Only a complete comparison can answer that. Calculate the cost of obtaining an acceptable suit, not just the amount paid to the overseas workshop.
Use:
Delivered cash cost = garment + separate fitting fees + shipping + import charges + payment/FX costs + local alterations + incremental travel.
Include applicable domestic taxes in the comparison where relevant. Keep executive time separate from cash expenditure. Import charges should remain unresolved until supported by an entry-specific estimate; the USITC's current tariff resources are the starting point, not a generic country percentage. (usitc.gov)
An illustrative comparison—not a quotation or forecast
| Cost item | Illustrative amount |
|---|---|
| Vietnamese garment | $1,200 |
| Separate fitting fee | $100 |
| Shipping | $80 |
| Payment/FX costs | $30 |
| Planned local alteration allowance | $150 |
| Extra travel attributable to the commission | $200 |
| Subtotal before import charges | $1,760 |
| Comparable US all-in option | $2,200 |
Let I be actual import-related charges and C be additional correction spending beyond the $150 already allowed.
Remaining cash advantage = $440 − I − C.
The overseas option loses its cash advantage when I + C exceeds $440. No probability is assigned to that outcome.
Do not charge an entire pre-existing business trip to the suit. Do include extra nights, flights or journeys caused by fittings. Record appointment and administration hours separately so a modest cash saving does not conceal an unacceptable time commitment.