MTM Suits - EliteSuits

[zfruch]

Anyone ordered from them? I saw recent post a few days ago, but did not have much info.
They have different levels and price point. Made in China.
I am looking at a full canvas suit. The jacket is chalked and hand cut, no laser cut with CAD. Also told they are not made by big industrial machine, but by individual tailors. The suit I am looking at is $499.
The fabric is an English wool blend with cashmere. I discussed ordering a higher fabric quality, but the owner recommends this level for first suit so I can get my measurements fine tuned for a second order.
Website is not impressive, but owner appears very knowledgeable and feedback from customers appears great.
Owner is in Australia.

 

[jonuiuc]

I noticed them too and have been noodling around the website. Like you said their website is not the best, but the amount of content written sort of implies they are not delibrately trying to hide anything. Fabric is especially hard to look at. Ebay feedback on their inexpensive suits/shirts is good (speaks more to Service than quality of product, but thats half the battle).
I found one thread on google from an Australian forum that has some customers on there: http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1749776

Not sure if the fella on there is a shill or not. I lean towards no though.

Looks like they use different manufacturers for their different ranges. It is implied that their $239 suit is made in the same place as some Indochino suits (so thats a non starter for me). Their $299 suit (under specials) is the most interesting to me, as it is supposedly full canvas and made somewhere in italy. The fine print does state that if you are 44"+ or over 6'2" they upcharge $50, so the minimum price of satisfying my curiosity is $350. Maybe after I get my tax return I'll give it a go. If anyone beats me to it please post.

 

[zfruch]

I e-mailed the owner about the full canvas options. He sent replied with a few really detailed e-mails about the specific lines, where they were manufactured and the difference in construction and quality. I would e-mail him about what you are looking to buy before you order anything. He will point you in the right direction.

 

[barrelntrigger]

Have you bought from Elitesuits yet? I'm thinking about getting the Traditional English Stripes slim fit.

 

[ancdmd]

Looks interesting but I can't make sense out of all the selection of suits on the website, it's too hard to compare one to another, there's so many.

 

[Simon at Elite]

Looks interesting but I can't make sense out of all the selection of suits on the website, it's too hard to compare one to another, there's so many.

Choice can be confusing sometimes, however if you allow me to explain the concept it might make it easier. To try and make this as much as possible simply supplying information rather than an ad I'm not putting any links

Other tailoring services contract a tailor and then get them to make suits. They usually allow the tailor to supply the fabric.

We work in exactly the reverse way. We source the fabric first and then find the right tailor to make suits from that fabric on a CMT basis meaning we supply the fabric.Once you understand that the site becomes easier to understand. Most of our suits under $500 are similar and although they may be made by different tailors the variance in price represents the difference in the cost of the fabric more than anything else.They only real exception is for our extra slim fit suits which we sourced a tailor that specialises in this style of fit

We work with an unbelievable fabric merchant who sources fabric from all over the globe. Some of it is fully Chinese made. You might want to remember before criticising Chinese made wool that most people agree that the best suiting fabric is Australian Merino Wool and over 80% of the Australian annual wool clip is exported directly to China. We have an alliance with Woolmark who are the marketing organisation for Australian woolgrowers and they say great things about the Chinese fabric manufacturers. However, like all countries there is some poor quality out there you just have to know where to look.

They also source wool direct from the smaller mills in Europe that don't sell retail and produce job lots under contract for clothing manufacturers. Some of it comes in fully finished while some comes in a natural state and is dyed in China.

Once we have the fabric we then send it to a tailor who is appropriate for that type of wool and the suit the customer wants.We're not going to send Holland & Sherry or Taylor & Lodge fabric to a suit factory and expect them to make a suit worthy of such a cloth. We send that to specialist bespoke tailors. However we're not going to send $10 a yard wool to the bespoke tailors either.

The biggest advantage in the way we operate is that if we get a tailor that starts to send us sub-standard work we simply stop using him and send the orders to another tailor who will make the suit to the standard we expect. I'm more than happy to do that and over the past 18 months I've dumped 3 tailors. That's much harder to do if you're using one tailor to make all your suits.

I hope that explains things and makes it a little easier to understand.

