If you’ve ever worn a suit that felt like it was made for someone else — too tight across the shoulders, too long in the sleeve, pulling at the waist — you already understand why so many professionals, grooms, and discerning dressers in the Washington DC area are turning to custom tailoring.
In Alexandria, VA, one name has quietly built a reputation for providing high-quality, custom suits: BARG Garments, the studio of master tailor Reza Mohammadi, located in the heart of Old Town at 108 N Alfred Street.
This guide covers everything you need to know about getting a custom suit in Alexandria, VA — from what bespoke actually means, to what you should expect at your first fitting, to why more DC-area professionals are choosing custom suits over off-the-rack options.
Quick Answer: BARG Garments creates exceptional custom suits in about 5 weeks. These bespoke suits start at $1,800 and include consultation, measurements, fabric/design selection, a first fitting “test” garment, and the final bespoke suit. With their Custom Fit Guarantee, customers are guaranteed their new custom suit will fit perfectly.
What Does ‘Custom Suit’ Actually Mean?
In the suit world, not all “custom” is created equal. Before you spend money, it helps to understand the three levels of tailoring available in the Alexandria and DC metro area:
1. Off-the-Rack (Ready to Wear)
These are suits made in standard sizes and sold as-is. Off-the-rack suits are manufactured in standard sizes. They’re altered slightly after purchase, but the base pattern is generic. If you’ve ever had a suit that fits in the chest but gaps at the back — or fits at the waist but is too short — you know the limitations.
2. Made-to-Measure (MTM)
Made-to-measure suits use an existing base pattern adjusted to your measurements. Many made-to-measure services fall into this category. They offer more customization than off-the-rack, but you’re still working within a template. For men with non-standard proportions — broader chest, shorter arms, narrow waist — MTM has real limits.
3. Bespoke / True Custom
A bespoke suit is built from scratch — specifically for your body, your posture, your lifestyle. There is no pre-existing template. The pattern is drafted from your individual measurements. BARG Garments operates at this level. Every custom suit begins with a blank canvas and becomes something that exists nowhere else in the world.
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re between sizes, have a larger chest and narrower waist, or have broad shoulders with shorter arms, bespoke tailoring will deliver a result that MTM never can.
Why Alexandria, VA Professionals Choose BARG Garments
With Washington DC just across the river and Arlington minutes away, the Northern Virginia corridor is home to a uniquely demanding professional class — government officials, senior executives, military officers, diplomats, and business leaders who dress for rooms where every detail is noticed.
Reza Mohammadi brings more than 25 years of tailoring experience to BARG Garments. He founded BARG in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2006 and rebuilt the company in Alexandria in February 2024.
- True bespoke construction — not made-to-measure, not template-based
- 25+ years of tailoring experience under master craftsman Reza Mohammadi
- Custom fit guarantee, meaning you will love the way it fits
- ~300 premium fabric combinations including Italian wools, cashmeres, and linens
- Whole wardrobe custom options for men: custom suits, sport jackets, trousers, tuxedos, and custom shirts
- Whole wardrobe custom options for women: wedding dresses, formal gowns, custom suits, trousers, and custom shirts
- Typical custom suit timeline of ~5 weeks, with earlier deadlines discussed case by case
- Walk-ins are welcome; however, appointments are recommended so we can provide a focused, private, one-on-one consultation
- 4.9-star Google rating, based on 60+ reviews
One client, reviewing the studio after receiving a custom suit within four weeks, specifically noted that another major tailor in the area had turned him away due to a tight deadline. Reza delivered on the requested schedule.
The Custom Suit Process at BARG Garments: Step by Step
Understanding the process helps you arrive prepared and confident. Here’s what to expect from your first visit through final delivery:
Step 1: Complimentary Consultation
Your journey begins with a free one-on-one consultation. Reza discusses your lifestyle, the occasions you’ll wear the suit, your style preferences — lapel width, button stance, lining color, pocket style, vents — and your budget. With Reza’s guidance, you will also review the ~300 fabric options. Based on your preferences, you will receive a fixed price quote, no surprises later on.
If you want to move forward, Reza will proceed to the measurement step. Based on his 25+ years of experience, he will ensure the suit is designed specifically for your body shape and posture.
Step 2: First Fitting Garment (2-3 weeks)
After style, fabric, construction, and measurements are finalized, BARG creates a first fitting garment in test fabric. Think of this as a “test” suit to ensure the final one will fit perfectly.
During the trial fitting, we assess the garment’s balance, proportions, comfort, and how it sits and moves on the client’s body. We refine the pattern and confirm the required adjustments before cutting the client’s selected final fabric.
Step 3: Final Garment and Fit Confirmation (2-3 weeks)
BARG recreates the refined garment in the selected fabric. At the final appointment, we review the completed garment’s fit with the client. Under the Custom Fit Guarantee, BARG will make additional adjustments, as needed.
While a custom suit typically takes ~5 weeks, it’s possible to meet a deadline as short as 2 weeks by skipping the test garment.
Custom Suit Pricing in Alexandria, VA
One of the most common questions: how much does a custom suit cost in the DC area? Here’s a straightforward breakdown for BARG Garments:
- Custom suits and tuxedos typically range from $1,800 – $3,500
Prices vary based on fabric selection, complexity of design & style, two-piece or three-piece configuration, and construction details (i.e. fused, half-canvas, or full-canvas). Reza is transparent about pricing during the consultation — no hidden fees, no upsell surprises.
