Advice for an Indecisive Suit Buyer

[Countertenor]

To start, I'm 5'8", 150 pounds, and there seem to be more people my size on SF than there are in real life, so I feel like this is a good place to ask for advice (among other reasons, of course) . Also, for reference, I am 28 years old.

I need a solid navy suit. At this very moment (and, of course, this all may change), I have it narrowed down to two suits. They are both 3-button suits with flat-front trousers. They are the same price. They are very different suits, however. Here are some descriptions/differences:

Versace
"Collection" (formerly known as "Classic"?)
Super 100s
Miniature self-Herringbone pattern, somewhat rough feel
Fused
Stiff, thick chest
Fits pretty well
Narrow, lightly-padded shoulders
Snug chest
Very tapered waist, almost too much (which is rare for my body)
Slim-fit trousers
Maybe cut too fashion-forward for long-term use (considering changes in fashion and/or changes in my body-type as I enter my 30s)

Southwick
Bailey
Super 120s
Soft, lightweight (8.75 oz, I think) fabric
Half Canvassed
Softer chest
Somewhat wider, lightly-padded shoulders
Roomier chest
Jacket waist will need to be taken in
Have not tried on trousers

Now I realize that this is all a bit vague, and I don't have pictures of the suits on me. I also realize that it's a strange comparison. But does anyone out there have an idea about which way I should lean?

 

[macuser3of5]

Fused interlining knocks something completely off my list. I used to not think it was a big deal, but I have 3 canvassed suits I am never going back. If you're going to wear this often, you will certainly notice the difference in quality and breathability when you wear it over extended periods of time.

 

[Countertenor]

Originally Posted by macuser3of5

Fused interlining knocks something completely off my list. I used to not think it was a big deal, but I have 3 canvassed suits I am never going back. If you're going to wear this often, you will certainly notice the difference in quality and breathability when you wear it over extended periods of time.

I certainly agree, and that certainly is a part of the deliberation. The Southwick is not fully canvassed, though.

 

[philosophe]

The Southwick is obviously the safe, conservative choice. Where are you planning to wear the suit? I would not recommend wearing the versace to most job interviews.

 

[Countertenor]

Originally Posted by philosophe

The Southwick is obviously the safe, conservative choice. Where are you planning to wear the suit? I would not recommend wearing the versace to most job interviews.

I see what you mean. I want this to be as versatile as possible: weddings, concerts, interviews, etc. And I certainly would not want the versatility of a solid navy suit to be offset by the cut. I would think that would be defeating the purpose.

 

[philosophe]

Originally Posted by Countertenor

I see what you mean. I want this to be as versatile as possible: weddings, concerts, interviews, etc. And I certainly would not want the versatility of a solid navy suit to be offset by the cut. I would think that would be defeating the purpose.

I think you've answered your own question. Southwick will always look fine.

 

[j]

Originally Posted by philosophe

I think you've answered your own question. Southwick will always look fine.
+1

With judicious tailoring, a Southwick can fit well and look sharp, though it will never get into the out-there territory of Italian designers. It's a great choice for an all-around suit.

 

[Countertenor]

Interesting. Thanks for the replies. They're all about what I expected.

Can anyone offer a dissenting opinion?

 

[TheHoff]

If you feel you look better in the Versace, your attitude while wearing it will override any minor differences in the cut.

 

[Countertenor]

Originally Posted by TheHoff

If you feel you look better in the Versace, your attitude while wearing it will override any minor differences in the cut.
I have to use my imagination a bit, because everything is in the pre-alteration stage. That said, I don't think I necessarily look better in the Versace, even though it's a better as-is fit. Then again, a few push-ups and/or beers down the road, it may end up too tight anyway.

 

[Joel_Cairo]

I'm going to join the Southwick chorus. There's a number of things hurting the Versace in the head-to-head. First, fusing, of course, its going to wear less luxuriously and get worse over time. Second, the herringbone, while it sounds very subtle, is nonetheless a pattern, making the suit less versatile (less formal at least). Third, you have the fashion-forwardness of the style, with its attendant close-to-the-body fit. All these make me say the Southwick sounds much better.

I say get the southwick (if its considerably too roomy in the shoulders and chest, could you go a size down?) and then invest another few bucks getting it tailored by someone who really knows what they are doing. It'll look much better after alterations and it will last for years and, due to southwick's styling, will be wearable for all those aforementioned years (i've never seen the versace in question, but somehow I sense a discounted versace suit is likely to have a short shelf-life, style-wise).

Then if you still find you want something flashy like that Versace, save up a couple months and get a Thick as Thieves. I'm sure that even on sale, a versace's probably 2x the TaT prices, and you cen specify all kinds of fit details on TaT that you can't when going OTR. If you're inexperienced at MTM, but loved the fit of the Versace, when not buy it, take it home, measure it very carefully, and return it?

 

[Sator]

I would also say Southwick if it is half canvassed and get it properly tailored. Versace Classic/ Collection/V2 suits are all pretty awful. Versace is more name than substance but with these second rate lineages they become even worse value for money even when purchased on discount. Target quality at high street prices.

 

[Countertenor]

Originally Posted by Joel_Cairo

I'm going to join the Southwick chorus. There's a number of things hurting the Versace in the head-to-head. First, fusing, of course, its going to wear less luxuriously and get worse over time. Second, the herringbone, while it sounds very subtle, is nonetheless a pattern, making the suit less versatile (less formal at least). Third, you have the fashion-forwardness of the style, with its attendant close-to-the-body fit. All these make me say the Southwick sounds much better.

I say get the southwick (if its considerably too roomy in the shoulders and chest, could you go a size down?) and then invest another few bucks getting it tailored by someone who really knows what they are doing. It'll look much better after alterations and it will last for years and, due to southwick's styling, will be wearable for all those aforementioned years (i've never seen the versace in question, but somehow I sense a discounted versace suit is likely to have a short shelf-life, style-wise).

Then if you still find you want something flashy like that Versace, save up a couple months and get a Thick as Thieves. I'm sure that even on sale, a versace's probably 2x the TaT prices, and you cen specify all kinds of fit details on TaT that you can't when going OTR. If you're inexperienced at MTM, but loved the fit of the Versace, when not buy it, take it home, measure it very carefully, and return it?

Now that sounds like a plan.

 

[Countertenor]

Originally Posted by Joel_Cairo

I say get the southwick (if its considerably too roomy in the shoulders and chest, could you go a size down?)
It actually fits well in the shoulders and pretty well in the chest. It's just not a latex glove-type fit like the Versace. If the chest turns out to be a slight issue, that'll just give me a reason to do some pushups this summah.

Originally Posted by Joel_Cairo

If you're inexperienced at MTM, but loved the fit of the Versace, when not buy it, take it home, measure it very carefully, and return it?
Good idea. TaT is on the radar, once I can scrape together a few shekels. How extensive should the measurements be? Would the measurements illustrated here suffice?

 

[kai-wun]

Originally Posted by Countertenor

Good idea. TaT is on the radar, once I can scrape together a few shekels. How extensive should the measurements be? Would the measurements illustrated here suffice?

http://www.thickasthievesla.com/imag...asurePopup.pdf