Alan David - Custom Suits NYC — Local services in New York

I can’t speak highly enough about the experience I had purchasing my first custom suit and shirts from Alan David Custom. I had researched the various custom suit stores throughout the New York City area, read all the reviews, and ultimately decided to go with Alan David Custom for my first bespoke suite and custom made shirts.

Deciding to put my trust in Alan David Custom was by far the best decision I could have made. For those reading this review and trying to decide where to go for a custom made garment, look no further than Alan David Custom!

The staff that I worked with had truly exceeded my expectations, and Alan David Custom completely lived up to their reputation for delivering the highest quality custom craftsmanship and the guaranteed perfect fit. The level of customer service and the bespoke experience that I received throughout the entire process was exceptional. When I contacted Alan David Custom to make an appointment I was greeted by Elsie, their customer concierge, who booked my initial appointment and took the time to fully explain the step-by-step process I would go through when I arrive for my appointment. Elsie was very pleasant, and she had thoroughly answered all of my questions, which helped to put me at ease regarding the process I was about to experience.

When I initially arrived for my appointment I met with Elsie, who walked me over to their consultation area where I was introduced to Erika, one of Alan David’s top master stylists (whom I highly recommend!) Erika and I sat and discussed in length the requirements in designing a custom made suit and shirts (reviewing all the things that I would like to see in a custom suit and shirt, and the things that I disliked), which would assist them in crafting the perfect garments for me. After our discussion, Erika showed me an array of fabrics and guided me through the selection process. She thoroughly explained the differences in the various fabrics available, and helped me in deciding on the fabrics that would be used in crafting each of my garments. During the entire time, there was never any pressure or up-selling that took place. I never realized the many details and decisions that need to be made in order to create a custom garment, however, Erika (a true master in her trade) made the entire process a very enjoyable experience.

The final step was the measuring process, where I met with Gui, one of Alan David’s expert fitters. Gui is a true expert in his craft, and is very thorough and meticulous to the extreme (in a good way)! He took what seemed like over 50+ different measurements, using several different measuring tools throughout the process, in order to ensure that each garment would be the full true custom fit (that Alan David Custom is known for).

I was promptly notified when my garments had arrived, and I immediately setup an appointment for an initial fitting. Upon arrival, I tried on each of the garments under the watchful eye of Gonzalo, who is another expert fitter at Alan David Custom. Each of the garments appeared to fit great; however, nothing seems to escape the meticulous eye of Gonzalo, who felt there were some minimal adjustments that were needed in the suit jacket in order to achieve the perfect fit.

When I returned several days later for my final fitting, everything had fit perfectly, and I was reminded that if I had any issues with any of the garments after I started wearing them, to just come back in and they would fix it to my liking.

Bottom line - everyone that I met and who worked with me throughout the entire process at Alan David Custom went over and beyond to ensure that no matter what needed to be done, that I was 100% happy with every aspect and detail of each custom made garment. If for any reason there was anything that I was unhappy with, or wanted changed, they would take care of it without an issue.

I believe Alan David has truly created a unique, one-of-a-kind experience, where he and his entire staff made me feel like part of the Alan David family, rather...

Don't be fooled by the slightly seedy Midtown office building, where the doorman gives you a sideways look as you wait for the elevator. It takes you to the seventh floor, past your usual shlocky looking law office door down the hall and left and into Alan David's showroom.

It's not new, it doesn't look like much, nobody butters you up by offering you a glass of scotch, and there are no other allegedly bespoke-y accoutrements that distract you from the goods (and the cost of which surely is baked into the price of your suit). They're all business at Alan David, and they know exactly what they're doing. The salesman was an older gentlemen, who listened patiently to my ramblings and showed me a bunch of nice fabrics in various qualities. He was very good at explaining their features and pros and cons (he also discouraged me from looking at some more expensive, very high thread yarns because the fabric tends to wrinkle quickly making it not the most practical).

