Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at Martin Greenfield
Ordering and pricing
How much does a custom suit from Martin Greenfield cost?
Our custom made suiting starts at $1,800, and a two-piece suit averages $2,500. Custom made tuxedos start at $2,150, sport coats at $1,450 and trousers at $500.
What's the difference between bespoke, made-to-measure and custom made?
Bespoke traditionally means a pattern drafted from scratch and a garment built by hand over several basted fittings, often three or more across a few months. Made-to-measure, offered by many brands, adjusts a stock pattern to your measurements, and the garment is often produced overseas. Our custom made clothing sits between the two. As with bespoke, we draft a unique pattern from your measurements and posture, digitize it, and hand-tailor every garment in our Brooklyn factory with a full canvas and hand-sewn details. As with made-to-measure, it's efficient: one fitting when the garment is nearly finished, and delivery in about 6 to 8 weeks.
Why do you recommend custom made?
Because it gives you the best of both. You get what matters most in bespoke, a pattern made only for you and a suit built entirely by hand, without the months of fittings and the price that comes with them. And unlike most made-to-measure, nothing is adjusted from a stock pattern or sent overseas. As a union shop making every suit here in New York, our labor costs are among the highest of any suit maker in the world. Even so, we’ve always followed Martin Greenfield’s belief in giving clients the best possible value rather than making as much as possible on each suit. Custom suits start at $1,800. We keep your pattern on file and update it as your measurements change, so every future order fits you as you are now.
Do I need an appointment?
Yes, we recommend making an appointment for custom clothing. Book online, email suit@greenfieldclothiers.com, or call (718) 497-5480. The first appointment typically takes 45 minutes to 1 hour to make selections and get measured.
Is there a deposit?
We require at least a 50% deposit on order.
How your suit is made
Is the suit really made by hand?
Yes. Every garment is hand-tailored in our Brooklyn factory the same way they were made when our factory began making clothing in 1917. All of our jackets are fully constructed, with full canvas, and hand made and hand sewn pocketing, armholes, collars, button holes, etc. Trousers have a full hand-sewn curtain for comfort.
Where is it made?
In our union factory at 239 Varet Street, Brooklyn, New York, by our team of 65 skilled tailors and craftspeople. We have occupied the factory since 1977, and clothing has been made in this workroom since 1917. Your tailored clothing is never outsourced; once you make an order, the next time it leaves our factory is when you take it home.
What fabrics do you offer?
We carry the full ranges of Loro Piana, Taglia Delfino, Dormeuil, Holland & Sherry and Scabal, along with other leading mills in Huddersfield, England and Biella, Italy.
What details can I choose?
Shoulder shape, silhouette, lapel width and style, pocket style, button stance, vents, linings, trouser closure, leg taper and vest options, among others.
Can you make a modern suit?
Yes. Because every suit starts with a pattern drafted for you, the silhouette is entirely your choice, from classic to contemporary. Many of our clients ask for soft, natural shoulders, a slimmer lapel and a closer-fitting jacket, paired with high-rise or pleated trousers. It's the same full-canvas, hand-tailored construction we've used since 1917, cut to the way you want to look today. We also design pieces of our own, like the Sport Vest, a tailored alternative to the fleece office vest that we introduced in 2015.
Do you make clothing for women?
Yes. We make custom suits, jackets, trousers, tuxedos and overcoats for women, cut from a pattern drafted for you and hand-tailored in our Brooklyn factory, with the same full-canvas construction, fabrics, pricing and timing as our menswear. If you have pieces you already love, bring them to your first appointment so we can see what you like about them.
Can you make period or vintage-style clothing?
Yes. We have deep experience with styles dating back to the 1800s, from our work on film and television including: The Greatest Showman (1800s), The Knick (1900s), The Great Gatsby (1920s with a modern twist), Boardwalk Empire (1920s–30s), Café Society (1930s), Oppenheimer (1940s), Bridge of Spies (1950s–60s), Argo, Vinyl and White House Plumbers (1970s), Wall Street, A Most Violent Year, Joker and The Wolf of Wall Street (1980s and 1990s), Scent of a Woman and City on a Hill (1990s), along with modern productions including Billions, Ray Donovan, Gotham and The Blacklist. See our Film & Television page for the full list.
Fittings and timing
How long does a custom suit take?
About 6 to 8 weeks in total. Your first fitting is roughly 4 to 6 weeks after measuring, and the finished suit is ready about 10 days after that. We can often adjust the schedule for weddings and events.
How many fittings will I need?
A minimum of two visits to our factory is typically required. On the first visit you make fabric selections and get measured. We then require a fitting when the garment is nearing completion (roughly 4 to 6 weeks after you make your order). We always recommend coming back a third time to get our blessing in your finished garment.
I need a suit or tuxedo for a wedding. When should I start?
We recommend starting 3 to 4 months before your wedding or event. Your suit or tuxedo takes about 6 to 8 weeks to make, and starting early builds in breathing room for fittings and any final adjustments, so the process stays relaxed rather than rushed. If your date is less than 3 months away, we can still make it, as long as you keep to your fitting and pickup dates. For a wedding party, especially with groomsmen who live out of town, start toward the earlier end. See our Wedding & Event Planning page for the full timeline, and our Wedding + Groomsmen page for recent weddings.
Clients outside New York
Can I order if I don't live in New York?
We have a large customer base outside of the tri-state area. If we have your measurements we can absolutely get started on garments without requiring a visit to our shop. For new customers we strongly recommend visiting us for your first order so we can take your measurements ourselves.
Do you ship?
Absolutely. We ship many completed garments to our out of town customers.
After you buy
Do you do alterations?
We will welcome you back for adjustments or repairs to clothing we made, typically at no cost. Bigger jobs (significant weight loss, style changes, etc.) we will typically charge a small fee. We do not do outside alterations on garments we didn't make.
How should I care for my suit?
Most of the time, a suit doesn't need cleaning, just pressing. Take it to your dry cleaner to be pressed: the heat and steam take care of wrinkles, sweat and everyday wear. Dry clean it only when absolutely necessary, no more than 4 to 6 times a year, because frequent dry cleaning wears out the cloth. Between wears, hang it on a shaped hanger to keep its line.
Can I buy without a custom order?
Yes. Ready-to-wear suits, tuxedos, blazers, knitwear and ties are sold online or available at our factory. If we are not stocked in a size send us an email, as we can make stock ready-to-wear garments in 3 to 4 weeks on request.
Visit us
We take appointments at our factory:
3rd Floor, 239 Varet Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Monday–Friday 8:30AM–4:30PM
Saturday 8AM–12PM
Call (718) 497-5480 or email suit@greenfieldclothiers.com
How do I get there by subway?
Take the L to Morgan Avenue and use the Bogart Street exit. Turn right on Bogart, cross Moore Street, then turn right on Varet Street. We are at #239.
Can I tour the factory?
Factory visits are available upon request. Please email us at suit@greenfieldclothiers.com.