The short answer
Made-to-measure (MTM) starts at USD 700 in 100% wool. Without a fitting it can be ready in 3 days. With one fitting, which we recommend for a first suit, plan on 7 to 10 days. If your flight is sooner than that, we finish the suit after you leave and ship it.
A week, day by day
| When | What happens | Your time |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 or 2 | Consultation and measurements. You choose cloth, cut, lapel, pockets, lining. Tell us your departure date here. | About 60–90 min |
| Day 5 to 7 | Fitting. You try the suit on, the tailor marks changes on you. | About 30 min |
| Day 7 to 10 | Collection. Final try-on, small touches on the spot. | About 20 min |
Come early in your trip. The first appointment is the one that decides everything else; a consultation on your second-to-last day leaves no room for a fitting.
What to bring
- The shoes you will wear with it. Trouser length is set against a heel, not a sock.
- A shirt with a collar. Sleeve length is measured to show a little cuff.
- Photos of suits you like, and of ones that never fit you. The second list is more useful.
- Your flight time. We plan backwards from it.
Is MTM enough, or do I need bespoke?
For most people, MTM is enough. It starts from an existing pattern and adjusts it to you, which handles length, width and most posture. Bespoke draws a new pattern from scratch and needs two to three weeks; it is worth it if you have a strongly sloped shoulder, a forward neck, a big difference between left and right, or you simply want the full hand-made process. Our bespoke vs made-to-measure guide decides it in two questions.
If you leave before it is finished
It happens often. We finish the suit, do a last press, and ship it abroad. We tell you the shipping cost before you commit, not after. Alterations on clothes we made are free for a year, so if something needs a touch after you get home, message us and we work it out.
Booking
We are open daily 11:00 to 20:00, closed Tuesdays, by appointment. Send your dates on WhatsApp or email and we reply with times. English, Japanese and Korean are spoken in the shop.
Questions people ask
Can I get a made-to-measure suit in Seoul in 3 days?+
Yes, without a fitting. For a first suit we recommend one fitting, which means 7 to 10 days. If you have less time, we can finish it after you leave and ship it.
How much is a made-to-measure suit in Seoul?+
At Buttons & Bows, made-to-measure starts at around USD 700 in 100% wool. The cloth is the main thing that moves the price.
Is Seoul a good place to get a suit made as a foreigner?+
Yes. Hand-work costs much less than in London or Milan, the cloth comes from the same Italian and British mills, and several Gangnam houses, including ours, work in English and plan around flight dates.
Do I need to book in advance?+
Please do, especially in spring and autumn when Korean wedding season fills calendars. Send your travel dates and we reply with appointment times.