Suit quality question (Is this a no-brainer?)

[Threadbearer]

Right now one can buy an $1800 Canali suit at Saks for 70% and a nearly identical $1000 Burberry suit at Nordstrom's for 50% off. In either case, the final cost of each suit ends up being about $500.

It seems obvious that a smart shopper would choose the Canali because, in theory, he would be getting more suit for the same money. But Is the Canali's much higher starting price really an indication of superior quality? With the labels off, I certainly wouldn't be able to tell the difference. (Not that that's saying much.)

 

[Fuuma]

Which one do you like better? None of these suits will self-combust after two wears and you're buying to use them not resell so I don't see what the problem is. The Canali is a better "deal" so if you get off on that get it.

 

[Flimsychicken]

I may be totally wrong on this, but I know Canali (assuming its main line) will be canvassed while I am not so sure about the Burberry. If that is the case, then there is a big difference and you should go with the Canali.

 

[yo!]

How about you decide which one fits you better and buy that one?

 

[edmorel]

I'd agree with Fuuma, at this price range you should care more about what fits you best and which you like best. The Burberry is made by Hickey Freeman if I am not mistaken so the quality will be along those lines. Canali has been updating their suits to make them a bit softer and trimmer and I like their newer stuff.

 

[itsstillmatt]

You should start a poll and buy the one we select for you.

 

[edmorel]

Originally Posted by iammatt

You should start a poll and buy the one we select for you.

I think everything that anyone is considering purchasing should be done this way.

 

[sho'nuff]

i havent tried on any new canali, but the ones ive tried on while back are a bit boxy at the correct size though. shoulders are too squarish and overall not a good silouette imo as some burberry suit blazers i have tried on. anyone same opinion?

 

[Flimsychicken]

Originally Posted by edmorel

The Burberry is made by Hickey Freeman if I am not mistaken so the quality will be along those lines.

$1000 Burberry is indeed made by HF (I think its the Bond Street Model or Kensington) but the quality is HF Ltd., which is fused or at best half canvassed.

 

[Threadbearer]

Originally Posted by yo!

How about you decide which one fits you better and buy that one?
I apologize. I should have mentioned in the original post that the fit of both suits seems the same to me. Both jackets fit equally well; both pairs of slacks fit equally poorly. I have an 9" drop, so the slacks that come with either jacket would have to be taken in 3" at the waist.

Originally Posted by iammatt

You should start a poll and buy the one we select for you.
That's kind of what I'm doing. I didn't bother setting up the actual poll, though, because a lot of people vote without leaving a comment, and I'm very interested in hearing how people more sartorial than I make these kinds of decisions.

 

[RichmondStyle]

No-brainer -- buy the Canali if the fit is the same.

 

[DocHolliday]

Yeah, if everything else is equal, the Canali is the way to go. Price point is often an unreliable indicator of quality, but in this case the more expensive suit is the better suit.

 

[GBR]

If the net price is within your budget buy whichever fits better, both are OK.

 

[bluemagic]

T.T.I.W.W.O.P. (Why are all caps sized down, if they are no punctuation marks?

)

 

[rjmaiorano]

Originally Posted by Flimsychicken

$1000 Burberry is indeed made by HF (I think its the Bond Street Model or Kensington) but the quality is HF Ltd., which is fused or at best half canvassed.

Yes, the HF construction on the burberry will be a half-canvass. Although if its the bond street model in question, then the fit and style are really quite nice in my opinion.

That said for 500 bucks the I would make my decision on which I prefer... check that I would always make my decision on the one I prefer. Perhaps the style you would get the most use out of.