New England's largest fabric library... The MA Custom Lounge.

At Marc Allen, the philosophy of custom clothing begins with fabric. We offer the largest fabric library in New England, giving clients access to thousands of cloth selections sourced from the world’s most prestigious textile mills.  Instead of limiting customers to a small seasonal assortment, the showroom is designed almost like a textile library, where shelves of fabric books surround a relaxed lounge environment and invite clients to explore an extraordinary range of materials before commissioning a custom garment.  This depth of selection allows each piece of clothing to begin not with a template, but with a completely personal choice of cloth. The photos you see encapsulate only a portion of our full range, which is refreshed seasonally, at any one time we offer access to over ten thousand fabrics (but don't worry we can help you narrow that down a bit).

The fabric library itself represents a global tour of luxury textile craftsmanship. Clients can select from iconic Italian mills such as Loro Piana, Ariston Napoli, and Fratelli Tallia di Delfino—names synonymous with some of the finest wool, silk, and cashmere fabrics produced anywhere in the world.  These mills are known for developing innovative blends and extraordinarily fine fibers, giving custom clients access to cloths that are often reserved for the most prestigious tailoring houses and fashion brands.

The library also extends beyond Italy to include renowned textile houses from across Europe and the United Kingdom. Collections from Holland & Sherry and Fox Brothers offer heritage English flannels, tweeds, and suiting fabrics with centuries of textile tradition behind them.  Alongside these are legendary fabrics such as Harris Tweed, whose rugged elegance and authentic character make it a staple for classic sport coats and outerwear.

Equally important are the specialist mills that produce exceptional shirting and seasonal fabrics. Clients can choose refined shirting cloths from Albini Group, known for some of the finest cotton fabrics in the world, or explore the expansive collections from Carnet of Como and Caccioppoli Napoli.  These houses provide everything from airy summer linens to luxurious wool-silk blends, allowing garments to be designed specifically for climate, season, and personal style. On top of these various mills we offer exclusive fabric collections from some of our custom hand-made Neapolitan partners we carry in house... exclusive fabric collections, refreshed every season, are offered from Stile Latino, Sartorio Napoli, & of course, Kiton. These fabrics are unquely created for and exclusive to each tailoring house.

Once a fabric is selected, the garment moves into a process rooted in traditional Italian tailoring. Patterns are drawn and cut by hand, and garments are constructed by skilled tailors in Italy, often requiring dozens of hours of work before completion.  This commitment to artisanal craftsmanship ensures that the exceptional quality of the fabric is matched by an equally meticulous construction process, resulting in clothing that reflects both technical precision and timeless style.

Ultimately, the expansive fabric library is what sets Marc Allen apart in the New England menswear landscape & rivals the offerings even in NYC. Rather than offering a standardized product, the shop provides a nearly limitless palette of luxury textiles from the world’s most respected mills, allowing each client to design garments that are uniquely their own. In an era where most clothing is mass-produced, this combination of rare fabrics, Italian hand craftsmanship, and individualized service represents a return to the true essence of custom tailoring.

We invite you to set your appointments and relax in the Custom Lounge where a bar is on hand for you, or an espresso if you prefer. Allow us to get to know & guide you in the process of creating custom pieces you will truly love.