We looked sharp, testing the 5 best custom-made tailors in Canberra
Finding a suit that fits like a glove can completely change how you walk into a room, especially when off-the-rack options never seem to line up with your real proportions.
If you’re ready to ditch tight shoulders and bunching fabric, booking a session with a great custom-made tailor in Canberra is the easiest way to lift your whole look.
Maybe you’re dressing up for a big corporate presentation or a formal black-tie event, a properly fitted outfit makes a massive difference to how confident you feel.
So, I looked into the local shops that truly know their craft. Here are my top picks.
How much does custom tailoring cost in Canberra?
Custom tailoring in Canberra typically costs between $699 and $1,599 for a made-to-measure suit. A true bespoke garment can run $2,000 to $3,500 or more, depending on the fabric and the level of handwork.
| Service Type | Price Range (AUD) |
| Made-to-measure custom suits | $699 – $1,599 |
| True bespoke tailoring | $2,000 – $3,500+ |
| Suit alterations (off-the-rack) | $100 – $350 |
| Basic trouser adjustments | $15 – $60 |
| Complex jacket structural modifications | $110 – $180 |
1. A & V Tailors
Website: http://www.avtailoring.com/
Address: Level 1/16 Garema Place
Contact: (02) 6248 7072
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-5:30 PM; Saturday, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Finding an old-school artisan who pairs seven decades of traditional craftsmanship with precise measuring is essential if you want an outfit matching your exact silhouette. A & V Tailors fits the bill perfectly.
My friend actually took me here last year to fix up an old jacket. While we were there, we found they offer a premium silk-lined gusset option for extra reinforcement and all-day comfort.
They also walk you through an easy four-step design process where you choose fabrics and get measured up before your final try-on. Plus, they stock handy in-store accessories like pocket squares to finish your look.
The one catch is that their shop sits in the busy pedestrian-only zone of Garema Place, so finding a close parking spot can be a real headache. Once you’re inside, though, the craftsmanship more than makes up for the walk.
Super professional and exceptional service
One word: phenomenal. I don’t recommend you look anywhere else, this is the place. Precision custom made and top quality material wedding tuxedo that I acquired. Hassan and Hussein are the experts in the field, super professional with exceptional customer service. You won’t get this kind of service anywhere these days. Much appreciated, gentlemen.
– Ba Ki | Google Review
2. InStitchu
Website: https://institchu.com/showroom/canberra
Address: Shop 2, 54 Marcus Clarke St
Contact: +61 2 6113 0891
Hours: Monday-Wednesday and Saturday, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM; Thursday, 9:00 AM-8:00 PM; Friday, 9:00 AM-7:00 PM; Sunday, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
If you want to design a garment down to the exact lapel style without any stress, InStitchu makes made-to-measure tailoring incredibly simple, backed by a solid, perfect-fit guarantee.
They specialise in bundled tailoring deals that let you grab custom shirts and sharp suits together to refresh your work wardrobe as quickly as getting your resume writing done. They even craft custom-tailored casual denim for a flawless fit on weekends.
I also like that they offer tiered discounts of up to 25% if you need to outfit a whole wedding party.
The main thing to watch is timing, since their standard four-to-five-week turnaround can leave you stranded if a last-minute event pops up. So, plan your dates early, and you’ll be well covered.
Great experience
Dex greatly assisted me with getting a custom suit made for my wedding. As someone who hasn’t worn a suit in years, he was able to expertly guide me through the whole process to order an amazing suit. So excited to see the finished product, cheers for the wine.
– Joshua Hanckel | Google Review
Excellent value
I would highly recommend anyone looking at any form of suiting, shirts, ties or coats to visit InStitchu Canberra. Their business model is incredibly efficient, and it’s complemented by the wonderful, intelligent and friendly service provided by their store manager, Ashlee. I will certainly be returning, as their selection is enormous, with the major benefit of delivering custom fitting clothes at a great price. Thanks Ashlee!
– Dominic Hill | Google Review
3. Germanicos Bespoke Tailors Canberra
Website: https://tailor.com.au/
Address: Level 1/18 National Circuit, Barton
Contact: 1300 TAILOR (824567)
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-8:30 PM; Saturday-Sunday, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
Skipping boring standard templates is easy when you work with a crew that drafts completely bespoke blueprint patterns from scratch to flatter your build. That’s exactly what Germanicos Bespoke Tailors Canberra does.
