Playing with words. Bespoke or custom made?
Having become as confused as everyone else regarding all the different terms used to promote luxury goods, I set about seeking some enlightenment. My attempts at defining some of the terms which have become so common are listed below:
The term 'bespoke' originated from the tailors at Savile Row, in London's West End. Following a customer's request to be fitted for a suit, he would then choose the cloth from which the suit would be made. Untill the suit was completed that particular bolt of cloth was considered to 'be spoken' for and would not be offered to other customers. 'Bespoke' also implies the creation of a piece of clothing which is not made from a pre-existing pattern, but one made from a pattern specifically drawn up for the measurements of the individual customer.
The term 'made-to-measure' also refers to luxury tailoring. But here, rather than have a pattern drawn and cut for the individual, it is more likely that the tailor will alter a standard-sized pattern in order to create the made-to-measure garment.
'Custom made' is the term which implies that the item is made to the customer's specification. This term, of course does not limit itself to tailoring, and can include just about any item that can be made to comply with the requirements and within the constraints of the customer's specification.
'Made-to-order' is simply another term for custom made.
'Hand made' is the term which suggests that an item has been made or prepared by hand, rather than by machine.
'Hand sewn' or 'hand-stitched' are self explanatory terms which mean that the item has not been sewn by a machine.