An off-the-rack garment is mass-produced to fit a generic size chart rather than being custom tailored to an individual body. These items are bought ready to wear directly from a retail store, requiring minimal to no alterations.
Heard on the job
He bought an off-the-rack suit for the wedding and just had the trousers hemmed.
Insider tip
Tailors often alter off-the-rack garments by taking in the waist or shortening sleeves, but expanding them is usually impossible due to a lack of seam allowance.
Also heard as
- ready-to-wear