Tailoring with Southern Ease
Every garment begins with a conversation. We take the time to get to know you, your style, your wardrobe, and the moments you’re dressing for, then design clothing that feels personal, considered, and distinctly yours. From custom suits and sport coats to shirts, trousers, formalwear, and seasonal pieces, each garment is made by request and guided by the same belief: the best clothing should feel as natural as it looks refined.
DressShirts
Suiting
Casual Jackets
Coats
Trousers
SportCoats
The Fit
We use a combination of body measurements and try-on garments to determine your garment’s fit. It’s shaped to your posture, shoulder slope, sleeve pitch, and natural stance. The result is a garment that feels intuitive to wear: structured where it should be, soft where it counts. We offer multiple fittings and lifetime alterations to get it just right.
House Style
Our House Style is easy yet refined: half-lined and half-canvassed for the New Orleans heat, with soft shoulders, an effortless drape, and proportions that nod to classic tailoring without stiffness. We favor wide lapels, straight-leg trousers with side tabs, and a natural break that flatters the line of the leg. We are able to customize all fit and styling options to your preference.
House Line
Our signature offering, and the truest expression of the Kilby experience. Each garment is made with extensive handwork through a series of thoughtful consultations and fittings. Clients sit down with us, selecting fabrics, discussing lifestyle, and refining every element…from the cut of a lapel to the placement of a buttonhole. You can leave the details to us, or dive into every selection, whichever you prefer.
These garments feature a floating canvas (half or full) and extensive handwork, including:
Lapels that are sewn and attached by hand (this process alone takes upwards of 4 hours)
Buttonholes made by hand in the front of the jacket, and an optional hand-done Milanese buttonhole on the lapel
Collar that is hand-sewn and hand-attached
Handmade chest pockets, and handmade bartack on outer lower pockets
Sleeves and cuffs with handmade stitching
Inner stitching and the lining’s central back seam done by hand
Handmade facing
Armhole/ shoulders seams attached by hand
Exterior pick stitching
Every commission is fully personalized, option for custom-designed linings, embroidered monograms, and quiet details unique to each client. The result is a garment of true character, distinctly yours.
Allow 6–8 weeks.
Two-piece suits in our House Line start at $2200.
Shop Line
A streamlined introduction to Kilby tailoring. This line combines modern construction techniques with our signature Kilby fit, from a curated selection of essential fabrics, and simplified styling options. Each piece carries our hallmarks: clean lines, precise fit, half canvas, monogrammed finishing, and the option for a custom-designed liner.
Allow 5–7 weeks.
Two-piece suits in our Shop Line start at $1495.
The Process
I. Initial Consultation
Book a no-pressure consultation with us to explore your options at our atelier at 3955 Magazine Street.
II. Selection of Fabrics and Detailing & Measurements
Choose from our selection of fabrics, trimmings, and design options. We’ll work closely with you to craft your ideal garment, ensuring you look and feel your best. Your precise personal measurements will be taken, from which the individual series of patterns for your piece will be created.
III. Fittings & Alterations
Your customized suit, dress shirt, trousers, overcoat, etc. will be ready in 5-7 weeks*. Once they arrive, we will contact you for a follow-up fitting. Together, we review your garments and work out any adjustments that need to be made. We then take care of any alterations, and will let you know when your final garment is ready for pick up.
*If you need your garment for a particular date, please be sure to mention this during your consultation so we can try our best to accommodate your needs. Rushes can be available depending on the circumstance, for a fee.
IV. Reorder
Whether you’re looking for a formalwear, an every day suit, or a capsule wardrobe, reordering is simple. We already have your preferences and patterns on file, so just contact us with what you’re looking for.
Custom Shirting
Our shirts are made to measure, designed to move naturally with you and feel effortless from the first wear. We work with exceptional fabrics from mills such as Thomas Mason and Reda, offering a wide range of styles and details to suit your needs.
Each shirt can be fully customized, from collar and cuff shape to pocket, button, and monogram options. The range includes everything from classic dress and formal tuxedo shirts to relaxed staples like breathable merino wool and bold striped linen blends. Every element is considered, and your personal pattern is kept on file for future orders.
Allow 3 to 4 weeks.
Shirting starts at $295.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Most consultations take about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how decisive you are and whether you’re coming in with a clear vision or starting from scratch.
We’ll talk through what you need, look at fabrics and styling options, and take measurements if you’re ready to move forward. For weddings, wardrobes, or more involved projects, we may spend a little more time making sure every detail is covered.
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Not at all. Many clients come in with a general idea, a dress code, or simply a need for better clothes. We’ll help you narrow down the right garment, fabric, color, fit, and details.
You can be as involved in the design process as you want to be.
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While we can normally quote timeframes with near-perfect accuracy, sometimes things happen that are out of our control. We always try our best but cannot guarantee on-time delivery nor assume liability for delays. We will, of course, advise you with your timeline in mind to ensure we stay ahead of your schedule. If you’re buying a suit for an event and are unsure about timing, email us first and let’s chat.
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Yes. We work with clients both in and outside New Orleans.
For first-time clients, an in-person appointment is ideal. For returning clients, we can often create additional garments using your existing pattern and preferences.
Check our “Appointments Elsewhere” page to see if we’re coming near you soon, and fill out a request for your location if you don’t see it listed. We’re happy to travel when it makes sense for us to do so. -
Yes. We create custom garments for hospitality teams, corporate programs, incentive gifts, and special events.
For group projects, we can help with design direction, pricing, measurement logistics, production timelines, and fittings. Email kristen@kilbysuits.com to learn more.
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Yes, we can curate capsule wardrobes, for example a suit, jacket, 3 shirts, 2 trousers, and a causal jacket, designed to all work together. Book a consult to get started.
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We handle adjustments on Kilby garments as part of the fitting process.
For outside garments, alteration availability is limited and depends on the piece. We are primarily a custom clothing atelier, not a general alterations shop.
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Yes. We keep a selection of year-round fabrics on hand, including versatile wools, wool-silk-linen blends, and other cloths that work well across much of the year in New Orleans. We also carry heavier fabrics for other climates, and even make overcoats.
We’ll help guide you toward the right weight, texture, and construction for how and where you plan to wear the garment. -
We do not sell garments off the rack. Our clothing is custom and made by request, beginning with a fitting and a conversation about what you need.
We do carry a small selection of ready-to-wear accessories in the showroom, including ties, pocket squares, belts, and other finishing pieces.
Inspiration