BARG garments can also create other pieces for your wardrobe:
- Custom sport jackets typically range from $1,500 – $2,200
- Custom trousers typically range from $390 – $650
- Custom dress shirts typically range from $270 – $380
- Custom winter overcoats typically range from $3,500 – $4,500
For clients who wear a piece frequently, durability, fit, repairability, and cost per wear can all matter more than the initial purchase price alone. The right comparison depends on how often the garment is worn and how it is maintained.
How to Select the Right Fabric?
With ~300 fabric options, selecting the right one can feel overwhelming. Reza guides you through the various options, discussing what works best for the occasion, Virginia’s climate, and your personal coloring.
“My first question is whether the client wants a versatile suit for much of the year or something specifically for warmer or colder weather. I also ask where and how often they will wear it, because an everyday office suit and a summer outdoor wedding suit have different requirements.
At BARG, we focus on natural-fibre fabrics, including wool and selected blends with linen or silk. For versatile wear, I often recommend a medium-weight wool. For warmer weather, we consider breathable weaves and lighter construction; for winter, we look at heavier wool fabrics and warmer finishes.
My practical advice is to choose the fabric for how you will actually wear the suit, rather than simply choosing the highest Super number. Super numbers describe wool-fibre fineness, not fabric weight or season. We help clients compare the feel, drape, weight, composition, and appearance of the fabrics before making their choice.”
– Reza Mohammadi
What Occasions Call for a Custom Suit in Alexandria?
Custom suits are not just for weddings. The professionals and residents BARG Garments serves wear their custom garments to:
- Congressional hearings and Capitol Hill meetings
- Corporate board presentations and executive functions
- Embassy events and diplomatic receptions in the DC area
- Black-tie charity galas in Washington DC
- Wedding ceremonies — for both grooms and guests
- Military promotion ceremonies and formal balls at Fort Belvoir and JBM-HH
- Federal court appearances and legal proceedings
A suit that fits perfectly signals precision, attention to detail, and self-respect — qualities that matter deeply in every one of these rooms.
“One BARG client wanted an outfit suitable for both dressier occasions and more relaxed settings. Rather than a traditional matching suit, I recommended a patterned jacket with complementary solid wool trousers.
Together, the pieces offered a coordinated, polished look. The same jacket could also be worn with jeans or chinos, giving the client several ways to use the garments.
We presented fabric and lining samples alongside reference images of similar combinations. This helped the client understand how the colours, textures, and individual pieces would work together before confirming the design.”
– Reza Mohammadi
Custom Suits for Women in Alexandria, VA
BARG Garments crafts bespoke garments for women as well — custom suits, blazers, and tailored trousers that deliver the same precision fit available to men. Women in leadership roles, legal professionals, and government officials in the DC area know that a well-fitted women’s suit carries the same authoritative presence as any bespoke men’s suit.
Serving Alexandria and the Greater DC Metro Area
BARG Garments is located at 108 N Alfred Street in Old Town Alexandria — a central location that serves clients across the entire Northern Virginia and DC corridor. The studio regularly serves clients from:
- Old Town Alexandria (22314, 22301) — walkable from the studio
- Arlington, VA (Pentagon City, Clarendon, Crystal City)
- McLean and Tysons Corner
- Washington, DC (Georgetown, Capitol Hill, Dupont Circle)
- Falls Church, Fairfax, and Vienna
- Bethesda and Chevy Chase, MD
While we welcome walk-ins, we prefer you schedule a free appointment so we can be completely focused on you.
📍 Address: 108 N Alfred St, Alexandria, VA 22314 | Phone: (470) 894-4689 | Hours: 9AM-7PM M-F, 10AM-5PM Sat
Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Suits in Alexandria
Q: How long does a custom suit take at BARG Garments?
A: Typically a custom suit takes ~5 weeks. We can sometimes accommodate an urgent suit or tuxedo order in approximately two weeks, subject to fabric availability, design requirements, and our production schedule. We confirm feasibility and the delivery timeline before accepting the order.
Because of the compressed schedule, rush orders do not include a separate trial garment. We proceed directly with the final garment, then assess its fit on the client and make any necessary adjustments.
Q: How many times will I need to visit the studio?
A: Three visits is the most common. The initial meeting is the no obligation consultation where we discuss what you are looking for. The second visit is to try on the test garment. The third visit to ensure a great fit for the final custom suit. As we offer a Custom Fit Guarantee, we will make any additional adjustments, as needed, which may require additional visits.
Q: Do you make custom wedding suits and tuxedos?
A: Yes. BARG Garments creates bespoke wedding suits, tuxedos, and full wedding party attire. We recommend scheduling at least 6–8 weeks before your wedding date.
Q: What fabrics are available?
A: ~300 fabric options — Italian wool, cashmere blends, British tweed, lightweight linen for summer, and more. Reza guides you through the best option for your occasion and budget.
Q: Do you serve clients from Washington DC and Arlington?
A: Yes. The studio at 108 N Alfred St is easily accessible from DC, Arlington, McLean, and Fairfax. Clients make the short drive for the quality of work.
Q: Do you also do alterations on suits not purchased here?
A: Yes. BARG Garments offers professional alterations on suits, jackets, trousers, and other garments regardless of where they were purchased.
📅 Ready for a suit that actually fits? Book your complimentary consultation today. Call (470) 894-4689 or visit barg-garments.com/contact-us
Related BARG Resources
Related service: Custom wedding dresses — https://www.barg-garments.com/barg-service/barg-custom-dresses/
Related service: Clothing alterations — https://www.barg-garments.com/barg-service/barg-alterations/
Book a consultation — https://www.barg-garments.com/contact-us/
