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Opinion: Is the RLBL Anthony suit suitable for business attire?

Haruspex

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Need to buy, in a hurry, an OTR slim fitting suit. I'm a creative, but don't wish to be inappropriate in the various corporate milieus I'm found in. Have a MTM Samuelsohn that didn't turn out so well (pre-SF) and an Isaia navy pinstripe which is nice, but perhaps not the thing for interviews and presentations.

Since I'm slim, tall and broad-shouldered, the RLBL Anthony suit looks appealing. The BB Fitzgerald is another option. Both are on sale, but that's not relevant to getting it right, so please offer your expertise!
 

embowafa

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I'm a younger guy who is also slim and tall. In my opinion, the RLBL suit is just fine.

But, ymmv.
 

porcelain monkey

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I don't see how you could go wrong with either. In my opinion, the RLBL is a better made suit (also more expensive) and the BB Fitz is more conservative, but still a well-made suit. If you are quite slim, you may need to have the BB taken in a bit.
 

Holdfast

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As long as you pair it with fairly conservative accessories, there's nothing inherent in Black Label that makes it unsuitable for interviewing/business meeting/etc. It's marginally more "stylised" than some other more generic suits but to 99% of people out there, provided the suit fits you/your build, that will just come across as "well-dressed" not "vain fashion maven".
smile.gif


I rather think people worry a little too much about standing out because of being well dressed. As long as you're a decent sort of person in your interactions with others, dressing well nicely accentuates your overall impression on others I find.
 

PartagasIV

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I'm tryin to pick up an Anthony tux this weekend, I'm assuming it's the same fit as the suits..
 

vitaminc

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Originally Posted by PartagasIV
I'm tryin to pick up an Anthony tux this weekend, I'm assuming it's the same fit as the suits..

personally i don't like the notch lapel of the tux. rather get a notch lapel black suit instead of a notch lapel tux.
 

Haruspex

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Sweet. Thank you all for the helpful insight.
 

sartort

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Haruspex. I have both and prefer my RLBLs. The BB Fitz was my first nice suit and I've gone onto purchase 4 RLBLs since then. You can't go wrong with either but I feel that the RLBL Anthony suitis a better made, better cut suit. The Fitz is a little more conservative if it's really an issue. But I don't think the RLBL is going to offend anyone.

Partagas IV, the RLBL tux is the same cut as the suits. I tried one on at the Chicago store last year. It is very very nice. I love how the grograin facing turns inside and creates a nice edge detail below the button. Most, if not all tuxes do this, but I haven't noticed this touch as being as prominent as it is on the RLBL. Perhaps it's the way the lapels roll into the button as well as the quarters having a bit of roll or flare below the button which shows the back facing more.

But I digress. It is very nice but the deal breaker is the notch. If it was a peak lapel, it would be near perfection (for me). I have a very nice Midnight Blue Polo tux with peak lapel and like it more for this reason. It is more timeless/classic and can be used for years to come. It is cut quite trim through the body, but the arms are just a little more full than my RLBL jackets.
 

Spatlese

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HF hit it on the head. I'm still in the market for a BL myself, but nothing I've seen live or even in photos suggest they are unsuitable for what I think you're after.
 

Bumble_Bee

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In a way, does it not depend on your level/section in the corporate world, meaning entry to mid level or lots of customer service to a little bit more over in the management side? I am not that familiar with it as outsider, but I can picture RLBL being fine for people at the entry level or meets a lot of client as they need to have a little bit of a pimp style anyway. Where as mid levels might involve more management and a more conservative cut than the "flashiness" seen in RLBL.

Of course, regardless of the style one has to look good and comfortable in his suit.
 

Haruspex

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Went down to Lenox and got the Anthony in charcoal. A little unnerved by the tailor on site -- he was brusque and indifferent at first, but I kept asking questions and making sure the fit was precise, and he eventually relaxed a bit. The jacket was nearly perfect, but the pants require major surgery, so we'll see how that goes.

Also purchased some captoes in brown; the sale made them irresistible.

Again, thank you for the advice.
 

SkinnyGoomba

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Originally Posted by Holdfast
As long as you pair it with fairly conservative accessories, there's nothing inherent in Black Label that makes it unsuitable for interviewing/business meeting/etc. It's marginally more "stylised" than some other more generic suits but to 99% of people out there, provided the suit fits you/your build, that will just come across as "well-dressed" not "vain fashion maven".
smile.gif
I rather think people worry a little too much about standing out because of being well dressed. As long as you're a decent sort of person in your interactions with others, dressing well nicely accentuates your overall impression on others I find.

I agree, i recently did a presentation wearing RLBL Anthony in Navy Pinstripes. Paired with a purple stripe shirt with a contrast collar and french cuffs. light blue linen pocket square (TV fold), i also did the pen in the breast pocket with a very show-off-ish pen. Navy Pindot tie, and two tone tie bar. Brown Ferragamo shoes with heavy antiquing. I did it in such a way that it was intentionally over the top, but i also like to laugh at myself sometimes and having such an over the top look helps sometimes. I wouldnt interview in the suit, however i would certainly do a business meeting in the suit, infact i regularly attend Chamber of Commerce networking events in my RLBL. I would wear RL Polo for interviews. Unless of course i were interviewing for a Financial sales position, then i wouldnt be shy on showing up in RLBL
 

PartagasIV

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Originally Posted by vitaminc
personally i don't like the notch lapel of the tux. rather get a notch lapel black suit instead of a notch lapel tux.

I feel the same way about the notch vs. peak--but given the sale price and relative quality, I am willing to look the other way for a tux I can wear for the next 10 years until I can have one made. I don't want to be swimming around in a BB tux nor get something a little cheaper like a J.Crew tux...do you have any suggestions about a RLBL-like fit in a tux for around the same price, with peak lapels?
 

Bumble_Bee

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Originally Posted by PartagasIV
I feel the same way about the notch vs. peak--but given the sale price and relative quality, I am willing to look the other way for a tux I can wear for the next 10 years until I can have one made. I don't want to be swimming around in a BB tux nor get something a little cheaper like a J.Crew tux...do you have any suggestions about a RLBL-like fit in a tux for around the same price, with peak lapels?

bespoke
 

PartagasIV

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$1k bespoke tux? Show me where and I'll sign up
 

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