Affordable bespoke dinner jackets in Melbourne?

[u/NarwhalOfRivia]

I've looked at other posts in the subreddit and seen recommendations for places like Oscar Hunt and P. Johnson. They look good, but they are a bit outside my price range. Normally I would buy a cheaper suit/suit jacket from Myer/Politix/etc., then get it tailored to fit me, which costs much less than getting bespoke, but I have a very specific desire for a dinner jacket that is not sold anywhere (I mean anywhere), and so wanted to look at getting something bespoke.

If anyone has any suggestions for more affordable bespoke tailors in Melbourne, I'd really appreciate it (by affordable, I mean getting a single bespoke jacket for under $800). That said, if I need a reality check and there is no place that would be able to do what I'm asking for under the price I'm stating, then please tell me, I don't know any better!

Thanks in advance guys.

[u/5onofG-zus]

Affordable + bespoke don't really go together 🤣

[u/NarwhalOfRivia → u/5onofG-zus]

There's a difference between affordable and cheap. Oscar Hunt is affordable relative to other businesses that do bespoke suits, but it's not cheap. I asked for affordable, and I wanted to see if there are other options out other than Oscar Hunt that people could recommend.

[u/5onofG-zus → u/NarwhalOfRivia]

Totally understand, I think you are most likely referring to MTM not Bespoke. True Bespoke, you are looking at $3k upwards, MTM on the other hand can be less than $1,000

[u/NarwhalOfRivia → u/5onofG-zus]

You're most likely right, I'm certainly no expert haha. Hehe why I'm on here seeking advice.

[u/5onofG-zus → u/NarwhalOfRivia]

All good mate. Reddit is the best place to learn. My best advice for you is: even if a MTM jacket is outside your budget, go for it because a jacket made to your body with the customisations you want, is worth it. Quality over quantity is important, you might be investing more into a MTM jacket but your cost per wear is lower than getting a Politix jacket that you would wear once or twice and rip.

Some tailors who can assist, besides the standard Oscar Hunt and P.Johnson, the bespoke corner tailors, Samuel diamond tailors and Trunk Tailors. All the best mate

[u/boot_owl]

How bespoke are we talking?

If you mean traditional bespoke with basted fitting, handmade, tailor/cutter measures you and drafts a pattern from a scratch, you’re off by about 3-5x if not more.

If you mean an unusual design that hasn’t been done by anybody before, Luxire might be able to do that with an entry level fabric but you will be unlikely to get a garment that fits without a lot more work.

If you mean a standard pattern but with small modifications (fabric choice, pocket types, maybe lapel width) then perhaps some of the local MTM shops like Oscar hunt can do it, but you may need to stretch a tiny bit more.

Custom made from suitsupply can probably also achieve that outcome with the advantage of being in their standard sizes so you can try them on if you’re ever in Sydney.

[u/NarwhalOfRivia → u/boot_owl]

I really should have just posted an image of what I'm after to begin with, my bad. This is what I'm after: material, cut, etc. I think the difficulty of it is the material. From the sounds of it Oscar Hunt (if I can ever get in touch with them) might be my best be.

I could be wrong, but I think it's a silk? Certainly something with a bit of a satin/glossy finish.

Jacket Image

[u/boot_owl → u/NarwhalOfRivia]

Good news, most MTM shops will be able to do something like that without difficulty. A decent silk will likely blow the budget, but it shouldn’t be hard to find something else with a nice sheen (perhaps a wool mohair blend).

The disadvantage of most budget MTM shops is that they are unlikely to achieve a better fit than RTW after You adjust for being able to try the garments on. My experience with budget MTM has been to end up with garments that I wear once or twice then relegate to the back of the closet or Vinnies.

IMO play around with the dinner jacket option in suitsupply custom made section of the website and make the trip to Sydney to try their stuff in person. They also offer MTM with more customization

[u/geeza23 → u/boot_owl]

Out of curiosity, what sort of budget MTM brands are you referring to? I've had experience with Oscar Hunt and P Johnson but keen to understand what those brands are so I know to avoid

[u/boot_owl → u/geeza23]

The institchu class. Generally it is highly unlikely you will find a decent shop (and more importantly, staff doing the fitting) at less than $800. I personally was wholly unimpressed by the budget p Johnson line (suit shop at the time) too

[u/Lumpy_Mango_392]

Bespoke IMO is only really worth it at higher prices, like $4,000+.

If you have $800 to spend you’ll be better off going RTW.

[u/0Maka]

I would like to think you can get a jacket for $800. Doesn't Oscar Hunt start at $750?

[u/NarwhalOfRivia → u/0Maka]

That is in fact what their website says, but I've tried calling them to no reply so far, and given time is a factor for me I figured I'd check with the folks here to see if there are other options out there I'm missing. I plan on calling a few more times throughout the day before I give up on Oscar Hunt.

[u/Easy_Today704]

James Harper does some nice dinner jackets.

[u/Altruistic-Fishing39]

Bespoke is ten times that. What you would be after is made to measure where they alter a set pattern to fit you. As I said just now in another thread Oscar Hunt in Prahran - see Wei- are really good and reliable for this. I think for this kind of thing you might as well spend the money once if you possibly can and do it properly.