Some people are very interested in the precise method of manufacture used. And it’s a good thing to be interested in how such a valuable garment is constructed so that you can best enjoy it now and into the future. Cheaper suits tend to come “fused” – so that the interlining is ‘glued’. This tends to produce rippling across the chest and can lead to a suit having a much shorter useful lifespan.

We use the modern way of making suits, referred to as “half hand canvassing”. This is where the chest area is canvassed – thus creating a floating piece – while the bottom area is fused. We use very soft Italian canvas and French interlining for the fusion.

Some would say that means that we have a ‘floating canvas’ but the correct description is “half hand canvassing”.

At ShirtsandSuits.com, we like to work with businesses in your local area, but we understand that you will want to get your measurements taken as precisely as possible. Here is a reply that I gave to one of our clients today from Brisbane:

Our measurements system is aimed to be robust and easy – anyone who has done a bit of sewing can probably do it for you without a second thought, and pretty much anyone can probably do it for you anyway. But if you would like to have your measurements taken professionally, there are a few options.

You can have the measurements taken professionally by many alterations stores. I have had good reports from Helen at LuLu Fashions in Toowong – when I visited her she offered to do your measurements for $20. They are open 8am-6pm Monday to Friday and 9am-noon on Saturday at Shop 4a, 49 Sherwood Road or call them on 3871 0606. You’ll want to take a printout of the measurements page for convenience and to make sure that you get all the measurements.

I send my friends there, though honestly most dry cleaners and alterations stores can do a good job if you ask them.

So grab a printout of our measurements page for men or women and head along to your local drycleaner or alterations store. And please let us know what they are like.

And just remember that if your garment isn’t quite the right fit, just let us know, send it back to us and we’ll fix it up.

Ordering your garments through ShirtsandSuits.com is safe and easy; We are committed to your total satisfaction. Here are some of our commonly asked questions for your information:

1. How much does it cost?
   You will see that we can make your new shirt from just $75 depending upon the fabric chosen. Likewise, in our suits, we have fabrics starting from about $450, ranging up to around $2000. All our garments are made to our exacting standards, sizing and with our full range of customisation options, the only difference being the fabric.
2. How does this work?
   It’s really easy. You just begin perusing our range of products through a few simple steps. For example, when designing a suit, you will choose a fabric and fabric design, before choosing the style of jacket and making a range of customisations for the jacket and the trousers – all the steps are clear, simple and can be very fast. Or, if you prefer, you can take all the time that you want to create exactly the look that you are after.

   Choose your garment.	Select your fabric material.	Pick your fabric design.	Customise your style.	Confirm your measurements.

3. How do I pay?
   We welcome payment through direct deposit, credit card and PayPal. All our payment systems are secure, using the latest technology to protect you.
4. Did you successfully receive my order?
   We will confirm your order within 24 hours. Please ensure that you check the email address that you used when ordering.
5. When will I receive my new clothes?
   Most orders are received within a month of placing the order. We can arrange for priority shipment in addition to our usual standards.
6. What is the returns policy for Shirts and Suits?
   We want you to love your new suit, shirt or whatever else we make for you. If there is any error on our part, we will alter or replace the product at no additional charge. If there is an error in your measurements, just send it to us – we will make alterations and return it to you. Once an order is placed and paid for, it cannot be cancelled or a refund given (notwithstanding statutory rights), but if we receive notification before the garment’s production has begun, we will happily accept changes. For more specific questions, please contact us using our contact page.
7. Can I have you copy my existing clothes or sizing?
   Certainly: We will make an exact copy of your sizing on the basis of your best fitting garments, with whatever adjustments that you might require. After contacting us to make these arrangements, you can simply forward to us your garments and any comments.
8. I am not sure how to measure myself – have you any suggestions?
   If you are unsure you can print the measurement form and go to a local tailor, dry cleaner or alterations shop and have them measure you up. Tailors will often do this for little or no cost. There are many such stores around near you. It’s important that you supply us with as much information as possible to give us the best chance of getting your precise measurements right the first time.
9. Why do you prefer that I send images of myself?
   Seeing photos of yourself allows us to see your body postures so that we can make your suit and shirts fit you better. Ideally, please send us a full back, front and both side profiles, preferably against a black or strongly contrasting background.
10. Will I get a perfect fit?
    We have generations of experience to help make your garment a perfect for you. While we typically get things right first time, we can make things even better with your later orders, and allow you to adjust to exactly how you would like it. If we make a mistake, we will fix the error, but even if you just want to adjust the sizing of your order, please simply forward your garment back to us and we will do what is necessary.
11. Do you charge extra for big and tall?
    No – we charge the same reasonable prices, irrespective of your size or proportions.
12. What if I make a mistake?
    After your order is confirmed, we may be able to make adjustments to the order until work is actually begun. We can only guarantee that you will receive the garment as ordered, so please check your order carefully. In particular, please check the fabric, the design and your measurements. Please do take care as since each of our garments is made for you from the first stitch to the last, we don’t have a way for you to return orders for a refund if you just don’t like how something looks.
13. Fabric appearance
    The fabrics displayed on this site closely correspond to our fabric range. However, the image on your screen may vary, depending upon your monitor. Increasing the brightness of your screen can help you in appreciating the colours accurately, and we do provide a verbal description of many of our fabrics. Please note that sometimes we may be out of stock of your preferred fabric. In such a case, we will inform you and either match the fabric closely or give you the choice of another fabric.
14. Are there any other terms and conditions?
    After receipt of your garments, please check that they fit correctly, and match what you ordered. We don’t always get it right – mostly we do, but not always. So, if you need to make adjustments, please contact us within two weeks, as we will cover adjustment costs entailed up to this time. All prices are inclusive of any GST payable. Of course, you may also have statutory rights beyond this.

