Quote:
Originally Posted by peter12
Alright, I know I will get flamed for this, but I'm feeling kind of masochistic today, plus I want some advice.
My work attire is normally "high-end" business casual. Navy blazer or cotton, soft-shouldered jacket with chinos + tie. I hate buying suits off the rack, I have large shoulders, no ass, and a back that's 10 feet long. I'm not the guy that can go Banana Republic special and look like George Clooney. So awhile ago, after my last disastrous suit purchase, I made a commitment to only do bespoke work for suits for the rest of my life. The problem is, that they cost $3000 and up, but I've had a bit of a windfall lately, basically grant money, and I've decided to go a bit dandy and get a suit made.
That said, anyone have any experience in this sort of thing? Any suggestions for a first bespoke suit? I was thinking of something a bit "out there." I've got a bit of an image with my friends, co-workers as a bit of a sartorial eccentric, so I am pretty sure I will not be getting your basic charcoal or navy number. I was even thinking of getting something in a maroon or burgundy, maybe a tweed.
Anyway, this thread probably won't go anywhere beyond the usual catcalls, which is okay, but I know worth and some others have a thing for clothing etc...
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I haven't done bespoke but I did get a made-to-order suit from Henry Singer. The tailor told me that my proportions were pretty much perfect for buying off the rack with just a few adjustments, so the next suit I bought was off the rack and it did fit perfectly. Both are Ermenegildo Zegnas and in fit and quality, there's very little difference between my off-the-rack and my made-to-fit. That said, I do hope to get a Montreal-made bespoke suit for my next one.
My advice would be to make sure that even if you're going for something more sartorially adventurous, make sure you have a few different ideas on how you're going to use it. Sometimes, a more neutral fabric has more sartorial possibilities simply because it's flexible. If you get a maroon tweed, for example, you're pretty limited in what you can pair with it. You might get one or two great looks out of it, but pretty soon you'll find that limiting. But a grey or navy suit provides far more possibilities for what you can pair with it, and you can still be creative in terms of pattern, colour, lining, and style.
If you've got a budget of $3000, I'd recommend spending about $2000 on the suit and the remainder of it on some accessories (shirts, ties, pocket squares, shoes, belts, tie-clips, etc.) that give you a few great looks.