The fitter too was an older gentleman, with an Italian accent that conjured up images of his apprenticeship in a Naples tailoring shop, resulting in confidence that he too knows what he is doing. And he is. I negotiated some details, such as a barchetta pocket (sigh, I too am a sucker for men's sartorial fads), and Alan, the owner, was nice, helpful, knowledgeable and patient about it. (One complaint: I came to a meeting and waited in vain for 25 minutes, while he was speaking on the phone in his office.) I also had to wait about five weeks (strikes me as at the upper end of normal for a garment that is made from scratch) until I got a fitting of the "raw" suit. During this so-called basted fitting some details were adjusted here and there - not much. I'm 5'11'' and 165 lbs, so it's not that hard (although, in the spirit of oversharing, I have sloping shoulders and slouch a little - they took care of it).

The suits are made in Alan David's manufacturing shop in Queens, and not in China. While one can argue whether factory-made means it's totally bespoke (some say that means it must be all hand-sewn by one tailor), it's pointless in my view if the quality is there - it is, see below. Making the suit here may be a touch more expensive but alterations to the semi-final product will be made quicker and by the people who actually made the suit. Plus this supports a traditional trade (keep America great).

It's all prepaid, so that requires a bit of a leap of faith the first time around, but I went by the many good reviews and was not disappointed.

Now finally, the goods: First rate quality. My suit was made from a Zegna fabric (not cheap but worth it) and it fits like a glove. Wearing it I finally feel like a cross between an gentiluomo strolling down the streets of Milan and James Bond (never mind the sloping shoulders). The cut is contemporary, the proportions - width of lapel, placement of notch - match my frame, the stitching is pretty, and the lining contrasts nicely - fanciful but not too fanciful. (Alan pulled out a better lining fabric book when I was not too impressed with the standard offerings, and let me choose one of them, at no surcharge.) The detailing of the pants - waistband, buttons, reinforcement band above heel - and the inside pockets are "comme il faut", and as far as I can tell after a few outings in the suit very well tailored and moves with me nicely whether I walk or sit. I wear suits all the time and this one clearly is the best I've ever had.

I fear I have to go...

Alan David is my go-to place for customized men's clothing. For context, I have completed multiple purchases of custom suits, sports jackets and shirts; I have been a customer for a little over two years and it is the only place I would go for men's custom clothing because it fulfills all that I could ever wish for as a customer.

The eponymous owner Alan is very hands-on and will go to great lengths to ensure his customers are completely satisfied with their experience. Alan David really emphasizes each customer receiving a perfect fit. I found their measurement process to be exacting and reflective of the highly experienced tailoring staff. They don't take short-cuts and they maintain a laser-like focus on getting your individual details right. You will learn from them as well. Alan David has access to a wide variety of cloths and mills. I have used them for everything from conservative suits for business formal events to colorful sports jackets for more festive occasions.

Alan's staff are of high-quality and, like Alan, they do their craft with integrity. What do I mean by this? For starters, the sales staff won't be pushy or seek to have you go beyond your stated budget; they will be transparent with you about costs (i.e. no hidden charges and tack-ons); they will use their expertise to tell you whether something needs to be altered even slightly (for which they bear the cost) in order to ensure the fit of the garment is perfect. Alan David will be straightforward with you about how long something will take to be made; they will not over-promise and under-deliver. When any aspect of the process does not meet your expectations, Alan himself will step in to correct the issue. Even in the description of "custom" suits, Alan David is truthful and transparent in describing the step-by-step process by which garments are made. If you check out the competition you will see that there is often much less transparency about where garments are made, by whom and how, etc. Rather than focus on ancillary experiences in connection with the custom-clothing process for the customer (e.g. businesses that appear to operate in a high-end lounge or faux-United Kingdom club-type environment), Alan David's singular focus is on providing the perfect-fitting, highest quality made garment for its customers at a reasonable price. On price, I believe he compares really favorably to the competition. As a reference point, you can get a great, business formal custom suit at Alan David for less than you could a higher-end off-the-rack suit at Paul Stuart and with a better fit/much greater control of the final product due to it being customized.

My advice to a potential customer is to connect with Alan directly once you have had an initial appointment; his command of all of the granularity of his business will make you feel as though you are in highly capable hands. I also have enjoyed working with David from the sales team, who is deeply experienced and a straight-shooter as to what will or may not look good on you. Each of their tailors is excellent. I give Alan David my highest...