Costume National

[Histrion]

Hi,

I have seen some good comments about Costume National's garments in the past, both here and on the other forum. I have a few questions for our experts.

1. Are the cuts too fashion-forward for an interview with a law firm?
2. What is the retail price that I could expect? I am not willing to buy a suit online as I'm not sure the fit would be ideal.
3. Are these suits appropriate for a guy with my kind of shape? I am 5 foot 8, waist's 30 (perhaps even 29), chest 36-38, it depends I guess*. I don't have a big frame, heh.

Oh, and as for their other clothes, such as polos, are they very slim fit?

*I don't own any jacket so it makes it hard to know. I usually buy 15/38 shirts, and I would assume the 38 is for the chest (I'm a total beginner). However, my brother, who has the same chest size as me, bought a 36 suit jacket the other day.


Thanks a lot!

 

[mack11211]

Partial answers.

It's a great brand.

It's a bit fashion forward for a law firm, except perhaps entertainment law IMO.

The cut is very slim.

Re: your 15/38 shirt: the 38 is not the chest size; rather it is the approximate centimeter equivalent to the inches. In other words, both are measures of the collar size and have no automatic relation to the chest measure. Many euro shirts come in a standard arm length that may be shortened to suit the individual.

 

[LA Guy]

The suits fit quite slim. They are, as mack pointed out, probably not suitable for a law interview, although you would certainly make an impression. And the neck size of the shirts 15/38 correspond to neck, and not chest size, again a pointed out. However, most companies design shirts with proportional neck and chest sizes in mind. I am a 15.75" neck, and wear between a 40-41 (EU) neck size, and a 50Eu in suits. Also, many Costume National shirts, especially casual shirts, are sized on the chest rather than neck size.

 

[Luc-Emmanuel]

It's quite fashion forward, with very narrow shoulders. In paris, it's about 1000 euros for a suit. You should try either a 46 or 48 (Italian size).

!luc

 

[Soph]

No, they are not suitable for a law firm.

They are very avant garde, they have a very slim modern cut, and yes, they do look eye catching. However, some see the gorge/button stance as somewhat of a woman's jacket. Also, if they are still doing the reverse button on the sleeves, I don't think that would go over at a law firm. I think they would be great to stand out at a lounge and to work the ladies however, perhaps.

 

[Histrion]

Thanks a lot guys!

Are Paul Smith's suits in the same category, i.e.: too fashion-forward?

 

[VMan]

Originally Posted by Histrion

Thanks a lot guys!

Are Paul Smith's suits in the same category, i.e.: too fashion-forward?

Not as much, I think of PS suits more as modern updates on British classics. Of course you will get some designs that are too extreme for a law office, but then again 99% of makers will have a few of those pieces each season. Many of the PS designs will work just fine for you.

 

[lameduck]

Originally Posted by Histrion

Thanks a lot guys!

Are Paul Smith's suits in the same category, i.e.: too fashion-forward?
I'm about your size, and Paul Smith's suits (36) do not fit me. They are cut on the large size.

 

[rdawson808]

Sorry guys, but I think you have been a bit obtuse with the shirt measurements. Histrion wrote, "I usually buy 15/38 shirts, and I would assume the 38 is for the chest (I'm a total beginner)."

When shirts say 15-38 that means a 15" neck and 38" sleeves.


bob

 

[Brian SD]

In costume national shirts, however, you do buy based off of your suit size. For example, I wear a 46 in Costume National suits, and a 46 in Costume National Dress Shirts.

They are very slim, yes, but I do think that there are a few models per season that would be appropriate for a law firm interview. Look for one that's 100% wool, and has traditional detailing.

 

[Get Smart]

Originally Posted by lameduck

I'm about your size, and Paul Smith's suits (36) do not fit me. They are cut on the large size.

hmmm...my experience has been the opposite. My Paul Smith suits and jackets fit on the small side. I usually wear a 38 but go up to 40 in Paul Smith. I agree that many PS offerings will fit in perfectly with a business environment, while some dandy-ish models are more appropriate for social wear.

 

[Get Smart]

Originally Posted by rdawson808

When shirts say 15-38 that means a 15" neck and 38" sleeves.

huh? I've never heard of that. And I'm sure I've never seen a 15" neck with 38" sleeve. "15-38" should mean "inch-centimeter" for the neck sizing.

 

[mack11211]

Sorry guys, but I think you have been a bit obtuse with the shirt measurements. Histrion wrote, "I usually buy 15/38 shirts, and I would assume the 38 is for the chest (I'm a total beginner)."

When shirts say 15-38 that means a 15" neck and 38" sleeves.


bob

C'mon, bob. If the guy had 38" sleeves, what RTW suit would fit him?

 

[Luc-Emmanuel]

No. It's 15" / 38cm. Most of my shirts in france have a 38 size, which means a 38cm neck size. i.e : 15 x 2.54 = 38.1

!luc

 

[tiger02]

Originally Posted by rdawson808

Sorry guys, but I think you have been a bit obtuse with the shirt measurements. Histrion wrote, "I usually buy 15/38 shirts, and I would assume the 38 is for the chest (I'm a total beginner)."

When shirts say 15-38 that means a 15" neck and 38" sleeves.


bob
Bob, I know what you're thinking of here, but shirts that are sized neck/sleeve would generally come in a choice between 15/32-33 and 15/34-35. 15/38 does indeed refer to inches/centimeters; I'm a 15.5/39.

Tom