As we all get older, one thing that becomes apparent is that pretty much all guys look great in suits (see: James Bond). One thing that became apparent to ME is that my closet is definitely lacking in that department. Sure, I had a few stragglers left over from college that got me through interviews and various formal occasions, but I soon realized that my suit game could definitely use an upgrade. Since a suit is essentially an investment in quality craftsmanship, I decided to research what comprises a superior suit.
This is where you expect me to go on this long spiel about the results of my extensive investigation. Well…to be honest the list is not that long. Without getting into the minutia, below are bullet points outlining my criteria for investing in a new suit.
- Fit – The suit needs to be well cut to highlight my build and require minimal tailoring. (see my previous post on tailoring/fit)
- Fabric – Strictly no synthetics! I was specifically looking for 100% wool with a thread count that is low enough to be durable but high enough to be quality. Various other seasonal fabrics exist but wool is the classic natural fiber that is commonly used.
- Canvas vs Fusing – This is the inner construction of the suit. Canvassed suits are handsewn whereas fusing is literally gluing pieces together with an iron. Fully canvassed suits are the gold standard in quality and are much more natural/durable, but are also more expensive. Fusing can bubble over time and is relatively stiff to the touch.
- Versatility – Suit jacket and pants must be able to be worn separately with other items in my closet. Choose a simple color that can go well with your wardrobe.
Now a good place to start is Brooks Brothers or Ralph Lauren but I decided to go the online route due to so much information out there. I researched Suit Supply, Black Lapel, Indochino and various other retailers – ultimately choosing Indochino for its reasonable price, modern designs and excellent customer service.
Upon selecting my suit design (Premium Indigo Birdseye, 100% wool, super 120 thread count, half canvassed), I was taken through a few screens that helped me customize details such as pocket slant, interior lining, # of back vents, etc. HINT: To further customize smaller details, click “More Options” in the upper right-hand corner of the page.
After my customizations were selected, I was directed to record my measurements for the right cut. Although I did this myself, I advise you to grab a cute girl to help you. However, the 13 videos were very easy to follow. Keep in mind that Indochino reimburses up to $75 of tailoring expenses when you need to make a few tweaks on your finished product (they also accept returns for a full-refund!! Pull that trigger already!)
The Result
FYI – I caught this suit on sale and subtracted another 10% off for signing up on their website. Total cost was $410 for a made-to-measure suit. I lengthened the sleeves 1” and took out the waist 1” for a total cost of $72 (fully reimbursed). Custom suits typically cost over $1,000. I highly recommend Indochino!
-CP
Link Ups
http://thepleatedpoppy.com/blog/
http://www.themummychronicles.com
What I Wore Wednesday: http://chicstreetstyle.me and http://www.gracefulleemade.com/ and http://bookofleisure.blogspot.com/
TrendSpin: http://www.walkinginmemphisinhighheels.com and http://www.thefashioncanvas.com
All About You: http://www.mama-andmore.com
Highly descriptive post, I liked that a lot. Will
there be a part 2?
Author
Yes, keep your eyes posted!
Great post.