Critique My Suit and Blazer Fits (Updated!)

NEW PICS AT THE END Hey fellas, I procured a charcoal subtle glenplaid RLBL suit (backlash to the backlash yet?) here on B&S a couple of months ago as my first real suit and haven't gotten around to tailoring it yet...I'm wondering if you could help me with the fit. I need to find a new tailor, and I'd like some guidelines, in case a tailor's suggestions clash mightily with the advice received here. It fits decently, I think, but I'm not sure about the shoulders and chest. I'm honestly not sure about how you can easily tell if the chest fits, other than lapel buckling. There is some of that here, enough to be worried? The waist can probably be taken in an inch or two. When you're supposed to be able to fit a fist near the waist, which way is the fist held? The sleeves have to be taken in, what, 1/4"? And I don't know how the break is supposed to be. The suit is a 40R, while my chest is 39" Second, I bought a 100% cashmere RLPL navy blazer (score!) for a good deal in a 40R...I wasn't sure if it fit in stores, so I figured I would take it home and mull it over. Could you help with whether alterations could perfect the fit? I'm not really sure what should be done. If the shoulders and chest (difficult to alter, correct?) don't appear to fit, I supposed I'm going to return it or have a go at B&S. Keep in mind that it looks like the tag is opening the quarters a bit more than natural. The sleeves need to be done as well, of course. Please give me some newbie advice on these. Learning up on fashion has been a huge interest of mine in the past few months. I don't post a lot, but it's hard to critique others when you're just building a foundation yourself. Thanks a lot.

I like the suit a lot. If I had to point out something to change, I'd say bring the buttons up some, and make the jacket longer. But that's nitpicking. I think the jacket is fine. You might have to take the pants up a little and cuff them, but it's hard to tell because I think your issue with that is static. Very good fit in my opinion. The tie should be pressed....

The RLPL jacket is too small.

The suit fits adequately and you could get away with wearing it as it is, if you didn't much fancy paying the alteration prices. You wear it well.

If you did want it altered, I would have the waist bought in only a touch, just to bring out the curve of your back a little more. I can also see a fold of material behind your left shoulder, indicating it could be tighter across your back. The shoulders fit well but the sleeves are a touch to long. If you wanted the sleeves to have a closer fit, you would have to adjust the rest of the suit to match. Currently the slack in the sleeves matches the slack in the trousers, and I think it looks good on you.

Side note: practice tying your tie a bit more, and have a look at different knots.

I don't believe the RLPL jacket is too small but because the vents still have a cross running stitch in them, the bottom of the jacket isn't hanging right. Release these and the bottom of the jacket should fall forward. I actually think it's quite a bit big on you, especially in the chest. The sleeves will need shortening. I would wear this jacket more casually, so without a tie and maybe a very ridged collar.

Well shopped my good man.

I like the suit, but the blazer is short. You seem to have wide hips.

Yeah, the suit looks great man, you are rockin the RLBL better than most of the people I have seen on the forums .

On the other hand... the PL does not look right.

The suit looks good, although I actually think you might have been able to take a size smaller... I have a 38' chest and wear a 36 suit (19'-19.5' diamater chest)... so there looks like a bit of overhang on the shoulders. Anyway, it's pretty solid, some minor tailoring like the back could be done. 8.75/10, better then average for sure.
The jacket... looks like it's too short in the body so it's flairing out at the waist instead of at the hips. Makes you look fat IMO

The balance is off on the RLPL which is why the back doesn't fall cleanly. You'd need to have it taken in at the top to have that taken care of. Whether you want to spend the money on that alteration is up to you.

Originally Posted by Master-Classter

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The jacket... looks like it's too short in the body so it's flairing out at the waist instead of at the hips. Makes you look fat IMO

Just release the vents in the back and it'll hang better.

I think the shoulders are too wide. You can see the left shoulder actually droop, a sure sign that it is too big. If I were you, I would definitely try a 38. There should only be a .5inch length difference in shoulder to shoulder measurement between a 40 and a 38 anyway.

FYI, I have a 38.5 inch chest, and i can wear a size 38, but look better in a 36. However, I choose to go with the shoulder to shoulder measurement for that perfect shoulder fit. 18 inches across gives me that.

*After a second look, the jacket is definitely too big for you. Sure, you can wear it and no one will comment on it, but I am sure you are here because you want to look your best. Try both 36 and 38. 40 is definitely not for you.

Hmmm. Something looks funny. What size waist do you have? Both jackets make you look like you have wide hips. I actually think shorter jackets would lessen this appearance. You will get some backlash from people who look for traditional jacket lengths, but I think it would make you appear trimmer.

The Black Label fits pretty well in 40R. Since you appear to be a 40R in Black Label, you may need a 38R in Purple Label.

Agreed on all fronts. The suit seems to fit you perfectly, but the pants don't seem to fit right. Something looks off to me.

The Purple Label blazer doesn't fit you properly in the shoulders and will need to be altered. Shoulders and sleeves will cost you another $100 or so. At least, that's what my tailor would charge me. If the deal was that stellar, bite the bullet and get it done. If not, then you should return it and look for a 38R.

Good luck!

+1 on the above

Sleeves look a tad short in the suit coat otherwise a fine fit as well as the blazer.

Originally Posted by crpz32

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FYI, I have a 38.5 inch chest, and i can wear a size 38

*After a second look, the jacket is definitely too big for you. Sure, you can wear it and no one will comment on it, but I am sure you are here because you want to look your best. Try both 36 and 38. 40 is definitely not for you.

+1... that's why I was confused about the size 40. It sort of looks fine, but he'd probably look much better in a 38. There's nothing terribly wrong because it's big enough to sort of hide any actual fit issues to do with shape/silhouette.