SPIER & MACKAY - Official Affiliate Thread

[Rhodia]

First of all, a relationship between S&M and Harrisons would absolutely wreck my financial situation. Secondly, I believe AskOkey owns the exclusive rights to Harrisons cut length business.

With that being said, my understanding is that S&M will buy their own curated group for RTW/MTO. In addition, they can still buy rolls from M&E, which they'll continue doing. But for the individual customer, if S&M hasn't purchased the specific roll of fabric you're interested in, you won't be able acquire it.

That's what I was told by Rick when I inquired about two specific M&E fabrics.

@DonRaphael Any experience with Bottoli cloth? It's one I see Spier usually goes back to season after season, but I've never handled it myself.

 

[Rhodia]

In reality S&M is far behind all other brands. They are pretty solid for entry suits, but when it comes to details they are far behind. Which is understandable at this price point

This is not the conclusion drawn by Manish Puri's article, linked above:

The jacket boasted several other details I wouldn’t expect at this price level: a neatly stitched Milanese buttonhole on the lapel, a boutonniere loop on the reverse, Bemberg cupro lining (many RTW jackets use polyester/viscose), underarm shields (sous bras) and an internal pen pocket.

 

[St1X]

This is not the conclusion drawn by Manish Puri's article, linked above:

The jacket boasted several other details I wouldn’t expect at this price level: a neatly stitched Milanese buttonhole on the lapel, a boutonniere loop on the reverse, Bemberg cupro lining (many RTW jackets use polyester/viscose), underarm shields (sous bras) and an internal pen pocket.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that S&M is a crap. Their offerings are very solid. But they are below Suitsupply in terms of quality and are so far behind Cavour for example. P.S. Cupro is a given at any sartorial brand, you find polyester only from fashion brands.

 

[DonRaphael]

@DonRaphael Any experience with Bottoli cloth? It's one I see Spier usually goes back to season after season, but I've never handled it myself.

I steer away. They're good fabrics in general, but not worth my money. If you can afford to pay the upcharge for better fabrics, do, imo.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that S&M is a crap. Their offerings are very solid. But they are below Suitsupply in terms of quality and are so far behind Cavour for example. P.S. Cupro is a given at any sartorial brand, you find polyester only from fashion brands.

I'd take S&M over any of the others. Both in terms of cut and detailing even at the same price point (some of the other brands are double the price of S&M).

 

[MrFingers]

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that S&M is a crap. Their offerings are very solid. But they are below Suitsupply in terms of quality and are so far behind Cavour for example. P.S. Cupro is a given at any sartorial brand, you find polyester only from fashion brands.

Pretty wild statement right here. I haven’t seen any other brands able to offer a well cut sport coat for 400 (before sales) much less crazy good fabrics such as the fox ones for 600 with full canvas and able to obtain at around 500 with a sale.

If you think it’s far below suit supply I’d like to ask for receipts or details. If not, talk **** post fit. I’d love to be wrong but after handling both, the only way you could think this is if you are as skinny as a twig or love skin tight clothing which is what SS looks like to me.

I agree Spier’s needs work on trousers, however I’ve noticed most people that post fit pics in this thread, never look good in their trousers. Far few people realize they actually need bespoke or MTM.

Just my 2c

 

[tmckay2]

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that S&M is a crap. Their offerings are very solid. But they are below Suitsupply in terms of quality and are so far behind Cavour for example. P.S. Cupro is a given at any sartorial brand, you find polyester only from fashion brands.

To each their own but I've never been impressed with suit supply. They have a lot of cuts and fabrics but the quality always seemed very meh to me. I have a store not too far away and never left super impressed. And they tend to be a little more expensive on top of that.

 

[JTrent82]

I can't say that I see a big difference between SM and SuSu wrt quality of construction. What always made me pass over SuSu was the fit, but I'm kind of excited to try out the Roma fit.

 

[tyfighter]

Question for the knitwear sale. My dress shirt size at S&M is 15.5 x 35, slim. I've previously tried Large in a S&M sweater and the sleeve length was good, but as expected the chest and shoulders had quite a bit of extra material. Any other tall, skinny folks found success with mediums? Looking at the sizing chart I'm pretty worried about the sleeve length.

 

[TheLawBeard]

People love to bring up the SuSu comparison. They are two very different stores. Spier at least tries to be classic menswear (though I wish they'd try a bit harder with that these days).

SuSu is absolutely modern fit skinny "fashion." One look at the SuSu website should be enough to illustrate the difference. Every time I've walked into ANY SuSu store I've walked out reminded why I don't spend time or money there. I'm always told by store associates, who never seem knowledgeable about fitment, that I should try their MTM/MTO.

 

[Betelgeuse]

Does S&M made an adjustment to their trousers? I recently got two 36's Contemporary and they feel like my 35's Contemporary from a couple of years ago. Size up because some 35's I got in-between felt quite tight.

 

[classicoutfits]

Question for the knitwear sale. My dress shirt size at S&M is 15.5 x 35, slim. I've previously tried Large in a S&M sweater and the sleeve length was good, but as expected the chest and shoulders had quite a bit of extra material. Any other tall, skinny folks found success with mediums? Looking at the sizing chart I'm pretty worried about the sleeve length.

Same here. 15 neck, 35 sleeves. Medium turtleneck was short at sleeves and arm, bought large and was little big in the chest. But honestly not unwearable

 

[milktoast]

All three from the same line? Or maybe different seasons?

All regular chinos, admittedly from different years. Still, the size chart has been pretty much the same so far as I can tell?

 

[tyfighter]

Same here. 15 neck, 35 sleeves. Medium turtleneck was short at sleeves and arm, bought large and was little big in the chest. But honestly not unwearable

yeah, with a sweater I'm not as worried about a loose fit in the chest, mostly just wondering if the medium is worth a shot. Sounds like probably stick with the large. Thanks!

 

[ericgereghty]

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that S&M is a crap. Their offerings are very solid. But they are below Suitsupply in terms of quality and are so far behind Cavour for example. P.S. Cupro is a given at any sartorial brand, you find polyester only from fashion brands.

Be curious for the rationale with SuSu. In regards to the others, I mean…you’re looking at a 2x price difference lol. Not really sure you can reasonably compare the two.

 

[chatelet]

Does S&M made an adjustment to their trousers? I recently got two 36's Contemporary and they feel like my 35's Contemporary from a couple of years ago. Size up because some 35's I got in-between felt quite tight.

Yep, I have felt that dress trousers have been running slimmer in the past 12 or 18 months. It’s a shame because it means I need drastic trouser swaps on suits, which isn’t always possible.

Chinos seem less affected.