THE MAGEE 1866 GUIDE TO MEN'S TAILORING
Good tailoring is part craft, part conversation. To help men navigate the choice between ready-to-wear suits, made-to-measure tailoring, and Ireland's signature Donegal Tweed, we sat down with two of Magee 1866's in-store tailoring experts, Stephen Harron and Kieran Campbell. Below, they share their advice on fit, fabric, and getting the most wear out of every suit you own.
WHAT MAKES A MAGEE 1866 READY-TO-WEAR SUIT DIFFERENT?
Most ready-to-wear suit brands buy their fabric in from external mills each season. Magee 1866 does it differently. Kieran says, "Unlike many brands that source seasonal fabrics from external mills, Magee 1866 designs and weaves many of their own fabrics in Donegal." Because the fabric is designed and woven in-house in Donegal, every ready-to-wear suit carries a level of provenance and character that's hard to find elsewhere, without sacrificing the simplicity of ready-to-wear.
HOW DOES DONEGAL TWEED PERFORM IN DIFFERENT SEASONS?
One of the most common questions about Donegal Tweed is whether it's a cold-weather fabric only. According to Stephen, that's a misconception, “Because Donegal Tweed is made of natural fibres it possesses natural temperature-regulating properties.” The natural fibres in tweed breathe in warmer months and insulate in colder ones, which is why a well-made tweed suit can move from autumn into winter, and even into a light spring day, far more easily than synthetic-blend alternatives.
WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING A DONEGAL TWEED SUIT?
Beyond seasonality, picking the right tweed suit comes down to two essentials: colour and fit. Kieran says, "Obviously the colour is a big factor here and something that works with your complexion and of course getting the right size and adjustments made if required."A tweed's colourway should complement your skin tone rather than fight against it, and even the best fabric will look unfinished without proper sizing and tailoring adjustments.
WHAT ARE THE KEY BENEFITS OF MADE-TO-MEASURE TAILORING?
For men who want a suit adapted to their measurements, made-to-measure tailoring offers a different experience to buying off the rack: Stephen explains, "Getting to choose your fabric, being measured for the perfect fit and using different materials to suit the client's needs. Getting to personalise your own garment, selecting button types, melton under-collars, lining contrast, and monogramming. Usually you get something unique that's not available off the rack."In short, made-to-measure suits combine fabric choice, fit, and personal detailing, buttons, under-collars, lining, monogramming, into one garment that's genuinely yours.
HOW DO YOU ENSURE THE PERFECT FIT FOR EVERY CUSTOMER?
Fit is where made-to-measure tailoring earns its reputation. It's not just about taking measurements, it's about reading the body. Kieran outlines, "In Made to Measure, the fit isn't just about the tape measure; it's about posture, for example adjusting for a forward-leaning neck or a dropped shoulder is what separates it from a tweaked ready to wear suit." This is the key difference between a ready-to-wear suit that's been taken in slightly and a true made-to-measure suit: posture-led adjustments, like compensating for a forward-leaning neck or a dropped shoulder, that a standard alteration simply can't replicate.
WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A BLAZER?
Stephen talks through the blazer details, "It depends what you require the blazer for, for example if its a casual summer wedding you might look for linen, particularly our Irish linen woven in the mill, or if it is something for work you might look for a more durable fabric like a wool worsted or a durable Donegal Tweed fabric. Again getting the correct fit and style that suits you."
STYLING ADVICE: HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SUIT
A well-bought suit can lose its shape fast if it's worn the wrong way. Stephen and Kieran's top piece of styling and care advice: "Never wear the same suit two days in a row. Wool needs 24 hours to 'rest' and release moisture to maintain its shape. I would encourage clients to wear their tweed suit jacket with chinos, or the suit trousers with a fine-gauge knit. This triples the return on investment of the purchase."
Whether you're buying your first ready-to-wear suit, investing in made-to-measure tailoring, or building a wardrobe around Donegal Tweed, the fundamentals stay the same: the right fabric for the occasion, a fit that accounts for your individual posture and shape, and a care routine that protects your investment long after you leave the shop.
Ready to find your fit? Visit a Magee 1866 store or book a made-to-measure consultation with our in-store tailoring team.
