best off-the-rack suits

who do you think makes the best off-the-rack suits that you have had so far??
for me its:
-paul smith(my best one so far)
-dior homme(slimmest cut)
-thomas pink(love the linings)
-dsquared2(very dressy)
-dolcegabbana(understated elegance)

but nothing beats a bespoke suit..haha

Oxxford

All Marcs stick together on this question (even if not all use the correct spelling).

I only have a handful of RTW suits and I think they're all either Brioni or RLPL. Both are good IMO. But I've never owned Kiton or Oxxford to compare them too.

except for you. It's the style/cut that you like. Looking at your suggestions, I think you're more fashion-orientated. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but you do have to take care with the longevity of the suit. I'm just as guilty with my trio of 'fashion' suits still in my wardrobe.

Others will have different preferences. I think general advise is buy into 'quality' ie good materials and proper construction (canvas vs fusing) and get something that fits properly. In the end, a 150usd dollar suit that fits you perfectly is going to look infinitely better than that 3000usd Oxxford that isn't.

I think Zegna because you'd be hard pressed to find better material, and they have a wide enough range of cuts that it's pretty easy to find something that will fit you with minimal modifications. I know I could never wear an Oxxford RTW suit, and I'm not even sure if a tailor could get one of their RTW models to fit me the way I like a suit to fit. To the OP: I also love Dolce and PS suits, and have one of each. I think DG uses nicer fabrics than other fashion brands, but you pay more for them, and I love the fit of Paul Smith suits because it's slim, but it's "English slim," not "Italian slim." English slim fits me better (and it's what I go for when having a suit tailored) because it's made for a thin but not super skinny person, and it's a longer, straighter cut, which means it fits me very well.

best OTR for me is Paul Smith and Dolce Gabbana's mainline collection. Ozwald Boateng is up there too.

The cuts are amazing and those labels use very unique fabrics you wont find anywhere else.

Originally Posted by chobochobo

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proper construction (canvas vs fusing)

Sorry for the hijacking, but I'd like to know the difference between those two types of construction, does anyone have pictures of suits that clearly shows the difference?

Originally Posted by Swededude

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Sorry for the hijacking, but I'd like to know the difference between those two types of construction, does anyone have pictures of suits that clearly shows the difference?

Sorry, no pics, but I can give you a quick description. Fully canvassed suits have a "floating" canvas inside the jacket, to give the coat its shape and help it mold to the body. Fused suits, on the other hand, are held together with a glue-like fusible. Poor quality suits feel stiff and hard because of this fusing, which can even "bubble" and render the suit fit only for the trash bin. In between you'll find suits that combine fusing and canvas. Some fused suits have canvas lapels, for example, to give the lapels a more attractive "roll." Not all fused suits are bad -- some can be very decent -- but full canvassing is the hallmark of the superior suit.

To tell if a jacket is fully canvassed, pinch the fabric below the bottom buttonhole on the inside and outside. Gently pull the cloth apart. Can you feel a third layer inside? The layer in the middle is the canvassing. It won't be there on a fused suit.

Anyone up for Ravazzolo?

My tailor says they make the best RTW suit.

Attolini
Borrelli

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

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To tell if a jacket is fully canvassed, pinch the fabric below the bottom buttonhole on the inside and outside. Gently pull the cloth apart. Can you feel a third layer inside? The layer in the middle is the canvassing. It won't be there on a fused suit.


Good tip and info.

Originally Posted by Chris "Italia"

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Anyone up for Ravazzolo?

My tailor says they make the best RTW suit.

Without having seen their suits, I would say they're reputed to be among the best _values_ (quality vs. price) among RTW suits. They are seldom mentioned in discussions of absolute best, though.

Originally Posted by jean_connoisseur23

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who do you think makes the best off-the-rack suits that you have had so far??
for me its:
-paul smith(my best one so far)
-dior homme(slimmest cut)
-thomas pink(love the linings)
-dsquared2(very dressy)
-dolcegabbana(understated elegance)

but nothing beats a bespoke suit..haha
None of those even show up on my radar.

I'd list:

Oxxford
Kiton
Brioni

Then:

Isaia
Canali
Zegna
Corneliani

Just my opinion though. I've seen many examples of all 7 brands I listed, and now own 3 of them.

Originally Posted by jmatt

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None of those even show up on my radar.

I'd list:

Oxxford
Kiton
Brioni

Then:

Isaia
Canali
Zegna
Corneliani

Just my opinion though. I've seen many examples of all 7 brands I listed, and now own 3 of them.
Isaia really belongs between those two groups, along with RLPL and Barbera.