Where to buy a suit in Canada

[itrocks4u]

Hi,

I've read across a number of posts here regarding Boss suits and how bad the quality is, given the fact that they are fused rather than canvassed. I never knew what fully canvassed and fused meant until I read up on it, but even then I don't think I got it lol.

Anyways, I live in Canada, Toronto area and for my wedding, I was particularly interested in getting a Boss, Armani or a Canali suit. Turns out, the Boss at Harry Rosen costs about $1000 CDN versus Armani and Canali starting at $1900. Are Armani and Canali really worth such a huge price difference? Besides Harry Rosen, is there any other location where I can find Armani in particular as Harry Rosen is way out of budget.

Lastly, given where Boss is in terms of branding, is the suit quality actually as bad as mentioned in these forums?

Thanks,

 

[ajmanouk]

Originally Posted by itrocks4u

Hi,

I've read across a number of posts here regarding Boss suits and how bad the quality is, given the fact that they are fused rather than canvassed. I never knew what fully canvassed and fused meant until I read up on it, but even then I don't think I got it lol.

Anyways, I live in Canada, Toronto area and for my wedding, I was particularly interested in getting a Boss, Armani or a Canali suit. Turns out, the Boss at Harry Rosen costs about $1000 CDN versus Armani and Canali starting at $1900. Are Armani and Canali really worth such a huge price difference? Besides Harry Rosen, is there any other location where I can find Armani in particular as Harry Rosen is way out of budget.

Lastly, given where Boss is in terms of branding, is the suit quality actually as bad as mentioned in these forums?

Thanks,

Welcome to the forum!

Let me be the first to tell you that Boss is a bit over hated on this forum; if enough hunting is done and the price is right, it's worth it. That being said, being a fellow Canadian, good luck getting the right price for a Boss suit anywhere in a brick and mortar store. HR is overpriced as hell, so stay far away from there. For all intensive purposes, I'd stay away from Boss too as there is only so much quality you can get out of a fused suit, no matter how good quality the fabric is, or you perceive it to be.

A brand you might consider is Brooks Brothers. They have a store in Toronto, where you could go and physically try on the suit, and then once you like how it feels, find a suit in the same cut from their website for a better deal. You could definitely pick up a half or even full canvassed suit for less than the $1000 that HR is charging for a Boss fused suit, especially in the clearance section.

Otherwise, if you know your size and have time, check the B&S section of the forum here for some really spectacular deals. Seriously, some of the deals here are ridiculous.

Just a final note, make sure you know what you want and do your research. Be sure about the size, color, cut, etc. of the suit you're looking for, and if you have time, don't be afraid to spend it looking. Cheers!

 

[saysomething]

Fellow Torontonian here, and I find the best place to buy a suit is across the border in the US.

I love Canada and want to support our economy, but the guv makes it way too difficult to do so.

 

[Cant kill da Rooster]

+1 on both posts.

 

[Bananafish]

If you need to buy otr and avoid the usual bland brands at dept stores like Holts and Harrys, then L'Uomo in Montreal is a good bet. (more for shirts and shoes imo) Buyt ig you intend to pay market price on stuff like HB, you really might as well have something made by a tailor for the same cost that can be personalized and customized exactly to what you're after. If it were a wedding suit, I'd much prefer to spend that money on a bespoke tailored jacket and trousers and select my own fabrics and cut than spend $1300 on a designer brand from your typical Holts or wherever in TO.

 

[Looch]

Tons of Boss suits are always available at their outlet in Vaughn Mills for $600 or less.

If you can stomach spending $1200 or so, I'd go see J.S. at Garrison Bespoke. He made my last suit and now I can barely stand wearing my Boss, Canali or Armani suits. My Garrison is superior to them in every way and I get compliments on it every time I wear it. Tell J.S. Adam sent you.

 

[capua]

Yet another Torontonian posting...

If I am buying suits now I will normally buy online where I can get Corneliani, Canali, etc. for around $400-600. However, I wouldn't recommend doing this unless you are certain of your sizing.

