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A reasonably priced full canvas suit???

PizzaDude

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I’m tired of cheap fused suits and am interested in getting a full canvassed suit. I don’t want to go full bespoke. It’s an option from Oliver Wicks which makes the suit about $950... I’m looking to spend no more than $1200, but if it was an amazing value I might go up to $1500... is this possible? Thanks...
 

Anachronist

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Absolutely... a RTW full canvassed suit can be had for much less than that. I recently purchased one with ample hand-stitching on sale from Boggi made of lovely Loro Piana wool for just over 400 bucks ... okay I admit it was bargain, but just to prove the point that a decently made suit can be had for a decent price without having to go overboard if you scout some of the less known brands and know what to look for. For your budget you should actually be able to obtain a MTM suit as well and to this end, if you can share your location, maybe someone from the vicinity can recommend a tailor.
 

PizzaDude

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Absolutely... a RTW full canvassed suit can be had for much less than that. I recently purchased one with ample hand-stitching on sale from Boggi made of lovely Loro Piana wool for just over 400 bucks ... okay I admit it was bargain, but just to prove the point that a decently made suit can be had for a decent price without having to go overboard if you scout some of the less known brands and know what to look for. For your budget you should actually be able to obtain a MTM suit as well and to this end, if you can share your location, maybe someone from the vicinity can recommend a tailor.

I’m in the booming metropolis of Greensboro, NC... but I’m open to traveling if it’s a great deal... Charleston, SC, Charlottesville or Richmond, VA, Philadelphia, etc.
 

Anachronist

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In this case I'll have to delegate your inquiry to our U.S. based colleagues and you should find yourself in many capable hands as I've seen some good advice and ample recommendations for tailors in the States.

Should you decide to make a trip to Germany and be in the Munich area some day, I'll be happy to introduce you to my sources :D
 

Jan Capek

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My friend, more than possible!

This might not be the answer you are looking for, but if you are willing to invest your time and energy, it indeed is a useful one and pays off.

Here's what happened a month ago. A boutique on one of the posh streets in Prague went out of business. They carried very decent suits at 2.5-6k and because they had to close on a tight schedule, a lot of their stuff was purchased by a nearby "luxury outlet". So over the past few weeks I got myself (from this outlet) three Isaia suits (last season), one Pal Zileri (mainline), and a Boglioli double-breasted unlined summer suit. Together with a bunch of Isaia and Formicola shirts, Cucinelli cashmere overcoat and pants etc. I paid less than 3k. The Isaia suits (two dark ones, one checkered) cost 260 dollars each. The original price of the cheapest one was 3.2k.

So, if you know where to look, and are patient (my best purchases have always been unexpected), you can add this principle to your "retail plan". Go to a Woodbury equivalent and ask them to notify you of good deals. Go to your local luxury outlet and make friends with the sales associates. Show some interest in their items, work it to showing interest in their lives, work it to a small gift when they call you with a secret tip.
 

Anachronist

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Wow, lucky man and congrats, Jan! It is probably noteworthy that you are quoting prices in Czech Crowns or people will think you're a millionaire when taking about 3.2k as cheap :D

@PizzaDude: Jan has a good point... take your time to search for bargains (even here in the B&S section). If you take your time, chances are you'll find some great stuff at a good price
 

PizzaDude

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Wow, lucky man and congrats, Jan! It is probably noteworthy that you are quoting prices in Czech Crowns or people will think you're a millionaire when taking about 3.2k as cheap :D

@PizzaDude: Jan has a good point... take your time to search for bargains (even here in the B&S section). If you take your time, chances are you'll find some great stuff at a good price

I appreciate the advice, the problem is that I’m a 52L in US sizes so there isn’t much out there for me...
 

Anachronist

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Don't worry, there is good stuff to be had even in that size if you don't limit yourself just to the US (at least online or it gets really expensive ;)). The advantage is, you have less competition for the good stuff. I'll try to see if I can point you to a bargain or two...
 

PizzaDude

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Don't worry, there is good stuff to be had even in that size if you don't limit yourself just to the US (at least online or it gets really expensive ;)). The advantage is, you have less competition for the good stuff. I'll try to see if I can point you to a bargain or two...

Cool, thanks...
 

Anachronist

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I did a little bit of reading and have to the conclusion that maybe it is best for you to actually try out a made to measure suit... this will give you much more freedom of choice in the selection of fabrics and style. As I'm not from the U.S. I hope some other people can chime in and recommend some good MTM tailors.

However, to start, have you checked Suit Supply, who make a full canvas suit as well and in virtually any size? See here:
https://us.suitsupply.com/en_US/la-spalla-fit.html

Alternatively, Oliver Wicks had some good looking suits on their custom made page within your budget and seem to get overall quite positive feedback:
https://www.oliverwicks.com/category/custom-suits
 

PizzaDude

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I did a little bit of reading and have to the conclusion that maybe it is best for you to actually try out a made to measure suit... this will give you much more freedom of choice in the selection of fabrics and style. As I'm not from the U.S. I hope some other people can chime in and recommend some good MTM tailors.

However, to start, have you checked Suit Supply, who make a full canvas suit as well and in virtually any size? See here:
https://us.suitsupply.com/en_US/la-spalla-fit.html

Alternatively, Oliver Wicks had some good looking suits on their custom made page within your budget and seem to get overall quite positive feedback:
https://www.oliverwicks.com/category/custom-suits

I’m definitely considering Oliver Wicks, my brother in law claims their half canvas suits are good.
 

Michael81

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@PizzaDude I can recommend the Custom Made programme, in which you modify existing fits. I've settled on the Lazio jacket and Washington trousers. I've had three custom suits made, and they will all be in my wardrobe for many years to come. SuSu MTM I cannot recomend. My MTM experience with them was an unmitigated disaster. Went through multiple remakes and still the fit of the final product was worse than I could have achieved with RTW. In my experience MTM is a gamble.

Incidentally, one of my first suits was an MTM effort from Oliver Wicks (then called Dragon Inside), and it was absolutely awful. The only thing nice about it was the fabric. Cheaply made, very poor construction and fit. As a rule, I would say to avoid online MTM. There are too many things that can go wrong.
 

PizzaDude

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@PizzaDude I can recommend the Custom Made programme, in which you modify existing fits. I've settled on the Lazio jacket and Washington trousers. I've had three custom suits made, and they will all be in my wardrobe for many years to come. SuSu MTM I cannot recomend. My MTM experience with them was an unmitigated disaster. Went through multiple remakes and still the fit of the final product was worse than I could have achieved with RTW. In my experience MTM is a gamble.

Incidentally, one of my first suits was an MTM effort from Oliver Wicks (then called Dragon Inside), and it was absolutely awful. The only thing nice about it was the fabric. Cheaply made, very poor construction and fit. As a rule, I would say to avoid online MTM. There are too many things that can go wrong.

Unfortunately I don’t live near a suitsupply, but I am going to Philadelphia for work next month and want to check one out... I do have business clients in a lot of areas with them, so I might see if I can get measured in one city, have it delivered to another for test fitting, then shipped to my home???
 

Michael81

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You probably wouldn't need more than one fitting. When it comes to their base models they know their business. Any alterations will probably be done while you wait. As for delivery options, I am sure they can accommodate you. They are quite flexible with stuff like that.
 

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