When In Manila, here’s where to get the BEST Christmas gift for the most special man in your life… I just did!
The best Christmas gift? Getting my boyfriend a bespoke suit at TIÑO!
The writer and the gift box from Tiño’s — aka my boyfriend’s Christmas present!
Be-what-now? Bespoke basically means done exactly to the specifications of the wearer — in short, it’s a suit made just for you and only you! There’s a difference between bespoke and made-to-measure suits: made-to-measure suits are done from an existing pattern and modifications to fit your body are done from there; bespoke suits, on the other hand, are done exactly from scratch, with new patterns created each time for an individual wearer, taking into consideration every detail on your body to ensure that the suit comes out smooth and falls on you perfectly.
Tiño’s Suits and Barongs is the first Filipino bespoke suit shop in the country. The Master Tailor, Napoleon Arienza, affectionately called as “Dad”, was once Former President Joseph Estrada’s personal tailor, and was trained in Italy. Of course, it goes without saying that he’s had almost 40 years of experience in tailoring, with a high-profile clientele such as different politicians and businessmen before opening the shop in 2012.
Why get a bespoke suit? A lot of guys, nay, people think that buying or renting out suits for a very special affair is a great way to save money. But if you’re living in this modern, fast-paced world, you’ll realize that you might have to wear suits a lot more often than just the occasional graduation, debut, or wedding you’ll be attending! Contrary to popular belief, suits off-the-rack (AKA buying them in department stores or boutiques) would actually cost more if you continue on purchasing a different one for every occasion! Oh, and don’t even get me started on the ones who buy ONE suit and wears it to every event they attend!
Now, why is this such a HUGE fashion faux pas? First of all, buying off-the-rack means that there is a very, very good chance that the suit, especially the blazer you’re wearing is ill-fitting. The shoulders may be too wide or too tight, the cuffs too long or short, the chest might be too snug or too loose, all resulting in a hot, crumpled mess.
Ever wonder why some guys just don’t look good in suits, while men like Barney Stinson and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (aka #APECBae) look like hotness on a stick in their suited-up glory? No, you’re not imagining it, and there’s one answer for that: Bespoke.
In a nutshell, bespoke suits are a great personalized gift for the special men in your life: not only does it ensure a perfect fit, these suits are a great investment that will last a lifetime. (More on this on the next page!)
Hear it from a guy’s perspective on Bespoke Suits At TIÑO on the next page!
