Summer Suit Redux: Zegna?

Not worth it, not at full retail.

I think this has a high risk of becoming a regretted purchase.

There you go. It sounds like it fits the bill for what you are looking for. This is a summer suit - not a workhorse suit you'll be wearing 9 months out of the year. Lack of full canvassing should be fine for what you need this suit for. I've seen Z Zegna suits, and they are very nice - the fusing is very soft. I'm more concerned with having a suit fit well and look great, as opposed to "is it canvassed or fused". The problems with having the fusing bubble and warp is something that isn't much of a problem with modern fusing techniques. Also, I doubt this is a suit you'll be wearing 15 years from now (as Z Zegna tends to be a bit trendier) so you don't really need to worry about having the fusing fail on you. As far as the price - if you can afford $900, it's not bad. It seems to be exactly what you want, and if the fit is excellent, I think you've made the decision already. Edit: Aren't almost all cotton suits fused anyway? I mean aside from Borrelli, Kiton, etc. most all cotton jackets that I've seen have light fusing.

the only drawback I see is that it is a "summer suit" which in California seems to be an anomaly since it is so damn hot in the summer and the last thing I want to wear is a suit. So you might not get much wear out of it, also it being a white suit. $900 is a lot for me to spend on something that might not see more than 2-3 wears/year. But if you already know you're going to get some use out of it, then go for it. I don't think the fuse/canvass construction is an issue for a suit like this. I think the detractors will argue you can get a better made suit for the price, but in your case it doesnt seem like an issue of construction quality, but pure aesthetics and fit (which themselves can command a premium in price).

If you look over on yoox, they have a Zegna regular line in a similar style for abotu $680 or so. You may want to have a look (if it hasn't sold out already)...

John

You might also take a look at the Z Zegnas for sale by honest*goods on ebay. The suits are not quite as fashionable but only $300. The seller is absolutely reputable.

I don't believe that a maker, who produces a full canvassed jacket, would lower their standards simply because of the particular material used. I have jackets in linen, cotton and seersucker that are fully canvassed.