Yes I know the site is crap and I assure you we are working on a replacement. While it won't be the best and most flashiest site in the world it will be a vast improvement. It's never been about the site, it's always been about providing a better suit at a value for money price and providing good service. The site and associated blog are both very wordy. We want you to have a good understanding of what you're getting for your money. So if you just want somewhere that simply says "Blue suit - $399" than we may not be the site for you.You are never going to get the world's best suit for under $500 but based on what I see in stores our suits are extremely good value and even allowing for my natural bias, I believe we offer a better suit for the money than our competitors (I know we pay more for them).

If you want help use the contact us page on the site and send me a message. That's what we are here for. We usually get back to you under 24 hours.

 

[CYstyle]

 

[ancdmd]

Choice can be confusing sometimes, however if you allow me to explain the concept it might make it easier. To try and make this as much as possible simply supplying information rather than an ad I'm not putting any links

Other tailoring services contract a tailor and then get them to make suits. They usually allow the tailor to supply the fabric.

We work in exactly the reverse way. We source the fabric first and then find the right tailor to make suits from that fabric on a CMT basis meaning we supply the fabric.Once you understand that the site becomes easier to understand. Most of our suits under $500 are similar and although they may be made by different tailors the variance in price represents the difference in the cost of the fabric more than anything else.They only real exception is for our extra slim fit suits which we sourced a tailor that specialises in this style of fit

We work with an unbelievable fabric merchant who sources fabric from all over the globe. Some of it is fully Chinese made. You might want to remember before criticising Chinese made wool that most people agree that the best suiting fabric is Australian Merino Wool and over 80% of the Australian annual wool clip is exported directly to China. We have an alliance with Woolmark who are the marketing organisation for Australian woolgrowers and they say great things about the Chinese fabric manufacturers. However, like all countries there is some poor quality out there you just have to know where to look.

They also source wool direct from the smaller mills in Europe that don't sell retail and produce job lots under contract for clothing manufacturers. Some of it comes in fully finished while some comes in a natural state and is dyed in China.

Once we have the fabric we then send it to a tailor who is appropriate for that type of wool and the suit the customer wants.We're not going to send Holland & Sherry or Taylor & Lodge fabric to a suit factory and expect them to make a suit worthy of such a cloth. We send that to specialist bespoke tailors. However we're not going to send $10 a yard wool to the bespoke tailors either.

The biggest advantage in the way we operate is that if we get a tailor that starts to send us sub-standard work we simply stop using him and send the orders to another tailor who will make the suit to the standard we expect. I'm more than happy to do that and over the past 18 months I've dumped 3 tailors. That's much harder to do if you're using one tailor to make all your suits.

I hope that explains things and makes it a little easier to understand.

Yes I know the site is crap and I assure you we are working on a replacement. While it won't be the best and most flashiest site in the world it will be a vast improvement. It's never been about the site, it's always been about providing a better suit at a value for money price and providing good service. The site and associated blog are both very wordy. We want you to have a good understanding of what you're getting for your money. So if you just want somewhere that simply says "Blue suit - $399" than we may not be the site for you.You are never going to get the world's best suit for under $500 but based on what I see in stores our suits are extremely good value and even allowing for my natural bias, I believe we offer a better suit for the money than our competitors (I know we pay more for them).

If you want help use the contact us page on the site and send me a message. That's what we are here for. We usually get back to you under 24 hours.

Ok thanks for the clarification Simon, looking forward to hearing some testimonials from clients here on SF.

 

[jonuiuc]

Thanks for your response sir, it helps me understand your business model a lot. The current site is managable for me as it is, but the one thing I would suggest in the interim is to rename the image files for the fabric swatches to their color and weave, and put the fabric number in the detail, rather than vice-versa as it is now. This would make it easier to scan the thumbnails for what I'm looking for rather than relying on my dubious color-identifying abilities and clicking every single one. This will save you some bandwith too, as it saves the website server from having to load big picture after big picture, when all people are trying to do is read the description.

 

[GBR]



Choice can be confusing sometimes, however if you allow me to explain the concept it might make it easier. To try and make this as much as possible simply supplying information rather than an ad I'm not putting any links

Other tailoring services contract a tailor and then get them to make suits. They usually allow the tailor to supply the fabric.

