Bespoke vs. Ready-to-Wear

Bespoke patterns are made to custom fit a specific body. Bodies are like DNA. While two bodies may look the same, there will always be differences. Bespoke patternmaking is described in How to Make Sewing Patterns and How to Make Custom-Fit Bras & Lingerie.

Ready-to-Wear (RTW) patterns are made for general body shapes that hopefully fit as many bodies as possible. Fashion & Costume Design in Quarter Scale shows how body shapes vary by comparing the shape of a RTW commerical dress form and a Vogue fitting shell (#1004) to the body shapes of 13 different models who are all within the same size range. Instructions show how to make quarter scale (or half scale) dress forms of these models that can be used as "fitting models" for people interested in verifying the viability of RTW designs as shown below.

While the Handkerchief Hem skirt fits all the Mini-Mes, the design by Donna Karan for Vogue Patterns only truly fits the Mini-Me of the Vogue Fitting Shell. The skirt will not even stay on Olga's body.