Quality over quantity: made-to-order vs. mass-produced clothing

The days of searching store after store for clothes that suit both your body and your style are behind you. With made-to-order brands like Tailor Store, you can create clothing that is designed around your preferences and measurements.
If you value dressing well and choosing with care, made-to-order clothing offers a thoughtful alternative to mass-produced fashion. It gives you more control over fit, design, and quality.

The Downsides of Mass-Produced Clothing

Mass-produced clothing is profitable because manufacturers value quantity over quality, and it works by maximizing production at the lowest possible costs. Between expedited production and satisfying the ever-increasing demand for affordable clothing, imperfections invariably leak through. Mass-manufactured clothing threatens the environment and leads to workers’ exploitation.

Environment Degradation

Globally, the garment industry is the second largest source of water pollution. Growing conventional cotton for mass-produced clothing requires intensive chemical use. Synthetic fabrics used in manufacturing can also contain harmful substances that pollute land and water if they are not disposed of properly.
Despite improved waste management and recycling efforts over the past 50 years, clothing waste in landfills has increased by 500%. People are also quicker to throw garments away. Research shows that the average number of times a piece of clothing is worn before being discarded has decreased by 36% over the last 15 years.
Additionally, textile waste — such as dead stock, blemished fabrics, and materials like trims and yarns — contributes to environmental pollution.

Lower Quality

Mass-produced clothing is lower quality than made-to-order apparel. Instead of utilizing high-quality fabrics like Pima cotton, Mulberry silk, and linen to create their products, fast fashion brands use cheaper materials such as oil-based synthetics and polyester. They bleach these fabrics with toxic chemicals and dyes and complete the designs using inferior craftsmanship.

Exploitation of Workers

Mass production of apparel requires either a large workforce or mechanized production. Few fashion brands have the resources to fully mechanize production, so many rely on human labour instead. As a result, production is often outsourced to countries where labour costs are lower. Some brands take advantage of weak labour protections in these markets and underpay workers or exploit child labour.

The Benefits of Custom-Made Clothing

Mass-produced clothing depends on continuous production, often leading brands to increase inventory in response to demand. Fast fashion now works in constant cycles, which can result in large amounts of dead stock as garments go out of style quickly. Custom-made clothing works differently. Instead of producing clothes in bulk, made-to-order brands like Tailor Store produce only what is ordered and keep no inventory. If you order a sky blue polo shirt and a pair of navy stretch chinos, they are made in the quantity you request. This reduces waste and helps support a more sustainable way of producing clothing.

Superior Quality Apparel

Made-to-order clothing brands work with high-quality fabrics, including 100% long-staple cotton, twill, wool, linen, and 100% pima cotton.
You also have the freedom to choose the fabric that suits your preferences, rather than being limited to a small selection. That gives you the opportunity to explore different high-quality materials and create something that feels right for you.

Free remake Guarantee?
Tailor Store Has You Covered

Choosing custom-made, made-to-order clothing offers several clear benefits: a better fit, less unnecessary waste, and more responsible production. When you shop at Tailor Store, your first purchase is covered by our Perfect Fit Guarantee. You can design your clothes online and preview your choices before ordering. Once you’re happy with your design, our experienced tailors bring it to life using carefully selected high-quality fabrics. Let us help you build a wardrobe that fits you well and reflects your style.