I am thinking about purchasing a custom made suit from "Balani," a tailor shop here in Chicago. The cost for suits start at $800 on up. I looked up the reviews on yelp and these guys have good ratings. I took a look at the Brooks Brothers and Nordstrom websites and noticed that their off the rack suits are much more in price than this custom tailor charges. Boss suits begin at around $800 on average while the Brooks Brothers suits start at over $1,000. I am a bit perplexed as to why these off the rack suits cost more than this custom suit will. I don't want to go out and get that custom suit if I am missing some information here. Are Nordstrom or Brooks Brothers suits that much better than even the suits from a custom tailor shop?
I bought a Navy suit from Macy's this past summer for only $230, but the tailoring turned out to be horrible and I don't know if I can trust buying suits off the rack anymore. I am wondering if the experience at a place like Brooks Brothers is different though.
I have an athletic build with a developed chest. I am tall, 6'3 and 230lbs, so finding a good fitting suit is difficult for me.
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Permalink Reply by Michael D. Denny on October 5, 2011 at 12:43pm
Permalink Reply by Mike D. on October 5, 2011 at 1:14pm
Permalink Reply by Connor Lawrence on October 5, 2011 at 1:23pm
Permalink Reply by Daniel on October 5, 2011 at 1:45pm
Permalink Reply by Adam Bauer on October 5, 2011 at 8:14pm
Permalink Reply by Nathanael on October 5, 2011 at 9:08pm First, I think it is important to examine terminology. Balani touts their custom suits, but they do not appear to be bespoke. This does not mean that they aren't good suits, they may be, but it does narrow the difference between their offerings and those of Brooks Brothers, which offers a good selection and off-the-rack as well as made-to-measure. Note also that BB's made-to-measure offerings are also customizable.
Brooks Brothers' retail line suits are good, made in the USA, and the tailors at their stores are competent, in my experience, though the level of service varies from store to store (for instance, in the DC area, I've found the downtown store to be quicker and more likely to offer alterations or repairs for free than the Tyson's Corner store, though both get the job done).
As for buying new vs. thrift shopping, if you have the money there's nothing wrong buying new. Yes, you can save money at the thrift stores or on eBay, but it takes time and it can be hard to find exactly what you want (though you'll sometimes find some gems among the refuse). I do some of each. If you'd like a new suit from BB and aren't in rush, you can always wait until they have their big sale after Christmas.
Permalink Reply by Stein on October 9, 2011 at 10:22am I have been buying suits from Nordstrom for as long as I can remember, having grown up in the Pacific Northwest. When they came to Dallas, maybe 15 years ago. I was thrilled. Fit is good, as is selection. They will also custom order for you. The key to Nordstrom is establishing a relationship with a salesman who will take care of you over the years. HE will let you know when a shipment of lines you like are coming in, get you in pre-sale for half yearly, and Anniversary Sale. Plus if you are not happy, they will work with you. It's great. I also have had luck finding good pieces at Nordstrom Rack.
Stein
Permalink Reply by Sam Barrett on October 13, 2011 at 2:45am I would lend my vote towards an off-the-rack suit with custom tailoring. Jos. Banks here on the east coast has been my go-to place since I started in suits, and I haven't been led astray yet.
Until you can verify the quality of a custom shop, I'd stay away. See if you can find other people who deal with that shop and get their take on it.
Of course, if you do go off-the-rack, do it at sale times. No point in paying $1000 for a suit when a month down the road, they'll run some promotion and have a 2 for 1 or similar deal.
Permalink Reply by JonEdanger on November 26, 2012 at 6:27am Ever given any thought to expanding to razors?
Permalink Reply by The Dutch Dastard on November 26, 2012 at 6:32am The thing with Boss suits (and probably BB as well) is that you do pay for the brand. Sure, they are great suits, but expect to pay quite a bit for the name. They are confection, which is to say they are made for standard measures. There is a lot of play in the pants and the 'fittedness' of the upper, but you simply can't change the build of the shoulders. If you find a suit where the shoulders fit perfect, all the rest can change a bit.
As said before, there is a great difference between a bespoke suit and a custom suit. A custom suit allows you to pick your fabrics and measures. A bespoke suit will be made for your body and all it's quirks and flaws (things like a difference in muscle-build on the left and right).
As you are pretty tall, chances are confection suits will not fit you quite as well as a custom suit. The jacket will most probably not be long enough. For me it just makes more sense to make a suit to your measurements, than to adapt an already built suit.
Still, large men like you and me are much more common here, and my adapted confection suit is just fine (as it is confection for large men), but I did stretch the possibilities of tailoring. It's on the edge.
Permalink Reply by auredry on December 29, 2012 at 5:23am Hi All
I am Auredry
I think u must go with custom made suit, because they are exactly like the way we want like the style, the fabric, the perfect fit. Some time ago i always thought that if i buy a suit from reputable store then that is good but himark tailors proved me wrong and now i always prefer customized clothes always.
Permalink Reply by Aron on February 22, 2013 at 12:48am Friend i think you should bu custom made suits, because they are always exactly as we want. As the word bespoke describe itself its meaning "Bespoke" refers what we speak about our order. But the custom suits should be from well known tailor as DAVID-FASHIONS.
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