Why Looking Sharp is a Smarter Investment Than You Think
Why Looking Sharp is a Smarter Investment Than You Think
It seems to be so easy to forget the enduring power of a well-made suit. But for those who understand the craftsmanship, durability and long-term value of bespoke tailoring, a quality suit is an investment that continues to pay dividends many times over other purchases you may make.
And like only the best investments, the value of a bespoke suit appreciates over time.
Let’s consider the numbers. Back in 2019, a Pascalis bespoke suit with an extra pair of trousers cost around $3,500. Today, replacing that same suit, using the same Italian fabric, hand-finished craftsmanship, and made right here in Australia, would set you back close to $7,000. That is, of course, a reflection of many very real changes: rising fabric costs, increased wages for skilled artisans, higher overheads and general inflation.
But here’s the thing: while the cost of making the same suit has doubled, and will likely double again a decade down the track, its utility hasn’t diminished one bit. If you bought that suit five years ago, and you’ve taken good care of it, it still fits, still turns heads, and still earns compliments.
In other words, that purchase that you may be considering today will be a bargain compared to what you’ll need to pay down the track.
The same can’t be said for many other high-value purchases.
Consider this: in 2019, you might’ve also bought a car for $35,000. That vehicle, even with the most careful ownership, might fetch you $10,000 on resale today. Meanwhile, in 2029, you’ll still be buying vehicles, likely with even more features and better specs, for roughly the same.
Cars, computers, electronics and other commodities are things that you buy and replace, knowing full well that their value declines and is made redundant every time a new model gets released.
But your suit? It still wears like it did when you bought it. In fact, if it's bespoke, it likely fits even better now, as it is shaped by time and tailored to you alone.
One recent experience at the studio illustrates this perfectly. A long-time client brought in four made-to-measure suits he had purchased more than 20 years ago. Two were Ermenegildo Zegna, one was an I.C.E.R, and the last, a Canali. Despite their age, the suits were in excellent condition. They allowed for a timeless silhouette, were cut from premium fabrics, and exchibited quality workmanship ensured they looked just as sophisticated today as they did two decades ago. To replace them now would be upwards of $40,000.
These suits weren’t just hanging in a wardrobe, either. They were still in rotation, worn with pride and purpose. That’s the kind of return no car or mass-market jacket will ever offer.
The truth is, bespoke doesn’t date. While fashion trends come and go, classic tailoring transcends them. A well-cut suit in a refined cloth is always in style, whether you’re walking into a boardroom or a black-tie event. And unlike many other garments, a bespoke suit adapts to your life, both in physical fit and professional function.
So let’s get practical. In today’s workplace, where business attire is evolving and many people are working from home, does a suit still matter?
Absolutely.
Because when you do need to dress up, whether for a meeting, presentation, wedding or event, you want to be remembered. And first impressions still count. No one compliments your car in the boardroom, but they will notice a well-fitted jacket, a sharp shoulder line, a cloth that drapes just so.
Suits also simplify things. Once tailored, a suit becomes the easiest item to wear. Shirt, trousers, jacket, and you’re done. No need to worry about matching items or switching styles. It’s a uniform of confidence.
And while fast fashion deteriorates quickly, both in quality and aesthetic, bespoke tailoring offers longevity. You don’t buy bespoke often, but when you do, it lasts. And lasts.
At Pascalis, we believe in timeless elegance. That means garments built to endure. We craft each piece with precision and passion, using fabrics selected not for trends, but for character and quality. Our suits aren’t made to be replaced every season. They’re made to be relied upon, refined, and re-worn.
So yes, $7,000 might seem steep when you first hear it. But in the context of value, not just price, it’s a bargain. It’s 20 years of wear, a decade of confidence, five years of boardroom wins.
Most of all, however, a suit will never be cheaper than it is today. Why not get in now and save yourself a 100% markup (if not more) a decade from now?