We work in exactly the reverse way. We source the fabric first and then find the right tailor to make suits from that fabric on a CMT basis meaning we supply the fabric.Once you understand that the site becomes easier to understand. Most of our suits under $500 are similar and although they may be made by different tailors the variance in price represents the difference in the cost of the fabric more than anything else.They only real exception is for our extra slim fit suits which we sourced a tailor that specialises in this style of fit

We work with an unbelievable fabric merchant who sources fabric from all over the globe. Some of it is fully Chinese made. You might want to remember before criticising Chinese made wool  that most people agree that the best suiting fabric is Australian Merino Wool and over 80% of the Australian annual wool clip is exported directly to China. We have an alliance with Woolmark who are the marketing organisation for Australian woolgrowers and they say great things about the Chinese fabric manufacturers. However, like all countries there is some poor quality out there you just have to know where to look.

They also source wool direct from the smaller mills in Europe that don't sell retail and produce job lots under contract for clothing manufacturers. Some of it comes in fully finished while some comes in a natural state and is dyed in China.

Once we have the fabric we then send it to a tailor who is appropriate for that type of wool and the suit the customer wants.We're not going to send Holland & Sherry or Taylor & Lodge fabric to a suit factory and expect them to make a suit worthy of such a cloth. We send that to specialist bespoke tailors. However we're not going to send $10 a yard wool to the bespoke tailors either.

The biggest advantage in the way we operate is that if we get a tailor that starts to send us sub-standard work we simply stop using him and send the orders to another tailor who will make the suit to the standard we expect. I'm more than happy to do that and over the past 18 months I've dumped 3 tailors. That's much harder to do if you're using one tailor to make all your suits.

I hope that explains things and makes it a little easier to understand.

Yes I know the site is crap and I assure you we are working on a replacement. While it won't be the best and most flashiest site in the world it will be a vast improvement. It's never been about the site, it's always been about providing a better suit at a value for money price and providing good service. The site and associated blog are both very wordy. We want you to have a good understanding of what you're getting for your money. So if you just want somewhere that simply says "Blue suit - $399" than we may not be the site for you.You are never going to get the world's best suit for under $500 but based on what I see in stores our suits are extremely good value and even allowing for my natural bias, I believe we offer a better suit for the money than our competitors (I know we pay more for them).

If you want help use the contact us page on the site and send me a message. That's what we are here for. We usually get back to you under 24 hours.

Far from convincing.

 

[TheTukker]



Far from convincing.

I am afraid I have to second this.

 

[barrelntrigger]

I'm thinking about ordering a suit with them. I'll keep you guys updated on how things turn out. I do appreciate the fact Simon from elitesuits tries to explain his business model. I feel more comfortable rather than just stare at a image of a model wearing the garb.

 

[454Casull]

I'm working with Simon right now to get a suit corrected. A couple of things to note so far:

1) The packaging sucks. You get your clothes in a bag.
2) Whoever does the pressing doesn't do a very good job, at least for the Beijing full-canvassed suits. I did note seeing that the presser went on top of the flap pockets while they were tucked in, and "shined" a faint outline of them into the outer fabric of the suit. This forces me to wear the flaps always on the outside. Also, the collar and lapel shine slightly as well. At least there was some lapel roll.
3) Simon responds to email very quickly. It's usually a few hours.
4) If you have a fetish for perfectly symmetrical belt loops, don't bother.
5) Buttons don't get sewn on very well. Not a huge deal.
6) Shirt cuffs with square rather than rounded corners occasionally have the corners cut and stitched askew (not perfectly 90 degrees).

More to come.

Howard

 

[454Casull]

Simon sent me $80 to cover the full cost of alterations to make the jacket fit me almost perfectly. Before this, I was wanting the jacket remade and I have the impression Simon would have obliged me.

By the way, Paul's Tailors in Toronto is a great place to go. I had to leave the jacket again after the small of the back was puckering after the alterations, but Harry amiably agreed to fix it at no cost and threw in a free pressing as well. I'll have pics up next week when I pick up the suit.

 

[Sanguis Mortuum]

I can't stand when websites like this illustrate their suits with images of other peoples suits, which certainly looks like is the case as none of the photos on the website are consistent in style or location. Not only is it misleading but it's also copyright infringement and just shows a lack of ethics on the part of the company. Ravistailor is another company that is guilty of doing this.