When I spoke with their lead stylist during a quick consultation last month, he showed me how their in-house 3D design software lets you preview the final garment before any fabric is cut.
They’ll also give you access to an incredible collection of over 15,000 premium fabrics from top European mills. And they always recommend breathable options like merino wool to handle sudden weather shifts.
That kind of range makes it easy to land on something that suits both your style and the climate.
Just keep in mind that you need to be fully committed before signing off on your design, because they enforce a strict $100 cancellation fee even within the first 24 hours.
Definitely worth the price
I have had two three-piece suits created by Germanicos, and have been very impressed with the process and the end product both times. Martin is very friendly and personable, and I would definitely recommend him and Germanicos to anyone who wants a bespoke suit. It is definitely worth the price to get such a special garment made!
– Daniel Fearnley | Google Review
Better than expected
Marnie and Martin were fantastic to deal with. I provided Martin with the colour scheme I needed for my suit and my groomsmen’s suits, and boy did he deliver. Super happy with the quality of the fabrics and the process around getting it fitted and adjusted. An overview of the timings around payments would have been good in advance, but still, the outcome was better than expected. I just might have to go back and buy more tailored items from them.
– Luke Styche | Google Review
4. Rodger Bartholomew
Website: https://www.rodgerbartholomew.com.au/
Address: 161 City Walk
Contact: (02) 6248 5387
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:30 AM-5:00 PM; Friday, 9:30 AM-7:00 PM; Saturday, 9:30 AM-4:00 PM; Sunday, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
Stepping into an establishment that keeps a seventy-year family legacy alive is a real treat, especially when the team offers friendly styling advice alongside beautifully curated menswear.
Rodger Bartholomew is that kind of historic shop that features stunning suits from their exclusive label. Their pieces are crafted by a master tailor using lab-tested Australian merino wool from Drago that feels incredible against your skin.
They also carry characterful handmade fabrics like authentic Harris Tweed for clients who want to stand out at a fancy dinner, a museum visit, or any polished day out.
The only real downside is that their City Walk location means fighting through heavy pedestrian traffic at peak hours, which can get a little annoying.
Go-to tailor in Canberra
This is my go-to tailor in Canberra. Friendly and helpful staff and high quality clothing. Update: yep, still the best years later. The type of place you go to because you want to support quality goods and fantastic people.
– Alex Orr | Google Review
Made my clients look dashing
As a wedding photographer, I can’t thank Rodger Bartholomew enough for making my clients look so dashing in their bespoke suits. Just like their brides glowed in their wedding dresses, the grooms owned it in style! The custom-made tailoring brings out each customer’s charisma and makes them all sharp and dapper. You’ll be hard-pressed to find another shop offering the same quality of service.
– James Harber | Google Review
5. Made To Measure Suits
Website: http://www.madetomeasuresuits.com.au/
Address: Unit 10, Ground Floor, City Walk Centre, 131 City Walk, Civic
Contact: (02) 6166 2588
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM; Friday, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM; Saturday, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Boosting your everyday confidence becomes effortless when you wear durable suits with your own personalised monograms or unique inner linings. That’s the niche Made To Measure Suits owns.
The creative consultants here are incredibly flexible with design, helping you navigate thousands of buttons and intricate stitches to match your colour scheme.
To guarantee total accuracy, they always build a full practice mock-up garment first so you can test the overall fit before the final fabric cut. That meticulous step is a big part of why the finished result comes out so well.
The trade-off is that all that care stretches out your total wait time quite a bit. So, they’re not the fast solution if you need a suit for an urgent event next week.
Reasonably priced
With Anthony’s subtle guidance, we designed my wedding suit. He has many options, and for the quality, attention to detail and involvement he provides, the price is very reasonable. I look forward to designing another suit with him in the near future. My guests could not stop complimenting the suit. Thank you Anthony.
– Matthew Dennett | Google Review
Great, high quality shirts
Anthony delivered great, high quality shirts. He delivers personal, friendly service to make the fabric selection and measuring and fit-out process seamless. He is also highly responsive and flexible, since I had to change my appointments on short notice on two occasions.
– David Hevey | Google Review