Bryan101
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- Nov 23, 2011
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I recently purchased a Kent Wang MTM Tuxedo and Tuxedo Shirt (which I have not received and is apparently missing) for my upcoming wedding, 26 days away as of this posting. The experience was mixed overall, and as most of the reviews / feedback on Styleforum has been overwhelming positive, I'd like to offer a first hand account on what was / is a disappointing experience.
For some background; I usually buy Ermenegildo Zegna suits, although recently purchased a Suit Supply suit on a whim and was very impressed with the overall quality & fit at that price point. While I can get away with buying off the rack, I have a barrel chest and alterations are always a must. I therefore was looking for a MTM Tuxedo that would be mostly perfect once completed and wouldn't need an excessive amount of tweaking after the fact.
Based on my budget and the feedback on this website, I narrowed my choices down to Mr. Ned and Kent Wang. As I wanted a slimier / trendier cut, based on the reviews of Mr. Ned, I decided to go with Kent Wang.
As I live in NYC, I tried to make an appointment at the Kent Wang pop up shop. It took several attempts as Aaron wasn't able to understand some of my very basic date / time availabilities, but after several e-mails back and forth we finally settled on an appointment window more than 10 weeks out from my wedding.
The Kent Wang "Pop Up Shop" looked nothing like I would have even ventured to call a "shop". It's roughly a 100 SQ bare industrial space on a high floor of an office building across the street from Fashion Institute of Technology. There is a small rack of sample suits, shirts, and a collection of shoes. After being measured by Aaron, I put on a sample suit behind a chest high "oriental" screen, at which point Aaron would photograph me and we would then speak about fabric & suit options. I selected a quality fabric (TRG138 guabello C level) that fit well within my budget.
While I was unimpressed with the overall shopping experience (again, compared to Zegna or Suit Supply), the total price of a 3-piece Tuxedo and accompanying Tuxedo shirt was just under $1,400. The order was placed on August 28th and it arrived at my apartment on September 23rd.
While the Tuxedo arrived far ahead of the schedule, it arrived in terrible condition. It was basically rolled into a ball, placed in a plastic bag, and shipped in a small rectangular UPS box. I never purchased a suit or sports coat / blazer and then not received it on a hanger or some type of garment bag, online or in person. The pants were unhemmed (this was expected), the sleeves were a touch too long and there was a "hump" of fabric behind my neck. Also, the Tuxedo Shirt was not included. I alerted Aaron that the shirt was not included and he mentioned that it would be shipping separately and would let me know when he had more info. Again, this was on September 23rd.
In an earlier e-mail Aaron suggested that I go to Wazin Custom Tailor on 57th street in midtown to have the pants hemmed. I brought the Tuxedo in and it required the following alterations:
Shorten Sleeves on Suit Jacket - $60
Collar / Lower Collar - $60
Hem Trousers - $20
While $140 isn't an excessive amount of money, having to pay this additional amount when I've ordered an MTM suit seems somewhat ridiculous.
While the suit was being hemmed, I followed up on Friday October 4th on the location of the MTM Tuxedo Shirt. I was told "Will have more information on the shirt travel time next week".
By end of business Wednesday October 9, now 30 days out from my wedding, I still had not heard anything regarding my Tuxedo Shirt. I followed up a 2nd time, asking if Aaron would be able to tell me with certainty where the shirt was by Friday the 11th as I felt like I was getting the run around. If not, I would have liked a refund on the order. I did not receive a response. I then followed up on the 11th to the general [email protected] address to no avail.
Today is October 15th, and I still have not heard back from Kent Wang on where my Tuxedo shirt is, if it has been completed, and if it has been shipped to me, or if a refund is possible. Unwilling to wait any longer, I left my office at lunch today and walked into Paul Stuart (I'm a fan of their shoes, ties and other accessories) and purchased a Tuxedo Shirt in my size which will have to be taken in.
Attached are pictures of the completed Tuxedo, along with the shirt I purchased today. My overall impressions are:
-Overall a well-made garment.
-Great fabric at a great price
-Terrible shopping experience and customer service
-A MTM suit that requires alterations
-Sill missing an item from my order with no response from anyone at the company
I still have a small hump of fabric behind the Collar, but this is due to the excess fabric of the shirt. It was more than twice this size when I first received the Tuxedo.
