Modicum Bespoke

Questions.

These are the questions we hear most often. If yours isn't answered here, call us. We prefer the conversation.

The Work

What does "bespoke" mean, and what do you actually do?

We are not tailors altering suits made elsewhere. We build custom wardrobes from the ground up — every garment designed and constructed to your specifications, from scratch.

Bespoke means the garment is yours before it exists. We take your measurements, discuss the occasion and your preferences, select cloth together, and then have the piece constructed by hand. The result is clothing that fits your body, your life, and the moments you're preparing for.

What can you make?

Suits, sport coats, trousers, shirts, overcoats, tuxedos, and vests. If it's tailored menswear, we can build it. Most clients start with a suit or sport coat and expand from there as the relationship deepens.

How long does it take?

Four to six weeks for most garments. Twelve weeks for more complex pieces like overcoats or heavily detailed work. We'll give you an exact timeline during the first conversation based on what you're commissioning and when you need it.

Do I need to come to Napa, or can this be done remotely?

We strongly prefer in-person fittings, especially for a first garment. Measuring a body well requires presence — the way you stand, the way your shoulders sit, the small asymmetries we all carry. These things don't translate over video.

That said, we work with clients who travel frequently or live elsewhere. If distance is a factor, we'll discuss what's possible. Some relationships begin remotely and deepen over time. It's not ideal, but it's not impossible.

What if the garment doesn't fit when it arrives?

It will fit. That is the point of bespoke. But bodies shift, posture changes, and occasionally a detail lands differently than it read on paper.

We conduct a final fitting when the garment arrives and make any necessary adjustments at no additional cost — assuming the garment was built to the specifications we discussed. If something feels off, we address it. If the issue is a miscommunication or a change of preference, we'll talk through options. The goal is a garment you're proud to wear, and we don't consider the work finished until that's true.

Investment

How much does it cost?

Investment begins at $2,500 for a bespoke suit and scales based on cloth selection, construction details, and complexity. Shirts start at $350. Sport coats at $1,800. Overcoats at $3,200.

We discuss pricing transparently during the first conversation, once we understand what you're building and which cloths speak to you. There are no hidden costs. What we quote is what you pay.

When is payment due?

Payment is required in full before construction begins. Once cloth is selected and measurements are finalized, we issue an invoice. Payment clears, construction starts.

This is standard practice in bespoke tailoring — the garment is being made specifically for you, from materials chosen specifically for you, and cannot be resold if the relationship doesn't work out. We ask for the same commitment we're making.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept bank transfers (ACH), checks, and major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). For clients commissioning multiple pieces or building a full wardrobe, we can discuss a payment structure that makes sense.

Cancellation

What is your cancellation policy?

Once payment is made and construction begins, the commission is non-refundable. This is not a policy we take lightly — it reflects the reality of what bespoke means. The moment your cloth is cut, it exists only for you. The materials are yours, the pattern is drawn to your body, and the labor has begun. There is no unwinding that.

If circumstances change before construction begins — meaning before cloth has been ordered and cut — reach out immediately. We will do our best to work with you. Once the process is in motion, however, we are unable to offer refunds.

What we can always offer is a commitment to see the work through. If something isn't right, we will make it right. We don't consider a commission closed until the garment meets the standard we set together at the beginning.

Getting Started

How do I get started?

Fill out the form on the Begin page, or call us at (707) 307-5005. We'll schedule a time to meet — in Napa, in Saint Helena, or over the phone if geography requires it.

The first conversation is at no cost and no obligation. We just want to understand what you're building and whether this is a good fit. If it is, we move forward. If it's not, we'll tell you honestly.

What should I bring to the first appointment?

Yourself. If you have reference images — a jacket you love, a style you've been drawn to, a photo from a film or a magazine — bring those. If you have a garment that fits well or one that never quite worked, bring that too. Context helps.

But mostly, just come ready to talk. The conversation is the beginning.

Still have questions? We'd rather talk than type.
Call us at (707) 307-5005 or begin here.