Ask A Question, Get An Answer... - Post All Quick Questions Here (Classic menswear)

[Sanguis Mortuum]

Originally Posted by KVH

I recently purchased a MTM suit from Harry Rosen and I'm very happy with it except for a small "pill" or "break" in a thread of fabric within the body of the wool suit. The suit is navy but there was a white thread of wool that was sticking out from the fabric. It was only about 1/10th of an inch long so I carefully trimmed it off. I guess there was a slight snag of the fabric or a puncture of the fabric during the making of the suit? Here are the pics:

Are you sure it's part of the suit fabric, and not just a bit of basting thread or something?

 

[KVH]

Originally Posted by Sanguis Mortuum

Are you sure it's part of the suit fabric, and not just a bit of basting thread or something?

I'm pretty sure it's part of the suit fabric although I don't want to tug at it to make sure. It just wouldn't make since for there to be any basting fabric at that location because it's not anywhere a connecting point to another piece of fabric.

 

[porcelain monkey]

Originally Posted by KVH

Hey everyone,

I'm a little OCD so if this seems like no big deal to you, please let me know so I can rest easy or if it is a big deal, let me know so I can get it fixed...

I recently purchased a MTM suit from Harry Rosen and I'm very happy with it except for a small "pill" or "break" in a thread of fabric within the body of the wool suit. The suit is navy but there was a white thread of wool that was sticking out from the fabric. It was only about 1/10th of an inch long so I carefully trimmed it off. I guess there was a slight snag of the fabric or a puncture of the fabric during the making of the suit? Here are the pics:

A closeup:

The following pics will show you how small it is:

As you can see, the pill or thread break is very small and not noticeable. However, because this thread is broken from the rest of the fabric weave, I'm worried that that it will be problematic in the future (e.g. will it start coming apart easily, or wear down and the adjacent threads will unravel)?

I'm not sure how durable wool is and I don't know anything about fabrics so someone with experience please let me know if this will be a problem. I don't want to take it back to Harry Rosen to get it fixed only to be laughed at for being a crazy person if this is a non-issue.

Thanks.

If you don't know or are worried, bring it back to them to look at. You are the customer here. I assume you paid a lot for this garment.

 

[Joemero]

What's the opinion on rubber soled dress shoes and wearing a suit? I was looking at some Ecco wingtips, also the AE Lombard, both of which have rubber soles and was thinking that might not be appropriate when wearing a suit. I'm in the financial services industry.

Also, what's the opinion on Johnston and Murphy shoes, their signature edition in particular?

 

[Edgar Allan Pwn]

Charcoal suit, white shirt, plain neutral tie for a funeral?

 

[onix]

Originally Posted by Edgar Allan Pwn

Charcoal suit, white shirt, plain neutral tie for a funeral?
Depending on your culture. For the western world(*), this sounds good enough, though in some certain subcultures, people prefer black. If in doubt, the darker the suit, the better. (*) Some Eastern cultures prefer white or very bright colors.

 

[Edgar Allan Pwn]

I'd prefer black too, but I don't have a black suit in my closet. It's dark enough that I think it should pass, just wasn't sure, and I don't really want to buy a black suit unless I have to. Catholic Italians in Canada, if it matters.

 

[gort]

Looking to get a Sunspel James Bond style polo. What's the best way to get one in the USA?

 

[Nicola]

Originally Posted by Edgar Allan Pwn

I'd prefer black too, but I don't have a black suit in my closet. It's dark enough that I think it should pass, just wasn't sure, and I don't really want to buy a black suit unless I have to. Catholic Italians in Canada, if it matters.

Fine. Unless we're discussing close members of the family I doubt many would be wearing a suit.

 

[dasai]

Originally Posted by Joemero

What's the opinion on rubber soled dress shoes and wearing a suit? I was looking at some Ecco wingtips, also the AE Lombard, both of which have rubber soles and was thinking that might not be appropriate when wearing a suit. I'm in the financial services industry.