If you’re like most of our clients, you will just want to give your new garment a quick pressing after you receive it, and it will be ready to get to work making you look a million dollars.

Your custom-made clothing will offer you many years of service, though will continue to look better for longer if you look after it in the right way. Here are a few ideas for you to consider:

1. Remove all collar stiffeners, cufflinks and contents of pockets before washing.
2. Wash by hand or machine in water no warmer than 40°C.
3. If you choose to machine wash, use a protective bag, like a lingerie bag, to prevent the shirt from chaffing during the spin cycle.
4. Wash dark colours separately from light.
5. Drip dry shirts on hangars – do not tumble dry.
6. Iron when still slightly damp. Alternatively, you can dampen with a water spray.
7. Iron away from the collar points to maintain their shape and smoothness.
8. Avoid fading of dark shirts by ironing on the inside of the collar.
9. Hang your shirt on a thick hanger after ironing. Wire hangers will tend to leave a crease.
10. Bleach, such as napisan, can restore colour and brightness, though use no more than every four or five washes to limit the damage caused to the fabric.
11. Resew buttons when they loosen.

1. Aim to allow a week between wears of a suit to allow the fibres to rejuvenate. This will tend to prolong the life of the suit.
2. Lift your trousers at the knee to minimise stretching.
3. Leave your pockets largely empty, including of coins, your wallet and keys. Weight will both ruin the line of the suit and pull the fabric out of place.
4. Remove all objects from pockets before hanging to avoid bulging and sagging.
5. Use good quality hangers: Wooden is ideal.
6. Trousers may either be folded at the knee or hung from clips attached to the waistband.
7. Hang in a cool, fresh place with plenty of air space. This will give the fabric a chance to breathe, releasing odors and allowing the creases to drop out.
8. Ensure that there is an anti-moth strip in your cupboard.
9. Brush your suit downwards with a good quality clothes brush to remove dust from time to time.
10. Avoid dry cleaning any more frequently than is necessary; dry cleaning damages the fabric and shortens the life of your suit dramatically.
11. When storing for an extended period, be especially careful to ensure that the suit is clean and devoid of food particles or stains that insects might feed upon.
12. Remove your suit from the dry cleaning bag as soon as you have them home. If a bag is necessary, canvas is vastly superior.

The best shirts still need to be ironed or pressed correctly to look as good as you deserve. Whether you are the ironer in your household or not, you can benefit from knowing a few tricks that my mother taught me…
Hang your shirts promptly
While leaving them in the washer or dryer might be convenient at times, the longer that you leave them there, the harder they are going to be to iron, and the shorter their life expectancy will be. Remember, much of the damage to your clothes is not caused when you wear them, but when you wash them!

Hang your shirts promptly, preferably on a good quality timber hanger.

100% cotton: Humidity counts
When you are ironing a 100% cotton shirt, iron it damp from washing, or at least spray the shirt and let it sit in a plastic bag for 10 or 15 minutes. This will dissolve so much of your hard work by relaxing the fibres. The result: Less wrinkles and sharper creases.
Follow the guidelines given by your iron manufacturerSet the iron temperature to suit the fabric that you’re ironing. It sounds simple… but make sure that you still do it!

1. Collar first: Start by pressing the wrong side of the collar, then press the right or visible side both of the band and of the collar itself.
2. Upper shirt: Press around the upper portion and yoke of the shirt, moving from one side of the front, around the back to the other side of the front.
3. Sleeves: First the cuff wrong sides, then the cuff right sides, then the rest of the sleeves. Yes, this is done before the rest of the shirt.
4. Position the sleeve placket side up, with the underarm seam along one edge; smooth the sleeve to find the upper arm crease. Then, flip the sleeve over and press that side before repeating for the other arm.
5. Lower shirt: Press the remainder of the shirt, working from one side of the front around the back to the other side of the front.
6. Hang: With the shirt ironed, give it space to cool and dry completely.