From Michael"I live in Southern California, where Orange, L.A. and San Bernardino counties meet, and I need to buy a couple of suits. I'm thinking of a single breasted in blue and a double-breasted in gray, both in three-season wool. My budget is $600-$700 per suit, and I like the way an Italian style suit looks, with its tighter fit, double vents and higher armholes. Where do you recommend I go?"
You'll get twice the suit for your money and look a lot better if you're willing to invest an extra hour or two in the process.
The next time you need some shirts or other basics, get sized in a quality Italian brand like Canali or Zegna at a nearby department store. Buy the shirts from the person that waited on you. Then go buy your suits on the Web at a 50-70% discount (Bluefly currently has some Canali for $700, for example). Have them tailored locally. The alterations should normally be less than $100 but could be twice that if you want working sleeve buttons.
Follow the same process if you prefer an American silhouette, but seek out Hickey Freeman instead of an Italian maker. Again, Bluefly has a selection for 50% off retail.
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4 comments:
I believe your estimate for the cost of alterations might be a little low. For what is widely regarded as the best tailor in DC, I recently paid $225 to get a jacket collar lower, waist suppressed, sleeves shortened and the pants taken in.
Try the outlest in Desert Hills off the I 10 on the way to Palm Springs. They have many great stroes including a Zegna outlet and a higher end Ralph Lauren which carries quite a bit of their Purple Label stuff at steep discounts. If I remember correctly they also have a Barney's and a Sak's outlet.
You will get a great suit at a very reasonable price over a traditional dept store.
try Michael's Custom Clothes
818/981-5738
877/636-7848
13757 Ventura Blvd.,
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
www.suitmaker.com
I would like to take the time to thank Tony. I recently made my way to the outlets and purchased myself a very nice Zegna navy two button with double pleat trousers. They also have an Allen-Edmonds next door. Needless to say some serious damage was done.
And, thanks to Will, for posting my question.
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