Also, what's the opinion on Johnston and Murphy shoes, their signature edition in particular?
Rubber-soled dress shoes are all right, as long as the soles have a flat profile and are attached in the same fashion as actual leather soles. Dainite soles and A-E's Executive rubber sole are fine, but a lug sole (e.g. Commando) or similar is inappropriate for dress wear.

I'd steer clear of Ecco, as the styling is not all that great as dress shoes go. The A-E Lombard is all right, though as a blucher, it's really meant more to go with sport coats and such than with suits. J&M's lower-tier models have a not-so-great reputation around here (lots of corrected grain leather and the gimmicky "trampoline" system that makes them hard to repair/resole outside the company); their top-of-the-line models are fine, but at that price point, you could find better at A-E, Alden, Cheaney, C&J....

 

[svd]

Originally Posted by tab3076

I have a bit a problem, I can't find shirts that fit me.

I'm 6'2 and 175lbs. I'm a bit on the lean side, but even I was ripped I'd still need shirts in my size.

For reference a t-shirt the fits be well would be a typical J. Crew cotten tee in small and in "tailored" fit.

My problem is I can't find any dress shirts that fit me well because the arms are too short. If they made slim medium-talls that'd probably work perfectly. If Banana Republic made small-talls, or slim medium-talls that'd work too, but the fact is they don't. One shirt that does fit me well is Brooks Brothers Extra Slim fits, but the only have 3 or 2 styles? Which, doesn't play out well at all.

What do I do?

EDIT : I did try a medium silm medium-tall BR shirt, it didn't fit. Way too tent-like.

Pinned to front page -

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=35147

 

[acecow]

Originally Posted by false

Is there a specific "critique my suit thread"? Because that would be really useful. I'll edit my post if I've missed it.

I was told by SuitSelect (Japanese suit store) that my chest is too thick to fit anything OTR from the entry level salaryman suit shops so I tried United Arrows. The suit looks beautiful from the front, feels perfectly fitted, not too tight or too loose... but this back picture looks strange(also, my head came out enormous). Do I have bizarre proportions or is this cut not for me?

Also:
-What are the striations on the shoulders in the back pick and should I be able to see them?
-Should I be worried about the dimples in the shoulder head in the side view? I was under the impression dimples are bad

Wool / mohair blend, canvassed 48 ~$800. I'm 5'7, ~156

I think it's pretty good overall. Take it to a competent tailor and he will fix the minor details that you may not have noticed.

Originally Posted by Edgar Allan Pwn

Charcoal suit, white shirt, plain neutral tie for a funeral?

You should be fine. I saw people in khaki suits at funerals.

 

[acecow]

Shoe opinion sought:

I have a new pair of suede Chukkas that came with lasted plastic shoe "trees". Should I:

1. Use the plastic ones,
2. Use generic cedar shoe trees, or
3. Put the wooden trees in after wearing and then swap for lasted plastic ones?

Thanks.

 

[Joemero]

The A-E Lombard is all right, though as a blucher, it's really meant more to go with sport coats and such than with suits. J&M's lower-tier models have a not-so-great reputation around here (lots of corrected grain leather and the gimmicky "trampoline" system that makes them hard to repair/resole outside the company); their top-of-the-line models are fine, but at that price point, you could find better at A-E, Alden, Cheaney, C&J....

Which models of A-E would you recommend when wearing suits? I thought it was ok to wear a brown wingtip with a suit. I was eyeing the A-E McAllister in Walnut.

 

[onix]

Originally Posted by acecow

Shoe opinion sought:

I have a new pair of suede Chukkas that came with lasted plastic shoe "trees". Should I:

1. Use the plastic ones,
2. Use generic cedar shoe trees, or
3. Put the wooden trees in after wearing and then swap for lasted plastic ones?

Thanks.

Unless the last is oddly shaped, I would use cedar shoe trees, not because of their moisture absorption (if any, but that's a long debates, I have my own opinion, but will not get into that), but because they keep the shoes smell great (with occasional sanding of course).