Love them or hate them, every gentleman will need a suit in his lifetime. The production of a suit takes 200 operations from start to finish, around the same amount also used for the manufacturing of a pair of shoes. In tailor’s shops, they are still made using handicrafts.
When it comes to suits, they really do come in all shapes and sizes, and fabrics too. 
Tailors and manufacturers try to use a range of materials for the production of suits, sometimes very expensive ones in order to have a great result like wool, mohair, cashmere, vicuna, cashmere wool, alpaca wool, even lotus flower.
As the British businessman Peter Johnson said once: “There are so many ways you can approach wearing a suit. The styling options are endless”.
European brands have left their footprint and franchise worldwide regarding the production of suits because of the high quality and fine fabrics. What many don´t know is, Albania contributes a lot in manufacturing in this industry leaving its mark as well.
Some of the most famous European suit manufacturing brands
- Topman – From British high street phenomenon to worldwide dominator, Topman has come a long way since its inception in 1978 with over 250 stores in the UK and a further 154 stores internationally across 31 countries. It’s affordable and cool – the perfect brand for men who are getting started with their suit game.
- Hugo Boss – German-born and made, Hugo Boss has become a top men’s luxury brand without the hefty price tag. Their suits and tuxedos are the go-to brands for men all over the world. Expect a top-quality product, just like a Porsche.
- Burberry – Anglophiles, rejoice. Burberry offers British heritage tailoring to the modern gent with an old-soul taste. It takes inspiration from classic fabrics, trims, and techniques while presenting suits in newer shapes and updated materials.
- Tom Ford – Tom Ford does tuxedos better than most. So, if you’ve got a black-tie event or want to charm in a dinner jacket, formal dressing is at its finest with Tom. Tux’s (and regular suits too) are designed in a contemporary slim cut from subtle sheen mohair and wool, with dinner jackets decked in shawl lapels trimmed with satin for pure elegance. Very chic.
- Loro Piana – For the Italian brand Loro Piana, it is all about the fabric material. Ever since its foundation in 1924, this privately-owned brand has weaved the best cashmere known to man and is yet the world’s biggest and largest producer of the most delicate stuff today.
- Suitsupply – The official supplier for the Dutch Olympic Team, founded in 2000 by Fokke de Jong, was named by GQ magazine among the best new menswear stores in 2011. The brand is known also for its controversial ad campaigns.
Made-to-measure suits
Tailor-made suits are considered the most exquisite piece of tailoring. Expensive, but completely worth it, a tailor-made suit that fits perfectly gives a shaper look and enhances the physique. Besides personal style, the made-to-measure suits businesses that cater to a variety of body shapes and sizes. On the other hand, ready-to-wear suits are an excellent option, especially for those who have the standard mannequin measurements. For many others, great ready-to-wear suits still will be needing tailoring and alterations to fit like a tee and flatter the body type.
The diversity of human bodies is pushing businesses to create clothes that make their customers feel more comfortable, even when they shop online. Hence, besides the well-known high-end brands that have been making bespoke suits, other businesses are following closely the trend. They conduct extensive research to provide innovative options that fit e-commerce shoppers.
Some of the top European brands in the business of made-to-measure suits are Richmart, Steed Bespoke Tailors, Crombie, Stefano Ricci, L.B.M 1911, Lanieri, Canali, Angelo Galasso, NHK, Armani, Ermenegildo Zegna, Prada, etc.
Suit Manufacturing in Italy
The Italian textile industry has occupied a position of supremacy all over the world since the late Middle Ages and the range of Italian fabrics is still today the point of reference for men who expect more from their formal clothing, especially suits.
The most established Italian suit manufacturers and tailors have built an excellent reputation over time, based mainly on the elegance and value of their fabrics.
The main reason why the world still adores ‘Made in Italy’ suits is that the various textile brands have given great value to sensory characteristics such as design, lightness, consistency, fiber quality, and a series of sophisticated and innovative production processes.
There is no doubt that Italians know good design and have an eye for quality, and for this reason, Italy is still among the world leaders for the creation of exclusive, beautiful, and valuable suits.
Interesting to know is, that Albania does a lot of white-label suit manufacturing for European brands, including some of the most famous Italian ones.
Sustainable and ethical suit brands in Europe
More and more people spend money on brands that share their same values, especially in terms of sustainability. Nowadays, customers are aware of the numerous ethical issues in the fashion industry. Unlike fur coats or leather clothing and accessories that fall into personal style choices, suits are a necessity to many. Hence, various brands embraced sustainable models in their entire production chains. Such brands offer ethical options to customers looking for suits made of durable and sustainable materials, but also manufactured and marketed in a sustainable manner.
In Europe, some of the brands that make sustainable suits are Carpasus, Hangrr, Moss Bros, King & Allen Eco Suit, etc.
The suit manufacturing in Albania
Suit manufacturing in Albania is part of the well-developed textile industry that Albania has had in the last two decades along with footwear production. Suit manufacturing exports make up 4.2 percent of the total exports that Albania does. Famous examples of international European brands include Zara (Spain) and Harmont & Blaine (Italy) who work with Albanian manufacturers for the production of their suits, like the privately-ownedKler’ manufacturer.
‘Kler’ does all the cutting and finishing of their garments in its factory, and sends the finished suits back to the respective countries in Europe. The low cost of labor, the new and modern cutting machinery used, and the geographical closeness with western Europe are some of the main reasons why Albania is seen as an important country in Europe to manufacture suits for the mainland.
The men’s coats, jackets, and suits market is poised to grow by USD 20.34 billion during 2020-2024, a Technavio market forecast says. For those European brands and startups planning to invest in the suit manufacturing sector, Albania would be an advantageous choice.
If you‘re looking for a list of suit manufacturers in Albania, have a request or further questions, please use the contact form below.