What to Expect at Your First Custom Clothing Appointment
A first-timer's guide to the experience at J&L Clothiers in Skokie, IL
If you've never ordered custom clothing before, walking into your first appointment can feel a bit intimidating. How do you know what to get? What do you bring? How long does it take? What should you already know?
We get it, it’s a lot. That's what we're here for.
At J&L Clothiers in Skokie, IL, we work with first-timers all the time — and the best clients we have are often the ones who walk in knowing nothing about custom clothing but have an idea about how they want to feel when they wear it. Here's an honest, practical breakdown of what your first appointment looks like from start to finish.
Before You Arrive
You don't need to do any homework before your consultation. You don't need to know what fabric you want, what lapel style you prefer, or what the difference between a notch and a peak lapel even is. That's our job.
That said, a little inspiration never hurts. If you've seen a suit on someone — a colleague, a celebrity, a photo online — and thought that's exactly what I want, save the image. A photo is worth a thousand words, and it gives us a great starting point for the conversation.
Beyond that, just come as you are. If you have a favorite dress shirt, jacket, or trouser bring it with! It’s always great to see what you like already so we can use it to help understand what you love about it and how we can incorporate that into whatever you are getting. If you don’t though, that’s okay, we’ve got you!
The Consultation — Getting to Know You
Your appointment starts with a conversation, not a measuring tape.
Before we touch a single piece of fabric, we want to understand you — your lifestyle, your wardrobe, your taste, and most importantly, what's been frustrating you about the way clothes fit. Maybe suits always pull across your shoulders. Maybe you can never find trousers long enough. Maybe you've just never owned anything that felt truly right. Whatever it is, that conversation shapes everything that follows.
We'll ask questions like:
Where will you wear this most — work, events, weddings, everyday?
How often do you wear this type of clothing?
What's your personal style — classic, modern, bold, understated?
Are there specific fabrics, colors, or details you're drawn to?
What's your timeline?
There are no wrong answers. The goal is simply to make sure the garment we build fits your life, not just your body.
Choosing Your Fabric & Design
Once we have a feel for what you're looking for, the fun part begins.
We'll pull fabrics based on your consultation — from our curated selection of Italian, English, and Japanese cloths — and walk you through the options that make the most sense for your needs and budget. The goal is to present you with guidance and options so that you can make the right choice for yourself.
From there, we'll work through the design details together. For example:
Lapel style — notch, peak, or shawl
Button configuration — one, two, or three button
Lining — classic, contrasting, or custom printed
Pockets — flap, jetted, patch
Stitching, monogramming, and finishing details
Don't feel pressured to have opinions on all of this. Some clients know exactly what they want; others defer entirely to our recommendations. Both approaches work perfectly — we'll guide you toward choices that make sense for the garment, the occasion, and your personal style.
Getting Measured
Once your design is locked in, we take your measurements — and we're thorough about it.
We take more than 30 individual measurements, going well beyond the basic chest-waist-inseam that most people are used to. We account for posture, shoulder slope, arm length, how you carry weight, and the subtle asymmetries that every body has. (Spoiler: no one is perfectly symmetrical, and a great custom garment accounts for that.)
The whole measurement process takes about 15–20 minutes and is completely straightforward. We'll note any specific fit preferences you have — if you like a roomier seat in your trousers, or a slightly shorter jacket length, or extra room through the chest — and those preferences get built into your pattern.
This measurement profile is kept on file, which means future orders are significantly faster and easier. After your first garment, you'll never need a full remeasure unless your body changes meaningfully.
What Happens After Your Appointment
Once your order is placed, your garment goes into production. There are two production processes based on your timeframe and how difficult your fit is. The first option is our standard with a turnaround time of 6–8 weeks, during which your clothing is being cut and constructed to your exact specifications. The second option is a scrap fitting where we see how your pattern will fit and drape on your body after 4-6 weeks before proceeding with your final garment.
For both options, we get together to see either your garment or the sample on you. This is where we evaluate the fit together. We check every angle — how the jacket sits on your shoulders, how the trousers break at the shoe, how the shirt tapers to your body. If any adjustments are needed, we handle all alterations at no additional cost. You don't leave until it's right.
Once we’ve had the alterations appointment it’s not long until your final piece is ready for you and for many clients, one fitting session is all it takes. Alterations typically take approximately 2 weeks to complete, and if we are doing a scrap fitting the final garment will be completed about 4 weeks later.
How Long Does the First Appointment Take?
Plan for about 60–90 minutes for your first consultation. That includes the conversation, fabric and design selection, and measurements. It's a meaningful chunk of time, but it's also the most important investment you'll make in the process — everything that happens afterward flows from what we establish in that first session.
Subsequent appointments (fittings, reorders) are typically much shorter, often 30 minutes or even less.
A Few Things First-Timers Often Ask
Do I need to bring anything? Just yourself — and anything you might have to help us better understand your preferences.
Is there a minimum order? No minimum. Some clients start with a single shirt to try the process. Others come in ready to build out a full wardrobe. We're happy to start wherever makes sense for you.
What if I don't love what I ordered? It's rare, but we stand behind our work. If something isn't right at your fitting, we fix it. That's not a policy — it's just how we operate.
Can I bring someone with me? Absolutely. A lot of clients bring a spouse, partner, or trusted friend — especially for wedding orders. A second opinion is always welcome.
Ready to Book?
We're located in Skokie, IL, just minutes from Chicago's North Shore — serving clients from Evanston, Wilmette, Lincolnwood, Northbrook, Glenview, and across the greater Chicago area.
If you've been thinking about custom clothing and just haven't pulled the trigger, consider this your sign. The first appointment is the hardest step — and it's a lot easier than you think.