Hey all, just found this group and I've been reading a bit. I need some independent advice for upgrading my old suit wardrobe. Here is a quick bit about me. I'm a mid 40s business attorney; 5'10" / 170 lbs (a bit softer on the sides that I'm used to). I don't wear suits as often as I used to and as such, all of my suits are old, like 15-20 years old. I run pretty traditional clothing style wise. I have your traditional setup - dark navy stripe / charcoal birdseye / mid grey windowpane / grey and mid-blue window pane. Plus a newer navy blazer and a few odd sport coats. The issue is, all four suite are three button, a bit boxy, wider arms, double pleated pants and wider legs. I took them to two local tailors and each basically said to hide them in the back of the closet in case they come back in style and start over. The suits were made by Roberto Vallini, Jones N.Y., S. Cohen. All entry level stuff at around $400-500 each.
I was looking to get something better fitting and looking at made to measure or custom. The local tailors offer either Coopley, which seems to have very little discussion on here but is still lower mid/grade according to your list of brands. But, the cost is $1700-2200 for MTM depending on the fabric. Another tailor only does OTR and sells Enzo and London Fog from $400-$500. I'm going downtown Cleveland tomorrow (https://maestrobespoke.com/) to a custom shop but he said on the phone I likely won't need custom for my size.
So, what to do? Is MTM really $1700-2000 and if so is it really worth it? I was expecting that price for a full custom. All MTM are basically machine made in China anyway isn't it? Are these online MT2 shops any good? I see several that are half the price I was quoted
I think I'll start with a navy suit, although I'd prefer a bit of style to it in either texture or a light pattern. Reading a few blogs one recommends a navy hopsack suit and a grey flannel. Never see hopsack at any of the places I go, but there is a lot of birdseye, and the two tailers I spoke to said they sell maybe one flannel a year (thus saying they are not in style). In all, eventually, I'm planning a navy suit, a lighter or French blue suit (maybe three piece), mid-grey, and one a bit more patterned and casual. Plus, the Coopley guy has a blazer that was unconstructed in a knit wool that was very comfortable in either a mid blue (between French and sky) or a mid-grey.
Appreciate any tips on brands, shopping methods or general style.
I was looking to get something better fitting and looking at made to measure or custom. The local tailors offer either Coopley, which seems to have very little discussion on here but is still lower mid/grade according to your list of brands. But, the cost is $1700-2200 for MTM depending on the fabric. Another tailor only does OTR and sells Enzo and London Fog from $400-$500. I'm going downtown Cleveland tomorrow (https://maestrobespoke.com/) to a custom shop but he said on the phone I likely won't need custom for my size.
So, what to do? Is MTM really $1700-2000 and if so is it really worth it? I was expecting that price for a full custom. All MTM are basically machine made in China anyway isn't it? Are these online MT2 shops any good? I see several that are half the price I was quoted
I think I'll start with a navy suit, although I'd prefer a bit of style to it in either texture or a light pattern. Reading a few blogs one recommends a navy hopsack suit and a grey flannel. Never see hopsack at any of the places I go, but there is a lot of birdseye, and the two tailers I spoke to said they sell maybe one flannel a year (thus saying they are not in style). In all, eventually, I'm planning a navy suit, a lighter or French blue suit (maybe three piece), mid-grey, and one a bit more patterned and casual. Plus, the Coopley guy has a blazer that was unconstructed in a knit wool that was very comfortable in either a mid blue (between French and sky) or a mid-grey.
Appreciate any tips on brands, shopping methods or general style.