Short, dressed man.
August 6, 2013 7:00 AM Subscribe
I am getting married and need one of two things: a nice suit store in NYC that caters, specifically, to small dudes (I am 5'6" and ~130 lbs and Uniqlo quality won't cut it this time) or one of those made-to-measure places that will measure you and get you a suit made abroad. I need it by mid-October at the latest. Personal experience (good and bad) would be great.
Basically I went around SoHo with a friend to the nice suit places only to find that no one has anything but one or two suits in my size in a fully-stocked store. I got recommendations for places like Black Lapel, but some anecdata as to the quality of such places would be great.
Also, another small dude once told me about a small dude store somewhere, but I can't recall the name or the location (SoHo, I think.) If that place doesn't exist, then I just want someone to take my measurements and come back with a nice, slim suit.
Budget is in the $500-700 range, assuming the suit is well-made and will last. It won't be for everyday wear, I have cheap suits for that.
Basically I went around SoHo with a friend to the nice suit places only to find that no one has anything but one or two suits in my size in a fully-stocked store. I got recommendations for places like Black Lapel, but some anecdata as to the quality of such places would be great.
Also, another small dude once told me about a small dude store somewhere, but I can't recall the name or the location (SoHo, I think.) If that place doesn't exist, then I just want someone to take my measurements and come back with a nice, slim suit.
Budget is in the $500-700 range, assuming the suit is well-made and will last. It won't be for everyday wear, I have cheap suits for that.
Indochino maybe? It's not short-gentleman-specific, but I know several people who are really happy with them, especially for the price. (They recently did a pop-up tailor in Philly.)
posted by supercres at 7:19 AM on August 6, 2013
posted by supercres at 7:19 AM on August 6, 2013
I don't know if this applies to short guys, but people over at styleforum really like Mr Ned for made-to-measure suits. Pricing may be a little above your budget but still under $1000. L&S is another name that comes up in those discussions.
posted by mullacc at 7:25 AM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by mullacc at 7:25 AM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Possibly you were being told about SuitSupply?
Yep! We showed up there and they literally had two suits to my (broad) specifications in my size, both of which well out of my price range.
posted by griphus at 7:36 AM on August 6, 2013
Yep! We showed up there and they literally had two suits to my (broad) specifications in my size, both of which well out of my price range.
posted by griphus at 7:36 AM on August 6, 2013
Mr. Ned. Its where I get all my business wear from. I'm built like welsh corgi. I'm 6' but if I had normally proportioned arms and legs I'd be 6'3 or 6'4. I think his basic suit will come in just above your price point
But 5'6 130 isn't that small. You should be able to buy off the rack somewhere
posted by JPD at 7:36 AM on August 6, 2013
But 5'6 130 isn't that small. You should be able to buy off the rack somewhere
posted by JPD at 7:36 AM on August 6, 2013
I'm around your height and build, and I'm extremely satisfied with my tailored suit from J. Crew. My wedding might be more casual than yours, though...
posted by Sticherbeast at 7:49 AM on August 6, 2013
posted by Sticherbeast at 7:49 AM on August 6, 2013
Is there some reason you can't just go to Jos. A. Bank? There are three in Manhattan.
posted by DarlingBri at 7:50 AM on August 6, 2013
posted by DarlingBri at 7:50 AM on August 6, 2013
The advice given regarding Mr. Ned for what you're looking for is that you really have to map it out for him that you want a slim-fitting suit, as he defaults to a style that is more conservative.
posted by deanc at 8:15 AM on August 6, 2013
posted by deanc at 8:15 AM on August 6, 2013
Indochino makes made to measure suits and has a style that favors slim fit. I have one of theirs and am quite happy with it, although I'm average height.
Comments:
posted by justkevin at 8:15 AM on August 6, 2013
Comments:
- For MTM, it is very important to get the measurements done right. Better to have someone else like your fiance measure you twice, using the instructions from the site you are ordering the suit from.
- Not all suit designs will work well for all body types, but you're not that atypical.
