Me in my Benjamin suit

I actually just posted this same post in another discussion ("Designing a new suit - what details are you looking for?"), so please forgive me if I'm breaking any forum rules by starting a new thread for this. Moderators, feel free to delete if this is not acceptable.

Here are a few pics of me in one of my Benjamin suits (navy shadowstripe in the Maestro model). While they're not flying off the shelves, we have sold well over a dozen of them. As you can see, this model does have a higher, more modern button stance, and a higher gorge lapel. This was intentional, and as others have stated before, may not be to every single persons liking. In a few months we will be introducing a lower button stance, slightly less fitted (armholes not quite as high) model. This model will be more classic in style - a bit more conservative, slightly more forgiving in fit, but of course will have all the features in a Benjamin suit (full canvas construction, and all the other details highlighted on our website).

All comments are welcome. FYI I'm wearing a 40R/50R. I'm actually a 39R so I had the blades and sides taken in, sleeves shortened, functional sleeve buttons put in, and just the hem on the pants. It's slightly full in the chest for me still.

Very nice Ben. I'm looking forward to seeing the Lucente model.

Looks good. Can't wait to see the Lucente.

Thanks - I'll also be posting pics of the brownish charcoal flannel as soon as I get a chance in the next day or two.

The Lucente will not be in until the beginning of January unfortunately - but I'll be sure to let you know once they are up and available on the site.

Not blown away but as has been recently brought to my attention you can pay a lot more and get a lot less.

It is hard to tell from the picture, is there any waist suppression? It appears boxy. Also the jacket seems way too long. This is especially noticeable from the side shot.

Originally Posted by NukeMeSlowly

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It is hard to tell from the picture, is there any waist suppression? It appears boxy. Also the jacket seems way too long. This is especially noticeable from the side shot.

Yes, there is waist suppression - perhaps my photos are not the best... I did ask Pasquale (my tailor) if he could take it in a little bit more, but he just smiled and patted me lightly on my muffin-top waist/hips. Suppression is very easily accomplished to one's liking via alterations by a tailor. Perhaps the photos of our suits for sale on eHaberdasher.com show the waist suppression more clearly. The mannequin is a 38R and the jacket is a 38R/48R. We did not pin or manipulate the jacket in any way, shape or form. We just simply put it on the mannequin, buttoned the top button, and took the photo.



Regarding jacket length, perhaps the hands in the pockets and my poor posture are throwing things off in the photo (I'm actually trying to stand more straight than I usually do). At 29.5" from the bottom of the collar to the hem, I'd hardly say the jacket is too long for a 40R/50R - if anything it's definitely on the shorter side, unless you're a Thom Browne fan.

Originally Posted by Toorman

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Not blown away but as has been recently brought to my attention you can pay a lot more and get a lot less.

I wonder how often one is blown away by a suit in a photo? It's difficult to convey over the internet, and my body is certainly far from perfect... I do know that I feel great wearing it - I like it just as much as my Isaia suits and they fit me just as well. I've received more unsolicited compliments on one of my Benjamin suits (the brownish charcoal flannel) than on anything else I've ever worn. I have some half canvassed garments from Z Zegna and others from years past, but I might as well donate them because the feel of wearing a full canvas garment is a world apart from one that is not. Plus - it's got my name inside!

I was struck by the jacket length on the 40R. At 29.5" it seems on the short side. The 40L at 31" is more of what I am used to in a 40R. I am unsure whether the overall proportion of the 40L will be what I want.

Ben has a good return policy so I may just take the plunge and try one.

In the past, I have been more than pleased with the four Isaia I bought from Ben. However, on the Isaia 40R I have, the lengths runs 30.75 or more measuring from the bottom of the collar.

Originally Posted by Harrydog

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I was struck by the jacket length on the 40R. At 29.5" it seems on the short side. The 40L at 31" is more of what I am used to in a 40R. I am unsure whether the overall proportion of the 40L will be what I want.

Ben has a good return policy so I may just take the plunge and try one.

In the past, I have been more than pleased with the four Isaia I bought from Ben. However, on the Isaia 40R I have, the lengths runs 30.75 or more measuring from the bottom of the collar.

Thanks for the post. If it helps any, I'm a just a shade over 5'10". I very much like the current length of the jacket. I believe you have some of the Cary and Enrico models from Isaia, which do tend to be a little longer than most...

Right now we are offering free return shipping (within the US) for the Benjamin suits - feel free to try both a 40R and 40L - I have a feeling you'll like the 40R better but you'll never know unless you try...

looks decent, in the mannequin pic slightly better. too bad there isn't anything in a 36S

Suits look really nice at an affordable price! I am just curious to know why no 3 buttons? Is it because of the higher button stance. I'd snatch one up if it were a 3 roll 2.

I'm very interested in these, but I would be much more so if you offered a 3 button.

I must admit that I'm also a little put off by the extreme low rise of the trousers. 10.75 inches for the trousers for a 40L suit? I'm used to 12 at least.

If you offered higher rise trousers (twin FORWARD pleats and high fishtail back would be asking too much...still, one can wish.) I'd snap up a whole bunch of these suits.

Originally Posted by stickonatree

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looks decent, in the mannequin pic slightly better.

too bad there isn't anything in a 36S

We'll have some 36S in late February/early March - solid navy, solid black, and possibly a medium gray (all suit separates).

Originally Posted by ndw

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Suits look really nice at an affordable price! I am just curious to know why no 3 buttons? Is it because of the higher button stance. I'd snatch one up if it were a 3 roll 2.

We may do a 3 rolling to 2.5, but likely not for at least another 6 - 9 months.