In summary, while I’m happy to wear this Tuxedo to my wedding… if I had to do it all over again, I would take my business elsewhere.
I also should note that the Tailor at Wazin was excellent and I will likely use his services in the future.
For some background; I usually buy Ermenegildo Zegna suits, although recently purchased a Suit Supply suit on a whim and was very impressed with the overall quality & fit at that price point. While I can get away with buying off the rack, I have a barrel chest and alterations are always a must. I therefore was looking for a MTM Tuxedo that would be mostly perfect once completed and wouldn't need an excessive amount of tweaking after the fact.
Based on my budget and the feedback on this website, I narrowed my choices down to Mr. Ned and Kent Wang. As I wanted a slimier / trendier cut, based on the reviews of Mr. Ned, I decided to go with Kent Wang.
As I live in NYC, I tried to make an appointment at the Kent Wang pop up shop. It took several attempts as Aaron wasn't able to understand some of my very basic date / time availabilities, but after several e-mails back and forth we finally settled on an appointment window more than 10 weeks out from my wedding.
The Kent Wang "Pop Up Shop" looked nothing like I would have even ventured to call a "shop". It's roughly a 100 SQ bare industrial space on a high floor of an office building across the street from Fashion Institute of Technology. There is a small rack of sample suits, shirts, and a collection of shoes. After being measured by Aaron, I put on a sample suit behind a chest high "oriental" screen, at which point Aaron would photograph me and we would then speak about fabric & suit options. I selected a quality fabric (TRG138 guabello C level) that fit well within my budget.
While I was unimpressed with the overall shopping experience (again, compared to Zegna or Suit Supply), the total price of a 3-piece Tuxedo and accompanying Tuxedo shirt was just under $1,400. The order was placed on August 28th and it arrived at my apartment on September 23rd.
While the Tuxedo arrived far ahead of the schedule, it arrived in terrible condition. It was basically rolled into a ball, placed in a plastic bag, and shipped in a small rectangular UPS box. I never purchased a suit or sports coat / blazer and then not received it on a hanger or some type of garment bag, online or in person. The pants were unhemmed (this was expected), the sleeves were a touch too long and there was a "hump" of fabric behind my neck. Also, the Tuxedo Shirt was not included. I alerted Aaron that the shirt was not included and he mentioned that it would be shipping separately and would let me know when he had more info. Again, this was on September 23rd.
In an earlier e-mail Aaron suggested that I go to Wazin Custom Tailor on 57th street in midtown to have the pants hemmed. I brought the Tuxedo in and it required the following alterations:
Shorten Sleeves on Suit Jacket - $60
Collar / Lower Collar - $60
Hem Trousers - $20
While $140 isn't an excessive amount of money, having to pay this additional amount when I've ordered an MTM suit seems somewhat ridiculous.
While the suit was being hemmed, I followed up on Friday October 4th on the location of the MTM Tuxedo Shirt. I was told "Will have more information on the shirt travel time next week".
By end of business Wednesday October 9, now 30 days out from my wedding, I still had not heard anything regarding my Tuxedo Shirt. I followed up a 2nd time, asking if Aaron would be able to tell me with certainty where the shirt was by Friday the 11th as I felt like I was getting the run around. If not, I would have liked a refund on the order. I did not receive a response. I then followed up on the 11th to the general [email protected] address to no avail.
Today is October 15th, and I still have not heard back from Kent Wang on where my Tuxedo shirt is, if it has been completed, and if it has been shipped to me, or if a refund is possible. Unwilling to wait any longer, I left my office at lunch today and walked into Paul Stuart (I'm a fan of their shoes, ties and other accessories) and purchased a Tuxedo Shirt in my size which will have to be taken in.
Attached are pictures of the completed Tuxedo, along with the shirt I purchased today. My overall impressions are:
-Overall a well-made garment.
-Great fabric at a great price
-Terrible shopping experience and customer service
-A MTM suit that requires alterations
-Sill missing an item from my order with no response from anyone at the company
I still have a small hump of fabric behind the Collar, but this is due to the excess fabric of the shirt. It was more than twice this size when I first received the Tuxedo.
In summary, while I’m happy to wear this Tuxedo to my wedding… if I had to do it all over again, I would take my business elsewhere.
I also should note that the Tailor at Wazin was excellent and I will likely use his services in the future.