Making two suits, similar cloth

[Renault78law]

Not a very smart move on my part. For my first MTM suit, I bought a dark grey woolen with subtle chalkstripe. More recently, I bought some fabric which looks very very similar (though, it's a pinstripe). I don't want to have seemingly idential suits, so I'm looking for ideas to differentiate them.

The suit that is already made is a 3 button, rolled to 2.5 with flap pockets. I'm thinking the next should be 2 button, rolled to 2, with besom pockets. Can you think of anything else I could do to make them appear different? I'm planning on using different tailors, so that in itself should have an effect on the overall shape and fit/finish. I also toyed around with the idea of making the second suit DB, but I seldom where my DB as it is. Short of selling the cloth, or making a horizontally stripped suit (har har), any other ideas?

 

[oscarthewild]

If these are very similar and you seek variety, you may want to post them in the selling section for a barter/trade. Maybe someone has two lengths of a blue with chalkstripe and it would work out.

I have a feeling that I am not the only one with bolts of unsewn cloth.

 

[Teacher]

Peak lapels would look very sharp indeed.

 

[Vintage Gent]

Originally Posted by Teacher

Peak lapels would look very sharp indeed.

Perhaps even a peak lapel, single button.

 

[dah328]

My unsolicited advice is that you not throw good money after bad and have the second suit made regardless of the stylistic differences. Better to find some cloth that looks different for your next suit. I'm sitting on some unused bolts for that very reason but it's better than the alternative.

 

[kolecho]

I would go for variety in cloth colour, pattern and weight. I suggest selling or trading it. I know you have very good cloth to trade, so quality is not an issue

 

[whoopee]

Hold it, sell it, or make a DB.

 

[thinman]

If you think you'd wear such a suit regularly, I vote DB or peak lapel, one-button. Pinstriped DB suits can look very sharp.

 

[whoopee]

One note, if it is a narrow pinstripe, do not go for a DB.

 

[Teacher]

Originally Posted by whoopee

One note, if it is a narrow pinstripe, do not go for a DB.

I see no problems with pinstriped DB's. In fact, I have a navy pinstripe DB that looks wonderful.

 

[luk-cha]

center or side vent are also and option and flat or slanted pockets

 

[whoopee]

No problem with pinstripes. Just narrow ones.

 

[Matt]

add a ticket pocket as well.

also change the pants - if one is say single pleated and cuffed, make the other flat front and straight leg

 

[globetrotter]

my suits all look the same - a group of similar db's and a group of similar sb's. I don't see a problem.

 

[Ranjeev]

Two button, different vents and pleats. As you stated, the style will be different just by using different houses. Maybe there could be a difference in shoulders (roped vs. regular)? Different lapel widths might be something to consider.