By peterhanyfashion@gmail.com 1. Bonobos Jetsetter Stretch Wool Suit
Sizes available: Blazers in 36S to 48L; pants in 28 to 40W, 30 to 37L. Color options: Six in total, featuring Charcoal and Light Navy. Composition: 97% wool, 3% spandex. Customer service: Offers a generous 45-day return policy.
Noteworthy: The fabric weight is suitable for all seasons, ensuring extensive use of this suit.
Areas for improvement: There have been mentions of quality control issues, such as threads coming loose.
Bonobos offers a lot of different suits styles, I can tell that the Jetsetter Stretch Wool Suit is one of the best suits they have created.. The pants are expertly tailored with a touch of stretch for movement, available in a variety of sizes and fits such as slim, athletic, and standard. For taller individuals, the pants are offered in an unhemmed 37-inch length to allow for simple tailoring and personal customization.
Pro tip: You can always purchase these pieces either separately or together.
2. State & Liberty Athletic Fit Stretch Suit
Sizes: Blazer: 36 to 48; Pants: 28 to 42 | Color: Navy | Material: Nylon, cotton, spandex performance blend | Special Services: Free 30-day returns, virtual sizing consultations.
Noteworthy: 90% of the people praise the company’s customer service and the performance fabric’s built-in stretch.
Areas for improvement: Some customers report the waistband lacks sufficient stretch. Additionally, the suit may fit loosely on those with a leaner build as opposed to a muscular one.
State & Liberty is dedicated to creating athletic-fit, performance dress clothing for men. Designed with a V-shaped silhouette, their garments are wider in the chest and taper at the waist. The Athletic-Fit Stretch Suit is designed for ease of care, being wrinkle-resistant and crafted from a 4-way stretch fabric that moves with the wearer. The single-breasted jacket features subtle shoulder padding for added structure, and the pants offer a contemporary, tapered look. For tailoring, both the pants and jacket include extra fabric, allowing for adjustments in length.
Pro Tip: If you decide to iron it one day, make sure to set the iron to the lowest setting to avoid damaging the fabric.
3. J.Crew Ludlow Slim-Fit Suit Jacket
Available sizes range from 34 to 50, with short, regular, and long lengths. There are four colors offered, including Dark Olive and Light Khaki. The material is 100% cotton. Special services include 30-day returns and free shipping for J.Crew Rewards members.
Noteworthy: The suit is highly rated for its ability to fit a wide range of body types.
Areas for improvement: The suit is made from 100% cotton, making it more suitable for warmer weather.
J.Crew’s Ludlow suit, launched in 2008, offers a casual, easy-to-wear alternative known as the “un-suit.” The jacket features an unpadded, slim design, allowing for a variety of relaxed styling choices. Crafted from breathable cotton with a relaxed drape, the suit has been commended by numerous reviewers for its superior construction at an affordable price.
Pro tip: In my personal opinion, this suit is excellent, and pairing the blazer with jeans can create a stylish look.
4. Charles Tyrwhitt Natural Stretch Twill Suit
Sizes: Jacket: 36S to 50R; Pants: 30 to 44 | Color: Navy | Material: 100% Super 100s Wool | Special Service: 6-Month Quality Guarantee
Notable Features: The suit’s tailoring strikes a balance between a power suit and a timeless classic.
Areas for Improvement: The suit is not available in an athletic fit, only in classic and slim fits, which may not suit those with a muscular build.
For a versatile work suit at a reasonable price, Charles Tyrwhitt’s Natural Stretch Twill Suit is an excellent option. Available in classic and slim fits, the wool twill fabric naturally stretches, providing comfort and facilitating movement. The single-breasted jacket and flat-front pants can be complemented with an adjustable vest for a refined look suitable for the office or formal events.
Pro Tip: You can always choose a blue dress shirt or one with a subtle check pattern for a more casual boardroom look.
5. Sid Mashburn Kincaid No. 3 Suit
Sizes: 46S to 64R | Color: Airforce | Material: 100% Wool | Special Features: Free returns within 15 days; complimentary basic alterations
Noteworthy: The high-twist wool of this suit possesses excellent resilience, meaning it resists wrinkling effectively.
Areas for improvement: The sleeves and inseam come unfinished, requiring tailoring for a perfect fit, which is an additional step.
Before launching his own brand in 2007, Sid Mashburn designed for J.Crew, Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger, which explains the timeless yet trendy appeal of his clothing. His designs are not only stylish but also wearable for the everyday man. This versatile suit is suitable for a range of occasions, from business meetings to weddings. It features a welted chest pocket, two flap pockets, and a distinctive ticket pocket. The trousers boast a flat front and on-seam pockets.
Pro Tip: In my opinion, this suit is perfect for many occasions and it’s affordable.