- Indochino has (or had last year) a satisfaction guarantee, so if you ordered a suit and it didn't fit right you could either have it tailored at their expense or return it for a refund.
- MTM suits tend to take about a month from order to delivery, so if you go that route, don't wait too long.
- If you decide to go off the rack, make sure the suit fits correctly in the shoulders-- that's almost impossible for a tailor to correct.
posted by justkevin at 8:15 AM on August 6, 2013
Perhaps Bindle & Keep would work for you? I've heard several "it's fine" reviews of Indochino, but having the folks who made your suit be local for those little tweaks and adjustments after you've received it would be key. (I'm a woman-who-wears-menswear so I find that finishing touches are the most important overall.)
posted by komlord at 8:29 AM on August 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by komlord at 8:29 AM on August 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
The advice given regarding Mr. Ned for what you're looking for is that you really have to map it out for him that you want a slim-fitting suit, as he defaults to a style that is more conservative.
I think this is true. I also think you need to stand up to Vahram to get what you want - especially for a first suit. But he's not easily offended either, so you can tell him what you want even if he thinks its silly. Weirdly the first suit he made for me I loved, while it was the second one I had to hassle with him over. If you know what you want it works, if you don't than I think deanc has a point.
posted by JPD at 8:34 AM on August 6, 2013
I think this is true. I also think you need to stand up to Vahram to get what you want - especially for a first suit. But he's not easily offended either, so you can tell him what you want even if he thinks its silly. Weirdly the first suit he made for me I loved, while it was the second one I had to hassle with him over. If you know what you want it works, if you don't than I think deanc has a point.
posted by JPD at 8:34 AM on August 6, 2013
My husband is your size and bought his suit for our wedding at Men's Wearhouse (here in Boston, but still). Maybe it's not quite as 'nice' as you're looking for, but we definitely paid within your price range. He tried on at least 8, so the selection was fair, and slim fitting suits are popular these days so it shouldn't be too much trouble to find one that will work with a little bit of tailoring. Good luck, and congratulations on the upcoming wedding!
posted by hungrybruno at 8:39 AM on August 6, 2013
posted by hungrybruno at 8:39 AM on August 6, 2013
Best answer: I used a traveling Hong Kong tailor for my work clothes in the past. They come to the city once or twice a year to measure and show fabrics. I got a beautiful suit for my wedding from them. Will PM the email address.
posted by 2bucksplus at 9:09 AM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by 2bucksplus at 9:09 AM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
My suggestion would be Evolution of Style for M2M and right within your price point. They have a few examples on the site of suit options but basically just email them with what you are looking for.
posted by firetruckred at 9:43 AM on August 6, 2013
posted by firetruckred at 9:43 AM on August 6, 2013
I got married in a suit made by my.suit. There are three locations in the city; I've been to the one in herald square and the one next to the NYSE. I really liked their work, and actually have a couple more suits from there.
posted by odin53 at 10:20 AM on August 6, 2013
posted by odin53 at 10:20 AM on August 6, 2013
I got a custom suit made for my wedding at MySuit. I went to the one in White Plains, and had a really pleasant experience - paid around 600$, I think, for a suit that fits me perfectly. Price varies based on fabric and things, but I was really happy with my experience (and subsequently went back and bought an additional pair of pants). Don't know how the store is managed in NYC, but definitely worth a visit.
posted by taltalim at 10:20 AM on August 6, 2013
posted by taltalim at 10:20 AM on August 6, 2013
Barney's Warehouse!
There's this gorgeous Paul Smith thing online for $529.
(In my experience, they don't put all of their offerings on the internet, so it'd be worth a trip over there. I think they're having a sale at the end of August, and they're in Chelsea somewhere, or round abouts.)
posted by functionequalsform at 10:23 AM on August 6, 2013
There's this gorgeous Paul Smith thing online for $529.
