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Hickey Freeman Suit and Tuxedo Quality; Riches or Rags?

mrbig

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Hello all, i posted here a while back concerning JL shoes, and i've another problem.

firstly, i'm a student, and secondly, i now need to purchase a Tuxedo for a wedding. Most of my peers said that i should, brace yourselves, rent one, but i strongly disagree, so my eBay hunt began, my dad said he would get this for my b'day, so i d'ont want to spend Brioni money.

I found this gem last night, and was searching the forums for more info on this line

Hickey Freeman Collection Tuxedo

Please tell me if its a good buy for this price, (im considering making an offer of 400AUD, about 330USD)

Also, please inform as to if HF is a good brand to buy from, I'm currently wearing a bespoke suit made in Singapore. (I would go there, but my tailor doesn't want to mail it to me, and i cant afford to go there on a whim, unfortunately)

And if anyone has had dealings with this seller, he/she seems to be a genuine vendor.

Thanks for your time, mrbig
 

tiger02

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It seems to have an extra vent and no pants? HF makes decent stuff, but if you spend an extra US$100 or so you can get an Isaia, which is worlds above HF. And it will have pants. No idea what shipping from the US will do to the price, but it will probably still be a better deal. http://stores.ebay.com/Nitr-o-Sartorial-Fashions Tom
 

marc237

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Also note that the link you posted is to only a jacket. No pants.
 

mrbig

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If you've seen Casino Royale, you know what features Bond's tuxedo has, I'm trying to get the same look. I found that the lapels on the Isaia Jacket from the link is different. I'm aware that the pants are not included in the auction, I'm not a fan of the silk/grosgrain stripe on the side of 'tuxedo trousers', so I am going to borrow a pair from my black suit.
 

tiger02

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Hmm, ok. Looks to me like the HF has longer, sharper lapels. Bond's tux is Brioni, which is another step above Isaia construction wise. Style wise, HF will be much more conservative, with less of a tapered waist and rounder shoulders. Isaia is much less structured than Brioni, but is gorgeously shaped through the waist. Understading your hesitation to wear tux pants, you still need to be careful with fabrics. Two different blacks aren't necessarily the same. I would guess you can have a tailor remove the satin stripe, if you like.
 

marc237

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Originally Posted by mrbig
I'm aware that the pants are not included in the auction, I'm not a fan of the silk/grosgrain stripe on the side of 'tuxedo trousers', so I am going to borrow a pair from my black suit.

That is likely to be a big mistake. The fabric on the pants and the jacket are not likely to match and will therefore look like a mismatch tuxedo jacket with a pair of random black pants. Moreover, for more than $300, one ought get the full tux.
 

Master Shake

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Originally Posted by mrbig
I'm aware that the pants are not included in the auction, I'm not a fan of the silk/grosgrain stripe on the side of 'tuxedo trousers', so I am going to borrow a pair from my black suit.
As others have said, the fabric of the jacket will not match the fabric of the pants, a major no-no. Also, dinner trousers (if that's even a real phrase) historically have that grosgrain stripe, I believe, because of their military heritage. Absent that stripe, they are are simply black trousers. The whole point of the dinner suit, especially in this day and age, is that it is for formal (or for the especially anal, semi-formal) events, and is meant to be a departure from the everyday business wardrobe. Hence, no notch lapels, no long ties, no business dress shoes, etc. Do the right thing, and get a proper pair of trousers to go along with your dinner jacket.
 

rnoldh

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I think you will regret it, if you buy the HF Tuxedo coat without pants.

I also think you ought to consider that the HF coat has a single rear vent, which is unlike the Bond look you want.
 

mrbig

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Thanks for the help so far, and Ive just noticed that it has a vent, d'oh! Can anyone recommend a tuxedo that has the same lapel detail and resembles the look of a Brioni/any other highly renowned suit-maker?

Also, can you recommend a good, sub 100AUD (or 80usd) Tuxedo Shirt (if that is the correct term), without pleats please, again, to replicate the Casino Royale Bond look.
 

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