My engagement invites are bespoke

[HanibalII]

Looking for opinions on this sentence. To me it sounds very strange. From what my dictionary tells me, 'bespoke' is used in terms of custom made clothing...Is this usage incorrect?

 

[Rover_KE]

It sounds informally OK to me. It's clear that the invitations ('invites' itself makes the sentence informal) are individually written and 'tailored' to each guest.

Here's just one of the dictionaries that confirms that 'bespoke' is in use in the modern world in relation to websites and computer software; it's not limited to clothing.

(You mention 'my dictionary'. Have you bookmarked the OneLook Dictionary Search?)

Rover

 

[HanibalII]

It sounds informally OK to me. It's clear that the invitations ('invites' itself makes the sentence informal) are individually written and 'tailored' to each guest.

Here's just one of the dictionaries that confirms that 'bespoke' is in use in the modern world in relation to websites and computer software; it's not limited to clothing.

(You mention 'my dictionary'. Have you bookmarked the OneLook Dictionary Search?)

Rover

Cheers. I hadn't seen that website. I normally go to merriam webster.

 

[SoothingDave]

Note that this is British. I had no idea what it meant (before looking it up).

 

[SlickVic9000]

(Not a Teacher)

I knew what "bespoke" meant but only through my unparalleled erudition. I'd say it's not very common in the US; you're far more likely to see "tailored".

 

[emsr2d2]

1. Surely they are your engagement party invites/invitations. You don't invite people to an engagement.
2. I find "bespoke" perfectly fine. However, I would probably change the word order somewhat, to "I have decided to order/buy/have bespoke engagement party invitations".

 

[SoothingDave]

(Not a Teacher)

I knew what "bespoke" meant but only through my unparalleled erudition. I'd say it's not very common in the US; you're far more likely to see "tailored".

But "custom made" or "made-to-order" or similar for anything not clothing.

 

[emsr2d2]

But "custom made" or "made-to-order" or similar for anything not clothing.

Absolutely. In another part of my life, I run a business writing bespoke murder mysteries.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Looking for opinions on this sentence. To me it sounds very strange. From what my dictionary tells me, 'bespoke' is used in terms of custom made clothing...Is this usage incorrect?

I am very surprised by the definitions given here (BrE) and I wonder about the etymology. In AmE, this word is used rarely, but when it is used it is used as the past tense/past participle of bespeak, with a meaning of indicate/signal or foretell/portend. How convoluted English has become.

 

[charliedeut]

(Not a Teacher)

but only through my unparalleled erudition.

A virtue just rivaled by your, ahem... modesty? :rofl:

 

[FreeToyInside]

(Not a Teacher)

I knew what "bespoke" meant but only through my unparalleled erudition. I'd say it's not very common in the US; you're far more likely to see "tailored".

Unparalleled indeed! I'm not ashamed to admit it - I've never heard this word in my life. And I certainly wouldn't have guessed its correct meaning. :-D

(not a teacher, just a language lover)