(In my experience, they don't put all of their offerings on the internet, so it'd be worth a trip over there. I think they're having a sale at the end of August, and they're in Chelsea somewhere, or round abouts.)
posted by functionequalsform at 10:23 AM on August 6, 2013
Some additional info - it's sort of like shopping for a car- you choose the basic pattern and fabric, then add-ons like different buttons, different color button-thread, lining material, monogram, etc. I was treated really well - many, many measurements were taken, and I rushed the order to get it with 3-4 weeks, I think. And they measure again when they get the suit in to make sure there are no other issues (there weren't for me, though YMMV). Experience was not intimidatingly upscale or anything - just nice.
posted by taltalim at 10:24 AM on August 6, 2013
posted by taltalim at 10:24 AM on August 6, 2013
I just used Black Lapel for a suit for my wedding and they were great. (It was three days ago! Memail me for pictures if you want! I don't mind!) They favor a slim European (?) style that sounds like what you're looking for.
Re: measurements, my advice is (1) include time for having it adjusted locally (Black Lapel covers $75 worth of adjustments) and (2) don't add any features to the suit that make it difficult to adjust (like real buttonholes on the sleeves). With us, my fiancee took measurements based on the videos, and then a local tailor took measurements, and they were pretty different even when we double checked. We made our best guess and Black Lapel then asked us to check a couple measurements again. In the end the suit mostly fit great but needed a few adjustments. The one issue was that the sleeves were too short, and I had those stupid real buttonholes that make them hard to adjust. Black Lapel offered to have me send it to their tailor in New York to adjust from the shoulders, or to have the jacket remade entirely and rushed back in time for the wedding. In the end we figured out a way to fix it locally, but it was good service.
posted by jhc at 10:24 AM on August 6, 2013
Re: measurements, my advice is (1) include time for having it adjusted locally (Black Lapel covers $75 worth of adjustments) and (2) don't add any features to the suit that make it difficult to adjust (like real buttonholes on the sleeves). With us, my fiancee took measurements based on the videos, and then a local tailor took measurements, and they were pretty different even when we double checked. We made our best guess and Black Lapel then asked us to check a couple measurements again. In the end the suit mostly fit great but needed a few adjustments. The one issue was that the sleeves were too short, and I had those stupid real buttonholes that make them hard to adjust. Black Lapel offered to have me send it to their tailor in New York to adjust from the shoulders, or to have the jacket remade entirely and rushed back in time for the wedding. In the end we figured out a way to fix it locally, but it was good service.
posted by jhc at 10:24 AM on August 6, 2013
I agree with Taltalim's more helpful posts and can confirm that my experiences at the Herald Square and Wall Street locations were similarly very pleasant. I believe I also paid around the same price (though it's been several years).
posted by odin53 at 10:32 AM on August 6, 2013
posted by odin53 at 10:32 AM on August 6, 2013
Go uptown to the traditional department stores (but not Macy's). The suit departments at Saks, Bergdorf Men's, and Bloomingdales are HUGE and the salespeople and tailors are total pros. They see 5'6" and 130 pound men in there every day and should have dozens of things to show you in the basic range. Don't let anybody sell you a suit which isn't either completely MTM or which doesn't basically fit off the rack -- drastic alterations to sleeve length or waist size destroy the silhouette and drape of a suit.
posted by MattD at 12:27 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by MattD at 12:27 PM on August 6, 2013
Raja fashions is coming in september. They do high quality work. 4-6 weeks: if you ask for a rush order you can get it for mid oct.
posted by lalochezia at 12:29 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by lalochezia at 12:29 PM on August 6, 2013
The Blue Line at SuitSupply is in your range- I own 2 and they're great. They're not fully bespoke, but MTM. Takes around 6 weeks total.
posted by mkultra at 12:54 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by mkultra at 12:54 PM on August 6, 2013
Got my wedding tux on Indochino based on a metafilter suggestion and it fit like a glove right out of the box.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 10:00 PM on August 6, 2013
posted by Potomac Avenue at 10:00 PM on August 6, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by carmicha at 7:16 AM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]