Short answer
Ready-to-wear is sold in finished sizes. Made-to-measure services commonly take measurements and adjust an existing block, but the exact pattern, fitting and timing vary by provider. Ask what is changed, how the garment is checked and what happens if the fit needs attention; then compare price and delivery for the specific offer.
What an MTM service may change
Providers differ. Ask which measurements adjust the starting pattern, what cloth and design options are available, whether fit changes can be reviewed in person, and which adjustments are included. Do not assume every provider offers the same options.
How to check the limits
Show the maker the areas where existing jackets fit poorly. Ask which can be changed in the chosen process, how those changes are assessed and what the provider recommends if the pattern reaches its limits.
Choosing between them in practice
Buy RTW when timing or budget rules, and have a tailor adjust it. Choose MTM when you want made-to-measure options and a more personal fit. Compare bespoke only after confirming the pattern process, fittings, construction and aftercare in writing. Our public-price samples are dated examples, not market-wide estimates.
Every comparison on this site follows the house rule: we name the cases where the cheaper option is the right one. Guide prices referenced: Essential €420, Signature €550, Prestige €770.