If you are going to spend $1,000, bespoke is within your price range which will be fully canvassed. I have purchased from Garrison Bespoke and they make a great looking modern suit. So I would give them a try. I can't see any reason to spend your money at uncle Harry's.

 

[DrPsycho]

Another Canadian suffering from similar cross-border woes. Seems to be epidemic.

I dropped in to the Brooks Brothers in Toronto last week. The salesman who helped me out launched immediately into his defense of the higher prices compared to the US website... "if you order stuff across the border, how much do you end up paying in taxes and duty?" Fortunately, I was able to counter with my Buffalo post-box and frequent cross-border trips.

"Oh," he said, looking slightly disappointed. "You have a system."

Yet despite there being no evidence that I was going to buy anything that day, he was still terrifically helpful in getting me suits/jackets of various cuts and sizes so I'd know what to order online. He was awesome. I've lost enough weight that my old suits look comically oversized (even more so to my eye now thanks to joining SF... you b***ards) and I just put in an order to take advantage of their current system. Are their reps on commission? He was SO helpful that I'd be tempted to make my next purchase in-store and absorb the marginally higher price, just as thanks for his service.

Sadly, I can't apply for the Brooks Card online, because the form is made for US addresses. I should have done so in person when I was in their store. Next time. I do have a Corporate Perks card, but for some stupid reason they insist on having my billing and shipping addresses be the same. Kinda defeats the point of the post-box, really. At least I got my 15% off with the current sale.

I'm debating a trip to Astor and Black in Columbus next time I'm Ohio bound. They have a Canadian affiliate, which you can Google, but I like the idea of going to the source. I'm always open to other suggestions.

- Doc

 

[othertravel]

Fellow Torontonian here as well.

Go to the Hugo Boss outlet at Vaughn Mills. They had Boss suits for $190+tax a few weeks back (no joke - it was 75% off the sale price).

They also have Boss Selection suits, which are half-canvassed, for about $600.

Armani is way overpriced unless you find it for around $500.

 

[blazingazn]

I'm in Vancouver, where can I get a MTM suit here?

-Rick.

 

[Geoff Gander]

Originally Posted by DrPsycho

Sadly, I can't apply for the Brooks Card online, because the form is made for US addresses.

If you join Ask Andy About Clothes, you should still be able to get your card through them - even if you're in Canada. I've had mine for years and used it in Toronto the last time I was there.

 

[Sentinel]

Originally Posted by blazingazn

I'm in Vancouver, where can I get a MTM suit here?

-Rick.

Maxwells comes around twice a year. They'll do the measuring and you get to see and feel the materials in person. I haven't tried their suits yet, but I've had a few rounds of shirts made. The quality is quite good, though not perfect and the prices (around $60/shirt) beats what you'd pay in department stores for decent materials.

It looks like they'll be in Van in late May and Vic in July.

 

[Cant kill da Rooster]

^^

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=62608

 

[Bill Smith]

Another citizen of Greater Toronto weighing in, why so hung up on the name brands (Boss, Canali etc)? Why not look at Samulsohn which is available at both Harry's and at independents (prefer Garvey's out in Oakville), their suits are fully canvased and will last for years.

As for BB, love their stuff, especially the sportswear but courtesy the Canadian Gov'ts textile duties, their 1818 suits get priced a little rich when not on special.

 

[Doc4]

Answer to OP's question ... "some other country."

Your best bet is probably MTM in TO, but you may not be up for that.

If you know your size, Isaia suits from Sierra Trading Post are a good bet, or if you want cheaper, the also usually sell Arnold Brandt, a Canadian brand comperable to Boss quality-wise, for a few hundred. Stacking coupons and discounts is the key with STP.

Originally Posted by ajmanouk

A brand you might consider is Brooks Brothers. They have a store in Toronto, where you could go and physically try on the suit, and then once you like how it feels, find a suit in the same cut from their website for a better deal.

One problem with this ... BB uses UPS, and they are meticulous at collecting

worthy duties up front. Every time I order from BB I get a call from UPS (or is it Fedex?) that the parcel is in the airport duty office and they need mega-bucks now before they bother bringing it to my home town.

If you have a "system" like DrPsycho, then this may not be a problem.