Menswear sale at O'Connors

[peter12]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this little Peter12 tidbit, but O'Connors on 1st SW is having a 25% Made to Measure sale on their Samuelsohn and Coppley fabrics. Sport coats going for under $900, and suits for under $1100. You really can't beat those prices for Samuelsohn If you are into this kind of thing, the sale starts on July 16, 2015.

I have a bit of a relationship with the sales manager, and I already put two fabrics on hold, but there was a pretty good selection was left. Mainly wool/linen blends, but plenty of wool/silks, some cashmere, and pure Super 110 wool as well.

[shermanator]

$900 for a sportcoat? How could I afford NOT too?

[troutman]

That is good information.

Related - I will be around Spokane in August. Are there good deals to be had there on quality men's suits? What shops are recommended?

How is Nordstroms? Macys?

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by shermanator

$900 for a sportcoat? How could I afford NOT too?

Can't wait to tell my girlfriend that I don't have my half of the rent, but what I DO have are some snazzy threads and new found self-esteem!

[Rjcsjc62]

I'll finally have something to wear at Boston Pizza. Thanks!

[peter12]

Originally Posted by troutman

That is good information.

Related - I will be around Spokane in August. Are there good deals to be had there on quality men's suits? What shops are recommended?

How is Nordstroms? Macys?

Shoot, you know... with the exchange rate, you won't be getting much ahead. Nordstrom is definitely the higher quality option, and I think they even carry RL Polo.

To put in a plug for Samuelson though... It is Canadian-made, fully-canvassed, and always has great fabric. Best value for dollar in my opinion. Again, these prices are made to measure, that is, personalized measurements for a standard fit. This is a much better option than Off The Rack.

As for the comments regarding cost, I work in the executive suite of a big Calgary company. I regularly meet with senior leadership, and I have to dress the part. For the naysayers, it is all about preferences. I refuse to own a car because I see it as an unnecessary expense. Removing that $600 per month expense leaves me with tons of money for $400 shoes, $900 sport coats and $225 shirts.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Can't wait to tell my girlfriend that I don't have my half of the rent, but what I DO have are some snazzy threads and new found self-esteem!

Do you honestly feel this way? Are you really telling me that you have no interest in dressing well? That you don't choose certain shirts over others because you like the way they make you look? You don't select clothes based on the company you keep? How do you dress for weddings? Funerals? Job Interviews?

[kevman]

Originally Posted by peter12

For the naysayers, it is all about preferences. I refuse to own a car because I see it as an unnecessary expense. Removing that $600 per month expense leaves me with tons of money for $400 shoes, $900 sport coats and $225 shirts.

"You spend an hour a day in your car - you spend 16 hours a day in your clothes - spend accordingly."

[jayswin]

^^^^^

Vintage Peter12!!

[Slacker]

Do you give names to your suits?

Do you have your own cordwainer?

Spoiler!

[Looch City]

What kind of shirt is worth $200+? Alligator/snake skin hybrid infused with silk diamonds?

[cam_wmh]

People love to pile on Peter12, but I don't feel anything he's said is too out of line in this thread.

Thanks for sharing.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

What kind of shirt is worth $200+? Alligator/snake skin hybrid infused with silk diamonds?

Obviously, I was exaggerating. Most of my shirts are in the $90-110 range, but I do have a few very nice Eton dress shirts that I wear for special occasions. They say it has to do with the quality of cotton, when it was picked, length of strand, mother of pearl buttons, etc... I don't know, really they just fit me off the rack better than most of my shirts. I wear them for weddings, or meetings with our VP or President.

I am in Business Development, btw. Probably the only role outside of law or finance that actually has a high standard of dress still.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by peter12

Do you honestly feel this way? Are you really telling me that you have no interest in dressing well? That you don't choose certain shirts over others because you like the way they make you look? You don't select clothes based on the company you keep? How do you dress for weddings? Funerals? Job Interviews?

