Tall Lanky Guy buying first suit(s) - Indochino's 30% off sale? Thoughts?

Hello, gentlemen! I'm venturing into the world of suits for the first time.

I've been working from home for quite some time, but am now pitching angels and VCs for a startup, and for some of the more formal pitches I feel like a well fitting suit would help with credibility. I'm 25 years old, and I've been told I look young. I've attached some pictures so you can judge for yourself.

I'm tall (6' 6"), skinny (185lb at 14% bodyfat), but I'm getting a gym membership and intend to shoot for 190lb at 10% bodyfat. That should add some width to my shoulders, and give them a little bit more of a slant, and fill out my otherwise non-existant butt.

I have just a couple quick questions:

1) I noticed Indochino is having a 30% off orders over $700 sale, so I considered getting two suits - Navy and Charcoal - total would come to around $540. Thoughts on this move?

2) I've read the Indochino massive thread - if you would recommend against indochino, what would be my second best approach in a similar price range?

3) For my first two suits, would navy and charcoal be the best two, or should I do a lighter grey rather than the charcoal grey?

4) Any other advice for me? Shoes? I have some rather worn AE Park Avenue's (in black), with their fair share of scuffs.

Thank you for your advice!

Get one suit instead of two and get the Jcrew Ludlow or BB 1818 Fitzgerald. Stick with the black PAs but polish them with some conditioner and cream.



Liquidus said:

Get one suit instead of two and get the Jcrew Ludlow or BB 1818 Fitzgerald. Stick with the black PAs but polish them with some conditioner and cream.

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What would the extra spending get me, other than one less suit? Just curious if you could elaborate.

Also, with my size, if I get two suits, should they both be three-button double-vent notch-lapel?

I'd like to go reasonably traditional, as I tend to pitch mid-30-somethings to mid-60-somethings, but modern enough to fit into the startup world.

I've got some info and reviews on my blog, also from other customers - might be helpful for you! Indochino works well for some and not so well for others, but you can always get a full refund...

Anyone have further thoughts? Liquidus care to elaborate?

Last year I bought a tuxedo from Indochino for band concerts I play in. It turned out fairly well. I had to have the sleeves and pant legs adjusted and the body of the jacket taken in slightly. I don't have a lot of great quality clothing yet, but I could tell that the indochino suit was build a little cheaply. Two times the seam came apart on the inside of my legs. It was an easy fix (that my tailor did in 2 minutes, free of charge) and I must admit that the pant legs are a little tight on my thighs.

If you know what you want, then I think there are probably worse decisions than buying from indochino. There costumer service was totally fine, and I think they'll work with you to get everything in order. Maybe it would be worth asking them to make and perfect one suit before starting on the second. I'd get a friend when taking the measurements. Make sure you get everything right and double check each measurement when you are done. I wear my tuxedo maybe 6 or 7 times a year and and besides the seam popping it's held up fine. I don't know how well it hold up if you wear the suits once or twice a week.

I also had a shirt made, and it's the best fitting shirt I own.

I know some people might argue Lands End would be a better quality for a couple of starting suits, but I don't know how well they'll fit somebody with your frame.

I'd go with a navy and a medium-dark grey, not charcoal. That way if you get brown shoes they'd be an easier match. I'd definitely get notch lapels. I don't know about three bottons though. Most everyone on this forum gets two button jackets. I think some of the gentlemen in the WAYWRN thread are very tall as well. Maybe some one else can offer input about the height issue.



Ahheck01 said:

Anyone have further thoughts? Liquidus care to elaborate?

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I don't know what the exact differences between Indochino and something like BB 1818 would be, but generally with a more expensive suit you get better fabric and construction. This can translate into the suit looking better and lasting longer. I suggested getting one suit because I feel that if you're not wearing them daily, you need a lot of others things before a 2nd suit.

I think that 2-button suits are more in fashion nowadays.

BB will be better made, have nicer fabric, and will last longer than the indochino. No doubt.

If you only have a few meetings a month where a suit would be required, I tend to agree with Liquidus. Switch it up with a few different subtle shirts and ties, and nobody will think twice about wearing the same color suit.

I think you should try on a BB 1818 and see how close it gets to fitting you. If it's close enough that a tailor can get you the rest of the way, it might be your best bet.

You can probably get away with three botton, but I think two will always work. It's middle of the road so to speak.



CommenceFailure said:

BB will be better made, have nicer fabric, and will last longer than the indochino. No doubt.
If you only have a few meetings a month where a suit would be required, I tend to agree with Liquidus. Switch it up with a few different subtle shirts and ties, and nobody will think twice about wearing the same color suit.
I think you should try on a BB 1818 and see how close it gets to fitting you. If it's close enough that a tailor can get you the rest of the way, it might be your best bet.
You can probably get away with three botton, but I think two will always work. It's middle of the road so to speak.

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Well, only two challenges.

1) I'm a 40XL. They don't have the 1818 in 40XL.

2) They're $1000 each. That's drastically more than two suits for $550.



Ahheck01 said:

Well, only two challenges.
1) I'm a 40XL. They don't have the 1818 in 40XL.
2) They're $1000 each. That's drastically more than two suits for $550.

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No one pays $1000 for a BB 1818 suit. Get them during a 25% off sale for $898 * 75% = $674.

Not sure what you can do about the 40XL though.

Given your dimensions, it's probably worth a shot for Indochino since they make it to your specs. Even if you miss the 30% off, the classic navy suit is only $379. If you have some time to wait and alter, I don't think it's a bad idea to give one a run and see how it works out.

There are other MTMs that you could give a whirl, with varying degrees of satisfaction from SF members - J. Hilburn, Astor & Black, Modern Tailor.

Get a MTM suit from BB. It's going to run at least 1k, BUT you can learn and get the correct measurements(assuming the stores has a good tailor). about 99% of the self-measured indochino and other MTM shirts and suits end up like **** because of inexperienced measuring. for some MTM just won't work. MTM grades an existing pattern based on your measurements. If one's posture is severely messed up for example, they may need to go bespoke.

you should have yourself measured before making any decisions.



wing8tesqw said:

you should have yourself measured before making any decisions. 

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He hasn't made any decisions.