6. Suit Supply Perennial Havana Suit
Sizes range from 34S to 50L, with two color options: Navy Blue and Black. The material composition is 99% Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) wool and 1% elastane. Special services include free shipping for rewards members and complimentary BR Atelier styling appointments.
Noteworthy: The suit jacket boasts features such as a soft shoulder and an articulated sleeve, ensuring comfort during prolonged wear.
Areas for improvement: The fabric’s thicker weave may be more prone to snagging compared to other materials.
The market for big and tall suiting has grown to include more than just specialized tailors. Brands known for their modern and approachable fashion, such as Banana Republic, have expanded their collections to feature premium options in larger sizes. These selections cater to waists up to 44 inches and blazers up to 50 inches in length. Notably, the Signature Hopsack Suit Jacket and matching Hopsack Suit Pants are designed from Italian stretch wool sourced from a mill renowned since 1865, offering a fabric that is not only resistant to wrinkles but also highly breathable.
pro tip: A portable steamer is an excellent tool for keeping your suit looking sharp between dry cleaning visits. It effectively removes wrinkles and neutralizes odors, ensuring your suit remains fresh and presentable.
Sizes range from 32S to 50L, with two color options including Mid Grey and Dark Green. The material is 100% wool. Special services include in-store tailoring and a custom suit design service.
Noteworthy: Suit Supply’s fabrics, milled in Italy, are renowned for their superior quality and attention to detail.
Areas for improvement: The suit features sporty patch pockets instead of traditional flap pockets, which is something to consider if you prefer a classic style.
Suit Supply provides an array of ready-to-wear and custom-tailored suits, balancing affordability with uncompromised quality. The brand prides itself on transparency, showcasing the skilled work of their tailors in their workshops. A standout piece is the mid-grey Perennial Havana Suit, distinguished by its trendy slim-fit jacket designed sans shoulder pads for relaxed elegance, coupled with trousers that taper towards the ankle, ensuring a sharp profile.
Pro tip: Keeping your jacket unbuttoned can highlight the unique off-center waistband closure and the distinctive winged side adjusters, adding a touch of individuality to your style.
7. Banana Republic Signature Hopsack Suit Jacket
8. Brooks Brothers 1818 Suit
Sizes: 40 to 56; available in regular, short, and long lengths | Colors: Three options, including Black and Grey | Material: 100% wool | Special Services: Complimentary shipping on orders over $200; free in-store alterations
Noteworthy: This fashion style is ideally suited for those with a broader chest, offering both comfort and a flattering fit.
Areas for improvement: For those who prefer a closer fit, this option may feel too roomy; it’s not tailored for a slim silhouette.
Brooks Brothers has been crafting ready-to-wear men’s fashion since 1818, producing garments that are well-constructed, finely tailored, and enduring. Its longevity in men’s wardrobes is partly due to the expert stitching and elegant drape of its off-the-rack suits. The wool used in this suit is naturally stretchy, and the canvas within the jacket molds to your body shape with time. Additional features include a single back vent, front flap pockets, a chest pocket on the jacket, and flat-front trousers that offer a timeless and straightforward style.
Pro Tip: You can always pair this suit with a bold power tie, choosing either a classic stripe or a solid color for maximum impact.
9. Ted Baker Jay Trim-Fit Suit
Sizes: 36 to 48 | Color: Black | Material: 100% Wool | Special Services: Complimentary shipping and returns, in-store tailoring available.
Noteworthy: The slim-fit suit, made from finely textured Super 130s Italian wool, provides outstanding quality for its price.
Areas for Improvement: The suit is sold unhemmed, necessitating an appointment with a fit specialist.
The Jay Trim Fit suit by Ted Baker features classic details with a modern twist. It’s designed with a trimmer fit at the chest and sides, providing comfort for those with a leaner build and a more contemporary look compared to traditional, boxier suits. The two-button jacket includes an internal pocket and a notch lapel, while the flat-front trousers ensure a polished appearance without being restrictive.
Pro Tip: This suit is ideal for any occasion, particularly for work meetings.
10. Indochino Hemsworth Suit
Sizes: Custom sizing based on your measurement profile | Colors: Charcoal | Materials: 100% wool | Special services: Free shipping for orders over $150, complimentary measurement appointment for purchases above $350.
Noteworthy: Indochino’s finishes, such as half-canvassing in the jackets, high-quality collar felts, and bullhorn buttons, are both functional and expertly crafted.
Areas for improvement: The main drawback is the no-return policy, which is standard for custom-tailored garments.
While there are many luxury brands offering bespoke suiting, Indochino stands out as a more affordable yet high-quality alternative. Their made-to-measure service is available both in-store and at home. The Hemsworth, a highlight from Indochino’s premium collection, is crafted from midweight super 100 solid charcoal wool, offering a flattering drape and versatile styling options.
Pro tip: Personalize your jacket by opting for a distinctive lining, engraving a monogram, or selecting a contrasting button color to craft a style that is distinctively your own.