I made like $15k after taxes last year and 30% of that went to tuition and books, so $900 sportcoats weren't really in the cards for me. I did buy myself a quality, stitched suit and a pair of AEs a couple years back when I was working full-time, and that tides me over for special occasions. Even then though the suit I found was heavily marked down from the MSRP (obviously not bespoke either), and I scored the AEs on sale from a U.S. retailer when our dollar was performing much better.

FTR, I was just busting your balls.

[lazypucker]

Kinda OT, but how would you compare these Made-to-Measure suits to the quality of these Asian ones who roll through town twice a year and take your measurements in a hotel room?

[peter12]

Originally Posted by rubecube

I made like $15k after taxes last year and 30% of that went to tuition and books, so $900 sportcoats weren't really in the cards for me. I did buy myself a quality, stitched suit and a pair of AEs a couple years back when I was working full-time, and that tides me over for special occasions. Even then though the suit I found was heavily marked down from the MSRP (obviously not bespoke either), and I scored the AEs on sale from a U.S. retailer when our dollar was performing much better.

FTR, I was just busting your balls.

So what is your point? Obviously, I was in your shoes (actually scored my AEs at a discount retailer in a shady part of Philadelphia) at one point in my life. Now things have changed, I worked my butt off for most of twenties getting through school, and working in some tough fields, and here I am.

I play the snobby clothes dude on here only for the trolling aspect. It is really funny that some dude bragging about his $2000 camping set-up loses it when I talk about a $1000 suit (which is cheap in the world of menswear!). For me, 50% of it is the impact the clothes have on my surroundings, and the other 50% is that I simply like nicer clothing.

Yeah, is it ridiculous that I bought a pair of $200 raw denim jeans? Absolutely. But I don't own a television, or a laptop, I got my smartphone on a huge discount. Basically, I don't care about those things.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

Kinda OT, but how would you compare these Made-to-Measure suits to the quality of these Asian ones who roll through town twice a year and take your measurements in a hotel room?

I have honestly never heard of this, but I'd love to hear the sales pitch.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

Kinda OT, but how would you compare these Made-to-Measure suits to the quality of these Asian ones who roll through town twice a year and take your measurements in a hotel room?

The Asian trunk show suits are garbage, in my opinion. Shoddy fabric, no relationship with your supplier, and from what I hear, poor quality control. The same goes for Indochino and the like. You got to pay a bit more for a nice garment. It sucks, but you will really stand out. If you have a job where you have to meet with clients or with senior leadership, pay a bit more. Otherwise, whatever, who cares. We live in a very casual society right now. I personally think peoples' sloppiness is disrespectful, and lazy, but what can you do?

For a good budget suit, I always recommend SuitSupply. You can order online or go to their store in Toronto. You are looking at $500-600 for a starter suit, which is all you need for most jobs, anyway.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

People love to pile on Peter12, but I don't feel anything he's said is too out of line in this thread.

Thanks for sharing.

Originally Posted by peter12

Obviously, I was exaggerating.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by peter12

So what is your point? Obviously, I was in your shoes (actually scored my AEs at a discount retailer in a shady part of Philadelphia) at one point in my life. Now things have changed, I worked my butt off for most of twenties getting through school, and working in some tough fields, and here I am.

I didn't really have a point in my OP. I was mostly just giving you the gears and at the same time being self-deprecating.

I play the snobby clothes dude on here only for the trolling aspect. It is really funny that some dude bragging about his $2000 camping set-up loses it when I talk about a $1000 suit (which is cheap in the world of menswear!). For me, 50% of it is the impact the clothes have on my surroundings, and the other 50% is that I simply like nicer clothing.

Yeah, is it ridiculous that I bought a pair of $200 raw denim jeans? Absolutely. But I don't own a television, or a laptop, I got my smartphone on a huge discount. Basically, I don't care about those things.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I totally get that. Hell, there are sound ethical arguments for spending more on clothes, especially if you're buying local. I would absolutely dress nicer if I had the means to do so. Well the means and the priorities. I could probably buy nicer clothes if I spent less money on travelling and entertainment. Then again I don't really have a lot of occasions that I need to dress up for, and it's certainly not a requirement or part of the office culture at my job.