NEW MEMBER INQUIRIES & QUICK QUESTIONS- CLASSIC MENSWEAR: WK OF FEB 29, 2016

[Murlsquirl]

New SF member and not sure where to find the answer you're looking for? Have a quick question that doesn't belong in a current thread? Welcome, you found the right place.

This is a weekly thread where new users can ask quick questions and get a solid answer. If a thread already exists that would be more helpful, we will point you in the right direction. The only stupid question is the one that isn't asked.....so ask away!

 

[broncosmang]

Hi all, first post after stumbling on styleforum yesterday. Quick question - I have several suits (Brooks Bros. off the rack modified fit by tailor) which fit well and good, but I have rare occasion to wear them. At work, the dress code is relatively casual in the sense that we mostly wear chinos and simple shirts.

Accordingly, I'm wearing a button up w/out a tie pretty much every day. I've always gone for whatever shirt looked reasonably decent on me at the store, but I caught one shirt in the mirror the other day and realized how miserably it fit. Since this is my work wardrobe staple I want to make sure these things fit as well as possible and are truly made for my body. I'd like to get some custom fit shirts - not sure if made to measure or made to order is the best bet.

Since this is my first foray into the realm, I don't want to go overboard all at once. I'm looking to get 3 or 4 shorts to compliment my current wardrobe and I'd like to hit the 100-150 dollar range. Is there a consensus about what the best place to get these made are for that price range?

For what it's worth, I'm based out of Los Angeles.

Thanks!

 

[NateH777]

Hi, I am looking to kind of buy my first serious suit. I've had a couple before but they were primarily just quickly sized up by a Macy's department store type employee. I'm hoping to find someone who has more knowledge on body proportions, better knowledge on sizing details and what to look for etc.

I don't have a large budget to actually purchase a custom suit, but do want to get accurately sized and given some pointers on what to look for when I look around. I am in MN and know of some higher-end suit places like Hubert White, Heime's, and Top Shelf. Is it frowned upon to go in just to get fitted, sized, and given some knowledge without actually buying a suit from the retailer?

 

[Murlsquirl]

Hi all, first post after stumbling on styleforum yesterday. Quick question - I have several suits (Brooks Bros. off the rack modified fit by tailor) which fit well and good, but I have rare occasion to wear them. At work, the dress code is relatively casual in the sense that we mostly wear chinos and simple shirts.

Accordingly, I'm wearing a button up w/out a tie pretty much every day. I've always gone for whatever shirt looked reasonably decent on me at the store, but I caught one shirt in the mirror the other day and realized how miserably it fit. Since this is my work wardrobe staple I want to make sure these things fit as well as possible and are truly made for my body. I'd like to get some custom fit shirts - not sure if made to measure or made to order is the best bet.

Since this is my first foray into the realm, I don't want to go overboard all at once. I'm looking to get 3 or 4 shorts to compliment my current wardrobe and I'd like to hit the 100-150 dollar range. Is there a consensus about what the best place to get these made are for that price range?

For what it's worth, I'm based out of Los Angeles.

Thanks!

We have a few Affiliate Vendors (AV) here that offer made to measure shirts...Spier and Mackay, Proper Cloth, and Luxire to name a few. They are have dedicated AV threads with tons of information. When you say $100-150, you are talking per shirt? If so, all three are within your range.

 

[Murlsquirl]

Hi, I am looking to kind of buy my first serious suit. I've had a couple before but they were primarily just quickly sized up by a Macy's department store type employee. I'm hoping to find someone who has more knowledge on body proportions, better knowledge on sizing details and what to look for etc.

I don't have a large budget to actually purchase a custom suit, but do want to get accurately sized and given some pointers on what to look for when I look around. I am in MN and know of some higher-end suit places like Hubert White, Heime's, and Top Shelf. Is it frowned upon to go in just to get fitted, sized, and given some knowledge without actually buying a suit from the retailer?

It shouldn't be. After all, it's an opportunity for them to show what they have to offer and possibly get a sale out of you. Just be warned that a lot of sales reps have no idea what they are doing. I would plan on going in, trying on some brands, and then coming back here and asking any questions you may have. Maybe snap some pictures of suits you think are a decent fit and get some feedback here http://www.styleforum.net/t/265924/the-tailors-thread-fit-feedback-and-alteration-suggestions

 

[mensimageconsultant]



Hi, I am looking to kind of buy my first serious suit.  I've had a couple before but they were primarily just quickly sized up by a Macy's department store type employee.  I'm hoping to find someone who has more knowledge on body proportions, better knowledge on sizing details and what to look for etc.

I don't have a large budget to actually purchase a custom suit, but do want to get accurately sized and given some pointers on what to look for when I look around.  I am in MN and know of some higher-end suit places like Hubert White, Heime's, and Top Shelf.  Is it frowned upon to go in just to get fitted, sized, and given some knowledge without actually buying a suit from the retailer?

It is perfectly fine if you're serious about buying a suit there at some point or you buy a lower-cost item (e.g., socks) on that visit.

 

[NateH777]

It shouldn't be. After all, it's an opportunity for them to show what they have to offer and possibly get a sale out of you. Just be warned that a lot of sales reps have no idea what they are doing. I would plan on going in, trying on some brands, and then coming back here and asking any questions you may have. Maybe snap some pictures of suits you think are a decent fit and get some feedback here http://www.styleforum.net/t/265924/the-tailors-thread-fit-feedback-and-alteration-suggestions

Cool, will do.

I'm in Minnesota, any recommendations?

I know of Heime's, Top Shelf, and Hubert White.

 

[Murlsquirl]

Cool, will do.

I'm in Minnesota, any recommendations?

I know of Heime's, Top Shelf, and Hubert White.

One of the few states I've never even been too. @heldentenor you're from MN, aren't you? Any help?

 

[heldentenor]

Welcome, NateH777. I've dealt with all three that you mention.

Top Shelf is an excellent tailor but charges top dollar for their work. I've never had anything made by them, but I'd trust them to do a credible job (they make suits and shirts if I remember correctly).

Hubert White has a very impressive selection and a knowledgeable staff. I've bought several things from them, nearly all on sale. They are willing to assist you but a bit on the cold side if you don't work in the IDS Building and carry a multi-thousand dollar clothing budget with you. Their in-house tailoring is excellent, but I've only used it on stuff I've bought from them and never brought in anything of my own. If you can afford it, you'll end up with good products and generally good advice.

Heimie's Haberdashery is a joke, staffed by incompetent salesmen trying to sell subpar brands. All of their suiting, even MTM, is half-canvassed or fused, and their cuts are dated and lackluster. I'd stay away.

You didn't mention Martin Patrick 3, which has a well curated collection and a knowledgeable staff but at staggering prices for their tailored stuff.

If you plan to buy most of your clothing online and want a good tailor who's not affiliated with any of these places, send me a PM and I'll send you to my tailor, who is a perfectionist in the best sense of the word. She's fixed the errors of many other Twin Cities "tailors" over the past couple of years.