initial fitting garment.
Adjustments and refunds: from 24 hours to ten days
After the first fitting of the assembled suit, final adjustments take anywhere from twenty-four hours to ten days, depending on the customer’s urgency. The suit can be picked up immediately afterward. The second fitting confirms the finished suit and completes the order.
The first fitting of the assembled suit is the moment when the garment truly meets the body. During this fitting, the tailor notes the necessary adjustments—a sleeve that needs to be taken in, a waist that needs to be refined, a shoulder that needs to be balanced. These final alterations take varying amounts of time: twenty-four hours when the client has a tight deadline, up to about ten days under normal circumstances. This range isn’t arbitrary; it’s a margin for adapting to each individual’s situation.
Once the adjustments have been made, the suit can be picked up immediately. The second fitting is then used to approve the finished suit: the customer tries it on, the tailor checks the fit, and the customer leaves wearing the suit. In the standard process, this final appointment often serves as the pickup. This marks the end of the entire two-month process.
Frequently Asked Question: Is it possible to place a rush order?
Yes, outside of peak periods—from March to July—and on a case-by-case basis. Final adjustments can be completed within twenty-four hours. In exceptional circumstances, a complete order may be processed on a very short timeline—ranging from ten days to one month—but this depends on the workshop’s workload and must be confirmed at the time of the initial contact.
The second order: The archived template changes the schedule
After the first suit is delivered, RIVES files away the customer’s pattern. Subsequent orders then take only five or six weeks to produce—provided a mock-up was made for the first order. A mock-up fitting is no longer necessary, unless there is a significant change in body type or style.
The first suit is not just a garment: it also serves to finalize a pattern, which is then kept on file at the workshop under the customer’s name. This archiving process changes the timeline for subsequent orders. There is no need to take full measurements again; the pattern is approved, and production can begin without a preliminary adjustment phase. If a mock-up was created for the first order, a subsequent order can be completed in five to six weeks instead of two months.
The number of appointments, however, remains close to three: tailor-made clothing is still a craft, and fittings remain essential even when working from a tried-and-true pattern. The muslin, on the other hand, is no longer necessary—unless the customer’s body shape has changed significantly, or if he wants a style of garment that is very different from what he has ordered in the past. In these cases, a new mock-up restarts the timeline as if it were a first suit. Otherwise, the second order and all subsequent ones are faster and smoother—the cumulative advantage of traditional tailor-made tailoring.
Tailor’s tip: When placing your first order, ask for confirmation that the pattern will be saved under your name. This ensures that future suits will be based on the same pattern—refined with each order rather than recreated from scratch each time—which sets this apart from a standard tailor-made order.
Conclusion: Plan Ahead—The Right Time to Order
For a suit with no set deadline, two months’ notice is sufficient. For a wedding, RIVES recommends ideally starting three months before the ceremony. The workshop is closed in late December and in August, and experiences a peak in business from March through July: these are all factors to factor into your schedule.
The best time to place an order depends on the deadline. If there’s no set date—such as for a wardrobe staple or a piece you simply want to have made—any time of year is suitable, except during the closures at the end of December and in August. For a specific event, planning ahead becomes a key factor. RIVES recommends scheduling an appointment for a wedding suit ideally three months before the ceremony: this timeframe allows for the necessary fittings and adjustments without unnecessary pressure. The time of year also matters. From March through July, the workshop experiences its busiest period, driven by summer weddings and back-to-school orders; an order scheduled for these months requires more advance planning, and urgent requests are harder to accommodate during this time.
Final tip: For a specific event—such as a wedding, a new job, or a ceremony—make an appointment at least three months in advance, and even earlier if the date falls between March and July. For your first suit with no specific deadline, any time of year is fine, except during the closures at the end of December and in August. In any case, here’s a simple question to ask right from the start: “When can the tailor’s shop commit to my date?” The answer will guide everything else.